Bucket List: Sailing into a Familiar City

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Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

A slightly different of version this article was first published on this blog in June 2024.

While I have visited Hong Kong multiple times over the years, my typical travel itinerary has always been direct air flights between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Sailing into Hong Kong via a cruise ship was thus a very different experience. I had since done that twice. This article describes the first time I sailed to Hong Kong from Kagoshima onboard Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas in August 2023. 

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The cruise ship was already berthed at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal by the time I woke up lazily in my cabin at about 8am. After a quick breakfast at the Windjammer cafe at Deck 14, I disembarked from the ship.

This was the first time I visited Hong Kong via a port visit. While I had traveled to Hong Kong many times previously, all these visits were by air via either Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines. A first for me to visit Hong Kong by sea!

View of Hong Kong's water from onboard Spectrum of the Seas berthed at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong SAR, China (2023)

For this port visit, the cruise ship was in Hong Kong for less than 24 hours. Thus, this was technically a day trip. After disembarking from the ship, passengers were guided through the cruise terminal. Everything was very orderly and hassle free. The efficiency of Hong Kong was in full display.

Soon afterwards, we were onboard the complimentary shuttle bus that ferried cruise passengers from the cruise terminal to different areas of the city. I chose to take the shuttle to Mong Kok and had a great time relaxing over aromatic coffee and delicious waffles whilst people watching at Langham Place. 

I also found time to shop at the many varied and interesting retail shops at Langham Place and the surrounding malls. However, my great day trip was soon over as I had to head to the rendezvous point to board the complimentary return shuttle bus to the cruise terminal at about 3pm.

Back at the cruise terminal, there was a slight queue as passengers underwent security checks prior to boarding. But it was a relatively fast moving queue. I was soon back to the Spectrum of the Seas. Going up to Deck 15, I was happy to find myself a vantage position where I got to film the ship's departure from port.

A few short hours in Hong Kong but nevertheless a very wonderful visiting experience. 🛳


Port Visit to Hong Kong onboard Spectrum of the Seas

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