Have you ever wondered what it feels like to go on a cruise?
No other travel style can match the comfort and pampering one could enjoy aboard a cruise ship. While most cruises are indeed expensive and luxurious, some are definitely more affordable, making them the perfect entry point for those who wish to try it for the first time. Thankfully, StarCruises features sailings that are super accessible to budget-conscious vacationers. One of the cruise experiences they offer is Star Navigator in Taiwan.
We have sailed aboard Star Navigator five times already. The first two were back when it was still Superstar Virgo. The next two were after it was renamed Resorts World One. And we just concluded our most recent sailing, this time as Star Navigator. In a way, we’ve experienced the ship through many of its transitions. In this article, I’m sharing with you every info that I have gathered from our past sailings to help you book your cruise, plan your trip, and maximize your time on board!
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are traveling soon and still on the planning stage, you can also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including immigration requirements and all our recommended hotels and tours. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. We have a compilation for destinations around the world.
How to book a cruise?
You can book directly through the official website. This option gives you direct access to customer support in case you have any questions or need assistance. Plus, you might even get lucky with exclusive deals, promos, or discounts!
For 5% DISCOUNT, use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER (ALL CAPS)!
The ship’s former home port was Hong Kong. In March 2025, Star Navigator began sailing from Singapore before repositioning to its current home port — Taiwan. This means that each sailing starts and ends here, particularly in Keelung City near Taipei. This is perfect because not only is Taiwan accessible, it’s also a fantastic destination packed with family-friendly attractions. You could also have a grand time before or after the cruise. It’s also quite easy to find budget-friendly flights to Taipei, Taiwan.
From Taiwan, the ship will sail to another destination (in most cases). Depending on what route you choose, you could also explore a completely different destination in another country like Japan and/or South Korea.
On our first cruise, our itinerary was Hong Kong-Vietnam. And on our second trip, we sailed from Hong Kong to Sanya in Hainan Island, China. Meanwhile, on our most recent cruise, our original itinerary was Taiwan to Busan in South Korea and Nagasaki and Naha in Japan. But because of the weather, our Busan stop was rerouted to Sasebo (another city in Nagasaki Prefecture) instead.
Available Cruise Schedule
Below are Star Navigator’s itineraries for sailings departing from Taiwan (via Keelung Port) from February to December 2026. For the updated timetable, visit the official website.
Holy Week & Sakura Season Sail
From March 29 to April 3 this year — that’s Holy Week in 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). Grab this cruise deal for as low as US$419 per pax!
- Sailing Date: March 29 – April 3
- Home Port/Origin: Keelung Port (Taiwan)
- Ports of Call/Stops: Jeju Island (South Korea), Sasebo (Nagasaki, Japan), and Naha (Okinawa, Japan)
Again, be sure to use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER (ALL CAPS) for 5% DISCOUNT!
What’s included in the booking?
When you book a Star Navigator cruise, you already pay for the following:
- accommodations
- port charges (charged per person)
- access to amenities like pool, gym, lounges
- nightly entertainment including shows at the Zodiac Theatre
- ALL meals at the three (3) inclusive restaurants onboard
Yes, ALL MEALS — breakfast, lunch, dinner — provided that you dine at any of the three complimentary restaurants, which are The Lido (buffet), The Pavilion (Chinese), and Dream Dining (Western and Chinese menus). Technically, it’s unlimited, even at the non-buffet places. I’ll explain it in more detail in the Dining section below.
What’s NOT included in the booking?
- Airfare to Taiwan
- Mandatory gratuities at NT$ 600 (Interior/Oceanview), NT$ 800 (Balcony), and NT$ 1000 (Palace Suites) per night per person (2 y/o and above)
- For Japan sailings ONLY: International tourist tax, NT$ 220 (JPY 1000) per person (2 y/o and above)
- For Busan, South Korea sailings ONLY: Visa processing
- Meals at specialty restaurants
And of course, other purchases onboard like massage and shopping.
What is the best room to book?
There are four main types of accommodations aboard Star Navigator:
- Interior Stateroom: smallest, no window
- Oceanview Stateroom: with a window allowing a view of the sea
- Balcony Stateroom: with a balcony
- The Palace Suites: the most luxurious options
We’ve experienced all these rooms except the suites: Interior, Balcony, and Oceanview.
