Dreaming of visiting Japan, Korea, or China but don’t have a visa? No problem with StarCruises! Here’s a travel hack: you can enter select ports in these countries visa-free just by joining a cruise. Choose from StarCruises’ 5-night sailings from Taiwan or Hong Kong and visit up to three countries in one trip. Shorter 2- or 3-night options are also available. In this guide, I’ll be sharing all the key details you need to know. Plus, promo fares for 2025 sailings you shouldn’t miss.

StarCruises Promo Code

Enter promo code “detourista” (small caps) upon checkout to get 5% discount on all cruises when you book online at stardreamcruises.com

Got US$37 or ₱2,117 discount on a 5-night cruise just by applying the promo code!

StarCruises Promo for 2025-2026

You can find the latest promo cruise fares on StarCruises website. Just go to stardreamcruises.com and scroll down to the “Featured Deals”. You can also find promotions posted on StarCruises official social media pages

StarCruises PH on social media

Facebook — @Star Cruises Philippines
Instagram — @starcruises.ph

How to Book

Step 1 — Go to stardreamcruises.com

Step 2 — Use the search box & choose any destination you want to visit. Or visit the deals page and top on any of the deals posted.

Step 3 — Pick a route & tap “Show Dates”. Pick a schedule & tap “Select Date”

Step 4 — Enter no. of rooms, no. of guests & and room type

Step 5 — For extra discount, enter promo code: detourista. You can apply this on top of promo deal rates. Remember to use small caps.

Step 6 — Enter guest details, select add-ons & proceed to payment.

Cruise Prices, Fares & Fees

How much does a StarCruises trip cost? Here are the prices of a 5-night cruise package from Taiwan to Japan aboard the Star Navigator, with the itinerary Keelung–Nagasaki–Kumamoto–Naha (Okinawa)–Keelung. I joined this cruise when StarCruises was running a promo, and the cruise fare starts at just USD 359 at the time for the interior cabin.

In addition to the cruise fare, here are the additional required fees:

Port Charges — USD 100
Gratuities — USD 100 for interior cabin; USD 125 for balcony cabin
Japan Tourist Arrival Fee — USD 10

These rates are based on the 5-night cruise I joined. Prices can vary depending on the route and length of the trip, but this should give you an idea of how much a StarCruises package can cost.

Total Price: Cruise Fare + Fees

Interior (group of 4 pax) — USD 480 or PHP 27,381 per person
Interior (group of 2 pax) — USD 570 or PHP 32,516 per person
Balcony (group of 4 pax) — USD 683 or PHP 38,968 per person
Balcony (group of 2 pax) — USD 833 or PHP 47,489 per person

Prices posted are already discounted with the promo code “detourista” and cover the cruise fare, port charges, gratuities, and the Japan Tourist Arrival Fee. This is the all-in fare, so you won’t need to spend extra onboard unless you opt for paid services or dine at specialty restaurants.

Inclusions

6 Days 5 Nights Cabin Accommodation
Use of amenities
Daily entertainment
Full board meals (Buffet or Unlimited Order)

Exclusions

Shore Excursions
Flights to Taipei
Airport to Cruise Port Transfers
Travel Insurance
Other Incidentals

Detailed Price Breakdown

Visa-Free! Japan, Korea, China & more

Yes, Philippine passport holders can enter these amazing destinations without a visa. Just book with StarCruises and you’re good to go.

Japan — No need to submit a visa application! When your cruise docks and you join a shore excursion, StarCruises will handle your shore pass or landing permit in coordination with JP immigration. This will allow you to explore these destinations in Japan hassle-free: Ishigaki (Okinawa), Kagoshima (Kyushu), Kochi (Shikoku), Kumamoto (Kyushu), Miyakojima (Okinawa), Nagasaki (Kyushu), Naha (Kyushu), Osaka (Kansai).

Jeju Island, South Korea — visa-free up to 30 days

Sanya & Hainan Island, China — visa-free up to 30 days

Taiwan — visa-exempt up to 14 days until July 31, 2026

Hong Kong — visa-free up to 14 days

*Passengers are still subject to Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea Immigration clearance.

Visa Required

Busan, South Korea

USD 149 Star Navigator Promo from Keelung Taiwan

Grab these promo fares on 3 to 5 night cruises for your 2025 cruise goals with StarCruises.

