STARDREAM CRUISES REVIEW & GUIDE | Star Navigator Taiwan-Japan Itinerary
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Hues of blues and warm oranges paint the skies as our ship parted the still waters of Kumamoto. A jagged range of mountains silhouetted the horizon, their edges aglow with the setting sun. On our right, a small solitary lighthouse stood on an islet—painted in immaculate whites, its lights winking a silent sayonara to us. We were midway through our five-night StarDream cruise to Japan—suspended between hellos and goodbyes aboard the Star Navigator—on a journey filled with luxurious entertainment, a flood of delectable food, and quick adventures.
| STARDREAM CRUISES REVIEW & GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ WHAT’S INSIDE? |
STARDREAM CRUISES
StarDream Cruises is the latest iteration of the StarCruises and Dream Cruises lines.
I have cruised with them multiple times from 2014 to 2016, when they were still known as StarCruises. I rode with them again after the Pandemic when they rebranded to Resorts World Cruises. And, now, again as StarCruises and Dream Cruises. The recent rebrand marks the return to their classic cruise names: StarCruises for affordable cruises and Dream Cruises for premium ones.
As of the moment, they have three cruise ships. Under the StarCruises brand are the five-star cruise ship Star Navigator (formerly Superstar Virgo and Resorts World One) and Star Voyager (formerly Dawn Princess and Pacific Explorer). For the Dream Cruises, they have the original Genting Dream.
➤ SUPERSTAR VIRGO CRUISE GUIDE
➤ RESORTS WORLD ONE CRUISE GUIDE
HOW TO BOOK A CRUISE
Booking a cruise for StarCruises and Dream Cruises can both be done at the StarDream Cruises website, which has numerous deals and discounts.
Besides these, you can get an additional discount by using our voucher code: lakadpilipinas (case-sensitive) upon checking out.
WHERE DO WE DEPART?
StarCruises’ and Dream Cruises’ ships have different homeports. For Star Navigator, these are Keelung and Kaoshiung in Taiwan. This means the ship departs from either one of those two cities and arrives back at the same place after.
➤ SEE: KAOHSIUNG CRUISE SHORE EXCURSION
To join the cruise, you have to fly to Taiwan first, then take a land trip to the embarkation port. Make sure that you have enough time before your sailing schedule to arrive at the port.
My advice, maximize your travel by arriving a few days ahead of time. That way, you can also see Kaohsiung or Keelung—both of which are lovely places to explore and eat at.
➤ BOOK CHEAP FLIGHTS TO TAIWAN HERE!
WHERE DO WE GO?
As of this writing, Star Navigator has routes from Taiwan to Japan (Ishigaki, Naha, Miyakojima, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Kochi), South Korea (Jeju Island and Busan), the Philippines (Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, and Coron), and Vietnam (Danang and Halong Bay).
They also have a two-night High Seas cruise option—which means the ship simply sails out to sea, then returns back to the port without visiting any other place. This is the most affordable cruise experience and is particularly good if you have a limited budget but want to try cruising.
Depending on the route and cruise schedule (2 nights, 3 nights, or 5 nights), you can visit one country or multiple countries in one go.
ARE KIDS ALLOWED TO CRUISE?
Kids are definitely allowed on cruises. Infants—6 months to 2 years old—are allowed as long as they’re accompanied by two adults. Kids from 2 to 18 years of age are allowed as long as they have one adult companion.
During my cruise aboard the Star Navigator, kids were running around aplenty along the halls of the ship. The cruise is definitely kid-friendly; they even have a supervised daycare center with indoor and outdoor playgrounds.
CHILD RATES
Children have special discounted rates for StarDream Cruises.
For infants, typically 25% off the published rates (varies from time to time based on their promotions). Those 2 to 18 years of age are charged at full price.
Nevertheless, since you’re probably gonna cruise as a family, usually the third and fourth persons you’d be booking in the same cabin—it doesn’t matter if they’re kids or adults—are typically given a 50% discounted rate (sometimes, even free of charge—again, this varies from time to time).
PET POLICY
Unfortunately, StarCruises and Dream Cruises do not allow pets aboard their ships, with the exception of service dogs.
PROMOS
StarDream Cruises usually has promos, which can be found on the Deals section of their website. One particular deal that they usually run that’s a real bang for the buck is their 2 + 2 cruise promo, where the third and fourth guests in the same cabin board free of charge.
And again, to get additional discounts on top of everything, you can input our StarCruises/Dream Cruises voucher code upon checkout: lakadpilipinas
CURRENT DEALS: Where the most affordable cruises available can be seen.
CELEBRATION PACKAGES: compiles deals for special occasions like romantic getaways, birthdays, and special balloon room décor upgrades (like if you want to have balloons inside your cabin saying, Marry Me, Happy Anniversary, etc.).
CAKES AND CORKAGES: if you need special cakes for celebrations or if you want to bring your own wines and spirits with you.
