Have you ever ever questioned what it feels wish to go on a cruise?
No different journey model can match the consolation and pampering one may take pleasure in aboard a cruise ship. Whereas most cruises are certainly costly and opulent, some are undoubtedly extra reasonably priced, making them the right entry level for many who want to strive it for the primary time. Fortunately, StarCruises options sailings which are tremendous accessible to budget-conscious vacationers. One of many cruise experiences they provide is Star Navigator in Taiwan.
We’ve got sailed aboard Star Navigator 5 instances already. The primary two have been again when it was nonetheless Famous person Virgo. The subsequent two have been after it was renamed Resorts World One. And we simply concluded our most up-to-date crusing, this time as Star Navigator. In a manner, we’ve skilled the ship by means of lots of its transitions. On this article, I’m sharing with you each information that I’ve gathered from our previous sailings that can assist you ebook your cruise, plan your journey, and maximize your time on board!
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the starting stage, you may also go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our really helpful resorts and excursions. Simply go to this web page: TPT Masterlist. We’ve got a compilation for locations world wide.
How you can ebook a cruise?
You possibly can ebook instantly by means of the official web site. This feature provides you direct entry to buyer assist in case you may have any questions or want help. Plus, you may even get fortunate with unique offers, promos, or reductions!
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The ship’s former residence port was Hong Kong. In March 2025, Star Navigator started crusing from Singapore earlier than repositioning to its present residence port — Taiwan. Which means every crusing begins and ends right here, notably in Keelung Metropolis close to Taipei. That is excellent as a result of not solely is Taiwan accessible, it’s additionally a implausible vacation spot full of family-friendly sights. You may even have a grand time earlier than or after the cruise. It’s additionally fairly simple to search out budget-friendly flights to Taipei, Taiwan.
From Taiwan, the ship will sail to a different vacation spot (generally). Relying on what route you select, you may additionally discover a very completely different vacation spot in a foreign country like Japan and/or South Korea.
On our first cruise, our itinerary was Hong Kong-Vietnam. And on our second journey, we sailed from Hong Kong to Sanya in Hainan Island, China. In the meantime, on our most up-to-date cruise, our authentic itinerary was Taiwan to Busan in South Korea and Nagasaki and Naha in Japan. However due to the climate, our Busan cease was rerouted to Sasebo (one other metropolis in Nagasaki Prefecture) as an alternative.
Obtainable Cruise Schedule
Under are Star Navigator’s itineraries for sailings departing from Taiwan (through Keelung Port) from February to December 2026. For the up to date timetable, go to the official web site.
Holy Week & Sakura Season Sail
From March 29 to April 3 this 12 months — that’s Holy Week within the Philippines and peak Sakura season in Japan and South Korea, Star Navigator will sail from Keelung to Jeju Island, Sasebo (Nagasaki), and Naha (Okinawa). Seize this cruise deal for as little as US$419 per pax!
- Crusing Date: March 29 – April 3
- Residence Port/Origin: Keelung Port (Taiwan)
- Ports of Name/Stops: Jeju Island (South Korea), Sasebo (Nagasaki, Japan), and Naha (Okinawa, Japan)
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What’s included within the reserving?
Whenever you ebook a Star Navigator cruise, you already pay for the next:
- lodging
- port expenses (charged per individual)
- entry to facilities like pool, health club, lounges
- nightly leisure together with reveals on the Zodiac Theatre
- ALL meals on the three (3) inclusive eating places onboard
Sure, ALL MEALS — breakfast, lunch, dinner — offered that you just dine at any of the three complimentary eating places, that are The Lido (buffet), The Pavilion (Chinese language), and Dream Eating (Western and Chinese language menus). Technically, it’s limitless, even on the non-buffet locations. I’ll clarify it in additional element within the Eating part beneath.
What’s NOT included within the reserving?
