Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas was the first cruise ship to officially berth at Hong Kong’s brand-new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The ship’s 3,000 passengers were welcomed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), which organized lion and dragon dances, drum performances and a plaque and key ceremony celebrating the opening of the state-of-the-art cruise terminal.
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal — a $1 billion eco-friendly architectural complex designed by Foster & Partners — will help solidify Hong Kong’s position as a leading global cruise destination. The terminal not only has record-size gangways and the rare capability of berthing two Oasis-class vessels at once, but its 2,789-foot-long “groundscaper” building is also able to clear more than 3,000 passengers per hour through immigration and customs channels.
The HKTB has been using the opportunities brought by Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to promote Hong Kong as Asia’s “cruise hub.” To that end, the tourism board is encouraging international cruise companies to feature Hong Kong in their itineraries, developing new onshore excursions with local travel trade and working toward enriching the overall experience of cruise passengers during their stay in Hong Kong.
The Details
Hong Kong Tourism Boardwww.discoverhongkong.com
