Following the dropping of both indoor and outdoor mask mandates as of 28FEB, its final major pandemic restriction, Hong Kong is seeing a booming return of cruise ships, representing a milestone in the recovery of cruising throughout southeast Asia from the regional cruise hub.
In one month from early MAR to early APR, Hong Kong Tourism Board reports it is welcoming five ships on their maiden trip to Hong Kong from around the world voyages.
Dane Cheng, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “This not only marks Hong Kong’s return to the global cruise market, but also plays a significant role in consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a regional cruise hub and international travel destination. The HKTB will continue to drive the relaunch of international cruise itineraries and arrange for more ship calls to Hong Kong."
Hong Kong will see an international line-up of maiden cruise calls from various markets around the world, and altogether, 16 cruise lines will pay 150 ship calls to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s cruise scene will see a strong comeback with international cruise ships berthing and homeporting in the city already in MAR:
- On 9MAR, Hong Kong’s waterways were back to their busiest past with four international cruise ships in Hong Kong on the same day: Mein Schiff 5 of TUI Cruises and Europa 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the Silver Muse of ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, as well as Resorts World One of Resorts World Cruises homeporting in Hong Kong.
- Mein Schiff 5 was the first cruise ship to berth at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal after the city resumed full normalcy with its mask mandate lifted. It is also the ship’s maiden visit to Hong Kong, in the same month when Hong Kong receives three other maiden calls by Resorts World One of Resorts World Cruises, Borealis of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and MSC Poesia of MSC Cruises.
- Resorts World One made its first departure from Hong Kong 10MAR. Following her redeployment from Singapore to home port in Hong Kong, the cruise ship offers two- and three-night voyages , departing from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. To celebrate the start of Resorts World One’s homeport sailings in Hong Kong, the first-ever at-sea performance by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has been arranged on board as the ship sets sail from stunning Victoria Harbour.
- Azamara Quest and Regent Seven Seas Mariner will also be visiting during the week, making it six visiting cruise lines in total in just a week.