- Airfare to Taiwan
- Necessary gratuities at NT$ 600 (Inside/Oceanview), NT$ 800 (Balcony), and NT$ 1000 (Palace Suites) per evening per individual (2 y/o and above)
- For Japan sailings ONLY: Worldwide vacationer tax, NT$ 220 (JPY 1000) per individual (2 y/o and above)
- For Busan, South Korea sailings ONLY: Visa processing
- Meals at specialty eating places
And naturally, different purchases onboard like therapeutic massage and procuring.
What’s the greatest room to ebook?
There are 4 essential forms of lodging aboard Star Navigator:
- Inside Stateroom: smallest, no window
- Oceanview Stateroom: with a window permitting a view of the ocean
- Balcony Stateroom: with a balcony
- The Palace Suites: essentially the most luxurious choices
We’ve skilled all these rooms besides the suites: Inside, Balcony, and Oceanview.
The Balcony Stateroom provides the perfect worth for cash. It’s not too massive or too small. The balcony provides more room to maneuver round. The Oceanview Room is nice, too.
However when you have simply sufficient price range for an Inside Room, go for it. Don’t drop the concept of cruising altogether simply because you possibly can’t afford the perfect rooms. In my expertise, we spent most of our time outdoors the room — happening shore excursions, pigging out on the eating places, and exploring different facilities.
No matter stateroom you select, regardless that you may ebook any of those for as much as 4 (4) visitors, I extremely advocate that you just restrict the variety of visitors to solely three (3) per room. I really feel like 4 is “too cozy”. The fourth individual’s mattress is positioned awkwardly, blocking the way in which to the door and the restroom, which might prohibit your motion. Belief me, I’ve tried the 4-pax room sharing earlier than.
Notice: Every room is supplied with slip-on sandals, bathtub robes, and toiletries. For those who’re not married to explicit shampoo, cleaning soap or toothpaste manufacturers, chances are you’ll use what’s offered.
What to arrange earlier than the cruise?
On-line Verify-in
When you obtain your ‘Reserving Reservation’, don’t neglect to go to the net check-in web page to finish the obligatory on-line check-in. You’ll additionally discover the hyperlink conveniently included in your ‘Cruise Ticket’. Only a heads-up: on-line check-in closes 48 hours earlier than your cruise departs. For those who failed to do that, you possibly can nonetheless test in manually on the terminal on the day of crusing.
Journey Paperwork
Listed below are the paperwork it is advisable safe:
- Legitimate Passport. This should be legitimate for at the least six (6) months.
- Photocopy of your passport’s bio web page. This shall be your copy. Upon boarding, a employees member will acquire your passport and safe them all through the period of the cruise. Don’t fear — it will likely be returned a day earlier than disembarkation.
- Cruise ticket (printed or digital copy). You’ll have to indicate this when dropping off your baggage and checking in on the cruise terminal.
- Visa (if relevant). Philippine passport holders don’t want a visa for the reason that residence port is Taiwan. In case your chosen itinerary consists of stops in Japan, you continue to gained’t must safe a visa, BUT a vacationer arrival price (JPY 1000) applies to these becoming a member of a shore tour. For South Korea locations, Jeju Island doesn’t require a visa when you’re a cruise ship passenger. Nevertheless, in case your crusing features a cease (port of name) in Busan, you’ll want a vacationer visa.
Onboard Forex, Time & Energy Socket
- Forex. Since Star Navigator sails out of Taiwan, all onboard transactions are in New Taiwan {Dollars} (NTD). Bank cards and digital/e-wallets are broadly accepted for hassle-free purchases, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to convey money simply in case.
- Time. The ship follows Taiwan time, which is identical because the time within the Philippines. Nevertheless, notice that Japan and South Korea are an hour forward. We all know it’s a bit difficult. Right here’s our suggestion: flip off the ‘Set Robotically’ choice in your units and manually set it to Taiwan time.