The Balcony Stateroom gives the best value for money. It’s not too big or too small. The balcony adds more space to move around. The Oceanview Room is good, too.
But if you have just enough budget for an Interior Room, go for it. Don’t drop the idea of cruising altogether just because you can’t afford the best rooms. In my experience, we spent most of our time outside the room — going on shore excursions, pigging out at the restaurants, and exploring other amenities.
Whatever stateroom you choose, even though you could book any of these for up to four (4) guests, I highly recommend that you limit the number of guests to only three (3) per room. I feel like four is “too cozy”. The fourth person’s bed is positioned awkwardly, blocking the way to the door and the restroom, which can restrict your movement. Trust me, I’ve tried the 4-pax room sharing before.
Note: Each room is equipped with slip-on sandals, bath robes, and toiletries. If you’re not married to particular shampoo, soap or toothpaste brands, you may use what’s provided.
What to prepare before the cruise?
Online Check-in
Once you receive your ‘Booking Reservation’, don’t forget to go to the web check-in page to complete the mandatory online check-in. You’ll also find the link conveniently included in your ‘Cruise Ticket’. Just a heads-up: online check-in closes 48 hours before your cruise departs. If you failed to do this, you can still check in manually at the terminal on the day of sailing.
Travel Documents
Here are the documents you need to secure:
- Valid Passport. This must be valid for at least six (6) months.
- Photocopy of your passport’s bio page. This will be your copy. Upon boarding, a staff member will collect your passport and secure them throughout the duration of the cruise. Don’t worry — it will be returned a day before disembarkation.
- Cruise ticket (printed or digital copy). You’ll have to show this when dropping off your luggage and checking in at the cruise terminal.
- Visa (if applicable). Philippine passport holders don’t need a visa since the home port is Taiwan. If your chosen itinerary includes stops in Japan, you still won’t need to secure a visa, BUT a tourist arrival fee (JPY 1000) applies to those joining a shore excursion. For South Korea destinations, Jeju Island doesn’t require a visa if you’re a cruise ship passenger. However, if your sailing includes a stop (port of call) in Busan, you’ll need a tourist visa.
Onboard Currency, Time & Power Socket
- Currency. Since Star Navigator sails out of Taiwan, all onboard transactions are in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). Credit cards and digital/e-wallets are widely accepted for hassle-free purchases, but it’s still a good idea to bring cash just in case.
- Time. The ship follows Taiwan time, which is the same as the time in the Philippines. However, note that Japan and South Korea are an hour ahead. We know it’s a bit tricky. Here’s our suggestion: turn off the ‘Set Automatically’ option on your devices and manually set it to Taiwan time.
- Power Socket. The ship is equipped with universal 220V outlets that can accommodate most types of plugs. USB ports are also available.
Pack Your Luggage
Each passenger can bring onboard a maximum of two (2) pieces of luggage, up to 25 kg each. Each bag must fit inside the cabin comfortably.
- Clothes & Outfits. Bring clothes that will cover all your days and nights onboard. Personally, when I go on a cruise, I typically pack two sets of outfit per day: one casual set for exploring during the day, and another smart casual set for night time activities. Also, bring proper swimwear if you plan to swim on board.
Each room has sets of robes and indoor slippers. I wear these robes when I sleep, so I don’t bring additional clothes to sleep in.
For footwear, bring a pair of closed-toe shoes or comfortable sneakers if you’re planning to try out activities like zip line, rope obstacles, and wall climbing. - Toiletries. While each room is provided toiletries, I like using my own skincare, bath, and dental products.
Prohibited Items
For safety and security, these items are not allowed on board the Star Navigator:
- Flammable materials and explosives
- Pressurized containers
- Sharp objects
- Illegal drugs and substances
- Alcoholic beverages
- E-cigarettes/vapes
- Weapons, firearms, and ammunition (including replicas, stun devices, and blunt weapons)
- Electrical items and heating devices (like clothes iron, coffee maker, and cooking appliances)
- Extension cords
- Raw food (such as dairy, meats, eggs, pastries, fruits, etc.)
- Other objects that could pose a risk to fellow passengers (like hoverboards and laser pointers)
Travel Insurance
This is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For this cruise, you can avail of PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.
