Wallis Wang

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice made its maiden call to Hong Kong yesterday, carrying 2,700 tourists to the SAR.

The cruise ship, with a maximum capacity of some 3,000 guests and 1,200 crew members, is set to homeport in the SAR in the coming five months, bringing 25,000 to 30,000 tourists to the city.

Guests on the ship were welcomed by a traditional dragon and lion dance performance arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Assistant Commissioner for Tourism Henry Lai also welcomed the Celebrity Solstice and said the SAR government is thankful to Celebrity Cruises, as another ship of the company had visited the SAR before.

"Ten years ago, in March 2013, Celebrity Millennium was actually the first ship to berth at this terminal," Lai said, adding cruise businesses have been recovering very quickly after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The Celebrity Solstice is coming to Hong Kong for a homeport deployment for five months from November to March next year. I understand there will be 12 voyages from Hong Kong to Singapore [by Celebrity Solstice] and by the Celebrity Millennium as well," Lai said.

"It will bring in 25,000 or even 30,000 tourists to the city. We can't wait to receive all the guests and offer them the new excitements in the city."

Director of Marketing and Sales, Asia of Celebrity Cruises Adrian Au Ka-lun, said the company also aims to attract Hong Kong tourists onboard.

"Asia has long been on the bucket list of many of our international guests, so it is with great excitement that we welcome Celebrity Solstice to Hong Kong," Au said. "This is one of Asia's most vibrant and spectacular destinations - an international city where east meets west and where our guests can enjoy magical moments either pre-or-post cruise."

"Together with Celebrity Millennium, which is currently sailing around Japan, Celebrity Cruises now has two of its 16-strong fleet in Asian waters, which is a testament to our commitment to this region and marks another significant milestone in the industry's global recovery," he said.

With the two ships - Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium - deployed in Asia, the company is expected to boost the region's tourism and economic growth, Au said. "We also recognize the boost Celebrity Solstice will bring to Hong Kong, and we are delighted to work together with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to ensure the warmest of welcomes for our guests from around the world," he said.

Celebrity Solstice will be sailing between Hong Kong and Singapore during the winter seasons this year and next year, carrying guests to other popular Asian destinations including Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, as well as Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand, the cruise company said.

It added that Celebrity Millennium will sail to various ports across Japan and other Asian cities.

"Both ships are expected to bring over 120,000 guests to experience the best Asian cities across 52 departures in 2023/24," it said.

Celebrity Solstice delivers 2,700 tourists on maiden call