This month, Hong Kong is rolling out the red carpet for 17 international cruise ships, with four docking over the weekend and bringing an estimated 5,400 tourists to the vibrant city. The influx of visitors marks a significant boost for the local tourism sector, as highlighted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
On Saturday, the Celebrity Millennium, traveling from Singapore to Yokohama, and the Costa Serena, returning to Manila with a stop in Hong Kong, arrived at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The following day, the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui welcomed the Silver Whisper and Seabourn Encore, both on routes to Japan.
Passengers aboard these ships come from 31 countries and regions, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and Singapore. The diverse mix of tourists has sparked excitement among local officials.
Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed her enthusiasm for the arrival of high-value cruise passengers. “We have arranged for them to participate in shore excursions that cover both new and historic attractions in Kowloon East,” Law stated in a Facebook post. “This will fully leverage the synergy between the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and its surrounding facilities.”
The planned excursions include visits to the Kai Tak Sports Park, where tourists experienced an immersive exhibition centered on the local hit film, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, held at the Airside mall. This exhibition, orchestrated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, allows visitors to explore the history of the now-demolished Kowloon Walled City through a lifelike recreation of scenes from the movie.
In addition to the exhibition, tourists enjoyed a visit to Kowloon Walled City Park, where they encountered historical relics and sampled delicious Hong Kong-style egg tarts. The day’s itinerary culminated with visits to the Chilin Nunnery, a serene Buddhist sanctuary reflecting the traditional aesthetics of the Tang dynasty, and the Nan Lian Garden, a classical Chinese garden offering a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle.
First-time visitor Helen Sleiman from the UK praised the authenticity of Kowloon City, while French tourist Maxence Lefevre described the exhibition as a nostalgic highlight, transporting guests back to the ’70s and ’80s.
Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Tourism Board anticipates even more excitement, as three additional large international cruise ships—Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, and Norwegian Sky—are set to dock between March 18 and 19. Notably, Queen Anne will host a gala dinner for 1,000 guests at a local hotel, marking its inaugural visit to Hong Kong alongside Norwegian Sky.
As the city continues to embrace its role as a premier cruise destination, the blend of cultural experiences and modern attractions promises to leave visitors with lasting memories.