- Energy Socket. The ship is supplied with common 220V retailers that may accommodate most forms of plugs. USB ports are additionally obtainable.
Pack Your Baggage
Every passenger can convey onboard a most of two (2) items of baggage, as much as 25 kg every. Every bag should match contained in the cabin comfortably.
- Garments & Outfits. Carry garments that may cowl all of your days and nights onboard. Personally, once I go on a cruise, I sometimes pack two units of outfit per day: one informal set for exploring through the day, and one other sensible informal set for evening time actions. Additionally, convey correct swimwear when you plan to swim on board.
Every room has units of robes and indoor slippers. I put on these robes once I sleep, so I don’t convey further garments to sleep in.
For footwear, convey a pair of closed-toe sneakers or comfy sneakers when you’re planning to check out actions like zip line, rope obstacles, and wall climbing. - Toiletries. Whereas every room is offered toiletries, I like utilizing my very own skincare, bathtub, and dental merchandise.
Prohibited Gadgets
For security and safety, these things will not be allowed on board the Star Navigator:
- Flammable supplies and explosives
- Pressurized containers
- Sharp objects
- Unlawful medication and substances
- Alcoholic drinks
- E-cigarettes/vapes
- Weapons, firearms, and ammunition (together with replicas, stun units, and blunt weapons)
- Electrical objects and heating units (like garments iron, espresso maker, and cooking home equipment)
- Extension cords
- Uncooked meals (comparable to dairy, meats, eggs, pastries, fruits, and so on.)
- Different objects that would pose a threat to fellow passengers (like hoverboards and laser pointers)
Journey Insurance coverage
That is elective, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey will be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it provides us peace of thoughts in case of sudden delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For this cruise, you possibly can avail of PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You possibly can GET IT HERE. Don’t neglect to make use of WORTHIT for a particular reasonably priced price.
That stated, it’s all the time good observe to ebook a flight scheduled at the least a day forward of the crusing date. For instance, in case your cruise begins on a Monday, fly to Taipei on Sunday or earlier, simply to be secure. However when you select to go that route, you’ll additionally must ebook a resort in Taiwan. Talking of resorts…
The place to Keep in Taiwan?
For those who want to fly to Taiwan at the least a day earlier than your precise crusing, you can also make issues extra handy by staying at a resort near the Keelung Cruise Terminal, which is conveniently positioned within the metropolis heart. Keelung Tain Station (TRA) connects the port metropolis to Taipei Principal Station. You’ll additionally discover MiaKou Evening Market close to the cruise terminal. Listed below are a number of the close by resort choices.
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What to anticipate throughout boarding?
Double test your cruise’s departure time and closing boarding time. Keep away from any rush or delays by arriving on the terminal at the least two hours earlier than gate closes. This manner, you may have sufficient time to undergo all the embarkation course of.
Right here’s a step-by-step information to boarding Star Navigator from Taiwan:
- Head to Keelung Cruise Terminal. That is the place Star Navigator departs. There are two passenger terminals — Keelung West Passenger Terminal and Keelung East Passenger Terminal, so test which of those two is your embarkation level.
In case you are coming from Taipei, take the prepare (TRA) from Taipei Principal Station to Keelung Station. The fare is NT$ 62 for native trains and NT$ 97 for restricted specific trains. The journey time is 40 – 70 minutes. You can even take a taxi or Uber (NT$ 750 – NT$ 1300).
💡 Tackle: Keelung West Passenger Terminal, #16, Gangxi Road, Renai District, Keelung | Keelung East Passenger Terminal, #1, Chung-Cheng Highway, Keelung 20202, Taiwan R.O.C
- Verify in your baggage. Upon arrival at your designated passenger terminal, discover the luggage check-in queue. Current your passport and cruise ticket. They may acquire your baggage and tag them accordingly. You’ll even be given a declare stub along with your final identify. The employees will take the luggage straight to your room.