Selling period: until August 31, 2025
Sailing dates: September to November 2025

3 Days 2 Nights (3D2N) — from USD 149 per person

4 Days 3 Nights (4D3N) — from USD 229 per person

6 Days 5 Nights (6D5N) — from USD 379 per person

USD 349 Star Voyager Promo from Hong Kong

Selling period: until August 31, 2025
Sailing dates: August to October 2025

6 Days 5 Nights (6D5N) — from USD 379 per person

How to Book

Step 1 — go to stardreamcruises.com

Step 2 — use the search box & choose any destination you want to visit

Step 3 — scroll down. Pick a cruise route & tap “Show Dates”. Pick a schedule & tap “Select Date”

Step 4 — enter no. of rooms, no. of guests & and room type

Step 5 — for extra discount, enter promo code: detourista. Use small caps.

Step 6 — enter guest details, select add-ons & proceed to payment.

Cruise Fare Includes:

6 Days 5 Nights Cruise

Cabin Accommodation

Use of amenities

Daily entertainment

Meals (3x per day plus AM/PM snacks)

Multiple buffet or set meal dining halls

Exclusions

Port Charges. USD 100-150 per person

Roundtrip Airfare

Shore Excursions

Gratuities

Other incidentals (transfers, travel insurance, visa if needed)

2025 Star Navigator Schedule

6 Days 5 Nights from Taiwan (6D5N)

AUG 03 — Osaka 🇯🇵 – Kochi 🇯🇵

AUG 10 — Nagasaki 🇯🇵 – Kumamoto 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

AUG 17 — Busan 🇰🇷 – Nagasaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

AUG 24 — Osaka 🇯🇵 – Kochi 🇯🇵

SEP 14 — Osaka 🇯🇵 – Kochi 🇯🇵

SEP 28 — Kagoshima 🇯🇵 – Kumamoto 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

OCT 05 — Osaka 🇯🇵 – Kochi 🇯🇵

OCT 19 — Kagoshima 🇯🇵 – Kumamoto 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

OCT 26 — Jeju 🇰🇷 – Nagasaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

NOV 02 — Busan 🇰🇷 – Nagasaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

2025 Star Voyager Schedule

6 Days 5 Nights from Hong Kong (6D5N)

AUG 03 — Ishigaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

AUG 17 — Naha 🇯🇵 – Ishigaki 🇯🇵

AUG 24 — Ishigaki 🇯🇵 – Keelung 🇹🇼 – Penghu 🇹🇼

AUG 31 — Nha Trang 🇻🇳 – Danang 🇻🇳 – Sanya 🇨🇳

SEP 14 — Naha 🇯🇵 – Keelung 🇹🇼 – Penghu 🇹🇼

SEP 21 — Halong Bay 🇻🇳 – Danang 🇻🇳 – Sanya 🇨🇳

SEP 28 — Ishigaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

OCT 05 — Nha Trang 🇻🇳 – Danang 🇻🇳 – Sanya 🇨🇳

OCT 12 — Naha 🇯🇵 – Miyakojima 🇯🇵

OCT 19 — Halong Bay 🇻🇳 – Danang 🇻🇳 – Sanya 🇨🇳

NOV 02 — Ishigaki 🇯🇵 – Naha 🇯🇵

NOV 09 — Boracay 🇵🇭 – Coron 🇵🇭

4 Days 3 Nights from Hong Kong (4D3N)

AUG 10 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼 – Penghu 🇹🇼

SEP 7 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼 – Penghu 🇹🇼

OCT 26 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼 – Penghu 🇹🇼

3 Days 2 Nights from Hong Kong (3D2N)

Aug 1 — High Seas

Aug 8 — High Seas

AUG 13 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼

Aug 15 — High Seas

Aug 22 — High Seas

Aug 29 — High Seas

SEP 5 — High Seas

SEP 10 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼

SEP 12 — High Seas

SEP 19 — High Seas

SEP 26 — High Seas

OCT 3 — High Seas

OCT 10 — High Seas

OCT 17 — High Seas

OCT 24 — High Seas

OCT 29 — Kaohsiung 🇹🇼

OCT 31 — High Seas

NOV 7 — High Seas

NOV 14 — High Seas