WHAT TO BRING
Deciding what items to bring on a cruise might be confusing for first-time cruisers. Skip the stress and read on.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
PASSPORT: The most important item to bring on a cruise with StarCruises or Dream Cruises. Make sure that it still has available pages for immigration stamps and has six months left on its validity.
PASSPORT COPY: You’ll also need a 1:1 scale photocopy of your passport’s bio page. My suggestion, bring two, just in case you lose a copy.
VISA: For Filipinos going on a Japan and South Korean cruise, there is no need to get a VISA, except if the cruise includes a trip to Busan.
ONLINE REGISTRATIONS: We were not required to fill out the Visit Japan form that’s usually needed when traveling to Japan. Nevertheless, our own Philippine eTravel forms still needed to be completed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Guests are also advised to purchase travel insurance. Although not required, it’s really expensive to get hospitalized abroad. There are affordable travel insurance policies available on sites like Klook, so it’s really a no-brainer why you should not get one.
➤ GET AFFORDABLE TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!
CURRENCY
WHAT CURRENCY: For our cruise, since we only sailed to a single country, Japan, we only brought Taiwanese Dollar (NTD) and Japanese Yen (JPY) with us.
That’s right, besides the currency for the country of destination, it’s equally important that you also bring some for the country of embarkation (where you will board the ship), which, in our case, is Taiwan. The default currency on the ship follows the original country of embarkation. So, if the ship departs from Taiwan, then it’s new Taiwan dollar (NTD); if it leaves from Hong Kong, then it’s Hong Kong dollar (HKD). And so on.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE: In case you didn’t have time to change currencies, the ship also has a currency exchange located at the lobby. Just note that if you’re planning to exchange US dollars to Japanese yen, they have to be converted to new Taiwan dollars first before being converted to Japanese yen. You’ll definitely lose some value in this process.
USING CREDIT CARDS & ATMs: Another option is to simply use a credit card or withdraw money from ATMs. I, however, really don’t recommend these. For credit cards, most food hawkers and small shops don’t really accept credit cards, so you’ll be missing out on those during shore excursions.
As for withdrawing cash at ATMs during shore excursions, it is a bit of a hassle since you’d have to physically locate an ATM machine—which you may or may not find—and it is very time-consuming.
There are no ATM machines inside the cruise ship, although they do accept credit card payments onboard.
APPAREL OR DRESS CODE
FOR THE SHIP: There is no dress code aboard the Star Navigator. Dress as casually or as formally as your taste desires. Sandals, shorts, and even singlets are allowed.
Note, however, that there are free events onboard—like cocktail parties and what-nots—that call for (though not required) somewhat flashy clothing. So, if you have some, bring some! Since you’re on a cruise, dress to impress for those snazzy socmed postings.
Lastly, if you easily get too cold in air-conditioned environments, bring a light sweater that you can wear aboard the ship.
FOR THE POOL: Bring swimwear and sandals or flip-flops with you. The pool is pretty deep, but there are free vest floaters available for kids and those who are really not adept at swimming, so you don’t need to bring one.
FOR THE GYM: If you plan to hit the gym or go running around the top deck, bring adequate rubber shoes and workout apparel.
FOR THE DESTINATIONS: Make sure to also check the weather in both the country of embarkation and the destinations so you can bring appropriate clothing.
OTHER STUFF
SHORE EXCURSION ESSENTIALS: Bring mosquito repellant, sunscreen, an umbrella, sunglasses, a hat, a refillable water bottle, and eco bags (most shops in Taiwan and Japan will not provide you with paper or plastic bags) that you can use during shore excursions.
TOILETRIES: Star Navigator provides basic toiletries for guests (toothbrush set, refillable body and hair wash). They’re not branded ones, so if you have your own preferred brands, bring them. Also, the toilets on the ship don’t bidets, so if you have a portable one, pack it with you. A packet of wet wipes will also help.
ELECTRONICS: Phone, cameras, earphones, and charging paraphernalia.
BICYCLES: I was actually surprised that you can bring a bicycle with you onboard the cruise ship. I was unaware of this until I saw a couple of passengers hauling theirs—not foldable ones, but full-blown bicycles—from a shore excursion in Nagasaki! It’s a really nice and nifty way to explore the places the ship would dock at.
If you plan to bring a bike, make sure to coordinate with StarCruises or Dream Cruises prior to your trip.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
Skip the hassle of your belongings being confiscated or simply being left unused and taking up space better suited for shopping items you’d be bringing back.
FOODSTUFF
Taiwan and Japan are both extremely strict regarding the bringing in of meat, vegetable, and fruit products. Meat in any form—cooked, canned, or raw—is totally not allowed. This rule also applies to fruits and veggies. So, if you can’t live without any of these, better purchase them after you have arrived in Taiwan. Just note that products you’ve purchased in Taiwan can’t be brought over during your shore excursions to Japan, and vice versa—be mindful of what you buy in Japan, as you might not be able to bring them back to Taiwan.
ELECTRONICS
DRONES are not allowed on the Star Navigator. If you plan to use a drone in Taiwan before or after your cruise trip, then you may bring it onboard—just note that they would be taking it from you for safekeeping and would be giving it back after the cruise.
