starship cruise reviews

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Starship Dinner Cruise - Yacht StarShip

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Tampa    
• Tampa - Things to Do    
• Yacht StarShip

My wife and I took the Starship Yaught Sunday Brunch Cruise. What a way to see the Tampa... read more

This experience was fantastic. After doing 20+ traditional cruises I became curious about these... read more

Starship Dinner Cruise

This was fun! This is a nice excursion for all ages as there lots of 16 year olds, 30 year olds and all the way up to seniors. The food was good, the salad better, the dessert okay. The service was attentive. The slow cruise around the bay didn't go as far out as I had hoped but we did get to see a magnificent sunset and some impressive houses. As well as some industry storage tank farms and ship yards. Oh oh and some very nice boats! One large group was on board for a special occasion, a Sweet 16 Party. The young girls filled the dance floor. Glad it wasn't just a bunch of senior citizens. (I am a senior so I can say that!)

We did a 'girls trip' on this Yacht StarShip and we had a blast BUT..... I think it had to do more with my best friends and I just being us as opposed to the ship being ALL THAT. It was fine and fun but not luxurious. The food left a lot to be desired but the DJ was awesome! The star was pretty friendly and overall we had a great time.

Loved Starship, did not think I would but the food was excellent, We did the dinner cruise and the ship rode around the Tampa Bay, beautiful night, dancing and DJ up top, lots of fun

Before providing my perspective on the dinner cruise, I must advise potential cruise customers about the parking. We were told that there was parking available for $5.00 despite the "Bolts" game that night. When we got to the ticket machine, two garage employees scrutinized our tickets and questioned the fact that they had been purchased a few days before the cruise. Then we were told that we MUST have a paper confirmation or be able to show them our confirmation on our cell phone. I had left my cell phone at home since I was out for a Birthday celebration. There was a great big discussion that could have ended very badly; the male garage attendant was argumentative and very rude! We ended up paying $30.00 to park rather than ruin our evening. Be aware and bring your phone!!! The dinner aboard the Yacht StarShip was excellent - but as many other reviewers have pointed out, "luke warm" at best. I suggest ordering salad or other cold dishes. Our server was excellent: friendly, responsive, and accommodating! Having just arrived in Tampa, we enjoyed seeing the sights the DJ and music topside!

No signage for what you are suppose to do or where to line up. Girl in ticket booth had marked the incorrect ship on many peoples tickets, Chaotic boarding-snide comments such as "you people are the kings, the people on the other boat are peasants", rude bartender, only ONE bartender so even if it is all you can drink, you can't get more than 2-even if its coke. Food was salty and inconsistently cooked, one person was served bread/butter, no one else, Mother's Day roses were only given to a few people, waitress didn't have a clue about anything. Because first cruise was late, we were late leaving which made us late in returning so we had to wait for over an hour to let a cruise ship leave the port. Crew was very flippant about "everyone staying overnight" Music at times was unbearably loud. Unacceptable for $89/person. Could get better service at Chick-Fil-A!

Recently went on the Starship IV out of Clearwater for a Mother's Day Brunch. The cruise itself was nice. The ship is nice with several places to stand or sit outside and feel the ocean breeze. The service was not good at all. We were on the middle deck and it took at least 10 minutes to get coffee and it was just luke-warm. We went to the Brunch Buffet and of the 8 Chaffing dishes, 4 were empty and one had six link sausages. Asked for coffee several times and it took several minutes and again just warm. We were told that desert would be served to the table - never happened. Either they need additional staff or more experienced staff. What food we managed to get was good.

Yacht StarShip

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Yacht StarShip - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Yacht StarShip Reviews

Yacht starship.

• Quality of service 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Average response time 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Professionalism 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Value 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Flexibility 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8

• Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating 5.0
• Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating 5.0
• Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating 5.0
• Value 5.0 out of 5 rating 5.0
• Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating 5.0

Absolutely Amazing

Best choice for rehearsal dinner

December Wedding

Are you interested?

Amazing wedding

Perfect Wedding!

Rehearsal Dinner Cruise

StarShip Yacht Tampa Wedding

Yacht Starship IV

Amazing wedding yacht starship ii

Amazing Reception

Great food, service, beverages, entertainment - Awesome

Worth every penny!

All I dreamed of

Beautiful Venue for a Wedding

Yacht StarShip's reply:

Wedding on Starship III

Yacht Starship is the full package!

Fantastic venue

Amazing venue

Smooth Sailing with YachtStarship

Wedding Day Delight

Amazing Venue and amazing staff!

Not a Thing I would Change!

Best experience ever

Sheer perfection!

• Plan Your Meeting
• New Development
• Business Services
• Convention District Guide
• Facilities Search
• Faith-Based Meetings
• Meeting Deals
• Medical Meetings
• Multicultural Meetings
• Suppliers & Venues
• Tampa Convention Center
• Transportation
• Treasure Collection
• Convention Services
• Airports/Airlines
• Shuttle Services
• Taxis, Car Rentals & Charter Buses
• Limo/ Sedan/ SUV/ Mini Bus
• Tampa Bay Cruise Terminals
• Public Transportation
• Bus & Motorcoach
• Transportation Management Services
• Itinerary Ideas
• Digital Guides
• Visit Tampa Bay Logos
• Meeting Planners Videos
• Unlock Deals
• Shop Tampa Bay
• Brand Descriptions
• Find a Contact
• Travel Trade
• Travel Agent Academy
• Itineraries
• Partnership
• Become a Partner
• Request Info
• Press Releases
• Media Visits
• Research & Statistics
• What's New in Tampa Bay?
• Things to Do
• All Things to Do
• Accessible Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Attractions
• Entertainment & Nightlife
• Casino & Racing
• Entertainment
• Breweries & Distilleries
• LGBTQ Pride
• TAG Approved® Hotels
• Outdoors & Nature
• The Tampa Riverwalk
• Spas & Fitness
• Tampa Bay Tours
• Water Activities
• Nearby Beaches
• All Places To Stay
• Campgrounds & RV Parks
• Hotels & Resorts
• TAG Approved Hotels
• Treasure Collection Hotels
• Vacation Rentals
• Food + Drink
• All Food + Drink
• Restaurants
• Cafes, Coffee, and Bakeries
• Frozen Treats / Ice Cream
• Vegan-Friendly
• MICHELIN Recipients
• Pet-Friendly Dining
• All Blog Posts
• Podcast Playlist
• Tampa History
• Local Markets
• Bike in Tampa
• Murals of Tampa Bay
• 11 Things to Know
• Before the Puck Drops
• Nature in Tampa Bay
• Cuba Without a Passport
• Tampa Memory Makers
• March Events
• April Events
• Gasparilla Season
• Children's Gasparilla
• Gasparilla Pirate Fest
• Sant' Yago Knight Parade
• Gasparilla Distance Classic
• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
• Gasparilla Music Festival
• Gasparilla Film Festival
• Submit an Event

Yacht StarShip

• 603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
• (813) 223-7999

Set sail on the waterways of Tampa Bay and Clearwater with Yacht StarShip and delight in a different kind of dining experience! When you come aboard our yachts, you can expect unmatched service, exquisite views and delicious, freshly-prepared dishes. Experience stunning Clearwater sunsets or the bright city lights of Downtown Tampa as you sip and savor your way through our upscale cuisine and cocktails. 

