StarCruises cancels Star Navigator departure amid typhoon threat
StarCruises has cancelled a scheduled departure of Star Navigator from Keelung, Taiwan, following forecasts of adverse weather associated with Typhoon Champi.
The cancellation affects the vessel’s two-night High Seas Cruise, originally scheduled to depart on 23 October 2026. According to the cruise operator, the anticipated impact of the typhoon on Keelung port means the ship will be unable to return as originally planned from its preceding voyage.
Instead, Star Navigator is scheduled to return to Keelung earlier, on 21 October, before departing the same day on a revised four-night cruise to Hong Kong.
The company announced the changes in a guest notice dated 17 October, outlining the revised itinerary and alternative arrangements for affected passengers.
Star Navigator switches to revised Hong Kong itinerary
Under the revised schedule, Star Navigator will depart Keelung at 10:00 p.m. on 21 October, with check-in beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the boarding gate closing at 9:00 p.m.
The vessel will spend 22 October at sea before arriving in Hong Kong at 8:00 a.m. on 23 October. It is scheduled to remain in port until 10:00 p.m. that evening, followed by another day at sea on 24 October.
Star Navigator is expected to return to Keelung at 11:00 a.m. on 25 October.
Passengers originally booked on the cancelled two-night sailing may transfer to the revised four-night voyage without paying additional cruise fare differences, port charges, gratuities or fuel surcharges for the two extra nights.
StarCruises outlines passenger refund and rebooking options
Affected passengers who cannot join the earlier departure may transfer their reservations to another eligible Star Navigator cruise departing Keelung on or before 30 April 2027, subject to availability and the company’s booking conditions.
Passengers choosing to transfer must submit their requests by 20 November 2026. The same deadline applies to those seeking cancellation and a full refund.
According to the notice, refunds will cover paid cabin fares and port charges, together with prepaid gratuities, Wi-Fi and other unused prepaid services where applicable.
The company is also offering affected passengers with paid bookings a NT$2,000 per-person discount towards eligible Star Navigator sailings from Taiwan during the 2026/2027 season. The discount is subject to the conditions specified in the guest notice.
Passengers wishing to join the revised Hong Kong sailing must confirm their decision by 21 October. Those who do not respond by the applicable deadline will automatically be placed in the full-refund category.
StarCruises has advised affected passengers to contact their original booking agents or booking channels to arrange the available alternatives.
