StarCruises is repositioning the Star Navigator from its summer homeport in Keelung to Kaohsiung for the winter season, operating from 16 November 2025 to 30 January 2026. Over eleven weeks, the ship will offer 22 departures from Kaohsiung, featuring 2 and 5 Night Cruises to Okinawa (Japan), the Philippines and Vietnam. This marks a milestone, making Kaohsiung the island’s first homeport with direct sailings to Laoag, Coron, Boracay and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines; and Ha Long Bay and Da Nang in Vietnam.

The Star Navigator will depart Keelung on 14 November for a special 2 Night repositioning cruise to Kaohsiung. Beginning 16 November, Kaohsiung will serve as the new homeport, offering exclusive “Warm Winter Cruises” to the Philippines and Vietnam - where average temperatures are up to 10°C warmer than Taipei. Kaohsiung’s strategic location - just an hour from all cities by high-speed rail - makes it ideal for serving the growing market on the island.

The winter schedule includes nine 2 Night “Weekend Sea-cations” departing Fridays to Sundays, sailing to Laoag in the Philippines, plus two unique “Cruise to Nowhere.” In addition, there will be eleven 5 Night Cruises departing Sundays through Fridays, featuring five itineraries:

•Two “All Okinawa Cruises” calling at Naha, Miyakojima and Ishigaki (Japan)
•Two “Vietnam Cruises” calling at Da Nang and Ha Long Bay.
•Three “Puerto Princesa Cruises" calling at Laoag, Coron and Puerto Princesa.
•Three “Boracay Cruises” calling at Laoag, Coron and Boracay.
•One “Palawan Cruise” calling at Coron and Puerto Princesa.
“This marks our third consecutive year homeporting in Kaohsiung,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises. “Thanks to the steadfast support of local authorities and our loyal guests, we’re pleased to extend our deployment through January 2026. This winter homeport in Kaohsiung, featuring our ‘Warm Winter Cruises,’ allows local travelers to sail to exciting new ports of call, including Laoag, Coron, Puerto Princesa and Boracay in the Philippines, as well as Ha Long Bay and Da Nang in Vietnam.”
Mr. Goh also highlighted that another StarCruises ship, the Star Voyager, will homeport in Hong Kong starting in late June and include Kaohsiung, Keelung and Penghu in its itinerary. With a total of 11 scheduled stops across these three destinations, the Star Voyager is expected to provide a significant boost to inbound tourism.

“This year, StarCruises will deploy its flagship vessel, the Star Navigator, to Kaohsiung Port as its home port.” said Kaohsiung City Mayor Mr. Chen Chi-Mai. In conjunction with stopovers by the Star Voyager, a total of 28 cruise calls are scheduled for the second half of the year. This is expected to bring over 100,000 passengers through Kaohsiung and generate more than NT$650 million in tourism revenue. This achievement not only signifies the continued growth of Kaohsiung's cruise tourism industry but also highlights the city's steady progress in aligning with international standards.”

StarCruises Press Conference: Lee Kun-Tse & Lin Tai-Hua, Members of the Legislative Yuan (From Left),Wu Ying-Liang, Travel agent association of ROC Chairman, Luisa Llave, Officer-in-Charge, Philippine Department of Tourism, Lee Hsien-Yi, Chairman, Taiwan Port, Michael Goh, President, StarDream Cruises, Chen Chi-Mai, Kaohsiung City Mayor, Yeh Hsieh-Lung, Director General, Maritime and Port Bureau, Victoria Hsu, Vice President, Sales, StarDream Cruises, Ashimine Osamu, Okinawa Prefecture, Matthew Wu, Chairman, International Cruise Council Taiwan, and Hsu Chih-Chieh, Members of the Legislative Yuan.