Yacht StarShip’s fleet of four luxury yachts are perfect for any size event from 25 – 600 guests and feature top quality service, breathtaking views, entertainment, and award-winning cuisine. Our all-inclusive event packages make planning easy seabreezy. Whether you want to tie the knot on a yacht, or create a sea of memories with a social celebration, our dedicated crew is here for you.

Make your reservation today! 

As America's first three-diamond rated dining yacht, Yacht StarShip offers the best views on the waters of Tampa Bay and award-winning cuisine. A dining experience on the 600-passenger Yacht StarShip, or the 150-passenger Yacht StarShip II is set to impress. Available for public or private cruises from Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and other local ports. Reserve your table today!

Dining/Nightlife

• Cuisine: American
• Days/Hours of Operation: Cruise dates and times vary. Call 813-223-7999 for information.
• Dining Reservations: Required
• Number of Indoor Seats: 600
• Private/Group Room Capacity: 600
• Style: Fine Dining
• Total Restaurant Capacity: 600

Dining & Entertainment

Parking facilities, things to do & see.

• Average length of Stay/Tour: Stay 3 hours
• American Express
• Largest Banquet Capacity: 600
• Largest Classroom Capacity: 300
• Largest Reception Capacity: 600
• Largest Theatre Capacity: 300
• Outdoor Facilities Sq Ft: 3000
• Total Capacity (Reception): 600
• Total Number of Meeting Rooms: 1
• Total Square Footage: 6000
• Map Show Map

• United States
• Tampa / Central Florida West

YACHT STARSHIP DINING CRUISES

Not available on opentable.

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Additional information

• Dining style Fine Dining
• Price $50 and over
• Cuisines American
• Hours of operation Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–11:30 pm
• Phone number (813) 223-7999
• Website http://yachtstarship.com/
• Payment options AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
• Dress code Resort Casual
• Executive chef Michael Russel
• Location 603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602-5443
• Neighborhood Tampa
• Parking details Parking is available in the Channelside area at the Tampa Port Authority Parking Garage: 369 South 12th Street, Tampa, Florida, 33602 located across the street from our location. You will receive a discounted parking rate by showing your cruise confirmation.
• Additional Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Be the first to review this restaurant

Overall ratings and reviews.

• 4.3 Service
• 4.3 Ambience

Noise • Moderate

At present, YACHT STARSHIP DINING CRUISES has no reviews. Please add a review after your dining experience to help others make a decision about where to eat.

603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602-5443

• Dining Rewards
• Private Dining
• Reserve for Others
• Restaurants Near Me
• Delivery Near Me
• OpenTable for iOS
• OpenTable for Android
• Affiliate Program
• OpenTable.jp
• OpenTable.de
• OpenTable.es
• OpenTable.ca
• OpenTable.hk
• OpenTable.ie
• OpenTable.sg
• OpenTable.nl
• OpenTable.com.mx
• OpenTable.co.uk
• OpenTable.com.au
• OpenTable.ae
• OpenTable.co.th
• OpenTable.it
• OpenTable.com.tw
• OpenTable.fr
• Restaurant reservation software
• Industry insights
• Hospitality resources
• Marketing resources
• Operation resources
• How to open a restaurant
• For restaurants
• For restaurant groups
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Cookie Preferences

Yacht StarShip

About This Vendor

Amenities + details.

Pricing for Yacht StarShip

Yacht starship reviews, review photos.

• Top reviews
• Newest first
• Oldest first
• Highest rated
• Lowest rated

Contact Info for Yacht StarShip

Meet the Team

• 301 or more
• Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure.
• Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place.
• Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go.
• For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.

Wedding Vendors in Tampa

• Wedding Vendors /
• Wedding Venues /
• Florida Wedding Venues /
• Tampa Wedding Venues /

I Spent Two Nights Aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser—Here's What It Was Like

Embrace your inner Wookiee aboard the Halcyon

Arthur Levine

Don’t call it, as many people do, the “Star Wars Hotel.”

Sure, you can book a room at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which debuted March 1 at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort —but it’s not exactly a hotel. It’s not really a cruise either, although there are hints of a luxury liner as it travels at the speed of light towards interplanetary ports of call. Nor is it quite DisneyBounding , immersive theater, or a live-action game.

“It’s the intersection of all of those things,” says Ann Morrow Johnson, executive creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering and producer of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. “It’s a living story ecosystem where guests can play their part in an epic Star Wars story.” And, oh Baby Yoda, is it epic.

It’s also expensive. Much has been made of the cost to a journey aboard the Starcruiser , which starts at about $6,000, or $750 per person per night for a room with four guests. Many people would find it difficult to pay so much for a two-night experience. But here’s the thing: The Galactic Starcruiser is not for everybody. Nor, it would seem, does Disney intend it to be for everybody.

With 100 rooms (or “cabins” in Starcruiser-speak) that welcome about 350 guests for each cruise, this is an exclusive, boutique experience. Consider that across the more than 25 Disney World hotels, there are over 36,000 rooms. Prior to 2020, the Magic Kingdom , the most popular theme park in the world and one of four parks at the Florida resort, welcomed about 21 million visitors per year, which equates to an average of around 57,000 per day. That is for everybody.

Matt Stroshane / Disney

Should You Take a Cruise Aboard the Halcyon?

So, if the Galactic Starcruiser isn't for everybody, who is it for?

“This is an experience for people who love Star Wars—and the people who love them,” Johnson says. That sounds right.

