Do You Have to Pay for Activities On a Cruise?
Your cruise fare is inclusive of all major expenses; room, entertainment, activities and meals. But there are also items that are optional and not included in the cruise fare.
These items can quickly add up to your vacation expenditures. If you are on a budget, get to know these incidental costs and set aside some money for it. Or just stick to the all-inclusive items only.
1. Entertainment & Shows on Superstar Libra
For our 4D3N Penang-Phuket-Krabi cruise that sailed on Sept 28th until Oct 1st, 2014, we enjoyed in total six nightly shows. Only four shows are free, the other two are payable.
- STAR 18 - Laugh Out Loud: This 1-hour show will cost you RM30, but I suggest you either go to bed early or listen to the bands that play at various venues. I was disappointed with this show. I thought it would be a sketch-comedy show. Instead, they invited several participants from the audience to take part in a 'quiz show'!
- Sensation - Adult Show: This is a 45-minute topless dance revue by international artiste. It was billed as 'sizzling hot night that will fascinate your deepest & most sensual dreams. It will awake your fiery need for seduction, filling every part of your utmost desire'. Trust me not to trust this marketing ploy. If you are still keen, the show will cost you RM85 for the general seating and RM130 for admiral seating, which is nearer to the stage. These prices are inclusive of complimentary welcome drink.
If you are on a budget, save your money for onshore excursion and forget these two for-fee shows.
2. Activities on Superstar Libra
Star Cruises had organized many free activities to keep you occupied and there are so much to do and choose. For full listing of these all-inclusive activities that are free, check Itinerary & Activites on Superstar Libra.
There are also activities that are payable, but there are optional. Mainly designed to educate, pamper and entertain you, some are worth trying. So, if you want to give it a try, check them out here:
Activity | Cost per person | My Comment |
|---|---|---|
Magic Class with Magician Richard Burr | RM15 for about 45 minutes | On our sail date, we had magic show as part of the inclusive entertainment. This magic class by the onboard magician is optional and payable. On your cruise date, this may not be available. |
Bridge Tour | RM20 for half an hour | This is an educational tour of where the Captain and his Officers control Superstar Libra. This 'behind the scene' ship tour is worth going. |
Ice Cream Party for Kids only | RM30 for about 2-hour of fun filled activities. | Although this is for kids only, the program starts late at night, from 10pm until midnight! There many activities for them to get involved and eating ice-cream are one of them. If you have kids on this cruise, get them to enjoy themselves. |
Bollywood Party and Disco | It will cost you RM20 to be in this party | You will be dancing and partying to the high-energy Bollywood music. There will be a Bollywood dance competition and the winner will win two free tickets to see 'Sensation' |
Shore Excursions | Varies according to option taken | Shore excursion to Phuket and Krabi can either to be with by Star Cruises or you can do on your own. I will write a separate article on this. |
3. Food and Dining on Superstar Libra
Your all inclusive meals are served at Mariners Buffet, Four Seasons and Ocean Palace. You can eat as much as you like and you don't have to pay a cent more, except if you order drinks.
You can opt for alternative dining, but this is payable and your choices are:
- Blue Lagoon, which is open 24 hours and serves Western & Asian snacks
- Spices Restaurant if you prefer the hot and spicy Indian and Nasi Kandar food
- Taipan Restaurant for Chinese and Nyonya food
Your all inclusive meals served at the three restaurants mentioned earlier are quite good.
If you are on a budget, just stick to these outlets. There's no need to venture to the 'charges apply' restaurants.
Bar and Snacks
There are several bars on board Superstar Libra that serves alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
They open as early as 8:00 am and closes as late as 3:00 am. The opening times for each outlet vary and are as follows:
Outlet | Location | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
Star Club 2 Bar | Deck 5 Aft | 12:00 mn - 9:00 am |
Boomer's Disco | Deck 8 Aft | 10:00 pm - 3:00 am |
Pool Bar | Deck 9 Aft | 8:00 am - 2:00 am |
Coconut Willy's | Deck 10 Fwd | 6:00 pm - 2:00 am |
Skyline KTV | Deck 10 Aft | 11:00 am - 3:00 am |
For cheaper drinks, wait for the 'Happy Hour' for the 30% discount. This is on Sunday from 1:00pm until 7:00pm and when ship docked in Phuket, from 12:00pm until 9:00pm.
This 30% 'Happy Hour' discount is also applicable for hair and beauty treatments.
4. Spa and Salon Treatments
To be pampered on board Superstar Libra is not cheap. The rates in Phuket and Krabi are cheaper and if you can wait, I suggest you do it once you arrive onshore at Phuket or Krabi. By the way, it is cheaper in Krabi, but you have shorter time onshore.
Entrance to the spa facilities is RM18. If you intend to visit more than once, buy the multiple entrance that cost RM36. You basically get to enjoy the sauna, nothing more.
For massage, this entrance fee does not apply. The rates you have to pay on board the ship for 1 hour session are as follows:
- Body Massage: Varies from RM90 to RM121
- Acupressure: RM121
- Foot reflexology: RM68
- Body scrub with massage: RM138 (75 minutes)
You have a choice of Thai, Chinese or Indonesian traditional massage or Swedish massage.
If you prefer to be pampered in the privacy of your cabin, additional charges apply. For massage the rates for 1-hour session will cost you RM138.
Facial Therapy
There are various treatments for facial therapy and the rates are from RM60 to RM150. Depending on the type of facial you choose, the session will be from 60 minutes to 150 minutes.
Hand and Foot Care
Manicure will set you back by RM52 and pedicure will cost RM58.
Waxing
If you are game for body waxing, the cheapest is for lip/chin or eyebrow at only RM20. Want to try their "Brazilians"? It will cost you RM100, which I was told is not that expensive. Do you dare to bare yourself to this pain?
Hair Care
A simple shampoo and blow-dry will be RM35 for short hair and RM70 for extra-long hair. Hair treatment rates varies from RM65 to RM308.
5. Laundry on Superstar Libra
Laundry is not cheap on Superstar Libra. Since this is only a 4D3N cruise, you should be able to pack enough clothes in your medium size baggage.
However, if you need to use this service, then these are the rates (inclusive of service charge) for some of the clothing types:
Item | Laundry | Pressing | Dry Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
Men's trouser | RM12 | RM6 | RM16 |
Men's long sleeve shirt | RM12 | RM6 | RM16 |
Ladies' evening dress | RM16 | RM10 | RM20 |
Ladies' blouse | RM8 | RM4 | RM12 |
For collection before 12 noon, your laundry will be delivered the next day at noon. For collection before 6pm, it will be delivered by 6pm the following day.
A surcharge of 50% is applicable for express service, which is within 5 hours.
6. Wi-Fi and Internet
The internet service on board Superstar Libra is available at RM20 for half day, but if you buy it online, it is reduced to RM18. For a full day surfing, it cost RM38. The service is for 'light surfing' only. So don't attempt to download movies or music on board the ship as it will take you ages.
Wi-Fi is given free on some of Star Cruises online deals. So, check them out for this special offer.
7. Other Facilities
Other facilities on board Superstar Libra that are chargeable are:
- Medical Facility
- Child Care Centre
- Foreign Currency Exchange
Have a Good Time on the Cruise
With the above information and tips, I hope you are able to plan and budget yourself for the incidentals that you are keen to try.
This additional advance preparation will not only take care of your expenses, but will make your cruise vacation enjoyable and unforgettable.
Have fun!
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