This year (2025), StarCruises has made a memorable splash by scheduling two maiden voyages to Port of Kaohsiung, with Star Voyager making its very first call at the port on June 30th (ending its 2025 schedule on October 30th) and Star Navigator scheduled to pay its maiden visit to the port on November 16th. Star Navigator’s arrival will mark the seventh maiden visit by a cruise ship to Port of Kaohsiung this year and, notably, the only one to maintain home port operations at Kaohsiung afterward.
Star Navigator will run home port voyages out of Kaohsiung from November 16th through January 30th of next year (2026). Twice-weekly (3-day/2-night and 6-day/5-night) voyage itineraries are scheduled, with departures set for Fridays and Sundays. Taiwanese are the target market, with the northbound itinerary set to call at Naha, Miyako Island, and Ishigaki Island in Japan and southbound itineraries calling at either Laoag, Coron Island, and Puerto Princesa / Boracay in the Philippines or Hạ Long Bay and Da Nang in Vietnam. A total of 23 voyages (13 in 2025 and 10 in 2026) have been scheduled.
Star Navigator weighs in at 75,000 gross tons, is 269m in length, has a beam width of 32m, and accommodates up to 1,856 passengers. Many of the crew are proficient in Mandarin, making for easy communication throughout the trip. Onboard facilities include multiple theme restaurants serving up the flavors of the world as well as familiar Taiwanese dishes. There are also plenty of entertainment facilities and activities as well as regular stage performances of Nanta, the popular Korean comedy and culinary extravaganza.
Star Navigator passengers departing on either a Friday or Sunday between November 16th and January 30th are requested to abide by the arrival check-in time and procedures provided by their travel agency. Checked luggage drop-off and passenger check-in will be handled for all passengers at No. 5, Haibian Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City. Passengers (as well as friends / well-wishers) arriving by taxi, bus, etc. are asked to disembark at Port of Kaohsiung Wharf 18 (at the corner of Yongping and Haibian Roads). Those driving themselves to the port are requested to park in the terminal’s self-pay lot. Returning passengers (Friday or Sunday between November 21st and February 1st) who have arranged pickup (friends, taxis, buses, etc.) are also asked to make the connection at Wharf 18 (at the corner of Yongping and Haibian Roads) and to follow staff instructions to help reduce congestion and smooth the journey onward.
To help streamline passenger flows and departure / arrival procedures, on Fridays and Sundays during this period (Nov. 16th - Feb. 1st) traffic control measures will be enforced in all outdoor areas adjacent to the ground floor of Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal. Also, cruise passenger vehicles will have priority access to the terminal’s underground lot, with drivers requested to have their passenger ticket / documentation ready to show at the entrance. Other visitors to the terminal during this period wanting to view the Star Navigator in port from the 3rd floor open-air Rhythm of the Sea Plaza are encouraged to make use of public transportation (e.g., the LRT system, city bus [Yellow-1 route]) and follow the directions posted on site.
Provided by：Port Business Dept., Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC
Contact Person：Selena Su, Manager
Telephone No.：886-7-5219000#5911
E-mail Address：su17@twport.com.tw
Image 1. StarCruises’ Star Navigator scheduled to make Port of Kaohsiung maiden call on November 16th (2025) for historic home port voyage (image provided by StarCruises)
Image 2. Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal route organized for departing passengers scheduled for Friday and Sunday (Nov. 16 - Jan. 30) cruise voyages aboard the Star Navigator
Image 3. Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal route organized for arriving passengers returning (Nov. 21 - Feb. 1) from Friday and Sunday cruise voyages aboard the Star Navigator