I consider myself a casual fan; I’ve seen all the major movies and have enjoyed them. As for my two cabinmates who joined me on the cruise, my son has seen the films multiple times and played with the branded toys as a child, while my brother-in-law is a diehard enthusiast who is fluent in the franchise's mythology. In our own ways, we all loved the experience. But my brother-in-law related to it on an entirely different level. After one especially memorable encounter with a character in the “Climate Simulator” room, he had a faraway look and a beatific smile. He summoned me to show me his actual goosebumps.

In addition to having the means and an affinity for Star Wars, potential cruisers should probably also be at least a bit extroverted. While shyer, more inhibited guests would likely appreciate the journey, those who interact with the characters and other passengers, pursue the leads and clandestine missions they are offered, and get into the spirit of the story will find the experience so much richer.

“I hope guests give themselves permission to play, to let go a bit, to suspend their disbelief, and live in a galaxy far, far away,” says Johnson.

The nearly 48-hour experience includes a two-night stay in a cabin, five onboard meals (alcoholic and specialty beverages are extra), an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with lunch included), and all entertainment and activities. But the whole experience is greater than the sum of its parts.

Everything contributes to the overarching story that plays out in real-time. Guests are ostensibly taking a galactic pleasure cruise aboard the Halcyon, which is celebrating its 275 th anniversary. After arriving at the spartan Galactic Starcruiser Terminal, they board a small launch pod that takes them to the ship. Both the pod and the shuttle that transports passengers on their excursion to Batuu (otherwise known as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) are not as convincing as, say, the in-flight experience aboard Star Tours . There is little sense of motion and not many visuals to support the illusion. Likewise, passengers do not feel much in the way of movement aboard the Halcyon itself.

Once aboard the ship, crew members greet guests and give them a brief tour of the central, two-story atrium. The sleek starcruiser (which, according to the backstory, has recently been refurbished) sports clean lines and a somewhat retrofuturistic aesthetic. Off the atrium is the Sublight Lounge, which offers themed cocktails and a prominent holo-sabacc gaming table, and the bridge, with its large, panoramic view of space.

What Are the Rooms Like?

Our standard cabin, which sleeps five, was a bit small, but delightfully designed and appointed. It included a comfortable queen bed, two built-in berths, and a Murphy bed. A viewport provided a window to our planet-hopping adventure. It was synchronized so that if the ship made the jump to lightspeed, we saw it in our cabin. Thankfully, it included a blind that we could activate with a button and keep the visuals at bay while we slept.

By default, a “vidscreen” displayed where we were on our journey; however, we could also watch TV from our "home planet" via a themed remote. If we pressed a button on a smaller “vidscreen” and tapped our MagicBand (which all passengers receive), we could summon D3-09, a chatty droid. Using clever technology, she asked us questions and incorporated our responses to carry on conversations and help advance the storyline.

Speaking of droids, we expected to see more of them aboard the Halcyon. There is one, SK-620, that roams the decks, but he spent much of the time held in captivity.

Kent Phillips

What About the Food?

All meals take place in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. By and large, the food was elevated and outstanding. As at Galaxy’s Edge, the dishes feature Earth-based ingredients that have been prepared and presented in ways that seem otherworldly. Some of the items, like the Tip Yip Chicken, can be found in the theme park land, but many of the items are exclusive to the Halcyon.

Dinner was served family-style with multiple courses and dishes, allowing guests to sample a wide variety of items. One of the entrées, Bantha Beef Tenderloin, was exceptionally tender and flavorful. A particularly striking appetizer, the Iced Felucian Blue Shrimp, was presented to us at the “Taste Around the Galaxy” dinner on the second evening. And by blue, we mean the shrimp was the color of Play-Doh.

“Any cruise you go on has shrimp cocktail for dinner. This is our shrimp appetizer,” says Brian Piasecki, culinary director at Walt Disney World. “It just looks a little different.”

Over a period of six months, Piasecki and his team figured out a way to soak shrimp in a brine made from butterfly pea tea to give the shellfish its distinctive color. To represent Felucia’s colorful, fog-enshrouded planet, the dish, which came with pickled mushrooms and seaweed salad, was presented with dramatic smoke emanating from it.

Passengers also get to enjoy another cruise ship staple, the buffet, for breakfast and lunch. Meals are presented in bento box-like containers that fit snugly into compartments embedded in trays, another neat and vaguely futuristic design touch. Kale Porridge—polenta made with kale, egg “worms,” and mushrooms served over plant-based sausage gravy—was a wildly distinctive breakfast entrée.

“We want to tell our guests a story through food,” adds Piasecki.

Who Do You Meet and What Do You Do?

The first evening is a dinner show that features galactic superstar Gaya. Performing a mix of pop, blues, and new-agey music, the “ Twi’lek ” singer had a wonderful voice and stage presence. Her songs and patter, however, included a subtext with hints of the struggles her people and planet were facing.

As with Gaya, encounters with other characters, including the singer’s manager, Raithe Kole, and Captain Riyola Keevan, slowly reveal that all is not as it first seems aboard the Halcyon. This is Star Wars after all, and intrigue and revolution are in the air. The actors were uniformly wonderful, fully committed to their roles, and expert at engaging with passengers.

Guests can choose to support smarmy First Order Lieutenant Harman Croy or help members of the Resistance who have infiltrated the ship. Or, they can play it down the middle as an independent scoundrel looking out for themselves. Their stories unfold differently depending on the alliances they forge and the choices they make.

Passengers receive tailored “comms” from the characters throughout the course of the experience. These interactive messages come via the "datapads"—iPhones that include the Play Disney Parks mobile app—that they are issued at the beginning. The datapads also have other features and functions such as a map of the ship, tools that hack into systems and provide other uses, and an updated list of events to help keep passengers on task.

Would-be Jedis get to brandish a lightsaber in a training activity aboard the ship. The blue-hued weapons provide haptic feedback when users properly intercept beams of light. Passengers also get to participate in bridge training and learn how to operate the ship’s navigation, defense, and other systems. Skills learned there may come in handy later if guests are invited to participate in a secretive mission.

Likewise, the excursion to Batuu, which takes place on the second day, can take on additional urgency when characters send you on fact-finding missions and other escapades on the planet. Galactic Starcruisers receive special Lightning Lane passes that allow them to bypass the lines at both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. The wonderful Galaxy’s Edge attractions are even more enthralling when they are part of the larger Halcyon experience.

No matter what story arc the passengers choose to follow, everything resolves with a wholly satisfying grand finale at the end of the second evening. In addition to the Halcyon’s characters, Kylo Ren and Rey join the fray. The action includes lightsaber battles, impressive displays of the Force, a swelling John Williams score, and everything you’d expect from a climactic Star Wars scene.