OTHER ELECTRONIC ITEMS that are not allowed: extension cords, heating devices, hoverboards, Segways, large batteries, laser pointers, ham radios, satellite phones, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), and other emergency signaling devices.
E-CIGARETTE AND VAPE products are a bit iffy. They’re allowed aboard the cruise ship, but they’re banned in Taiwan. So, for Star Navigator cruises departing from Taiwan, they’re not allowed.
ILLEGAL ITEMS
Illegal stuff are, of course, not allowed on board: weapons, weapon replicas, flammable and explosive items, sharp objects, illegal drugs, tear gas, mace, and other disabling chemicals.
OTHER ITEMS
There is no need to bring travel adaptors with you, unless your country has a very specific electrical outlet, since the rooms inside Star Navigator have universal electrical wall sockets.
Towels are also provided for, so there’s no need to bring some with you.
HOW TO GET TO & CHECK IN AT THE CRUISE PORT
For first-time cruisers, getting to the cruise port and checking in might be totally confusing and intimidating, since not many people really go on a cruise on a regular basis. Here are some guides to make it easier.
HOW TO GET TO KEELUNG PORT
BY TRAIN: The most common entry to Taiwan is through the Taoyuan International Airport. This is almost two hours away from the Keelung West Passenger Terminal, where the Star Navigator is docked for our five-night Japan cruise.
Getting there is relatively easy and convenient using Taiwan’s train lines. There is also the option of using buses, but it might be kinda hard especially if you’re hauling a lot of luggage with you. If you feel hungry, eat first before boarding, as eating and drinking inside Taiwan’s buses and trains is not allowed.
From the Taoyuan Airport’s Terminal 1, take the Airport Line train to the Taipei Main Station (33 minutes). Once there, follow the underground walkway (17-minute walk) to the intercity Taiwan Railways’ Taipei Station. From there, take a train ride to Keelung Station (44 minutes). Upon alighting, the Keelung Port West / East Passenger Terminal are about two to three minutes away by foot.
BY CHARTERED CAR OR VAN: An easier option is to hire a chartered car or van that would take you from the Taoyuan International Airport straight to the Keelung West Passenger Terminal. This is, of course, more expensive but definitely more convenient and less stressful. It can also be economical if you’re in a group of four or more.
➤ BOOK A CAR FROM TAIPEI TO KEELUNG HERE!
ONLINE CHECK-IN
Before going to the cruise port, be sure to check in online using your booking ID at least 48 hours before the cruise trip. This is mandatory. My advice, immediately check in after booking and receiving your booking ID. Online check-in closes 48 hours before the cruise trip.
AT THE CRUISE PORT
Check your designated check-in time, and arrive at the port on time. Present your passport, a photocopy of your passport, and your cruise ticket to a check-in counter.
BAGGAGE CHECK-IN
You will be asked if you wish to have your luggage checked in and brought to your room by the cruise staff or by yourself. It does take a bit of time for checked-in luggage to arrive to your room, so if your luggage has wheels, I advise that you bring it yourself. There are elevators, escalators, and ramps along the way, so it is quite easy to haul it on your own.
CUSTOMS
You will then pass through customs to have your passport stamped, then a final x-ray check, and then you’re off to the Star Navigator!
STARDREAM CRUISES ACCESS CARD
After physically checking in, you will be given a StarCruises Access Card.
This would be the key to your room and a pass to enter the ship after shore excursions. This would also be used to enter inclusive (free restaurants). Should you wish to purchase anything aboard or eat at premium restaurants, this would also act as your onboard credit card, the balance of which would need to be paid—either in cash or using a credit card—before the cruise ends.
GETTING A WI-FI CONNECTION
Wi-Fi is available for a fee while sailing aboard the Star Navigator. They have several packages divided into Standard (basic speed) and Premium (faster connection). We subscribed to their Premium Full Cruise for 1 device, and the connection was reliable and fast.
HOW TO CONNECT TO THE WIFI:
1. Open your device’s Wi-Fi and connect to the StarCruises WiFi aboard the Star Navigator.
2. Go to wifi.com on your Internet browser.
3. Enter your five-digit stateroom number plus your birthday.
4. Choose your preferred Wi-Fi package.
If you need a Wi-Fi connection during shore excursions to Japan, you would need to purchase an e-sim data pack separately outside StarDream Cruises.
➤ PURCHASE AN ESIM TO USE IN JAPAN!
STAR NAVIGATOR ROOM TYPES
Star Navigator has three regular room types and five luxury room types available for the cruise. They also have Accessible Cabins or handicapped-ready rooms—for those on wheelchairs and crutches—available for the Interior Staterooms and Balcony Staterooms.
REGULAR ROOMS
All regular staterooms have a closet, electronic safe, vanity table, hair dryer, flatscreen TV with satellite cable channels, mini-fridge, and coffee and tea-making facilities.