- Verify in and get your sea go card. Verify-in counters are organized into separate zones, relying on cabin varieties. Seek for your assigned check-in counter. Current your cruise reserving affirmation and passport. You’ll be handed the next:
–room card, indicating your deck quantity and stateroom quantity. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. It serves as your room key and your bank card. If it is advisable entry a number of the amenities or buy something on board, you’ll be utilizing this card.
–meeting slip, indicating your meeting station quantity.
–touchdown and customs card, provided that relevant to your route.
Ought to there be adjustments to the itinerary, you can be knowledgeable right here.
- Clear Immigration and safety test. When you’re checked in, comply with the indicators to the Immigration counters. You’ll must current your passport. After which, have your hand-carry objects scanned on the safety checkpoint.
- Give up your passport. Upon boarding, current your sea go card (room card). The employees may even acquire your passport, which shall be returned to you on the finish of the cruise.
- Discover your meeting station. Your assigned station quantity is indicated on the slip handed to you upon test in. Simply comply with the instructions of the employees alongside the way in which.
- Welcome aboard Star Navigator! That’s it. Get pleasure from your room and discover the remainder of the ship!
What to do after boarding?
These are sometimes what visitors do proper after boarding the ship:
- Eat or discover. Wait on your room to be prepared. It could take a few hours, so have lunch at one of many three complimentary eating places within the meantime.
- Settle in your cabin. After a couple of hours, proceed to your stateroom. You must see your suitcase/baggage proper outdoors your door.
- Watch/Attend the protection drill. Comply with directions to look at or attend the protection briefing. Use this time to get conversant in the ship’s structure and know the emergency exit places.
Is there WiFi on board?
Sure! WiFi is obtainable on board. Keep related at sea by selecting from two web packages:
- Customary. Very best for shopping, checking e-mails, messaging apps, and scrolling by means of social media
- Premium. Contains every part in Customary, plus assist for video streaming and sooner speeds.
Charges rely upon the variety of units, the variety of days, and your chosen plan.
What are the issues to do whereas cruising?
Onboard Sights and Actions
- Zodiac Theatre. Among the finest belongings of Star Navigator is its nightly reveals, principally a wide range of sleek dances and daring exhibitions. They’re extremely entertaining. Some performances showcase the abilities of the ship’s crew. It has 800 seats so chances are you’ll merely stroll in with no reservation. However we nonetheless advocate arriving early to get the perfect center seats.
Location: Deck 7, Aft
- Parthenon Pool. The centerpiece of the principle pool deck. Its Greek theme is a remnant of its Famous person Virgo days, however all the space is painted white virtually throughout, giving it a cleaner, classier look. It’s open to everybody.
Location: Deck 12, Midship
- Caesar’s Slide. This can be a loooong, swirling slide with some clear components, making it extra thrilling. It’s positioned subsequent to the Parthenon pool.
Location: Deck 12, Midship
- The Boutiques. Lanes of duty-free outlets, promoting principally style equipment and jewellery.
Location: Decks 7 & 8, Midship
- ESC Expertise Lab. The ship’s arcade. Get pleasure from your favourite video games and digital actuality thrills.
Location: Deck 12, Ahead
- The Zone. That is the place to be when you’d slightly play board video games and console video games as an alternative.
Location: Deck 12, Ahead
- Gaming Areas. For those who’re within the different sort of “gaming”, if what I imply.
Location: Decks 7, 8 & 10 Ahead
- Health club. We packed health club garments however we failed to make use of them as a result of we’d already common 15,000 steps per day simply by becoming a member of the shore excursions. Haha!
Location: Deck 12, Ahead
- Captain’s Commentary Lounge. This can be a mini-museum beneath Palm Court docket, the place you may study extra in regards to the ship and see the captain and his officers at work on the Captain’s bridge.
