Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas arrived in Hong Kong on November 23, 2025, and is set to embark on voyages around the region with the city as its homeport again. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomed the cruise ship’s return and announced Hong Kong is on course to receive almost 190 ship calls in 2025, a year-over-year increase of more than 25%.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “From January to September 2025, the total cruise passenger throughput reached approximately 270,000, a 22% increase compared with the same period last year. I am delighted that Spectrum of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International has once again chosen Hong Kong as its homeport. It is also encouraging to see numerous international cruise brands choosing Hong Kong as homeport or turnaround port this year, or visiting Hong Kong as port of call, attracting more international visitors to our city. For the full year, Hong Kong is projected to record close to 190 cruise ship calls, which is equivalent to a 26% year-on-year increase. This involved 22 different international cruise brands, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as Asia’s Cruise Hub.”
Hong Kong welcomes 10 ships from nine international cruise lines in November
As Hong Kong enters the peak season for cruise tourism, the city welcomed 10 cruise ships from nine international cruise lines in November alone, offering a total of 19 calls. Of these, five made Hong Kong their homeport or turnaround port – Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, Costa Cruises’ Costa Serena, Astro Ocean Cruise’s Piano Land, and StarCruises’ Star Voyager, in addition to Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas. Other international cruise ships visiting Hong Kong in November include:
– Celebrity Millennium (Celebrity Cruises)
– Westerdam (Holland America Line)
– Norwegian Spirit (Norwegian Cruise Line)
– Seven Seas Explorer (Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
– Seabourn Quest (Seabourn)
Hong Kong adds cruise experiences for meetings and incentives
Cruise travel is not only a popular choice for leisure travelers but also offers an exciting new experience for corporate meetings and incentive travel groups. In October, HKTB added a new theme dedicated to cruise to its thematic experience guide, the Hong Kong Incentive Playbook, further diversifying options for corporate meetings and incentive travelers. The Playbook section highlights how cruise tourism injects new elements to meetings and incentive travel, such as on-board meetings, teambuilding, fine dining, entertainment, and shore excursions. These elements offer a one-stop sea-and-land itinerary and enrich visitors’ business travel experience, strengthening Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s Cruise and MICE hub.
