Star Cruises Cancels Hong Kong Sailing, Leaving Passengers Stranded After Long Wait
Technical issue forces cancellation of ‘Star Voyager’ two-night cruise from Ocean Terminal amid passenger frustration
Star Cruises has cancelled a scheduled departure from Hong Kong, leaving many passengers frustrated after waiting for hours to board the ship following what the operator described as an unforeseen technical issue.
The cruise line’s decision affected the ‘Star Voyager’ two-night High Seas cruise from the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday evening, prompting strong reactions from travelers who had gathered in the boarding area.
Hundreds of passengers had queued for several hours before being informed of the cancellation, with some expressing anger and claiming they felt abandoned after extended waiting despite arriving well ahead of the planned departure time.
Social media posts from the terminal showed crowds still assembled late into the evening as staff handed out water to waiting guests.
In a statement, Star Cruises said it regretted the disruption and emphasised its commitment to safety and delivering an enjoyable experience.
The company offered passengers the option to reschedule their cruise or receive a full refund for the cancelled sailing, while expressing appreciation for guests’ understanding and patience.
The operator did not provide details on the nature of the technical issue or when it was first identified, leaving some travelers seeking further clarity about the circumstances.
The cancelled sailing was part of a series of voyages operated by Star Voyager from Hong Kong during the early 2026 cruise season, which includes short coastal and regional itineraries.
As passengers were turned away from boarding, discussions have emerged online about the need for clearer communication and contingency planning by cruise operators when unexpected cancellations occur.
Several travelers noted that the prolonged wait without official updates added to their frustration, even as staff sought to assist those present at the terminal.
Star Cruises, which relaunched its brand in Asia after restructuring and now operates ships including the Star Voyager homeported in Hong Kong, continues to service a range of short and multi-destination cruises from the city while navigating operational and customer-service challenges in a competitive market.
The cruise line’s decision affected the ‘Star Voyager’ two-night High Seas cruise from the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday evening, prompting strong reactions from travelers who had gathered in the boarding area.
Hundreds of passengers had queued for several hours before being informed of the cancellation, with some expressing anger and claiming they felt abandoned after extended waiting despite arriving well ahead of the planned departure time.
Social media posts from the terminal showed crowds still assembled late into the evening as staff handed out water to waiting guests.
In a statement, Star Cruises said it regretted the disruption and emphasised its commitment to safety and delivering an enjoyable experience.
The company offered passengers the option to reschedule their cruise or receive a full refund for the cancelled sailing, while expressing appreciation for guests’ understanding and patience.
The operator did not provide details on the nature of the technical issue or when it was first identified, leaving some travelers seeking further clarity about the circumstances.
The cancelled sailing was part of a series of voyages operated by Star Voyager from Hong Kong during the early 2026 cruise season, which includes short coastal and regional itineraries.
As passengers were turned away from boarding, discussions have emerged online about the need for clearer communication and contingency planning by cruise operators when unexpected cancellations occur.
Several travelers noted that the prolonged wait without official updates added to their frustration, even as staff sought to assist those present at the terminal.
Star Cruises, which relaunched its brand in Asia after restructuring and now operates ships including the Star Voyager homeported in Hong Kong, continues to service a range of short and multi-destination cruises from the city while navigating operational and customer-service challenges in a competitive market.
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