Location: Deck 11, Ahead
- Grand Piazza. That is the ship’s essential foyer. Typically, it hosts bingo video games; different instances, a karaoke music evening venue. It additionally transforms into an open cinema on some days. That is additionally the same old venue for the ship’s grand sale the place as much as 80% reductions are up for grabs.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
Inclusive Eating places
Star Navigator has three (3) inclusive eating places. You may dine at any of those complimentary eating places with out further cost. All these serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Each Dream Eating and the Pavilion provide full-course meals (appetizer, soup, essential course, dessert) with restricted choice of drinks, often espresso and tea. Different drinks shall be charged to your room.
Specialty Eating places
Apart from inclusive restos, there are additionally specialty eating choices. At these eating places, any order shall be charged to your room.
We have been in a position to strive the next.
- Umi Uma. Serving Japanese dishes (donburi and sushi). We ordered donburi delights. Every order consists of two essential dishes and sides. I had chirashi don and tori katsudon.
Location: Deck 8, Midship
Donburi set at Umi Uma - Blue Lagoon. Restaurant serving Asian dishes. We didn’t get to pattern a lot of the menu as a result of we’d go right here for the drinks. We acquired to strive the salted egg fish pores and skin, which we couldn’t get sufficient of! You’ll discover it simply beside the principle foyer.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
- Matcha Ice. This affords Matcha-flavored drinks and desserts. That is positioned simply beside Blue Lagoon. I had the matcha caramel latte (HKD 35). The matcha taste was a bit extra refined than I anticipated. I additionally acquired to strive the matcha brownie.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
Different meals institutions which are obtainable however we didn’t get to strive embrace:
- Mozarella Ristorante and Pizza
Italian pizza bar
Deck 7, Midship - Silk Highway
Chinese language meals, nice eating
Deck 7, Midship - Palm Court docket
Lounge with view and entry to the Captain’s Bridge remark room
Served drinks and some snacks
Deck 12, Ahead - Sundeck Bar & Seafood Grill
Largely drinks, with stay music at evening
Deck 13, Ahead, above the Parthenon Pool
Some sailings additionally do a BBQ Evening, the place the parthenon pool space on Deck 12 turns into an enormous barbecue get together. It’s buffet-style with no additional cost, too.
Shore Tour (Shorex)
That is the half the place you will get off the ship and discover the ports of name (metropolis the place it’s docked).
From February to December 2026, Star Navigator by StarCruises affords two- to seven-night sailings departing from Taiwan, with ports of name (stops) in Japan and South Korea.
Sailings with Ports of Name
- 2N NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 2N ISHIGAKI CRUISE
-Keelung
–Ishigaki (Japan)
-Keelung - 3N NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 3N NAHA – ISHIGAKI CRUISE
-Keelung
–Naha (Japan)
–Ishigaki (Japan)
-Keelung - 4N NAHA – ISHIGAKI – MIYAKOJIMA CRUISE
-Keelung
–Naha (Japan)
–Ishigaki (Japan)
–Miyakojima (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N KAGOSHIMA – KUMAMOTO – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Kagoshima (Japan)
–Kumamoto (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N FUKUOKA – NAGASAKI – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Fukuoka (Japan)
–Nagasaki (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N KOBE – KOCHI CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Kobe (Japan)
–Kochi (Japan)
-Excessive Seas
-Keelung - 5N JEJU – KAGOSHIMA – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Jeju (South Korea)
–Kagoshima (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N BUSAN – NAGASAKI – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Busan (South Korea)
–Nagasaki (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 7N KOCHI – YOKOHAMA – SHIMIZU – OSAKA CRUISE
-Keelung
-Excessive Seas
–Kochi (Japan)
–Yokohama (Japan)
–Shimizu (Japan)
–Osaka (Japan)
-Excessive Seas
-Keelung
Shorex vs DIY Tour
At each cease, Star Navigator affords varied pre-arranged excursions known as Shorex (shore excursions). However you’re not required to ebook with them. You may additionally pull a DIY (do it your self). It’s utterly as much as you.
