Ships ahoy as three cruise liners dock at Kai Tak terminal

Cheng Wong

The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal welcomed over 10,000 passengers and crew from three world-class cruise ships, highlighting its dedication to enhancing Hong Kong's reputation as a leading cruise destination.

The three ships - Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, and Norwegian Sky - represent two different cruise lines and have a combined gross tonnage of over 280,000. They docked at the terminal's two berths.

Queen Anne arrived on Tuesday and stayed overnight, while the other two ships arrived on Wednesday. This marks the first visit for both Queen Anne and Norwegian Sky.

The world-class ships' arrival underscores the terminal's dedication to providing world-class facilities and services to the global cruise industry.

Jeff Bent, managing director of Worldwide Cruise Terminals, the terminal's operator, said: "We are delighted to welcome in a single day three majestic ships from two lines, for homeport and transit calls, catering to different source markets."

He noted that their arrival showcases Hong Kong's wide appeal, as well as the terminal's ability to efficiently and flexibly manage diverse operations.

"We look forward to an increased number of ship calls, passengers, and visiting cruise lines in 2025, including seven inaugural calls, three of which arrived in just the first three months of the year. Astro Ocean's Piano Land arrived on January 6, Cunard's Queen Anne on March 18 and NCL's Norwegian Sky on March 19," he added.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Kai Tak Dining Cove Carnival opens today along the scenic waterfront next to the Kai Tak Stadium, featuring around 30 food stalls and music performances that will run until April 27.

The carnival is part of the events celebrating the Kai Tak Sports Park's opening, offering delicious bites and lively energy every Friday to Sunday and during public holiday long weekends.

At the same time, the annual Hong Kong International A Cappella Festival 2025 will showcase a dynamic line-up of captivating performances at the park on March 29, featuring the innovative Italian music ensemble Rebel Bit and the award-winning Singaporean vocal group The Island Voices.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com