That said, it’s always good practice to book a flight scheduled at least a day ahead of the sailing date. For example, if your cruise starts on a Monday, fly to Taipei on Sunday or earlier, just to be safe. But if you choose to go that route, you’ll also need to book a hotel in Taiwan. Speaking of hotels…
Where to Stay in Taiwan?
If you prefer to fly to Taiwan at least a day before your actual sailing, you can make things more convenient by staying at a hotel close to the Keelung Cruise Terminal, which is conveniently located in the city center. Keelung Tain Station (TRA) connects the port city to Taipei Main Station. You’ll also find MiaKou Night Market near the cruise terminal. Here are some of the nearby hotel options.
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What to expect during boarding?
Double check your cruise’s departure time and final boarding time. Avoid any rush or delays by arriving at the terminal at least two hours before gate closes. This way, you have enough time to go through the entire embarkation process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to boarding Star Navigator from Taiwan:
- Head to Keelung Cruise Terminal. This is where Star Navigator departs. There are two passenger terminals — Keelung West Passenger Terminal and Keelung East Passenger Terminal, so check which of these two is your embarkation point.
If you are coming from Taipei, take the train (TRA) from Taipei Main Station to Keelung Station. The fare is NT$ 62 for local trains and NT$ 97 for limited express trains. The travel time is 40 – 70 minutes. You can also take a taxi or Uber (NT$ 750 – NT$ 1300).
💡 Address: Keelung West Passenger Terminal, #16, Gangxi Street, Renai District, Keelung | Keelung East Passenger Terminal, #1, Chung-Cheng Road, Keelung 20202, Taiwan R.O.C
- Check in your bags. Upon arrival at your designated passenger terminal, find the baggage check-in queue. Present your passport and cruise ticket. They will collect your bags and tag them accordingly. You’ll also be given a claim stub with your last name. The staff will take the bags straight to your room.
- Check in and get your sea pass card. Check-in counters are organized into separate zones, depending on cabin types. Search for your assigned check-in counter. Present your cruise booking confirmation and passport. You’ll be handed the following:
–room card, indicating your deck number and stateroom number. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. It serves as your room key and your credit card. If you need to access some of the facilities or purchase anything on board, you’ll be using this card.
–assembly slip, indicating your assembly station number.
–landing and customs card, only if applicable to your route.
Should there be changes to the itinerary, you will be informed here.
- Clear Immigration and security check. Once you’re checked in, follow the signs to the Immigration counters. You’ll need to present your passport. And then, have your hand-carry items scanned at the security checkpoint.
- Surrender your passport. Upon boarding, present your sea pass card (room card). The staff will also collect your passport, which will be returned to you at the end of the cruise.
- Find your assembly station. Your assigned station number is indicated on the slip handed to you upon check in. Just follow the directions of the staff along the way.
- Welcome aboard Star Navigator! That’s it. Enjoy your room and explore the rest of the ship!
What to do after boarding?
These are typically what guests do right after boarding the ship:
- Eat or explore. Wait for your room to be ready. It may take a couple of hours, so have lunch at one of the three complimentary restaurants in the meantime.
- Settle in your cabin. After a few hours, proceed to your stateroom. You should see your suitcase/bags right outside your door.
- Watch/Attend the safety drill. Follow instructions to watch or attend the safety briefing. Use this time to get familiar with the ship’s layout and know the emergency exit locations.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes! WiFi is available on board. Stay connected at sea by choosing from two internet packages:
- Standard. Ideal for browsing, checking e-mails, messaging apps, and scrolling through social media
- Premium. Includes everything in Standard, plus support for video streaming and faster speeds.
Rates depend on the number of devices, the number of days, and your chosen plan.
What are the things to do while cruising?
Onboard Attractions and Activities
- Zodiac Theatre. One of the best assets of Star Navigator is its nightly shows, mostly a variety of graceful dances and daring exhibitions. They’re incredibly entertaining. Some performances showcase the talents of the ship’s crew. It has 800 seats so you may simply walk in without a reservation. But we still recommend arriving early to get the best middle seats.
