Pacific Explorer is now the Star Voyager – Here’s what it’s like to sail her

When Carnival Cruise line decided to close P&O Australia, she had no place in the new and expanded Fun Ship fleet down under.

But she had an important role to play in the rebirth of another cruise line: StarCruises in Asia.

Now, she has been re-liveried and had a partial US$50 million refit. So what’s it like to sail on her.

Parts of her are still the same ship Australians knew and loved – now remade to cater for the Asian market.

I took a 3-night reposition voyage from Singapore to Melaka and Jakarta. On my sailing, the majority of the cruisers were older Asians from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Of course, there’s plenty for Australians to enjoy – like the exciting itineraries. Other ships in the region typically sail to ports like Port Klang and Penang. Star Voyager visits less-frequented ports like Koh Samui, Redang and even Medan (with the option to join a day excursion to the scenic Lake Toba).

You can also do round-trips from multiple homeports like Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh. This gives you the option to fly over and spend a few days in the city of your choice, then do a round-trip sailing.

From Jakarta, you can even book a shore excursion to Bandung and visit a live volcanic crater – Kawah Putih. So nature lovers will definitely love Star Voyager’s port stops. 

The ship also boasts upgraded hardware post-makeover, like the expanded grand lobby area where guests can relax and be entertained. Our sailing featured live pop music by a violinist, family-style game shows, and even a close-up magic show by one of the star acts from the Zodiac Theatre.

The Palace suites are worth saving up for – it’s clear a lot of work was done to transform these cabins. Pamper yourself in bathtubs with stained-glass windows, spacious living areas and VIP access to the Palace Restaurant with special menu items and set meals at specialty dining restaurants.

Last we checked, prices start from $1784 for a suite on a 3-night cruise visiting Port Klang and Medan. Still well below a luxury ship or even an upper premium fare. But a way from Pacific Explorer’s three-day cruises in Australia for $500.

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Our stateroom

We were hosted in a balcony stateroom. The interior was intimate with old-school charm, and my bed was clean and comfy. Bathrooms were clean too, and the water temperature was just right.

However, some areas still needed work. For example, the balcony mats and chairs needed cleaning and had streaks of white paint on them. Other little details that needed fixing were my hairdryer not working and the safe with low batteries.

I was told that other guests also had issues with balcony furniture being rusty or mats needing maintenance. StarCruises boss Michael Goh acknowledged this during a press session on our voyage, and promised that replacement mats were on the way in the coming weeks.

“The marine team will be doing a lot of maintenance work on the balconies and replacing some of the furniture. So that’s one area we’re putting a lot of effort into, to ensure products are up to standard,” he shared.

We recommend booking the balcony deluxe staterooms. Like the Palace Suites, these have undergone significant upgrades, like TVs embedded into wall panels and upgraded balcony furniture.

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The dining onboard the Star Voyager

Star Voyager boasts three included restaurants: the Lido buffet with Southeast Asian cuisine, the Bistro restaurant which serves a Western set menu, and the North Star Dining restaurant with a Chinese set menu.

We ate at the Bistro and enjoyed dishes such as beef tenderloin steak, beef skewers with mashed potato and mocha latte custard for dessert. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so do arrive early before the restaurant gets booked up.

We also enjoyed Specialty dining at Silk Road, a Chinese à la carte restaurant with a selection of Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi. Chinese food is where StarCruises really shines. Many dishes like steamed cod fillet, deep-fried chicken, and mayonnaise jumbo prawns were well-cooked and delicious.

Another specialty restaurant is the new Mozzarella Ristorante & Pizzeria, serving pizza and pasta. We enjoyed a generous set menu where each guest got a giant pizza to themselves and crème brulee for dessert.

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What are the shore excursions like?

We disembarked for shore excursions in Melaka and Jakarta. At Melaka, we took a tender boat to shore to explore the laid-back city that’s now a UNESCO heritage site. The ‘Melaka City Highlights’ tour took us on a relaxing river cruise, where we saw sights like traditional Malay villages and colourful murals painted on quaint shophouses.

This was followed by a trip up the Malacca Tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. Lunch was at the iconic Peranakan Place at Jonker Street. The restaurant serves up Nyonya-style dishes like kueh pie tee and babi pongteh (braised pork in fermented soy bean sauce) and Nyonya fish curry.

Our trip concluded with Encore Melaka, an immersive theatre experience with an impressive display of advanced 3D visual effects, projection mapping, and larger-than-life props. Here, you’ll learn about Melaka’s rich cultural history as a Dutch colony.

Our next shore excursion was to Jakarta, where we embarked on an Old Charms of Jakarta tour. Disembarking at Jakarta’s port proved to be hassle-free. Customs was quick and efficient with convenient baggage handling from ship to port.

On the itinerary were places like Kota Tua, the Old Town of Jakarta. Here, you’ll find the Jakarta Kota Rail Station, featuring a combination of Western Art Deco and local architecture styles. Also, Fatahillah Square, surrounded by historical buildings like the Jakarta History Museum.

One highlight was the delightful Wayang museum dedicated to Javan wayang puppetry. We were fascinated by the impressive collection of shadow puppets on display.

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And of course, the entertainment…

On-board entertainment is very much geared toward the Asian cruiser, but Australians will enjoy the display of Asian culture. The Zodiac Theatre plays hosts to shows such as ‘Odyssey’, a captivating production weaving together the artistry of Chinese opera and long silk performances. We were particularly impressed by the Opera singer’s ability to sing in both male and female registers.

Another fan favourite was the magician Hong, who entertained theatre-goers with snazzy magic tricks and illusions. We were also treated to high-energy performances by dancers and acrobats.

If you’re in need of fat burning, head to Symphony Gym for classes like pilates, circuit training and abs & core (priced at $40 per class). For pampering, get a massage at the Symphony Spa. A 70-minute massage costs $150.

We were excited to try the Aqua Park with its waterslides, as well as the High Line (a zipline across the ship). Unfortunately, these were still under maintenance at the time of our visit. Other facilities include the 3 swimming pools, a cinema at sea, a rock climbing wall an arcade and the Little Dreamers Club for kids.

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Expert tips

Favourite meal: My favourite meal was the Chinese cuisine at Silk Road speciality restaurant. Try their mayonnaise prawns, steamed cod fillet and deep-fried chicken that are part of a set menu. 

Favourite shore excursion: On our shore excursion to Jakarta, we visited the Wayang Museum, where we learned more about the rich cultural traditions of Javanese puppetry. It was a truly fascinating experience. 

Secret tip: For a relaxing experience away from the crowds, check out Cinema at Sea at the ship’s pool deck which features popular films like John Wick. The deck was especially quiet and cool in the evenings when people were at dinner or watching live shows at the theatre.