Authorities in Hong Kong are aiming to reopen the cruise sector toward the end-July. Two cruise lines have received a green light to resume short sailings from the city. The chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), YK Pang, said he was pleased to welcome the safe and orderly resumption of Hong Kong’s high sea cruises with Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International.
Cruise tourism is an integral part of Hong Kong’s tourism and the resumption of high sea cruises is the first step to the recovery of the cruise sector
YK Pang, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) chairman
The chairman went on to say that the tourism board would also communicate to consumers the newly established safety and hygiene protocol as well as the anti-epidemic measures adopted by cruise lines to rebuild visitors’ confidence in traveling on cruises
Also ready for the cruise restart is Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, which is equipped with anti-epidemic measures in place. Jeff Bent, managing director at Worldwide Cruise Terminals and operator of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, stated the venue has purpose-built HVAC and mobile UV-C sterilization units, advanced temperature and air quality monitoring systems. The terminal also has touchless restroom facilities among many other safety features.
We anticipate low capacity at this stage and Kai Tak is the single largest freestanding cruise passenger terminal in the world, so we’re already at an industry best for space per passenger
Jeff Bent, Managing Director at Worldwide Cruise Terminals
In late July, Dream Cruises’ ship Genting Dream and Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Sea will offer short two- and three-night Super Summer vacations and two- to four- night Summer Ocean Getaways, respectively.
Royal Caribbean is ready to start off the season with Spectrum of the Seas, Asia’s largest, newest and most innovative ship. Royal Caribbean will be operating 2- to 4-night Summer Ocean Getaways from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong residents will be able to get away and enjoy the travel experiences they are missing dearly. This include the Bionic Bar, the North Star, the FlowRider surf simulator, the RipCord by iFLY and more fun-filled activities at sea
Crystal Campbell, Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Hong Kong
Genting Cruise Lines will be offering 2- and 3-night Super Summer packages on the Genting Dream, the flagship of Dream Cruises fleet that features accommodation in the Balcony Staterooms.
Genting Dream will offer international experiences and themed festivities for its Hong Kong sailings. It will offer the Japanese Festival, Oktoberfest, Night Market, Halloween, and a Nordic Christmas up to the month of December.
The crucial experience gained as the first cruise line to resume in Asia provides invaluable first-hand knowledge on how to operate cruises in the safest possible environment and it is our goal to also be the first to resume in Hong Kong
Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines
ll Hong Kong sailings will be required to comply with a new set of safety and healthy protocols, reports Travel Weekly Asia. Ships will have reduced capacity of 50%, and passengers are also required to use the government’s LeaveHomeSafe contact tracing app while on board. All passengers — excluding those with medical conditions and under 16 — must be fully vaccinated and received a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test 48 hours prior to boarding. The crew must be fully vaccinated and undergo PCR testing every 14 days.