Cruise Highlights
Two 5 Night “All Okinawa Cruise” to Naha, Miyakojima and Ishigaki (Japan)
Departure Dates: 30 Nov & 28 Dec 2025
Local and international travelers can now embark from Kaohsiung on the 5 Night “All Okinawa Cruise” aboard the Star Navigator. This roundtrip itinerary visits three of Okinawa’s top destinations - Naha, Miyakojima and Ishigaki. Guests can explore Naha’s rich culture, relax on Miyakojima’s pristine beaches and discover Ishigaki’s vibrant coral reefs. Whether seeking tranquility, adventure or cultural experiences, this cruise offers a perfect tropical winter getaway.
Two 5 Night “Vietnam Cruise” to Ha Long Bay and Da Nang
Departure Dates: 16 Nov | 7 Dec 2025
Travelers can enjoy a 5 Night “Vietnam Cruise” to two iconic destinations: Ha Long Bay and Da Nang. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enchants with emerald waters and limestone karsts, perfect for cave exploration, kayaking, and visiting floating villages. Da Nang offers pristine beaches, vibrant street life, and easy access to cultural gems like UNESCO heritage historical city Hoi An and the Marble Mountains - together creating a rich blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.
Seven 5-Night Philippines Cruises
• Three “Puerto Princesa Cruise" to Laoag, Coron and Puerto Princesa.
Departure Dates: 23 Nov 2025 | 4 & 18 Jan 2026
• Three “Boracay Cruise” to Laoag, Coron and Boracay.
Departure Dates: 14 & 21 Dec 2025 | 11 Jan 2026
• One “Palawan Cruise” to Coron and Puerto Princesa.
Departure Dates: 25 Jan 2026
Set sail on a scenic journey to explore the Philippines’ most stunning islands, offering a rich mix of natural beauty, history and leisure:
Laoag – The Capital of Ilocos Norte, is known for its Spanish colonial charm, heritage churches, and proximity to the UNESCO-listed Vigan City. As a cultural and economic hub of northwestern Luzon, it blends rich history with Ilocano tradition. A recent highlight is the new 120,000 sq.m SM Mall, opened in May 2025, offering diverse shopping, local souvenirs, food and beverages.
Coron – A pristine island paradise known for dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear lakes and world-class diving sites. Visitors can explore Kayangan Lake’s stunning underwater visibility, swim in the unique turquois colour Twin Lagoons where fresh and seawater meet, and unwind in the warm, mineral-rich Maquinit Hot Springs surrounded by lush tropical scenery.

Puerto Princesa – The Capital palawan province and home to the UNESCO-listed Underground River, lush mangroves and pristine beaches, this destination blends natural beauty with cultural richness. Guests can paddle scenic rivers, explore vibrant markets and savour Palawan’s signature dishes like fresh seafood, Chaolong and tamilok. Shoppers will find handcrafted souvenirs, pearls and woven crafts at local artisan shops.
Boracay – World-renowned for its powdery white sands and vibrant nightlife — is the ultimate destination to relax and celebrate. Visitors can indulge in a wide array of thrilling water sports, bask in breathtaking sunsets over the horizon, and explore the bustling shopping and dining scenes along the iconic White Beach.

Set Sail on a Magical Christmas and New Year Adventure!
This December, set sail on a festive cruise to the Philippines, where the Christmas spirit shines brighter than anywhere else. Immerse yourself in a season of joy as the islands light up with dazzling tree-lighting ceremonies, colorful parades, lively night markets, and traditional kalesa rides twinkling with holiday cheer. Then, welcome 2026 in true tropical style with a New Year’s cruise to Okinawa, where golden beaches, high-spirited island festivities and starlit celebrations at sea create the perfect blend of relaxation and revelry.
Nine Weekend 2-Night Sea-cations to Laoag
Every Friday | 28 Nov 2025 – 30 Jan 2026
Two Cruise to Nowhere Weekend Sea-cations
Every Friday | 21 Nov & 12 Dec 2025
Perfect for a weekend escape, this short cruise from Kaohsiung sails to Laoag, a coastal city in northern Philippines. Ideal for first-time cruisers or cultural explorers, the Sea-cation blends relaxation with discovery - offering the chance to enjoy the ship’s onboard facilities, entertainment and cuisine, along with Laoag’s Spanish colonial charm and rich heritage. Alternatively, guests can enjoy the ship’s onboard offerings with the 2 Night Weekend Sea-cations, Cruising to Nowhere.