Most en suite toilet and baths have separate partitions—except a few from Interior Staterooms—so you can conveniently use each one separately and with privacy. Hot water is available, and so are toiletries and fresh towels.
INTERIOR STATEROOM
The most affordable room for the Star Navigator. This is similar to the Oceanview Stateroom; the only difference is it doesn’t have any windows.
Size: 12 to 21 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed | 2 Single Beds + 1 Single Pullman Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed
Maximum Occupancy: 3 to 4 Persons
OCEANVIEW STATEROOM
Similar to the Interior Stateroom, but this one has windows. Note that these windows are fixed and cannot be opened.
Size: 13 to 20 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 Double Bed | 2 Single Beds | 2 Single Beds + 1 Pullman Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed | 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Single Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 2 to 4 Persons
BALCONY STATEROOM
Commanding a higher price, this room has a similar layout to the two previous cabins but has an outdoor balcony overlooking the sea. It also comes with perks: welcome drinks, designated check-in, priority luggage handling service, 10% off spa services, 10% off at retail shops, and NTD 1,200.00 dining credits per cabin per night (promo until November 2025).
Size: 18 to 20 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 2 Single Beds + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 4 Persons
LUXURY ROOMS
The premium cabins at the Star Navigator are more spacious, luxuriously decorated, and have more amenities and exclusive access to The Palace—sort of like a boutique hotel within the Star Navigator that has an exclusive restaurant, buffet deck, swimming and lounge area, and a dedicated 24-hour butler service.
DELUXE PALACE BALCONY
Exactly the same as the Balcony Stateroom, but with access to The Palace
Size: 18 to 20 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 2 Single Beds + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 4 Persons
PALACE SUITE
Eleven compact versions of the Palace Penthouse. It has a living and dining area a master bedroom with a huge toilet and bath with a tub.
Size: 22 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 King-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 4 Persons
PALACE DELUXE SUITE
Twenty-two modernly decorated open-plan suites with a walk-in closet, work desk, sitting area, a bathtub, and a wide balcony.
Size: 37 to 44 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 King-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 4 Persons
PALACE PENTHOUSE
Five of these are located at the front of the Star Navigator; these rooms have the most premium view as the ship sails. Two more are located at the back of the ship, which also has a direct view of the sea. The suite has a living and dining area and a bedroom with a massive open-plan toilet and bath.
Size: 50 to 60 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 King-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 4 Persons
PALACE VILLA
The largest and most luxurious cabin in Star Navigator. There are only two Palace Villa suites on the ship. It has its own mini lobby, two separate bedrooms (a master bedroom and an optional connecting room), a living and dining area with a balcony, a huge toilet and bath with a bathtub and walk-in closet, and an enormous balcony with a Jacuzzi overlooking The Palace Pool and the sea.
Size: 93.85 square meters
Bed Arrangement: 1 King-size Bed + 1 Queen-size Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed
Max Occupancy: 6 Persons
My Room: Where I Stayed
For this 6-day, 5-night cruise to Japan, I was billeted in Star Navigator’s Balcony Stateroom.
I have stayed in this room type before, during my Guangzhou to Hong Kong cruise, when this ship was still called Superstar Virgo. The layout is exactly the same, but I noticed that they have upgraded the interiors to a livelier blue floral motif.
GOOD ENOUGH FOR FOUR
Like on my previous stay, I was bunked alone in the room, so it was actually quite huge, in terms of cruise ship room layout, that is.
This room can bed up to four persons—two on the main bed, which can also be divided into two single beds, and two more on the sofa, which transforms into a bed.
The room is still spacious for two, but for three to four persons, I’d have to say that it would be a bit crowded but would still suffice. If the third and fourth persons are toddlers, then it’s definitely comfortable enough for four.
Also, as you won’t really be spending many of your waking hours inside the cabin, then four is alright.
CLOSET AND SHELVES
Like all staterooms, it has ample closet space for your clothes and even your suitcase. I actually unloaded all my clothes, hanging some and putting others in drawers. Above the drawers is an electronic safe. There are also extra pillows and linens on the higher shelf, which I quickly snatched and hauled to the bed. The more pillows, the better.
Beside the closet is a series of shelves. At the bottom is the mini-fridge, then the main one, which has the coffee and tea-making facilities. I really like how they have stopped using bottled water and shifted to having water stations near the room for refilling, which is definitely more eco-friendly.
There are two more shelves above, which I used as storage for my camera gear and stuff I bought from shore excursions—cans of beer, packs of instant ramen, Japanese mayo, and other random grocery items you only buy once you reach a certain age, lol.
TOILET & BATH
Across from this is the en suite toilet and bath. Towels are provided for, and so are toiletries. Note that these are basic toiletries, so I advise bringing your own. They have hot water, but unfortunately, no bidet.
What I like about their bathroom is how each part is compartmentalized. The toilet is on the left, the lavatory is in the center, and the shower is on the right side. The toilet and shower each have closable doors, so you can actually use each one separately at the same time, saving time, especially if there are four of you in the room.
