The new season runs from December 11, 2026 to September 1, 2027, with Keelung serving as Star Navigator’s main homeport and departure point.
During the winter school holidays, Star Navigator will sail from Kaohsiung from January 24 to February 4, 2027, giving families more ways to enjoy a cruise before the Lunar New Year. As the only cruise ship sailing from Kaohsiung during this period, guests can choose from 2 and 3 Night roundtrip Cruises to Hong Kong and Okinawa, Japan.
With year-round sailings from Keelung, StarCruises offers more ways to explore Japan, with itineraries covering 12 destinations across Japan, as well as select sailings that combine visits to Busan and Jeju in South Korea. From short Okinawa getaways and 5 Night Japan-South Korea cruises to a special 7 Night summer holiday cruise visiting Kochi, Tokyo (via Yokohama), Shimizu and Osaka, guests can choose a cruise that fits their holiday plans —
whether it’s a short break, a family getaway or a longer holiday.
“Both Keelung and Kaohsiung have long been important homeports for StarCruises. Through our year-round sailings, we remain committed to growing the cruise market and making cruise holidays more accessible to travellers. In 2027, Star Navigator will continue to sail primarily from Keelung, with additional sailings from Kaohsiung during the winter school holidays to better serve guests from central and southern regions. With itineraries ranging from short getaways to multi-destination voyages and an extended Japan cruise during the summer holidays, we are offering greater choice for different types of holidays,” said Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises.
2 to 4 Night Okinawa Getaways
The shorter itineraries offer an easy way to escape to Okinawa for a few days, whether for a quick break or a family holiday from Keelung with these sailing options:
- 2 Night Ishigaki Cruise
- 2 Night Naha Cruise
- 2 Night High Seas Cruise
- 3 Night Naha Cruise
- 3 Night Naha – Ishigaki Cruise
- 3 Night Miyakojima – Naha Cruise
- 4 Night Miyakojima – Naha – Ishigaki Cruise
From Ishigaki’s scenic coastlines and Naha’s lively streets to Miyakojima’s beautiful beaches, guests can experience the many sides of Okinawa, with time to explore local culture, cuisine and shopping along the way. For those who simply want to unwind at sea, the 2 Night High Seas Cruise offers a relaxed escape filled with Star Navigator’s dining, entertainment and leisure experiences.
For a memorable start to the year, a special 3 Night Naha New Year Cruise departing Keelung on 31 December 2026 gives guests the chance to welcome 2027 at sea, surrounded by the sights, sounds and celebrations onboard.
Only Cruise Ship Sailing from Kaohsiung for the Winter Holidays and Lunar New Year
From 24 January to 4 February 2027, Star Navigator will sail from Kaohsiung, offering 2 and 3 Night cruises to Hong Kong and Okinawa during the winter school holidays and through the Lunar New Year period.
The Kaohsiung departures give guests in central and southern regions a convenient way to start their holiday closer to home. The shorter cruises are ideal for families looking for an easy winter getaway or a pre-Lunar New Year escape, without the need to travel north to Keelung.
5 Night Japan and South Korea Cruises
For those looking to see more in a single holiday, guests can choose from a selection of 5 Night Cruises combining popular destinations across Japan and South Korea: • 5 Night Busan–Sasebo–Naha (20 Dec 2026; 21 Feb & 21 March 2027 departures) • 5 Night Busan–Nagasaki–Naha (23 May & 6 June 2027 departures)
- 5 Night Jeju–Kagoshima–Naha (25 Apr; 9 May; 25 Jul & 15 Aug 2027 departures) • 5 Night Fukuoka–Nagasaki–Naha (2 May & 27 June 2027 departures) • 5 Night Jeju-Sasebo-Naha (14 Mar 2027 departure)
These voyages combine the energy of Busan, the natural beauty of Jeju and the distinctive character of Japanese destinations including Sasebo, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka and Naha.
The 21 March 2027 departure falls within the spring travel season, offering guests the opportunity to experience Japan and South Korea during the popular cherry blossom period.
7 Night Japan Discovery Cruise
For the summer holidays, Star Navigator will offer a special roundtrip 7 Night Cruise from Keelung departing 1 August 2027, visiting Kochi, Tokyo (via Yokohama), Shimizu and Osaka. The itinerary brings together four distinctive Japanese destinations in one journey — from Kochi’s culture and natural scenery and the energy of Tokyo, to views of Mount Fuji from Shimizu and the food, shopping and entertainment of Osaka. With the convenience of unpacking once, guests can discover a new destination each day before returning to Star Navigator to enjoy its dining, entertainment and leisure experiences.
Star Navigator’s 2027 sailings are open for booking on October 1, 2026. Guests can book Keelung departures through StarCruises and participating travel partners across the region, while Kaohsiung departures are available through participating domestic travel partners.
StarDream Cruises: The Cruise Line that Knows Asia Best.
StarDream Cruises brings together more than three decades of cruising and hospitality expertise, with a portfolio of voyages across Asia and beyond. The cruise line comprises two iconic brands—StarCruises and Dream Cruises— each with its own distinctive character and approach to cruising, while carrying forward the heritage and experience of their predecessors.
StarCruises is centred on exploration, offering a more intimate cruise experience aboard its mid-sized ships, Star Voyager and Star Navigator, which accommodate around 2,000 guests. The ships sail across Southeast and Northeast Asia and beyond, providing opportunities for guests to discover a diverse range of destinations.
Alongside this exploration-focused offering, Dream Cruises brings a more expansive and experiential approach to cruising, with larger ships accommodating 3,500 guests or more, and a broad range of entertainment, dining, leisure and lifestyle experiences. Its flagship, Genting Dream, is homeported in Singapore year-round, offering itineraries across Southeast Asia.
Across both brands, The Palace offers a luxurious ship-within-a-ship experience, with spacious suites, 24-hour butler service and exclusive privileges, providing guests with enhanced comfort, privacy and personalised attention.
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