Perhaps only in blockbuster movies by James Cameron or long-running TV dramas like Love Boat. But I swear, not all ships are Love Boats. Some are Laugh Boats where you eat, drink, sleep, play, dance, sing and laugh and laugh and laugh.
That was what happened when top PR man and events organizer Keren Pascual put together some 70 celebrity friends of his to board the SuperStar Leo for a Hong Kong-China-Vietnam-Hong Kong trip. Dubbed the Smart Voyage Part 2 (Part 1 was in Boracay last summer), the four-day, three-night cruise sponsored by Star Cruises, Smart, Portofino Alabang, Pillsbury and Adidas is the most relaxing, de-stressing trip I have ever taken.
Imagine people with a terrific sense of humor and a spirit of adventure like Pops Fernandez, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Gina Lopez, Evelyn Forbes, Marc Nelson, Albert and Liezl Martinez, Ricco and Tina Ocampo, Rikki and Beng Dee, Philip and Tricia Cu-Unjieng, Dennis and Tessa Valdes, Ernest Escaler, Maurice Arcache, Ces Drilon, Karen Davila, Dyan and Jackie Castillejo, Joji Dingcong, Eric Quizon, Liza Ilarde, Ana Kalaw, Anton San Diego, Raul Teehankee, Pepper Teehankee, Mariko Jacinto, Aye Nuguid, Leah Puyat, Anton Barretto and Jack de Mesa. Make them sing and dance, wear funny hats, go treasure hunting, cook even when they can’t, and strip naked (well, almost) and they obey Keren like lost little puppies. Now grab the karaoke mic from them and they bark at you like mad dogs.
For two, a cruise spells romance, but for 70 wacky people it means non-stop laughter and fun. It means being a child again as you play charade, bingo, video and computer games and watch magic shows on the ship. It means flexing muscles to swim, jog, play golf, table tennis, power boxing, do tai chi or go ballroom dancing. It means being adventurous as you relish all kinds of cuisine in the ship’s 10 restaurants, some of them open 24 hours, hooray!
For workaholics, a SuperStar Leo cruise is a dream weekend covering Hong Kong (for eating and shopping), Sanya in Hainan Island, China (for eating Hainanese chicken, tropical sightseeing and shopping for affordable, beautiful pearls), and Halong Bay in Vietnam (for exploring mysterious caves, savoring Vietnamese cuisine and shopping for exquisite wares and clothes at low, low prices). All throughout, you imbibe the countries’ rich history, art and culture.
The SuperStar Leo – the largest and first world-class megaship in Asia Pacific – is one of 19 ships in the fleet of Star Cruises, the fourth largest cruise line in the world. Other destinations cover North and South America, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, Antarctica, and Carribean and Mediterranean routes.
Inside the ship, you feel you are in a five-star hotel complete with all amenities including a spa, a beauty parlor and boutiques. The rooms are nice and neat, with terraces that afford a view of the sea. Inspired by the cruise ships of times past, SuperStar Leo combines old-world elegance with comfort and hi-tech features. Its crew headed by hotel manager Tawfik Ayyad exudes warm Asian hospitality and yes, there are many Filipinos among its efficient staffers and talented musicians on board.
The nicest part about taking a megaship like SuperStar Leo is that there is something in the ship for every member of the family. There are casinos, Moulin Rouge-type cabaret shows and "Sex Bomb" parties for adults, cinemas and video arcades and children’s games for the young, and sports/physical fitness facilities for everyone.
And for travelers who have seen it all, there is something about cruises that relaxes working bodies, refreshes jaded minds, warms aching hearts and tickles tired funnybones.
After all, even Aristotle Onassis who had it all, truly loved, laughed and lived on a ship.