MV Gemini
Former names: Celestyal Nefeli, Vision Star, Superstar Gemini, Cunard Crown Jewel, Crown Jewel
MV Gemini current position
MV Gemini current location is at Aegean Sea (coordinates 36.50109 N / 25.37858 E) cruising at speed of 13.8 kn (26 kph/ 16 mph) en route to Santorini Island. The AIS position was reported 31 seconds ago.
Current PositionSpecifications of MV Gemini
| Year built | 1992 / Age: 30 |
| Flag state | Bahamas |
| Builder | Union Naval de Levante SA (Valencia, Spain) |
| Ferry route / homeports | Piraeus-Cesme |
| Building cost | USD 45 million |
| Engines (power) | Wartsila (13.1 MW / 17567 hp) |
| Speed | 19 kn / 35 kph / 22 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 164 m / 538 ft |
| Beam (width) | 23 m / 75 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 19093 gt |
| Passengers | 800 - 1074 |
| Crew | 340 |
| Passengers-to-space ratio | 21 |
| Decks | 8 |
| Cabins | 400 |
| Decks with cabins | 5 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2016 |
| Sister-ships | MS Braemar |
| Former names | Celestyal Nefeli, Vision Star, Superstar Gemini, Cunard Crown Jewel, Crown Jewel |
| Owner | Jewel Owner Ltd |
| Operator | Miray Gemicilik İsletme ve Personel Tic Ltd |
MV Gemini Review
Review of MV Gemini
The 1992-built MS Gemini cruise ship (fka "Celestyal Nefeli", and previously as "Gemini" for the now-defunct Quail Travel Group) was launched as "Crown Jewel" for Crown Cruise Line. The luxurious passenger liner features a unique yacht-like design, stylish lounges, cozy dining venues, open promenades. The boat was previously operated by Louis Cruises (rebranded in 2014 to Celestyal Cruises).
The vessel (IMO number 9000687) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000160) and registered in Nassau.
History - construction and ownership
Crown Jewel/Gemini is the largest cruise ship ever built in Spain (at Union Navale de Levante shipyard in Valencia). Crown Cruise Line used the vessel for cruises from the USA (NYC) to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada. In 1993, after being chartered to Cunard Line, the ship was renamed "Cunard Crown Jewel". In 1995, it was sold to Star Cruises, renamed "SuperStar Gemini" and homeported in Singapore.
In September 2007, Star Cruises announced that SuperStar Gemini had been sold and in December 2008 left the company fleet. Reportedly the new owner was Jewel Owner Ltd., a company in Bahamas-based Clipper Group of Denmark, which in 2009 chartered the ship to a new operator. In 2008, Clipper Group announced that it would rename the vessel the Vision Star and lease it to the Spanish operator, Vision Cruises. In March 2009, the Vision Cruises company ceased operations.
In early-2009, Mediterranean Classic Cruises was booking voyages in the Aegean Sea aboard Vision Star. However, these sailings were cancelled due to the non-availability of Vision Star (from Vision Cruises). Instead, SuperStar Gemini was renamed Gemini, and until 2011 had a Spanish operator, Quail Travel Group. Since the bankruptcy of Quail Travel in 2011, the cruise ship Gemini was laid up at Tilbury Docks (Essex England) awaiting charter or sale.
In July 2020, Miray International started its own brand ("Miray Cruises") by a multi-year chartering of MV Gemini (inaugural cruise for Miray was scheduled for August 31).
Decks and Cabins
Celestyal Nefeli/Gemini ship has a total of 400 staterooms (max capacity 1074 passengers) and 8 decks (5 with cabins). Of all Celestyal Nefeli cabins, 10 are Suite-grade accommodations each with a private balcony. The ship has a total of 277 oceanview staterooms (including the 10 suites) and 123 interior cabins. Of all outside rooms, 12 are Executive Suites and 31 Junior Suites. Most Executive Suites open to private balconies. Junior Suites are with extra storage space.
Shipboard facilities and amenities
With two eating outlets to choose from, cruisers might enjoy the sumptuous Greek and Mediterranean kitchen onboard as well as 24-hour room service. The Aegean Restaurant is the main dining room onboard Celestyal Nefeli. It is complimentary, features Greek cuisine specialties, and also has a dinner a la carte menu. The MDR restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Leda Casual Dining is the buffet-style venue for alfresco dining with outdoor seating area. Continental Breakfast (7-8:30 am) and Afternoon Tea (4-5 pm) are also served here.