THE BED AREA
Next is the bed, which is as comfortable as a bed can be. It has a mini-bedside table with a power outlet on the right, which you can use as a table for your gadgets when charging.
Fronting that is a fortyish-inch flatscreen TV with cable channels. I kept mine at the Food Channel all the time.
The sofa bed sits right next to the bed, and along with it is a glass coffee table, which can be kept below the vanity should you wish not to use it.
The vanity has a mirror in front and a hair blower sticking off its left side. It also has a pull-out drawer, which I used to store all the paper what-nots that we needed and got from shore excursions. The vanity table itself became my charging station for my cameras and gadgets. I like how you need not bring any outlet adaptor as the room has a universal outlet and even dedicated USB sockets.
THE BALCONY
And finally, the best part of the room, the balcony.
The area can seat two persons comfortably on its lounge chairs. It also has a table—with an ashtray for smokers, as smoking is not allowed inside the room. This is also convenient for a cup of coffee in the morning—or even in the evening.
I simply love hanging out here, early in the mornings, the ship arriving at a new port, and the sun rising as we glide along the sea.
BENEFITS & PERKS
Again, I love how staying at the Balcony Stateroom also comes with perks—a welcome drink, designated check-in, priority luggage handling service, designated seating at the Zodiac Theater, 10% off spa services, 10% off at retail shops, and NTD 1,200.00 dining credits per cabin per night. This promo runs until November 2025.
That dining credit really did make a difference on this cruise. Unlike my previous cruises, I wasn’t really able to try many of the exclusive restaurants since I’d have to pay extra. This time, I was really able to try most restaurants around the Star Navigator and was even able to enjoy a couple of beers and bar chow every evening at the Sun Deck Bar & Seafood Grill.
WHAT TO DO AT THE STAR NAVIGATOR
You definitely won’t run out of things to do aboard the Star Navigator. Even during my six-day cruise aboard the ship, I felt I hadn’t done all the things I should’ve done during the cruise!
SWIM & LOUNGE
THE PARTHENON POOL at the top deck is Star Navigator’s main attraction. The Roman-inspired pool is surrounded on four corners by circular Jacuzzi tubs.
In the center is a stage where bands play during the evenings, and across from it is a graceful fountain. Around it are lounge chairs, food booths, and even a table tennis. A floor above are more lounge chairs and a resto bar overlooking the pool.
The pool itself is surprisingly deep at 2.25 meters (7.38 feet), but they do have vest floaters available for kids and adults.
THE CAESAR’S SLIDE sits on its left, around three stories high and hundred meters long, with a transparent portion that juts out onto the sea.
THE PALACE POOL DECK is located on the aft (back) side of the ship and is smaller than the Parthenon Pool. This is exclusive for The Palace guests only.
WATCH LIVE PERFORMANCES
THE ZODIAC THEATER has nightly shows in its plush 800-seat auditorium. The shows are free of charge, so seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
We watched five shows during our cruise—Dazzling Departure (dance), Ani-Mation (dance and magic), Crew Show (song and dance), Trust Fall (dance, acrobatics, and magic), and Colour My World (dance, acrobatics, and magic).
Four of these are performed by professional stage actors and dancers, while the Crew Show is performed by regular staff members aboard the ship—which, even though not a hundred percent perfect, is really fun to watch, as you can see how they really enjoyed performing on stage.
As with my previous cruises, the contortionist acts are really something to watch—they’re simply jaw-dropping, to say the least.
THE GRAND PIAZZA, or the lobby, also hosts shows during different times of day. We saw a Chinese puppet show during one evening.
WATCH MOVIES
Movies are also screened at the ZODIAC THEATER during the daytime—the schedule of which you can check on screens near the elevators. These are, again, free of charge. Simply walk in and choose your seat. Get yourself a box of popcorn from the theater booth for a full movie house experience.
If you’re not feeling the vibe of a full theater, you can also watch movies at the GRAND PIAZZA on its huge screen at select times of day.
WATCH A LIVE BAND
There are musicians and bands performing on parts of Star Navigator throughout the day. I saw one playing at the GRAND PIAZZA during the day, at the PALM COURT during a cocktail party, at the PARTHENON POOL during the barbecue party, and at the SUN DECK BAR & SEAFOOD GRILL most evenings.
JOIN TALKS, WORKSHOPS & FORUMS
The GRAND PIAZZA and PALM COURT also host various talks, workshops, and forums on interesting topics good for both kids and adults. During this cruise, I saw art classes for kids, painting sessions with guest Cuban artist Reydel Espinosa, and talks about topics like making bonsai plants.
PLAY EGAMES
For gaming aficionados, the Star Navigator has the ESC EXPERIENCE LAB. It has the usual gamut of racing, fighting, shooting, dance, and adventure arcade games, plus more—a full VR game titled Dead Prison.
If arcade machines are not your thing, they also have claw machines, an air hockey table, and a cozy console game area fitted with PlayStation 4s at THE ZONE.
