"Star Voyager" Returns to Sanya on the Lantern Festival

On March 3, the Lantern Festival, Star Cruises' "Star Voyager" arrived at Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal, carrying over 800 passengers from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Chile, and beyond—all eager to celebrate the full moon over the tropical waters.

The terminal was festively decorated with lanterns and banners, filling international travelers with holiday warmth. Operating on a "Hong Kong–Sanya–Hong Kong" route under the theme "Blossoms at Sea", the voyage blended traditional Chinese culture with cruise experiences. Highlights included lion dances, intangible cultural heritage hair flowers from southern Fujian, a floating Cantonese temple fair, a live concert by a Hong Kong singer, and festive treats like dumplings and tangyuan.

The "Star Voyager" returned to Sanya on March 3. Photo by Cong Gao, Correspondent

"The journey was filled with Chinese cultural elements and a strong festive spirit. Celebrating the Lantern Festival on a cruise ship truly brought to life the poetic line—'seeing the bright moon rise over the sea, sharing this moment with loved ones far and near,'" said Ms. Zeng, a traveler from Hong Kong, China.

"This is my first time experiencing China's Lantern Festival," said Jean Francois from Belgium, "I'd long heard about Hainan's beautiful scenery and visa-free policy, so I didn't hesitate to take this spontaneous trip to Sanya."

To ensure smooth clearance for international cruise passengers, the Sanya Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station rolled out a special duty plan. "Considering the passenger flow characteristics of this voyage, we optimized inspection procedures, fully staffed clearance lanes, and strengthened on-site guidance to cut wait times—making sure everyone enjoyed a seamless entry experience on Lantern Festival, " said an officer from the station's First Duty Team.

During their stop, passengers explored local attractions, savored Hainan specialties, and soaked up the festive vibe of the coastal city." We designed a special 'Lantern Festival Experience Tour' covering cultural activities, sightseeing, and shopping—so cruise visitors can make the most of their short time ashore," said Zhang Hong, General Manager of Hainan Haiwang International Travel Service Co., Ltd.

The increasingly open visa-free entry policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port have steadily boosted inbound arrivals to Sanya, while also energizing the cruise market. Since launching mainland routes in fall 2025, the "Star Voyager" has made multiple calls to Sanya. This year, the Sanya Central Business District Administration has deepened its partnership with Star Cruises. From February to May, the "Star Voyager" is scheduled to make 10 international calls to Sanya, mainly on the "Hong Kong–Sanya" route—further strengthening the cruise corridor between the two cities and laying a solid foundation for future seasons.