Would you think less of us if we admitted we got a bit choked up? After spending two intense days among the characters, we experienced an undeniable connection to them and to their plights. We were emotionally engaged and spent after the ordeal. For at least a little while, we lived in a galaxy far, far away.

The Orange County Register. "What An Attendance Cap Could Mean For Crowded Disney Parks In the Coronavirus Era." May 22, 2020.

The Complete Guide to Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Nighttime Shows at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Could You Handle Disney’s Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride?

A Theme Park Fan's Guide to the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

Disney's New Cruise Ship Is Setting Sail In June 2022—See Inside

17 Disneyland Rides You Can't Miss

Your Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World During the Pandemic

Disney's MagicBand+ Is About to Debut—Here Are the Features We're Excited About

Disney Magic - Tour and Profile

Disney California Adventure: The Complete Guide

Walt Disney World Guide: Planning Your Trip

Disney Vacation Club: Is It Worth It?

Kids' Programs With Disney Magic Cruise

Disney World Vacation Hacks Seen on Pinterest

The Ultimate Guide to Character Experiences at Disney World

The Best Alaska Cruises

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

Star Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

Star Cruises fleet

Star pisces, review of star cruises.

Star Cruises (starcruises.com/sg/en) is owned by Genting Hong Kong (GHK) and is ranked world's 3rd biggest cruise company, following Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD . The company dominates the Asia-Pacific market and is listed on the Singapore Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2015, GHK introduced the corporation's newest cruise line brand - Dream Cruises . The new company started with 2 newbuilds - both top-luxury mega-liners, built specifically for the Asian / Chinese market.

Another large Chinese cruise brand is the new company (2015-founded) Adora Cruises/CSSC Carnival China Cruise Shipping . At the following link can be found listed all CruiseMapper's news related to Star Cruises owner Genting Hong Kong .

IMPORTANT : On January 19, 2022, the parent company GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd (Malaysia) filed for bankruptcy. On Jan 10th, for insolvency filed the two GHK-owned shipbuilding companies in Germany - MV Werften and Lloyd Werft. On Jan 27th, Dream Cruises filed a winding-up petition with the Bermuda Court for liquidation. and the appointment of the provisional liquidators working with GHK.

NEWS : In late-April 2022, was announced that the docked in Malaysia ships Star Pisces (1990-built), SuperStar Gemini (1992) and SuperStar Aquarius (1993) are listed for scrapping and soon to the beached at Alang India . SuperStar Libra (1988) was last AIS reported on April 7th (in Wismar Germany). The three liners' last crew signed off on May 17th, as new/skeleton crew were hired to take them to the scrapyard for dismantling and recycling.

On August 31, 2022, GHK's Star Cruises Asia Holding Ltd announced entering into a SPA/Share Purchase Agreement to sell its wholly-owned Star Market Ltd (100% of its shares) for US$3,5M/RM15,84M to the company Resorts World Inc Pte Ltd. Resorts World is 50-50 owned by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (GHK's former Executive Director) and Genting Berhad (Genting Group's parent company, if which Lim Kok Thay holds ~30% shares). Star Market owns trademarks and intellectual property rights.

Company history

The company's introduction on the global cruise shipping market allowed Star Cruises to tap into profitable and more mature markets in Europe and North America. Its services cater to Asian guests, as well as to Europeans, Australians and North Americans, interested in Asian destinations. Star Cruises chairman was Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, son of the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong (founder of Genting Highlands, Malaysia).

Star Cruises was established as an associate of Genting Group of Malaysia, incorporated on November 10, 1993, in Bermuda, with corporate headquarters in Hong Kong China . The first ships of the company were two cruise ferries bought from the bankrupted estate of Swedish Rederi AB Slite. Star Cruises was the world's first major cruise company to recruit Filipinos for its ships.

The company purchased several other used vessels in the following years. In 1998, it took delivery of the first newbuild - SuperStar Leo (now Norwegian Spirit) . Sistership SuperStar Virgo (Explorer Dream/Resorts World One) followed in 1999. The same year Star Cruises acquired Sun Cruises.

In 2000, Star Cruises also acquired NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) , including the subsidiaries "Norwegian Capricorn Line" and "Orient Lines", becoming the biggest global cruise line in the world. Norwegian Capricorn Line's operations were soon merged into Star Cruises. Before the NCL purchase, Star Cruises had several other newbuilds (either under construction or planned), but following the merger, most of them joined NCL's fleet. However, in August 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of NCL (for USD 1 billion) to Apollo Management, retaining just 28% stake in NCL.

In 2001, Star Cruises founded the sister company "Cruise Ferries", which started operations in July with the passenger ferry Wasa Queen on short itineraries between Hong Kong and Xiamen. These were followed by overnight gambling cruises - roundtrip from Hong Kong and from Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur). Wasa Queen stopped operating and was sold to another company in 2007, and eventually was scrapped in 2013.

The then-largest ship in the fleet - SuperStar Leo - was transferred in 2004 to Norwegian Cruise Line to take over Norwegian Sky voyages. Since 2006, the trend has been that newbuilds were to be constructed for NCL, and the old ships in the Norwegian fleet would be transferred to Star Cruises fleet in Asia.

In 2008, both Orient Lines and NCL America brands were discontinued, with Orient's sole ship, ms Marco Polo, sold to the Greece-based Global Maritime. The same year, the first ship from NCL Norwegian was transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises as SuperStar Libra .

In 2011, Star Cruises received a brand new hull art. SuperStar Aquarius , Star Pisces , and SuperStar Virgo won their new attire. On April 27, 2012, it was announced that Norwegian Dream will join Star Cruises fleet and be renamed to SuperStar Gemini starting service in 2012.

On October 7, 2013, Star Cruises announced that together with their parent company, Genting Hong Kong had entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft, Germany for the construction of one new vessel. The vessel will be able to accommodate 3,364 passengers at double occupancy and will be delivered in Fall 2016.

On February 10, 2014, Star Cruises announced that a second ship was ordered and scheduled for delivery by Fall 2017. On February 9, 2015, the first steel cutting ceremony was held for Genting World at Meyer Werft shipyard. Both newbuilds will weigh 150,000 GT.

