(From top): locals and tourists on the island of Paulau Redang; a view of the Super Star Virgo cruise liner; the plush lobby inside the ship; a hostess on board is all smiles

This wasn’t the best time to think about the Titanic ? even if there weren’t any icebergs for a few thousand miles. As I looked out of the large porthole, I could see the ocean stretching for as far as the eye could see, dwarfing the giant cruiser I was on. The 76,800 ton Super Star Virgo has 13 decks and is a monster of the seas. But it’s still very small compared to the sea outside.

I could feel the gentle rocking of the ship even before we left port for our short cruise from Singapore to Paulau Redang in Malaysia and back. Even the painting on the wall seemed to be moving slightly. And the speaker blared out the announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, the life jackets are. . .”

It takes a bit of time to get used to this floating home. But once you step outside onto the deck, it’s another world altogether. Newly- married Indian brides with fading vermilion on their foreheads and arms full of bangles, cling coyly to their new husbands. Children race about everywhere, treating the ship like one vast playground. You’ll even spot octogenarians wondering if they can relive the romance of their youth. And, of course, there are slim and pretty hostesses pouring out champagne and wine and handing out hot towels.

Created for modern holiday-makers, the Super Star Virgo offers an enviable range of entertainment on board. There are more than 10 dining options, discos, sports and fitness facilities. The biggest problem is to choose between everything on offer. If you follow the Star Navigator, a highlight of the next day’s activities, you will still be confused. Here’s a quick guide to the activities on board ship:

Rise and stretch

How about starting the morning with a round of exercises? One nice part about the ship’s gym is that you can keep staring out onto the ocean as you try to keep fit. So, instead of curling up in bed, head straight to the health club on the 13th deck. The gym is spacious, has the best equipment and even has great music to work out to.

The session begins with light stretching exercises under the guidance of an instructor. “Inhale, exhale as you stretch your arms in and out,” goes the instructor. This is followed by a different set of exercises each day: step aerobics, abs challenge, circuit training and Thai kick-boxing.

Half an hour of stretching is followed by the activity of the day. Once you are done with the exercise, dive into the pool. Then, there’s the spa that’s close to the pool and which offers a range of treatments. You could start with reflexology for your tired feet and hands. Or have a relaxing head and neck massage. Top it all with a steam, sauna and soak in the jacuzzi.

On the deck

If you aren’t the energetic type, how about grabbing a deckchair and hanging about on the deck. And the waiters who are wandering about will be happy to take your order for drinks and snacks. When you look up from your book, perhaps you will spot smaller ships travelling in the distance.

Dining options

Eating is what it’s really about when you go on a cruise and the Super Star Virgo has a cornucopia of choice when it comes to meal time. There are more than 10 eateries but you’ve got to choose carefully. Landing up in a wrong outlet like The Mediterranean can be disastrous.

Steer clear of this one unless you want to elbow your way to the food counter battling other Indians who’ve never learnt about standing in queue. Instead, head straight to the Bella Vista, for breakfast or other meals. It’s quiet, elegant and formal, and allows you to enjoy your food in peace. If you are lucky you may even get a table by the window.

If you prefer Chinese, the Pavilion Room is a good option. For those craving Indian, the Taj’s buffet is quite inviting. But enter Out of Africa, another outlet that is primarily for karaoke, at your own risk ? unless of course, you want to learn Chinese melodies. We realised we didn’t stand a chance here despite our attempts to mesmerise the crowd with Bollywood hits.

Live band

Everyday after 7pm, the mood at Bellini is heady and lively. After all, it’s here at the Champagne Bar that two live bands perform every night. From 60s melodies to contemporary hits, the bands will take you to whichever era you choose. No wonder, it’s always hard to get a table here. Located on Deck Eight, this is one of the most popular after-dinner spots. It’s better than the Celebrity Disco on the 13th deck which has gaudy d?cor with neon lights and awful music.

Water sports

After sailing for one night, we finally spotted land on the horizon. A flotilla of small boats came out to ferry us from the ship to the island, Paulau Redang in Malaysia. It takes about 20 minutes from the ship to the island.

You could laze around on the lovely white-sand beach. But it might be a good idea to try out the water sports here. Also, a diving trip can be fun if you are in a group of more than four. Similarly, scuba, snorkelling and a banana boat ride should be tried if you have the inclination. And kayaking is great if you have a partner. There’s also Laguna Beach resort located on the most pristine stretch of the beach. After you are done with your sports, the resort washrooms come in handy to wash off the sand from your clothes.

It’s time to pack up and be ferried back to the ship. Before you realised, you’ve spent two nights and one day oblivious of the world that awaits away from this manmade haven.

Photographs by the author