If you want a larger-than-life gaming experience, they also have scheduled handheld games projected on the huge LCD screen at the GRAND PIAZZA. I saw them casting a Super Mario game via Nintendo Switch one time.
PLAY BOARD GAMES
If electronic games are not your thing, they also have board games available for rent at the PHOTO CORNER.
PLAY SPORTS
But if you want to sweat it out and get more physical, there is a full BASKETBALL COURT at the top deck, where you can go play hoops with a full team. There’s also a TABLE TENNIS table near the pool area.
TRY YOUR LUCK
For high-stakes gaming, there are numerous casinos scattered throughout the cruise ship—the International Room, Casino Room, Premium Room, Mahjong Lounge, and Genting Club (for The Palace guests). Bingo games are also held at the GRAND PIAZZA.
GET FIT
The ship has a fully equipped GYM (open 24 hours), a RUNNING TRACK at the top deck, an ENDLESS POOL—a small pool with adjustable current to swim against—and a TRADITIONAL POOL you can do laps on. You can also do your 10k walks, like I did, at deck 7’s BOARDWALK, which loops around the whole ship. One lap equals a 560-meter walk.
GET PAMPERED
But if working out isn’t on your list during the cruise, well, simply pamper yourself at THE SPA and THE SALON. Treat yourself to a facial, a massage, a manicure or pedicure, a hair treatment, and even a plain old haircut while sailing the high seas.
GO SHOPPING
There are three shopping destinations aboard the Star Navigator: the SOUVENIR MARKET for Star Navigator-themed and other travel souvenirs on deck 7, the GIFT GALLERY giftshop, and THE BOUTIQUE on deck 8.
The Boutique offers branded and luxury items like apparel, bags, perfume, jewelry, and watches. They also have discounted items lined up along the corridor during select times of the cruise—usually afternoons and evenings.
LOUNGE AROUND
If you have nothing else to do, then do just that: do nothing and simply lounge in the many lounge areas along the ship.
The PALM COURT has the largest one aboard the Star Navigator with a premium view of the sea. It also has a bar, so you can sip on a cocktail or drink beer while relaxing. Or if that’s not your thing, they also have a mini library where you can borrow a book to read.
Within the area is the HUMIDOR CIGAR LOUNGE, a swanky room for tobacco enthusiasts.
VISIT THE SHIP BRIDGE
There are scheduled guided tours you can book, free of charge, to enter and gawk at the Star Navigator bridge (ship’s cockpit).
If you’re not able to book a tour, you can still see the bridge, albeit behind a glass wall, at the CAPTAIN’S OBSERVATION LOUNGE. Along the walls of this small chamber are some plaques, awards, and history about the Star Navigator.
WHERE TO EAT AT THE STAR NAVIGATOR
In between having fun aboard and going on shore excursions, there is, of course, the eating part of the cruise. And eat non-stop, you will.
The Star Navigator has a total of fifteen restaurants divided into two categories: the inclusive restaurants, where you can eat for free, and the premium restaurants, where you have to pay for the meals.
INCLUSIVE RESTAURANTS
THE LIDO BUFFET
The most popular and largest restaurant aboard the Star Navigator. The Lido is a buffet restaurant serving Western, Chinese, and Asian cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also serve supper, should you get the midnight munchies, but with a fee.
Like most buffet restaurants, it has dedicated stations for meat carvings, breads, desserts, salads, soups, eggs (for breakfast), and drinks. The main courses differ daily too.
The dining hall is divided into indoor and outdoor seating. I personally prefer eating al fresco at the Lido Grill—I simply love the sea breeze while eating.
PAVILION
The Pavilion serves a Western buffet for breakfast and four-course meals for lunch and dinner. If you want steaks and seafood, you’d get it here. They start with an appetizer, followed by soup, then a main course of either fish, pork, beef, or chicken, and finally dessert.
This is a set meal, but you can actually ask for everything multiple times—basically a four-course buffet meal.
DREAM DINING ROOM
Dream Dining has the grandest dining space aboard the Star Navigator—opulent furniture, high ceilings, chandeliers, and a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the sea. They serve a Chinese breakfast buffet and four-course lunch and dinner meals similar to the Pavilion, but Chinese.
BARBECUE NIGHT
Not all cruises aboard the Star Navigator have barbecue nights held at the top deck of the ship. I’ve experienced this only once before, aboard this same ship when it was still called the SuperStar Virgo, and I’m lucky to experience it again aboard the Star Navigator as we cruise from Nagasaki to Kumamoto.
During Barbecue Night, The Lido is closed (but you can still eat there after getting your food), and food is served around the Parthenon Pool area. Grill stations are everywhere, serving smoking hot Taiwanese sausages, corn, pork chops, shrimp, mussels, and crabs. There are also non-grilled dishes and desserts on other buffet tables.
This is actually one of the most fun dinners I’ve had aboard the Star Navigator.
