June 13, 2025 | Press Release

StarCruises has announced the winter deployment of its flagship vessel, Star Navigator, to Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 16 November 2025 to 30 January 2026, offering 22 cruises to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. This seasonal shift follows the ship’s summer stint in Keelung and marks Kaohsiung’s growing role in regional cruise tourism.

Over the 11-week winter period, Star Navigator will offer nine short 2-night weekend “Sea-cation” cruises to Laoag in the Philippines and two “Cruises to Nowhere.” For more immersive getaways, there will be eleven 5-night sailings across five distinct itineraries. These include two “All Okinawa Cruises” to Japan, two “Vietnam Cruises” visiting Ha Long Bay and Da Nang, and seven cruises to the Philippines featuring Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Coron, and Laoag.

This repositioning makes Kaohsiung the island’s first cruise port offering direct sailings to all these Southeast Asian destinations. Travellers will benefit from warmer climates—up to 10°C higher than Taipei—making it an attractive winter escape.

“This marks our third consecutive year home-porting in Kaohsiung,” said Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises. “With consistent support from authorities and our loyal guests, we’re excited to extend our ‘Warm Winter Cruises’ that now include new ports in the Philippines and Vietnam.”

Kaohsiung City Mayor, Chen Chi-Mai, highlighted that Star Voyager, another StarCruises vessel, will also begin calling at Kaohsiung, Keelung, and Penghu from June 2025, contributing to a total of 28 cruise calls in the second half of the year. The city expects over 100,000 passengers and NT$650 million in tourism revenue from these deployments.

Cruise Highlights:
– Japan: Two 5-night “All Okinawa Cruises” (30 Nov & 28 Dec 2025) to Naha, Miyakojima and Ishigaki—offering a mix of cultural, beach and marine adventures.
– Vietnam: Two 5-night sailings (16 Nov & 7 Dec) to Da Nang and Ha Long Bay—ideal for travelers interested in natural wonders and heritage.
– Philippines: Seven 5-night cruises to Laoag, Coron, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa from November to January. Each port offers a unique slice of Filipino culture, nature, and history, from Spanish-era charm in Laoag to tropical beaches in Boracay.
– Christmas & New Year Cruises: Festive itineraries highlight the Philippines’ vibrant holiday season and New Year celebrations in Okinawa.

With high-speed rail connectivity across Taiwan, Kaohsiung’s accessibility is a major advantage for travelers nationwide. The move reflects growing interest among regional travellers in short-haul cruise vacations to Southeast Asia, positioning StarCruises as a key player in connecting Taiwan with nearby tropical destinations.