The holiday season in December is usually a festive, fun and frenetic period with families visiting throughout the season, reunions and celebrations and of course, Christmas shopping. The Christmas and New Year holiday season is one of the best times of the year to go on a holiday – the weather is great, the atmosphere is festive and electrifying and the mood is relaxed. A cruise holiday with the family is an ideal way to spend your year-end holidays. For one, it is the ideal season to take a cruise to exotic destinations in the Asia Pacific, Australia, the Caribbean & the Middle East. It is also a period when many of the popular cruise liners offer fantastic deals, including on-board credit and upgrades and more.

Star Cruises is one of the world’s most popular cruise line companies, and have three ships that take you through Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China, Cambodia, Japan and Hong Kong. Designed for family cruising, the ships under Star Cruises brand offer unmatched experiences for people of all ages. Especially for a family with kids, Star Cruises are popular not just with Asians, but also with seasoned travellers from Europe and North America who wish to explore South East Asia.

The company operates three state-of-the-art cruise ships in Asia:

SuperStar Gemini: This 12 deck ship has been newly done-up and is in prime condition. It has arguably the best customer service and recreation facilities amongst cruise liners that operate in South East Asia. It has a variety of entertainment, shopping and relaxation options, like a show lounge, karaoke, observation lounges, a swimming pool, jacuzzi and the King Neptune Health Club.

Starting from December 2017, the SuperStar Gemini sails from Bangkok to interesting ports like Sihanoukville in Cambodia, Kong Koh and Ko Samui in Thailand. Packages start at INR 18,600 pp for a 2 night cruise. These rates are applicable only for 45 day advance purchases. There is a current offer where cruisers on the SuperStar Gemini get 50% discount on the second passenger.

SuperStar Virgo: This is a large, luxurious cruise ship with 13 decks and 935 staterooms that can handle 1,870 passengers. Passengers can travel to exotic destinations along the South China Sea. Among dozens of recreation outlets, the Galaxy of Stars is one of the most attractive. It also has a Roman themed Oscar Spa. The SuperStar Virgo offers comprehensive 7-night packages, starting at INR 98,200 pp. Cruises start at either Osaka or Tokyo, Japan, and Kagoshima, Mt. Fuji, Shanghai and Yokohama.

SuperStar Libra: With 718 cabins, the SuperStar Libra can accommodate 1,436 passengers and offers a wide array of facilities and entertainment options. The ships has homeports at Phuket, Port Klang and Penang. Cruises starting from Port Klang go to Penang, Langkawi, Phuket and Mcleod Island (Myanmar). Sailings from Penang covers the same ports.

At present, SuperStar Libra is offering Flash Deals on its winter packages starting from Port Klang and Penang that offer a free tour of Phuket city and zero visa fees for Myanmar. It also offers a 50% discount on the 4-night Penang- Port Klang - Phuket – McLeod – Penang package. The flash deals are available till November 30, so make sure you book early.

Here are some of the best packages being offered by Star Cruises for Christmas and New Year.

• The China, Philippines and Japan cruise aboard the SuperStar Virgo has a 30% discount. Packages start at INR 19,110 pp. The sailing period is between November 30, 2017 and February 24, 2018.
• There is a 50% discount on the Japan and China cruise that starts from either Shanghai, Osaka or Tokyo.  This is a spectacular package that covers Mt. Fuji, Tokyo, Kagoshima and Osaka. Prices start at INR 56,900 pp.
• The Thailand and Cambodia cruise aboard the SuperStar Gemini has upto 25% discount for a 2-night or 3-night package, sailing from Laem Chabang (Bangkok). The 2-night package starts from INR 19,900 pp, while the 3-night package costs INR 29,900 pp.
• There is a 25% discount for the 1-night Hong Kong cruise. This package starts at INR 7,150 pp.
• The SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Libra have 45 day Star Saver packages, which give you great discounts of you book 45 days in advance. At present, there are discounts on trips to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. Cruises under the 45 day Star Saver packages start at INR 26,500 pp.

If you haven’t already done so already, then go ahead and book a cruise package for the holiday season this year. Make sure you try to catch the 45 day Star Saver package by booking right away. And you will have a truly different and exhilarating family holiday this Christmas and New Year.