Location: Deck 7, Aft
- Parthenon Pool. The centerpiece of the main pool deck. Its Greek theme is a remnant of its Superstar Virgo days, but the entire area is painted white almost all over, giving it a cleaner, classier look. It’s open to everyone.
Location: Deck 12, Midship
- Caesar’s Slide. This is a loooong, swirling slide with some transparent parts, making it more exciting. It’s located next to the Parthenon pool.
Location: Deck 12, Midship
- The Boutiques. Lanes of duty-free shops, selling mostly fashion accessories and jewelry.
Location: Decks 7 & 8, Midship
- ESC Experience Lab. The ship’s arcade. Enjoy your favorite games and virtual reality thrills.
Location: Deck 12, Forward
- The Zone. This is the place to be if you’d rather play board games and console games instead.
Location: Deck 12, Forward
- Gaming Areas. If you’re interested in the other type of “gaming”, if you know what I mean.
Location: Decks 7, 8 & 10 Forward
- Gym. We packed gym clothes but we failed to use them because we would already average 15,000 steps per day just by joining the shore excursions. Haha!
Location: Deck 12, Forward
- Captain’s Observation Lounge. This is a mini-museum below Palm Court, where you could learn more about the ship and see the captain and his officers at work on the Captain’s bridge.
Location: Deck 11, Forward
- Grand Piazza. This is the ship’s main lobby. Sometimes, it hosts bingo games; other times, a karaoke music night venue. It also transforms into an open cinema on some days. This is also the usual venue for the ship’s grand sale where up to 80% discounts are up for grabs.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
Inclusive Restaurants
Star Navigator has three (3) inclusive restaurants. You could dine at any of these complimentary restaurants without additional charge. All these serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The Lido Buffet. The most popular, located just behind the Parthenon Pool. No reservations needed.
Location: Deck 12, Aft
- The Pavilion Room. This is a family-style Chinese restaurant.
Location: Deck 6, Midship
- Dream Dining Room. Onboard restaurant featuring Western and Chinese cuisines.
Location: Deck 6, Aft
Both Dream Dining and the Pavilion offer full-course meals (appetizer, soup, main course, dessert) with limited selection of drinks, usually coffee and tea. Other drinks will be charged to your room.
Specialty Restaurants
Aside from inclusive restos, there are also specialty dining options. At these restaurants, any order will be charged to your room.
We were able to try the following.
- Umi Uma. Serving Japanese dishes (donburi and sushi). We ordered donburi delights. Each order is composed of two main 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 sample much of the menu because we would go here for the drinks. We got to try the salted egg fish skin, which we couldn’t get enough of! You’ll find it just beside the main lobby.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
- Matcha Ice. This offers Matcha-flavored drinks and desserts. This is located just beside Blue Lagoon. I had the matcha caramel latte (HKD 35). The matcha flavor was a bit more subtle than I expected. I also got to try the matcha brownie.
Location: Deck 7, Midship
Other food establishments that are available but we didn’t get to try include:
- Mozarella Ristorante and Pizza
Italian pizza bar
Deck 7, Midship - Silk Road
Chinese food, fine dining
Deck 7, Midship - Palm Court
Lounge with view and access to the Captain’s Bridge observation room
Served drinks and a few snacks
Deck 12, Forward - Sundeck Bar & Seafood Grill
Mostly drinks, with live music at night
Deck 13, Forward, above the Parthenon Pool
Some sailings also do a BBQ Night, where the parthenon pool area on Deck 12 turns into a giant barbecue party. It’s buffet-style with no extra charge, too.
Shore Excursion (Shorex)
This is the part where you can get off the ship and explore the ports of call (city where it is docked).
From February to December 2026, Star Navigator by StarCruises offers two- to seven-night sailings departing from Taiwan, with ports of call (stops) in Japan and South Korea.
