Cruise passengers get to enjoy some wining and dining

Ayra Wang

More than 8,000 mainlanders and overseas tourists from more than 30 jurisdictions are enjoying the harbor as three international cruise ships have docked in Hong Kong.

Nearly 300 passengers from luxury cruise Silver Nova, calling on Hong Kong for the first time, joined the Wine and Dine Festival at Central Harbourfront yesterday afternoon.

The organizer Hong Kong Tourism Board served an exclusive dinner, comprising traditional Chinese and Western dishes.

Michelle Gurnee from America said it was her third visit to Hong Kong and that she had the most wonderful experience compared to her previous trips.

"I first visited Hong Kong 37 years ago, when I celebrated my 30th birthday," Gurnee said. "[It's enticing] being with everyone, looking at Hong Kong harbor in the background and enjoying the wonderful Chinese wine."

Boyfriend John Armstrong, a first-time visitor, said he was "stunned" by the city's beauty and culture. He added: "I saw many sites that I have never seen before, the architecture and the city are dramatic."

The pair hope to taste traditional Hong Kong food, such as dim sum, and plan to visit the Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui today.

Silver Nova sailed from Seoul and docked at Ocean Terminal, with about 500 passengers onboard.

The cruise will stay in Hong Kong for two days and set sail for Ho Chi Minh City before arriving in Singapore, the trip's final destination, on Thursday.

The operator of the terminal, Harbour City Estates, announced that 56 liners are scheduled to dock this year, nearly twice as many as the 29 last year. The total days of berthing increased to 150 from 53, up 180 percent.

Ocean Terminal is expected to receive more than 34,000 passengers this year, more than double the 15,000 last year.

The company said four international cruise ships have docked in the terminal this month, including Blue Dream Melody, Silver Muse, Viking Orion and Silver Nova, bringing nearly 3,000 visitors.

Costa Serena, carrying about 2,000 passengers, docked at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal yesterday. Some tourists getting off the liner said the terminal lacks dining facilities and is relatively "quiet" while some said the attitude of terminal staff needs to improve.

A third cruise, Coral Princess, will dock at Kai Tak today.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com