- For those who ebook a shorex, you can be becoming a member of the remainder of the cruise passengers who booked that tour. The wonderful thing about it’s that you’ve got every part taken care of for you. You’ll have a tour information and some members of the crew will be a part of the group. They may ensure you’re again on the port in time for crusing. Meals are additionally usually included.
- For those who pull a DIY, you may have full management of your time and it’s going to be cheaper. Nevertheless, ensure you’re again by the prescribed time as a result of the ship will NOT watch for you.
Reminders
- Whether or not you’re exploring independently or becoming a member of a shore tour, be aware of the cut-off time. It’s additionally displayed on the screens all around the ship. It adjustments per cease. READ IT, UNDERSTAND IT, REMEMBER IT. Keep in mind that the time zone can also change, so preserve the ship’s time in thoughts. You must be again on board earlier than that cut-off time.
- You gained’t have your passport with you if you get off the ship, so ensure you have the next with you: stateroom card, a photocopy of your passport, and a touchdown card (if relevant). You’ll additionally want your stateroom card when boarding the ship once more, so don’t neglect it.
- Fastidiously test the itinerary of the excursions. Some excursions contain lengthy walks or intense bodily exercise. Make sure to evaluation the actions and take into account your consolation and health degree earlier than reserving.
What to do earlier than the cruise ends?
More often than not (however not on a regular basis), disembarkation is completed within the morning you arrive in Taiwan. However for a smoother disembarkation expertise, there are some belongings you’re suggested to do the day earlier than.
- Declare your passport. The day earlier than you arrive in Taiwan, you possibly can declare your passport on the elevator foyer of your deck or close to the Reception space. Its greatest to test your disembarkation discover for the precise passport pick-up location and time.
- Accomplish the Taiwan Arrival Card. Ensure that to submit your Arrival Card on your re-entry to Taiwan. For those who didn’t buy the onboard WiFi bundle, you possibly can hook up with the web as soon as the ship arrives on the port.
- Pack your baggage. Your check-in baggage shall be collected in your final evening, as much as 22:00 (10 PM). Depart it outdoors your door and the employees will decide it up. I often pack all my issues besides the garments I’d be sporting the subsequent day and a few toiletries.
- Settle your invoice. You’ll should pay the obligatory gratuities or suggestions and different purchases you made on board earlier than you disembark. For those who really feel such as you gained’t be shopping for the rest, you may already settle your account the evening earlier than to keep away from the lengthy queues within the morning. As of writing, listed below are the acceoted fee strategies: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
How you can disembark?
On the final day, you may nonetheless have breakfast whereas ready to get off the ship. And when it’s time to disembark, right here’s how:
- Go to Deck 7 and comply with the directions of the employees to the gangway. Upon exiting, a employees member will scan your stateroom card or your passport.
- Bear immigration test for arrival clearance. You’ll be re-entering Taiwan, so that you’ll be dealing with one other Immigration Officer.
- As soon as cleared, make your technique to the bags declare space and decide up your baggage. The luggage are sorted by deck. Most baggage look alike, so double test when you have the precise one.
In case you are heading again to Taipei straight away, you possibly can take the prepare from Keelung Station close to the port to Taipei Principal Station. Once more, the fare is NT$ 62 for native trains and NT$ 97 for restricted specific trains. The journey time is 40 – 70 minutes. However if you’re in a rush or need a extra comfy journey, you may also take a taxi or Uber (NT$ 750 – NT$ 1300).
Extra About StarCruises
With over 30 years of legacy, the redefined StarCruises focuses on offering reasonably priced but premium lifestyle-driven cruising experiences to new generations. It options two cruise ships — Star Voyager (previously Star Scorpio) and Star Navigator (beforehand Resorts World One).
This publish is dropped at you by StarCruises.
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Updates Log
2026 3 19 – First uploaded
Edited and extra writing by: Asta Alvarez
