AS THE SILVER CLOUD slips away from Ocean Terminal next week, several Hong Kong residents will sip champagne on their private teak balconies, happy to occupy cabins that cost up to $90,000 per passenger for this 14-day cruise to Singapore.
A few hours before the 296 guests embark to be pampered by a crew of 210, travel industry representatives and the media will tour the 'six-star' all-suite vessel to see for themselves why the premier suite can cost more than $300,000 per couple for a trip like this.
But cruising is no longer the prerogative of the rich. Richard Willis, chairman (Outbound) of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (Hata), says Hong Kongers are taking to the seas in a big way on package tours tailored to the pockets of Mr and Mrs Average.
He predicts a 100 per cent increase in bookings by Hong Kong residents this year over last year, and a rise of a further 35 per cent next year.
And to keep the momentum going, a Cruise Day, the brainchild of Willis, was organised at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai a few days ago. It attracted agents representing 10 international cruise ship companies.
They showcased a wide variety of affordable package options on vessels worldwide, and the region's Star Cruises, which agents say has played a major role in launching the concept of cruise holidays in the SAR, joined the promotion.