In May 2018, Genting Cruise Lines signed a partnership deal with Wirecard (digital payments / online shop development company) for implementing a fleetwide onboard payment system. The system ("Quick Pay") was first installed on World Dream and Genting Dream, then launched on SuperStar Virgo. "Quick Pay" allows the passenger to be in full control of their onboard money spending - including pre-authorized limits, account management, monitoring, paying the total bill at disembarkation. The technology is based on scanning individual QR codes (during check-in, in staterooms or via the ship's intranet network, then selecting the "Quick Pay" option. Payments can be made via Alipay (Chinese online payment platform) and the credit cards Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay. The mobile app allows passengers to set up pre-authorized amounts for themselves, as well as for friends and family members.

On March 2, 2018, via letters and emails sent to all booked customers, GHK announced that the liner SuperStar Libra ends its passenger shipping operations for Star Cruises on June 27, 2018. Since August 2018, the vessel serves as a hotel ship in Wismar (Germany) for the shipbuilding company MV Werften. SuperStar Libra is permanently docked (moored) at MV Werften Wismar shipyard's quay. Since April 2016, GHK fully owns MV WERFTEN - a new company incorporating the 3 Nordic Yards in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - the shipyards in Rostock , Stralsund , and Wismar.

(new) Genting Global-Class cruise ships

On May 10, 2016, the parent company GHK (Genting Hong) signed with Lloyd Werft Group in Wismar Germany a shipbuilding contract for all 10 new cruise vessels . In 2015, GHK purchased a majority stake in Lloyd Werft (dockyard in Bremerhaven Germany ). In 2016, GHK purchased Lloyd Werft's remaining 30%, plus the three shipyards owned by Nordic Yards (Wismar, Warnemunde, Stralsund), thus forming Lloyd Werft Group.

Of the 10 newbuilds, 6 are riverboats plus 2 ocean-going (all 8 for the GHK's subsidiary Crystal Cruises ) and 2 are mega liners (for Star Cruises and Dream Cruises). The new GHK liners are sisterships of the Global-Class, each with gross tonnage 204,000 GT tons, LOA length 341 m (1120 ft) and passenger capacity 5000 (lower berths). Ship deliveries were scheduled for 2020 (for Dream Cruises) and 2021 (for Star Cruises). The ship-order has optional 2 more vessels of the same class.

Global Class ships feature artificial intelligence technologies (including facial and voice recognition for expedited passenger services - boarding, disembarkation, payments), robots (performing mundane tasks), Cineplex (theme park), Asian spa complex, multiple Asian dining venues (including fast food), both affordable and premium retail shopping facilities, roller coaster, water park (with 5 slides), surf simulator. Staterooms are designed for Asian families and can sleep up to 2-4 persons. Most cabins are with two (split) bathrooms. Each liner has 8 sets of escalators and 28 elevators.

Vessel's waste and water management system was provided by Evac (world's leading company building integrated waste-wastewater-water management systems). The company's Complete Cleantech Solution package includes a vacuum collection system, wastewater treatment plant, dry and wet waste treatment plant, freshwater desalination plants (based on reverse osmosis). The freshwater generation plants have the capacity to produce over 3000 m3 of freshwater per day. The contract with Evac was signed on January 3, 2017.

On January 9, 2017, was signed a contract with ABB for delivery of Azipods (power-propulsion units), automation systems and the marine software for all 5 new Genting cruise ships ordered for both brands - Crystal and Star. The 3x Crystal vessels are from the Crystal Endeavor series (polar-class expedition yachts).

These are the first purpose-built ships for the contemporary Chinese market regarding onboard amenities and services (food, cultural events, shows, enrichment programs, shopping, tours/excursions. Cruise ticket prices will be affordable. In May 2019 were unveiled more Global-Class vessel details. The ships will have industry's first theme park at sea, largest cinema at sea, world's longest roller coaster at sea, self-guided robotic assistants, industry's largest standard staterooms (sized 20 m2), Bluetooth cabin door locks, touch-screen control panel, smartphone-control of different en-suite functions (mood lighting, air-conditioning, etc).

On March 8, 2018, at MV Werften shipyard ( Bremerhaven Germany ) started the construction of the first of the two Global-Class Genting cruise liners.

The GHK-owned Lloyd Werft Group has the capacity to produce annually 2 mega liners (over 200,000 GT tons each) plus 1 mid-sized vessel (around 50,000 GT tons). Lloyd Werft has 2 new covered drydocks, a new ship launching platform and over 0,5 million m2 of covered fabrication halls.

In December 2018, Genting Cruise Lines announced plans to build smaller-sized (Contemporary-class) ships for Star Cruises from the German shipbuilder MV Werften. The first liner will be delivered in 2023. In 2019, SuperStar Virgo was renamed "Explorer Dream" and transferred to Dream Cruises in April 2019.

Star Cruises shipboard experience

The big appeal to western clients of Star Cruises is that its ships not only take guests around Asia but also let you experience an Asian lifestyle.

"SuperStar" ships were the first to offer the largest number of restaurants afloat. This innovation later passed on to Norwegian's "freestyle dining". SuperStars Virgo and Leo offer Italian, Asian, Japanese and Chinese restaurants. Virgo also has the only Indian restaurant afloat. Naturally, Star Cruises ships offer the usual formal dining room, casual buffets, and poolside grills. All dining venues offer open seating for ultimate flexibility.

Shipboard entertainment features spectacular shows by Chinese acrobats, card rooms (Mah Jong), private rooms for parties, karaoke rooms. Onboard service is friendly, impeccable, discreet. Star Cruises has a no-tipping policy and brags with one of Asian cruising industry's highest crew-to-passenger ratios - one staff member for every two passengers.

Star Cruises predominantly markets Asian travelers. The internationally focused SuperStar Virgo attracted passengers from Japan, Malaysia, Australia New Zealand, as well as adventurous-spirited North Americans and Europeans.

In 2018, Genting Cruise Lines signed an agreement with Okinawa Agricultural Cooperatives Association and Leospo Inc. Following the partnership, on select GHK-owned cruise liners is offered Okinawa-sourced food and local produce.

• The new onboard dining options include the famous Okinawa Wagyu beef and Okinawa Agu pork. The offer is available on select ships and during summer when they cruise to Okinawa.
• In 2018 (April through November), these premium food specialties were available on three boats (World Dream, SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Virgo). The exclusive gourmet dishes were served via specially designed theme menus. They also included the traditional Japanese dishes Shabu Shabu (with ingredients stirred in cooking pot) and Teppanyaki (iron griddle cooked food), as well as BBQ Okinawa Agu Pork and the wok-fried Okinawa beef (with bitter gourd garlic) and Okinawa beef rib eye (with sweet plum sauce).

