"Since Taiwan has dropped the ban on direct shipping with China, we will apply to launch regular cruise service between Taiwan and China next spring," Andy Lew said.

"In the initial stage, we hope to launch three services between Taiwan and China's south-eastern city of Xiamen and increase the service according to demand," he said.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Star Cruises, which now serves Taiwan and China destinations separately, entered the Taiwan market in 1998, offering Taiwan-Japan and offshore voyages from Keelung Port in northern Taiwan from April to November each year.

In 2008, Star Cruises served 110,000 passengers on these Taiwan voyages. Four Star Cruises ships also brought Hong Kong and foreign passengers to Taiwan.