PREMIUM RESTAURANTS
BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is an open restaurant serving regional dishes from Asia. I’ve tried their dishes on previous cruises and ordered the same ones for this cruise—Singaporean laksa and Malaysian char kway teow. The taste remained as good as I remembered it to be, and so did the generous serving size.
MOZZARELLA RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA
We were planning to order a pizza at the Mozzarella Ristorante & Pizzeria, an open restaurant also found mid-ship, but we simply didn’t have enough time—imagine that. They mostly serve Italian pizza and pasta dishes, and the aroma wafting from this place is just mouthwatering.
HOTPOT
A restaurant serving Chinese hotpots. We have yet to try this restaurant, one pegged for the next cruise.
SILK ROAD
Another restaurant serving traditional Chinese dishes. Yet another pegged for the next cruise, lol.
VINTAGE ROOM
The most opulent and expensive restaurant inside the Star Navigator. They serve steaks and Western dishes. Seating is very limited, so booking ahead is a must.
UMI UMA
A favorite at the Star Navigator. We dined twice at Umi Uma, the ship’s only Japanese restaurant. First, on their teppanyaki room—great performance by the chef matched only by the food he served. And the second one was a late dinner where we splurged and ordered as much as our tummies could handle.
SUN DECK BAR & SEAFOOD GRILL
One of our favorite hang-out places aboard the Star Navigator. The Sun Deck Bar & Seafood Grill is located at the top deck and serves more than grilled seafood. What we usually have at this place is their chicken and fries (both of which are really good) paired with a bucket of Taiwan Beer. The live bands, DJ, and the nightly belly dancing performance are a bonus.
FOOD BOOTHS
LOBBY CAFÉ
Serves pastries and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Good place to hang out when at the Grand Piazza lobby.
MATCHA ICE
An ice cream booth near the Mahjong Lounge. Mahjong and ice cream, anyone?
THE LITTLE CAKE SHOP
Also near the Mahjong Lounge. Add a slice of cake with your ice cream and mahjong, maybe?
GELATERIA
A gelato and ice cream booth near the Parthenon Pool. Perfect for an after-swim or in-between-swim snack.
EXCLUSIVE RESTAURANTS
THE PALACE RESTAURANT
Exclusive for The Palace guests, The Palace Restaurant serves the best of what the other restaurants aboard the Star Navigator serve, plus more. We were actually invited to try their offerings, and I have to say that it was indeed one of the most beautiful lunches we ever had.
STAR NAVIGATOR SHORE EXCURSIONS
The adventure part of joining a cruise is experiencing its destinations through its shore excursions.
Cruise guests can do these two ways, by joining prearranged tours offered by StarDream Cruises or by doing it DIY. Like what I previously wrote in the What to Bring section, I even saw a couple of guests who brought an actual bike to explore Nagasaki on their own!
Star Navigator has seven destinations in Japan, two in South Korea, four in the Philippines, and two in Vietnam.
During our five-night cruise, I was able to visit three destinations in Japan. And I love how these are places you can’t easily go to, as there are no direct flights going there from the Philippines. One destination I would really love to go to, however, which was not included in our itinerary, was Ishigaki in Okinawa—one of the southernmost islands in the whole of Japan. It’s so far from mainland Japan that it’s practically in Taiwan!
Note that there is a fee for joining shore excursion tours, and you need to have a photocopy of your passport to disembark from the cruise ship. If, for some reason, you’re not able to bring a copy of your passport, then you must make a copy at the immigration area of the port of disembarkation for a fee.
NAGASAKI
The first city we visited in Japan. Located on Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. Nagasaki is infamously known as the second city where an atomic bomb was dropped during the Second World War.
We disembarked on the Matsugae International Wharf and walked towards the first destination, the Glover Slope—which surprisingly doesn’t look anything like Japan but more like a European street. At its center is the Oura Cathedral, one of the oldest Catholic churches in the country.
We then proceeded to the Glover Garden, a hill dotted with restored Western-styled houses overlooking the Bay of Nagasaki.
Next was lunch at the Hamamachi Shopping Arcade. We were left to our own devices and were told to come back to the bus after two hours. Together with D, we went to a restaurant serving local champon ramen at the Shinchi Chinatown. That left us with only a few minutes to shop.
The final stop was the Nagasaki atomic bomb area, where the Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Hypocenter, and the Atomic Bomb Museum were located. It was a sobering end to our tour, which left me teary-eyed as we boarded our bus.
Since we still had two hours left before the embarkation time, we explored the nearby area on our own and found ourselves at the Dutch Slope, which has a few more historical houses and temples.
KUMAMOTO
Also on Kyushu, Kumamoto is the capital of the Kumamoto Prefecture.
We docked at the Yatshushiro Cruise Port very early in the morning and were out of the ship by six. The drive to the first stop, Suizenji Park—a Zen-like Edo-period park from the 1600s—took about an hour, the port being quite far from the city center.
Kumamoto Castle was our second stop and the highlight of the tour. We even climbed all the way to the top of the castle, where a gorgeous view of the city unfolded before us.