Genting fly-cruise deals

In June 2017, Genting Cruise Lines (grouping the companies Dream Cruises and Star Cruises) and Asia's largest airline "China Southern Airlines" signed a Memorandum of Understanding/MoU on an exclusive "flight and cruise" partnership in China.

• The deal is for discounted fly-cruise deals on cruises leaving from homeport Guangzhou-Nansha - a premium travel hub and cruise homeport in Asia.
• By this strategic agreement, both China Southern Airlines and Genting combined their resources in sales, marketing, promotions, and product development, creating a competitive travel product by the new "Air+Cruise+Travel" program. The program targets both individual and group travelers.

Free Birthday cruise

Star Cruises offers free Birthday cruise deals on select ships and departure dates. Company's "Free Birthday Celebrant Package" consists of:

• Cabin decorations (set up on the embarkation day)
• 0,5 kg chocolate cake
• Birthday card
• Cruise voucher (at the ship's Reception) is applicable at onboard retail shops and spa/wellness outlets. To use the voucher, you need to swipe your access card at the outlets. When you settle your bill during checkout, the voucher's value is deducted from the total amount due.
• Free Wifi vouchers for 2 passengers for the entire cruise (at the ship's Reception). Wi-Fi connections on Start Cruises ships are available in all public areas and in staterooms.

Genting Cruises Private Island Resort

In early November 2017, GHK corporation signed an agreement with the Macleod Island 's owner "Tint Tint Myanmar Group" (headquartered in Yangon Burma ) to jointly built new cruise ship facilities on this private island.

Cruise line private Islands are among the best-known assets of the world's largest cruise shipping companies ( Carnival Corporation , RCCL-Royal Caribbean , NCL , MSC ). However, most such private island resorts are located in the Caribbean.

GHK's partnering with Tint Tint Myanmar Group makes Macleod Island the first Asian private cruise resort destination. It is opened exclusively for Genting cruise ship tourists visiting the island via ships operated by the GHK-owned Dream Cruises and Star Cruises. Among GHK's other Asian projects are Guangzhou-Nansha Port development (in China) and Port Danang (in Vietnam).

Macleod Island was first visited by a Star Cruises ship (SuperStar Libra) on November 3, 2017. The 5-night / 6-day itinerary also included Penang Malaysia  and Phuket Thailand .

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Despite the global Coronavirus crisis , Genting Cruise Lines (shipowner) didn't suspend its fleet's passenger shipping operations. Instead, the company (parent of Dream Cruises and Star Cruises) expanded its cancellation policy with "Cruise As You Wish". It allowed all existing and new bookings made before or on October 30, 2020 (initially July 31), to be canceled penalty-free up to 48 hours (prior departure).

These bookings were fully refunded (100%) via FCC (future cruise credit). With rebooking, the amount of the fare paid is automatically transferred to any Dream Cruises or Star Cruises itinerary starting before or on March 31, 2021 (initially December 31 2020).

Itinerary of Star Cruises

Following on Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Qingdao, Star Cruises celebrated the inaugural cruise of SuperStar Aquarius from her new homeport Qingdao on June 13, 2018. Guests from the Shandong peninsula and neighboring cities are now able to enjoy journeys to Japanese destinations like Beppu , Fukuoka City , Nagasaki , and Sasebo . The flagship SuperStar Virgo also offered Qingdao homeport itineraries (November 2018 through March 2019).

Star Cruises officially set a record number of homeport deployments done by the same brand in Port Qingdao. By homeporting here SuperStar Virgo, the company became the only cruise line in history to have 2 ships homeported in Qingdao during the same year.

While cruising at sea, passengers enjoy a hassle-free experience onboard SuperStar Aquarius, complemented by Asian hospitality and delicacies unique to Star Cruises. The flagship of Star Cruises, SuperStar Virgo, calls Qingdao homeport starting in November 2018, taking passengers on 4-night voyages to Kagoshima , Fukuoka, and Nagasaki.

Note: Starting operations for Dream Cruises in mid-April 2019, SuperStar Virgo was renamed "MS Explorer Dream" and homeported in Shanghai (China). For the winter season 2020, Explorer Dream was deployed in Australia-New Zealand.

Star Cruises related cruise news

Crystal Cruises Serenity and Symphony ships arrested in Freeport (Bahamas)

A couple of Crystal Cruises' ships were seized on Friday, February 4, by authorities in the Bahamas over unpaid fuel bills. Crystal Symphony and...

Star Cruises' ship Star Pisces sets sail on first voyage from Penang Island (Georgetown, Malaysia)

Genting Cruise Lines on Wednesday, December 22, achieved a new milestone with the Star Cruises brand as the Star Pisces ship set sail on her first...

GHK's Star Cruises is the first line to restart in Malaysia with Star Pisces ship from Penang

Genting Cruise Lines, along with PPC-Penang Port Commission and PPSB-Penang Port Sdn Bhd announced that the Malaysian government had granted approval...

Crystal Cruises sold superyacht Crystal Esprit to Lindblad Expeditions

Crystal Cruises sold its Crystal Esprit ship, saying that the small-yacht concept didn't fit into the brand's future plans.  In a statement...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines retiring Boudicca and Black Watch ships

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is expected to retire two of its ships, Boudicca and Black Watch, when the company brings on the pair of former Holland...

Singapore to charter GHK-owned cruise liners as hotels for uninfected foreign workers

The government of Singapore is studying the feasibility of using two mid-sized cruise liners as hotel ships to temporarily house foreign workers who...

SuperStar Aquarius Returns to Taiwan After Being Turned Away from Japan

A cruise ship that was denied entry in Japan over coronavirus fears sailed back to Taiwan on Saturday, February 8, with everyone onboard being tested...

Cruise Demonstration Zone to Be Established in Shanghai

Shanghai is expected to establish a demonstration zone for cruise tourism. This is part of the plans of the port to become a hub for the industry...

Explorer Dream's Godmother Revealed

Dream Cruises announced the godmother for its newest ship - Explorer Dream (currently SuperStar Virgo), joining the fleet in April 2019 after...

Kembla Acts as Turnaround Cruise Port

Monday’s visit (February 11) by Explorer of the Seas is not the last with another 3 ships locked in for “turnaround calls&rdquo...

•   show more news

Princess Cruises welcomes its biggest ship ever with help from a star

It took a star to welcome the sun.