Sailings with Ports of Call
- 2N NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 2N ISHIGAKI CRUISE
-Keelung
–Ishigaki (Japan)
-Keelung - 3N NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-High 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
-High Seas
–Kagoshima (Japan)
–Kumamoto (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N FUKUOKA – NAGASAKI – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-High Seas
–Fukuoka (Japan)
–Nagasaki (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N KOBE – KOCHI CRUISE
-Keelung
-High Seas
–Kobe (Japan)
–Kochi (Japan)
-High Seas
-Keelung - 5N JEJU – KAGOSHIMA – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-High Seas
–Jeju (South Korea)
–Kagoshima (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 5N BUSAN – NAGASAKI – NAHA CRUISE
-Keelung
-High Seas
–Busan (South Korea)
–Nagasaki (Japan)
–Naha (Japan)
-Keelung - 7N KOCHI – YOKOHAMA – SHIMIZU – OSAKA CRUISE
-Keelung
-High Seas
–Kochi (Japan)
–Yokohama (Japan)
–Shimizu (Japan)
–Osaka (Japan)
-High Seas
-Keelung
Shorex vs DIY Tour
At every stop, Star Navigator offers various pre-arranged tours called Shorex (shore excursions). But you’re not required to book with them. You could also pull a DIY (do it yourself). It’s completely up to you.
- If you book a shorex, you will be joining the rest of the cruise passengers who booked that tour. The great thing about it is that you have everything taken care of for you. You will have a tour guide and a few members of the crew will join the group. They will make sure you’re back at the port in time for sailing. Meals are also often included.
- If you pull a DIY, you have complete control of your time and it’s going to be cheaper. However, make sure you’re back by the prescribed time because the ship will NOT wait for you.
Reminders
- Whether you’re exploring independently or joining a shore excursion, take note of the cut-off time. It’s also displayed on the screens all over the ship. It changes per stop. READ IT, UNDERSTAND IT, REMEMBER IT. Bear in mind that the time zone may also change, so keep the ship’s time in mind. You have to be back on board before that cut-off time.
- You won’t have your passport with you when you get off the ship, so make sure you have the following with you: stateroom card, a photocopy of your passport, and a landing card (if applicable). You’ll also need your stateroom card when boarding the ship again, so don’t forget it.
- Carefully check the itinerary of the tours. Some tours involve long walks or intense physical activity. Be sure to review the activities and consider your comfort and fitness level before booking.
What to do before the cruise ends?
Most of the time (but not all the time), disembarkation is done in the morning you arrive in Taiwan. But for a smoother disembarkation experience, there are some things you’re advised to do the day before.
- Claim your passport. The day before you arrive in Taiwan, you can claim your passport at the elevator lobby of your deck or near the Reception area. Its best to check your disembarkation notice for the exact passport pick-up location and time.
- Accomplish the Taiwan Arrival Card. Make sure to submit your Arrival Card for your re-entry to Taiwan. If you didn’t purchase the onboard WiFi package, you can connect to the internet once the ship arrives at the port.
- Pack your bags. Your check-in bags will be collected on your last night, up to 22:00 (10 PM). Leave it outside your door and the staff will pick it up. I usually pack all my things except the clothes I’d be wearing the next day and some toiletries.
- Settle your bill. You’ll have to pay the mandatory gratuities or tips and other purchases you made on board before you disembark. If you feel like you won’t be buying anything else, you could already settle your account the night before to avoid the long queues in the morning. As of writing, here are the acceoted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
How to disembark?
On the last day, you could still have breakfast while waiting to get off the ship. And when it’s time to disembark, here’s how:
- Go to Deck 7 and follow the instructions of the staff to the gangway. Upon exiting, a staff member will scan your stateroom card or your passport.
- Undergo immigration check for arrival clearance. You’ll be re-entering Taiwan, so you’ll be facing another Immigration Officer.
- Once cleared, make your way to the luggage claim area and pick up your bags. The bags are sorted by deck. Most bags look alike, so double check if you have the right one.
If you are heading back to Taipei right away, you can take the train from Keelung Station near the port to Taipei Main Station. Again, the fare is NT$ 62 for local trains and NT$ 97 for limited express trains. The travel time is 40 – 70 minutes. But if you are in a hurry or want a more comfortable ride, you can also take a taxi or Uber (NT$ 750 – NT$ 1300).
More About StarCruises
With over 30 years of legacy, the redefined StarCruises focuses on providing affordable yet premium lifestyle-driven cruising experiences to new generations. It features two cruise ships — Star Voyager (formerly Star Scorpio) and Star Navigator (previously Resorts World One).
This post is brought to you by StarCruises.
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Updates Log
2026 3 19 – First uploaded
Edited and additional writing by: Asta Alvarez
