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He also called on authorities to consider developing the area near the terminal to include hotels, car parks and shopping centres so tourists could choose to stay there once they disembarked. Bent stressed that the buses, especially the free shuttles between the Kai Tak MTR station and the terminal, were a “basic” necessity worth keeping. There are some shops within the terminal for picking up quick gifts and souvenirs before you sail. If you’re looking for a shopping experience accompanied by flashing neon signs and the chaos of the city all around you, Causeway Bay is a popular shopping district.
Business
While many global ports reopened in 2021 and 2022, Kai Tak remained closed for three years, finally reopening in the first quarter of 2023. Bent was responding to complaints by taxi drivers who had driven into the terminal on Saturday after the government ramped up cab services under its new transport measures and offered perks such as coupons for petrol and tunnel fares. The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is the official currency, and you’ll get a better exchange rate if you don’t exchange currency at the airport or a hotel. Credit cards like Visa, AmEx, and MasterCard are widely accepted in Hong Kong.
Resorts World One Starts Cruising from Hong Kong
“We were delighted to host cruise ships again for the first time in a year, and welcome international ship calls and visitors back for the first time in three years,” added Bent. Make sure you are on the outside deck 2 hours before arrival and the first 2 hours after departure. You will have a great view over the Hong Kong Skyline and all of its famous landmarks. Check out the full Hong Kong cruise port guide underneath to learn about the different docking locations in this city.
Market
Fifty Hong Kong travel agents were hosted to full-day cruise selling seminar at KTCT to help rebuild the local travel trade, a Travel Industry Council sponsored event fronted by CLIA trainer, Peter Kollar from Australia. Hong Kong has diverse ethnic communities that have brought a range of cuisines to the city with plenty of authentic dishes to try. Kowloon City is known as ‘Little Thailand’ and here you’ll not only be spoiled for restaurant choices, but can also shop for tasty snacks in the numerous Thai grocery stores.
Cruising’s back and getting bigger at Kai Tak
There’s a 23,000-square-metre public park on the rooftop with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour; on a sunny day, the clouds are reflected in the park’s lily ponds. Built on the runway of the former Kai Tak Airport, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is an iconic structure centrally located in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor. The terminal has year-round operations and an array of amenities not seen elsewhere in the industry. Its restaurants are open 365 days, and include a 960-seat Chinese banqueting restaurant, Hong Kong-style cafe, as well as a kids’ cafe. The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong has issued a review of its cruise business in 2023, which got off to a late start but still welcomed 138 cruise ships.
Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market is a spot for fresh, wholesale fruits and vegetables. For boutique shopping and malls, head over to the Central District, where more upscale brands have shops in Hong Kong. When you’re ready to go shopping for souvenirs and antiques, look no further than the massive Temple Street Night Market, which is one of the largest markets in the city. If you’re feeling daring, haggle with your vendor to snag a great deal on a souvenir. Board a nighttime ferry boat at Victoria Harbour for a ride across the port of Hong Kong, where a stunning lightshow will amaze you. Laser lights dance across the skyline from the city’s tallest skyscrapers while synced up with music, similar to light shows in Singapore and other metropolitan destinations.
On board Celebrity Solstice, you can treat yourself to blissful days at sea in the world-class spa, bask around the shimmering pool, or enjoy some sun at The Lawn Club. For an exclusive, premium experience, book The Retreat, where exquisite dining, concierge service, and stunning all-suite accommodations are waiting for you. Tourist information Find a tourist information point at the exit of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal forecasts cruise growth in 2024
According to Jeff Bent, WCT's managing director, these developments are significant, signaling a positive resurgence for both the cruise industry and Hong Kong. Bent expressed satisfaction in resuming ship visits after a year and welcoming back international vessels and tourists after 3 years. Notably, ship calls during 2023's 10 active months reached 75% of pre-pandemic levels, with around 90% of cruise passengers retained within the local market.
Hong Kong Strengthens Cruise Terminal Regular Bus Service - Cruise Industry News
Hong Kong Strengthens Cruise Terminal Regular Bus Service.
Posted: Sat, 02 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Roughly 80% of the ship calls at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal have been turnaround or 'homeporting' calls.[16] The first major homeport season was by Voyager of the Seas, which was based at Kai Tak from June to October 2015. Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mak Chai-kwong, and the Managing Director of Dragages Hong Kong Limited, Nicolas Borit, signed a design and build contract for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Building on 8 May 2010. The first berth was to be commissioned in mid-2013 and was to be capable of accommodating the world's largest cruise vessels.