The Sun Princess , that is.

Princess Cruises on Tuesday officially hailed the arrival of its newest megavessel — at 177,882 tons, its biggest ever —with the help of "Ted Lasso" star Hannah Waddingham.

The Emmy Award-winning actress and singer presided over a star-studded 19-minute christening ceremony in the ship's Princess Arena theater that included a traditional bottle breaking, with a twist.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Serving as the ship's godmother, Waddingham placed a triangular "sun ray" representing Sun Princess into a sun sculpture on stage to trigger the smashing of a huge bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne — a nebuchadnezzar that holds the equivalent of 20 traditional bottles — against the ship's hull.

"As much as theater ripples through my bloodstream, I have the strongest history of maritime in my family," a clearly proud Waddingham said moments before triggering the bottle smash.

She noted that her still-living, 107-year-old grandfather served on convoy ships crossing the Atlantic during World War II. She also grew up boating.

"It's in my blood and in my bones," she added.

Built at the giant Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, Sun Princess is the most notable new Princess ship to debut in more than a decade. Capable of holding up to 5,189 passengers (a record for a Princess ship), it's not only significantly bigger than previous Princess ships but packed with more onboard venues.

The naming celebration came two months after Sun Princess began sailing for the first time with paying passengers, a debut that was unexpectedly delayed by 20 days due to construction issues.

"Sun Princess is incredible. It's the largest, most luxurious love boat ever," John Padgett, Princess president, said at the event, harking back to the line's long-standing tie to the hit television show "The Love Boat" that ran in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Three stars from the show — Ted Lange, Bernie Kopell and Jill Whelan, who played bartender Isaac Washington, ship's doctor Adam Bricker and captain's daughter Vicki Stubing, respectively — were in attendance at the event.

The "Love Boat" stars were seated just a couple rows behind Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison and CEO Josh Weinstein.

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of Princess Cruises.

Makoto Okuwa, a James Beard Foundation honoree who designed a sushi eatery for Sun Princess, and Dario Cecchini, a celebrity Italian butcher who created a meat-focused restaurant for the ship, were also in attendance. So was the Brazilian artist Romero Britto, who sat to the right of Arison. Britto's colorful, upbeat art is the theme for the ship's high-end restaurant, Love by Britto.

Other celebrities at the event included model and television personality Tyra Banks, wildlife show host Jeff Corwin, fashion designer and television host Randy Fenoli and mixologist Rob Floyd. British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield performed her smash hit "Pocketful of Sunshine" among other hit songs on the top deck of the ship after the ceremony.

The biggest Princess ship ever

Under development for more than six years, Sun Princess is the first of the new Sphere Class of Princess vessels. The ships have been designed to be significantly bigger than previous Princess vessels and offer several new-for-the-line features.

First look: Inside Sun Princess, the giant new ship from Princess Cruises

Sun Princess is the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck — part of an effort to draw more upscale customers to the brand.

Additionally, Sun Princess offers an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" on the ship's extra-wide 10th deck that features exclusive access to a private deck area. The top deck of the ship also received some unusual-for-Princess sizzle. Passengers will find a glass-dome-topped pool area that transforms into a nightspot after the sun goes down.

Other differences between Sun Princess and earlier Princess ships include the lack of a buffet restaurant on its main pool deck. But don't worry, buffet lovers: There still is a buffetlike venue on the ship. Called The Eatery, it's eight decks below the pool deck, closer to the ship's central piazza and just off its outside promenade.

The ship's main theater, the Princess Arena, also has a new look. Its new-for-Princess, in-the-round shape can be converted into a more traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater to allow for different types of productions.

Among other standout venues, Sun Princess features a secret hideaway for magical performances designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles.

Related: My strange night out at Princess's new magic-infused night spot

Princess also has revamped its main dining room program with the debut of Sun Princess. It now offers three distinct options for cruisers in its main dining rooms, ranging from a traditional fixed seating experience to a casual, come-when-you-want option that includes quick-served meals and even breakfast for dinner .

The arrival of Sun Princess marks the first time Princess has launched a new class of ship in nearly 11 years. With its debut, Princess now has 16 vessels in its fleet that collectively have room for about 50,000 passengers. That makes Princess the world's fifth-biggest cruise line, behind Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line , MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line .

Related: The 4 types of Princess ships, explained

Sun Princess is initially sailing in Europe through the fall. It'll then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for voyages to the Caribbean. Fares start at $577 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing.

A second ship in the new Sphere Class series, to be called Star Princess, is on order from the Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in 2025. Its first voyage is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2025, and will take place in the Mediterranean.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Locally owned and operated for 23 years

Purchase Cruise Tickets

Tampa Cruises

603 Channelside Dr. Tampa, FL 33602

Clearwater Cruises

25 Causeway Blvd, Slip #55, Clearwater, FL 33767

Accessibility Toolbar

• Powered with favorite Love by Codenroll

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This Small-ship Cruise Line Just Announced 2 New All-suite Vessels Will Join Its Fleet

Windstar Cruises is scheduled to launch Star Seeker in 2025 and Star Explorer in 2026.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Boutique small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is growing its fleet, adding two 224-passenger vessels — both acquisitions from Mystic Cruises —  in the next two years. Star Seeker is slated to make its debut in December 2025 and Star Explorer is scheduled to follow a year later in December 2026. 

Star Seeker is under construction, while Star Explorer is currently sailing as Quark Expeditions' World Explorer. B oth ships will be reworked to include signature features of Windstar ships, from a watersports platform to Owners Suites with wraparound balconies to a whirlpool on the bow. 

Dining, in particular, will be a main focus on the ships, as Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The ships' dining options spaces will be expanded to include the on-deck Star Grill, the casual Yacht Club café and lounge, and a re-imagined Amphora main dining room, which will now have outdoor seating.

“Our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” Christopher Prelog, Windstar Cruises’ president, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure . “We are thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of our game-changing Star Class in small-ship cruising with guests and travel partners, while offering new experiences. This growth reflects the dedication of our incredible crew and team, allowing us to broaden our destination portfolio and even bring one of our Wind Class sail ships back to Tahiti.”

Though both ships have ice-strengthened hulls capable of sailing in the polar regions, Windstar doesn't currently operate such itineraries, focusing primarily on the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. But these new ships may open doors to adventures in the years to come.