Celestyal Nefeli 's standout feature is a 5-deck, glass-walled atrium with windows that are overlooking the sea. Onboard facilities include 5 bars, 4 lounges, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, Oscar's Beauty Center and a casino. The itineraries feature numerous events themed around Greek gastronomy and culture.
Itineraries
Celestyal Nefeli itinerary program offered Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Greece and Turkey. The 7-day itineraries are from Piraeus-Athens and Istanbul (overnight stay). From Izmir (Turkey) are offered Greek Islands cruises to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete (Chania), Santorini and returning to Athens. Next photo shows the Nefeli cruise ship passing through Corinth Canal.
Miray Cruises specialises in short Aegean Sea voyages (3-4-night Greek Isles itineraries) leaving roundtrip from homeports Piraeus-Athens Greece and Cesme Turkey. The itineraries visit some of Greece's most popular islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Syros) plus Turkey (Cesme). Longer voyages additionally visit Rhodes.
Miray Cruises 2021 charter of MV Gemini is planned for the period April through October.
During layup periods (winter months) the vessel remains docked at Port Keratsini (suburb of Athens City).
MV Gemini - user reviews and comments
MV Gemini ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
Celestyal Cruises extends suspension of sailings until July 30
Celestyal Cruises is the latest passenger shipping company to extend cruise suspension due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) until July 30, 2020...
May 27, 2020 - show more news
MV Gemini Wiki
For summer 2019 season, Turkey's largest tour agency Etstur chartered Celestyal Nefeli (Gemini) for roundtrips from homeport Izmir (Turkey) to Greece (Syros Island, Mykonos Island, Santorini Island and Piraeus-Athens). The seasonal ship charter offered 3- and 4-day itineraries starting May 31 (with a 2-day mini-cruise) and ending on September 8. Etstur's 3-day cruise prices started from EUR 230 / USD 260 per person (double occupancy).
The vessel (Union Naval Valencia yard/hull number 197) is powered by 4x Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 8R32E) with total power output 13,12 MW.
Note: In 2019, the ship's name (Celestyal Nefeli), MMSI (538003843) and registry/flag-state (Marshall Islands) were changed, respectively, to Gemini-Bahamas-311000160.
The vessel was launched (floated-out from drydock) on May 30, 1991, delivered (to the Panama-based Commodore Cruise Line) in May 1992 and immediately chartered (as hotel ship) during the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. On November 11, it left Barcelona for NYC New York. The inaugural cruise (from homeport NYC) departed on October 5.
In 1995, the ship was sold to Star Cruises, renamed "Superstar Gemini" and homeported in Singapore.
On November 19, 2007, the liner was sold to Jewel Owner Ltd but continued the Star Cruises service (under charter) through January 2009, when was renamed "Vision Star". In March, its flagstate was changed to Malta (registered in Valletta). In April, it was renamed "Gemini" and chartered to Quail Travel Group (which bankrupted in August 2011).
In April-July 2012, the ship was chartered (as hotel ship) by Petrofac Ltd (Jersey UK-registered oilfield services provider to the oil and gas industry). In November 2015, the vessel entered drydock at Besiktas Shipyard (Istanbul, Turkey).
In April 2016 through December 2017, the ship was chartered by Celestyal Cruises and renamed "Celestyal Nefeli". In January 2018 was renamed to "Gemini".
In May-October 2018 and 2019, MS Gemini was chartered to Etstur (Turkey-based travel agency and tour operator).
For 2019 was planned a seasonal charter to Blue World Voyages (2017-established, Miami-based wellness cruise line / new) and to be operated as "Blue World One". However, the charter deal was not signed.
In 2020-H1 (first half) the cruise liner was layup in Port Piraeus (Keratsini, Athens). In July 2020, Miray International started its own brand ("Miray Cruises") by a multi-year chartering of MV Gemini (inaugural cruise for Miray on August 31). Miray specialises in short Aegean Sea cruises (3-4-night Greek Isles itineraries) leaving roundtrip from homeports Piraeus and Cesme Turkey. The itineraries visit some of Greece's most popular islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Syros) plus Turkey (Cesme). Longer voyages additionally visit Rhodes. Since 2012, Miray International has been also involved with the Etstur's cruise shipping operations. The list of other Miray-managed cruise vessels also includes Louis Aura, Aegean Paradise, MS Delphin.
Miray Cruises 2021 charter of MV Gemini is planned for the period April through October.
During layup periods (winter months) the vessel remains docked at Port Keratsini (suburb of Athens City).
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