We then walked towards the Shimatori Shopping Arcade to shop and have lunch. We found another local ramen for lunch, and were able to shop a bit before going back to the bus.
NAHA
Naha is the capital city of the Okinawa Prefecture—the southernmost prefecture in Japan.
We arrived at Naha way past lunchtime, docking at the Wakasa Cruise Terminal. We then quickly wound our way to the nearby Naminoue Shrine, a small temple overlooking Naminoue Beach.
Our bus then dropped us at the Senaga Nishi Beach, and from there we walked to the Umikaji Terrace—an open-air shopping complex. It’s a mix of bespoke shops, cozy cafés, and restaurants facing the sea.
We then proceeded to our final stop, the Alexander & Sun duty-free shopping center.
The drive back to the ship was beautiful, with the sun setting along the sea.
And with time to spare, we visited a nearby MaxValu grocery shop to do a bit more shopping before finally departing Naha and Japan.
OTHER SHORE EXCURSIONS
There are actually different shore excursions being offered for these three destinations, some highlighting historical places, others more focused on food, and so on. You can choose an excursion that beats closest to your way of traveling.
PRACTICAL CRUISE TIPS
As with my previous cruise blogs, I have collated some guides and tips to make your cruise even more enjoyable—especially good for first-time cruisers. These are from my own cruise experience, from different ships and from this same actual ship, which I have ridden twice before. Read on and cruise like a pro.
CHOOSING THE BEST FREE RESTAURANT TO EAT AT
There are three inclusive restaurants aboard Star Navigator: Dream Dining (Chinese cuisine), Pavilion (Western cuisine), and The Lido (Western, Chinese, Asian cuisine).
And to choose a restaurant without regretting it later, you may check the menu first. This is applicable for Dream Dining and Pavilion, which have their menus posted at their entrances. For The Lido, since it is a buffet and has no set menu, you may ask the person manning the entrance if you can see the buffet spread before swiping your card. Ask nicely and you will always be given access.
Check the three before committing, and you will definitely enjoy your dinner more.
BEST PLACE TO EAT ON THE LIDO
My go-to restaurant for breakfast is usually The Lido since it offers dishes also found at the two other free restaurants.
However, the problem with Lido is that it’s always crowded. What I do to avoid the crowd is eat on its al fresco part called The Lido Grill. This place is almost always devoid of people, since most diners want the comfort of air-conditioning and most don’t really know that there is an al fresco area. I love how you also get to fully see the ocean without a glass window and even feel its breeze.
Ask the person manning the entrance nicely that you want to sit outdoors. If they refuse, simply go outside and sit on one of the vacant tables—like I usually do, lol.
FILL UP YOUR WATER BOTTLE WITH BEVERAGES
If you have an insulated water bottle with you, you can fill that with cold fruit beverages, sodas, or even hot coffee from The Lido buffet. You can consume this while roaming the ship or even bring it with you during shore excursions.
UNLIMITED FOUR-COURSE MEALS
Dream Dining and Pavilion offers a buffet during breakfast. For lunch and dinner, they have a set menu. You might think you’re losing out if you eat here versus if you eat at The Lido, since it has a full buffet even for lunch and dinner.
Well, you’re wrong. You can actually order any of the dishes on the menu multiple times, as much as you can eat. And the best thing about it is they have more premium offerings than The Lido. I actually didn’t know this during my previous cruises!
BEST TIME TO SWIM IN THE PARTHENON POOL
Being one of the main attractions of the Star Navigator, the Parthenon Pool is almost always teeming with people. It is, indeed, quite popular, and taking a photo without people in the background can be quite a challenge.
This, nevertheless, can be achieved during very early mornings or during mealtimes when everyone is at the restaurants. We actually witnessed a zero-person swimming pool at around 6:30PM—definitely the best time to swim and take photos.
LULL TIMES ON THE STAR NAVIGATOR
During our five-night cruise to Japan, we had one whole day where we simply sailed the high seas. The best thing to do during these lull times is to explore all nooks and crannies of the ship. You can explore starting from the lowest deck to the highest one, or vice versa. Use the maps found near the elevators to guide and orient yourself. The ship is so huge you’d be surprised to see places you’d never thought were there.
MOST SCENIC CRUISE TIMES
The most scenic part of the cruise is usually when it approaches and leaves a destination port. Be sure to be at the top deck to make the most out of these times.
CHECKING IN YOUR LUGGAGE
During check-in at the start of the cruise, if ever you decide to check your bag, be sure to have a full change of clothes with you in your hand-carry bag. Since your check-in bag might take a while to reach your cabin, this way you’d have a full change of clothes to freshen up even without your main suitcase.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON CRUISING
Cruising for the fifth time is still as fun as my first time. I enjoyed all the hours aboard the Star Navigator and outside the ship for the shore excursions. And please, stop saying that cruises are for old people. Old as I may be, I can still backpack my way through my travels. But cruising is just a different way of traveling; it’s just pure relaxation peppered with a bit of adventure. Six days, long as it may seem, isn’t long enough. I want another round, please.
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