“As part of our company’s expanding portfolio, Windstar Cruises is poised for remarkable growth and an exciting future ahead," Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of parent company Xanterra Travel Collection, said in a statement. "We’re excited about the possibilities of where Windstar will sail and the opportunities it brings our officers, crew and staff, and our guests.”

Itineraries and booking information for Star Seeker will be announced in June 2024. You can sign up for updates at windstarcruises.com/newships .

SpaceX is gearing up for the second flight of Starship

The first attempt ended in a fireball, damaged the launchpad and touched off an investigation by the federal aviation administration.

Before the world’s largest rocket blew up its launchpad on lift off, scattering debris and shrapnel into the Texas shoreline, before it started tumbling and exploded in midair , SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk had a prediction on how the first test flight of his Starship rocket would go: “excitement guaranteed.”

Now, more than six months later — after the first Starship flight spawned an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, a lawsuit by environmentalists and hope by NASA officials that Musk’s towering, stainless-steel creation will be reliable enough to one day carry the next astronauts to the surface of the moon — SpaceX is getting ready to launch Starship again.

The FAA still has to issue a launch license, but SpaceX recently said in a statement that Starship “could launch as soon as mid-November, pending regulatory approval.” NASA officials have said they are eager for SpaceX to renew testing.

The company has added a water suppression system to its launchpad, which should help dampen the thunderous vibrations caused by the rocket’s staggering 33 first-stage engines. It has also added a new way for the stages of the rocket to separate, and it’s run multiple engine tests to continue to understand how they will perform in flight.

Still, despite the upgrades, a successful launch to orbit from SpaceX’s private launch facility in South Texas is not guaranteed. But Musk’s earlier prediction of excitement still holds true.

The significance of the test flight goes well beyond the combustible violence of rocketry as performance art. It is a key milestone for SpaceX as it tries to, once again, upend the space industry, and for NASA as well. The space agency is investing $4 billion into the development of the rocket and spacecraft, and it has placed the vehicle at the center of its campaign to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972.

Watch SpaceX's Starship come apart

While future moon-bound astronauts will launch on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and fly to the moon in the Orion capsule, Starship is the spacecraft that is supposed ferry them to and from the lunar surface. Officially, NASA’s plan is to land astronauts there by 2025 . But that timeline is likely to slip, perhaps significantly. One of the concerns is that Starship requires its propellant tank to be refilled while in Earth’s orbit by a fleet of Starship tankers in an immensely complicated choreography. None of those tankers have been launched — or built. And before NASA allows its astronauts to board Starship, SpaceX will have had to have flown the vehicle many times to prove its reliability.

Recently, the NASA inspector general’s office cited the return to the moon as the space agency’s biggest challenge. “NASA officials are concerned that the technical difficulties associated with SpaceX’s Starship will delay the mission currently scheduled for December 2025 to sometime in 2026,” the IG report said. “The extent of delays will depend on when SpaceX can resume flight testing.”

SpaceX has been grounded since the first test flight in April. That flight sent chunks of the launchpad into nearby wetlands and along the shoreline, though no one was injured. The FAA said in a recent statement that it closed the safety portion of its investigation focusing “on issues that affect public health and safety of property.” The environmental portion, done in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service, is not yet complete, the FAA said. “We have not made a final license determination. We will let you know when that day comes,” Steve Kulm, an FAA spokesman, said in a statement to The Washington Post on Thursday.

The delays have frustrated SpaceX. “We’ve been ready to fly for a few weeks now,” Tim Hughes, SpaceX’s senior vice president, recently told The Post . “And we’d very much like the government to be able to move as quickly as we are. If you’re able to build a rocket faster than the government can regulate it, that’s upside down, and that needs to be addressed. So we think some regulatory reforms are needed.”

NASA is also hoping Starship will resume its testing program quickly.

“It is essential to us that SpaceX be able to test their rocket,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a recent interview with The Post. “I am given to believe that they are going to get the approval of Fish and Wildlife and therefore the FAA. I don’t know the timing, but of course a major delay would be of very considerable concern to NASA.”

Part of that concern is driven by what he said was “the space race of getting to the moon before China. And so of course we’re counting on SpaceX.”

Starship is a 400-foot monster with a first stage known as the Super Heavy booster and the second-stage Starship spacecraft. It has far more thrust than NASA’s SLS rocket and is the most powerful rocket ever to fly. Unlike the SLS, which falls into the ocean after liftoff, Starship is designed to be fully reusable. The booster would fly back to its landing site, slowing itself down by firing its engines, as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket does. Starship would be caught by a pair of chopstick-like arms that extend from the launchpad.

Musk originally envisioned the vehicle to be used to help humanity get to Mars , which remains SpaceX’s ultimate goal. But in addition to deep-space exploration, SpaceX also intends to use Starship to launch its next-generation Starlink internet satellites , which are larger and heavier and require Starship’s greater power. Starlink beams the internet to ground stations, allowing users in remote areas to connect to the web.

The flight profile for the upcoming test is similar to what SpaceX hoped to achieve last time. The rocket will lift off from SpaceX’s facility in Boca Chica, a hamlet of marsh and wetlands at the southernmost tip of Texas. If all goes well, the Starship spacecraft will fly nearly to orbit as it circles the globe, eventually splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, near Kauai, Hawaii.

The company is going to try a different approach to the way the rocket stages its flight, which would be one of the test’s key milestones. On its Falcon 9 rockets, the booster and second stage separate and then the second stage engine fires. On Starship, the engines of the second stage will fire during separation in an attempt to generate more power. “Obviously that results in kind of blasting the booster, so you’ve got to protect the top of the boost stage from getting incinerated by the upper-stage engines,” Musk said in June.

Last time, the flight did not get that far. Instead, several engines failed at liftoff and a few more during the flight. The rocket started tumbling and was destroyed about four minutes into the flight at an altitude of about 24 miles.

One of the issues the test uncovered was that the flight termination system, designed to destroy the rocket if it veers off course, took too long to activate, about 40 seconds. That was one of the safety issues that the FAA highlighted in its investigation. SpaceX “must demonstrate that any ground safety and flight hazards do not pose unacceptable risk to the public during licensed activities,” the FAA said after the rocket exploded.

Before the launch, Musk had said that the chances of failure were high. And SpaceX said after the launch that “with a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and we learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems today that will help us improve on future flights of Starship.”

Musk predicted in late April that the next booster would have some “significant reliability improvements.” Starship, he said, has “close to a 100 percent chance of reaching orbit within 12 months.” But he added, “I don’t want to tempt fate — knock on wood.”