Hong Kong cruise terminal operator rejects commercial revamp, stresses role as port - South China Morning Post
Hong Kong cruise terminal operator rejects commercial revamp, stresses role as port.
Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Covering an area of 23,000 square metres, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park features a central lawn, a water garden, a fountain plaza and a viewing platform from which to take in the incredible views of both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. In fact, the territory of Hong Kong provides many hotspots where you are able to use their free Wi-Fi for a certain period of time. To celebrate the occasion, a special event was held on March 10 on the cruise ship attended by more than 400 people including local travel and business partners and the media. Representatives of Resorts World Cruises, president Michael Goh, and Chief Operating Officer Raymond Lim officiated the maiden sailing of the ship. Designed by renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster, this is the first facility to open as part of the redeveloped Kai Tak Airport. You don’t have to wait for your ship to come in to visit, it makes the most of its location at the tip of the old runway.
Located at the heart of the Victoria Harbor, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is one of the world’s foremost cruise facilities which was built over the former runway of Kai Tak Airport. This state-of-the-art terminal provides a modern, remarkable cruising, dinning and entertaining experience for passengers, locals and travelers as well as meets the demands of the newest super cruise liners. Bent said shuttle buses were the preferred transport mode for visitors who arrived on ships making short transit stops at Kai Tak, such as the Spectrum of the Seas, as many were only there for day trips and did not have luggage on them. But when asked who should pay for the bus services in the long run – the government, cruise companies or terminal operators – the managing director pointed out that air and seaports in the city were currently not responsible for transport arrangements. We recommend local cruise visitors to take a taxi or public transportation to the terminal, in case a parking space is not available when you arrive.
Hong Kong has done much to improve the attractiveness and infrastructure for cruising over the last few years, with new attractions in the West Kowloon Cultural District,” said Managing Director Bent. The Government wanted to seek lawmakers' approval to fund the site formation works and facilities required for the provision of government services in the fourth quarter of 2008. At that time, the estimated cost ranges from $1.8 billion to $2 billion. Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development, Stephen Ip, said Hong Kong needs an additional berths between 2009 and 2015, and one to two more berths beyond 2015 to capture the growth of the regional cruise market.
Arrive a little early before your departure time to explore the largest rooftop garden in the city, conveniently located within the cruise terminal. If you need to exchange currency, there’s a station within the terminal as well as ATMs and complimentary WiFi. Shuttle bus service to Diamond Hill metro station The port often offers a free shuttle bus service from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to the nearest MTR station which is Diamond Hill / Kwum Tong. Here you can hop on the green line of the metro system which can take you to many places in Hong Kong is little time. More information about the shuttle is usually given by the tourist information at the exit of the cruise terminal. Bent said that the total ship calls in 2023 represented 75% of annual pre-pandemic levels, and enabled the terminal to retain 90% of the local market share of cruise passengers.
In 2023, WCT welcomed a total of 138 cruise calls, marked the return of international ships to KTCT for the first time in three years, and began hosting homeporting operations for Resorts World Cruises. Please know you will need transportation to be able to get out of the cruise port. Free shuttle buses are also available at the terminal to take passengers to the Apm shopping centre in Kwun Tong, while paid routes can take visitors to areas such as Mong Kok and Causeway Bay at HK$80 and HK100 per trip, respectively. Two of the four cruise ships, German vessel Mein Schiff 5 and Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas, will stay at Kai Tak, with the latter arriving in the city for the first time for its world tour. Worldwide Cruise Terminals, based in Hong Kong, manages the Kai Tak facility.
At the Gardens by the Bay, visit the incredible Cloud Forest, an indoor domed biosphere showcasing indoor waterfalls and exotic plant species. Gaze up at the vertical gardens at Supertree Grove, and head up to the Supertree Observatory for dizzying views down over the Marina Bay waterfront. There are more dazzling views of Singapore from the oval-shaped observation deck on the 57th floor atop the iconic Marina Bay Hotel. “Resorts World One will open up new opportunities for the inbound and outbound travel in Hong Kong for cruising and Fly-Cruise guests, which will have a positive spillover effect beyond the cruise tourism sector in Hong Kong,” he added.
A walk along Victoria Harbour is a must for travelers itching to experience the magic of Hong Kong. Walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for an afternoon stroll on the way to cultural attractions like the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. Singapore is one of the most sophisticated and modern cities on earth, with a culture that seamlessly integrates western and eastern traditions. You’ll find world-class luxury shopping on Orchard Road, authentic local cuisine in Chinatown or Little India, and impeccably manicured garden spaces and parks.
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