Cruise liner Star Voyager returns to Sanya for Lantern Festival

Star Cruises' luxury holiday liner Star Voyager docked once again at Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port on March 3 for Lantern Festival.

Over 800 passengers from around the world enjoyed the enchanting moonlit evening in the beautiful coastal city in China's southernmost Hainan province.

Luxury cruise liner Star Voyager majestically anchors at Sanya. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The arrival and departure halls at the port were abuzz with the festive spirit of Lantern Festival, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for travelers from countries and regions like Malaysia, Singapore and Chile.

The Star Voyager was on its Hong Kong–Sanya–Hong Kong journey, offering a unique blend of traditional Chinese culture and cruise experiences.

Passengers enjoyed diverse activities like lion dances, as well as the local Minnan intangible cultural heritage's Zanhua — the craft of pinning a colorful floral accessory headdress. There was also a Cantonese-style temple fair at sea and a concert given by a popular Hong Kong singer. The guests also got to savor a variety of foods, including dumplings and tangyuan — the traditional dessert made from glutinous rice flour.

To ensure zero delays for international cruise passengers, the Sanya exit and entry frontier inspection authorities developed a special operations plan for their customs clearance.

Catering to the specific passenger flow characteristics of the voyage, the immigration authorities optimized the inspection process and opened all clearance channels. This was meant to efficiently manage the passenger flow and ensure a smooth and efficient customs clearance.

During the cruise liner's stopover, passengers also explored local attractions, enjoyed Hainan's unique cuisine and soaked up the festive vibes of the tropical coastal city.

The expanding visa-free policies implemented in the Hainan Free Trade Port have boosted the number of international visitors to Sanya, providing strong momentum for the cruise tourism market.

Since the launch of routes to the Chinese mainland and Hainan Island in fall 2025, the Star Voyager has made several visits to Sanya. This year, the Sanya Central Business District Administration has deepened its partnership with Star Cruises.

According to their plan, the Star Voyager will make 10 visits to Sanya between February and May, mainly the Hong Kong–Sanya route, which is expected to further strengthen the cruise connection between the two places and set the stage for stable operations in future voyage seasons.