China's Hong Kong government has announced the return of international cruise vessels, allowing tourists and locals alike to enjoy the unique experiences that these vessels bring.
With a wide range of leisure and entertainment options, these cruises offer an exciting way to explore the city and its attractions. The government is also providing additional financial incentives to ensure that the industry remains a viable and attractive destination for visitors. The return of international cruises is a welcome step for the city and its tourism industry, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.
From early March to early April, the city is welcoming 5 international ships. They will be on their maiden voyage to Hong Kong from around the world.
“Seacations” were popular during the COVID crisis, especially when the port city adopted strict flight/quarantine measures. The “cruises to nowhere” became an alternative for Hongkongers. Despite the strict vaccination/testing policies, the seascape proved to be a hit as it allowed cruises around the city’s waters in 2 and 4-night packages.
The HK government announced that there would be an international line-up of maiden cruise ship calls from different regions around the globe. This includes TUI's Mein Schiff 5 from Germany, Fred Olsen's Borealis from the UK, and MSC's MSC Poesia from Italy.
The Hong Kong government and the HKTB-Hong Kong Tourism Board successfully secured 16 cruise lines to HK, with 150+ ship calls. The move aims to bring back the status of the city as “a regional cruise hub and international travel destination,” Dane Cheng, executive director of HKTB said.