The ship of romance makes a big impact on its maiden voyage

It's been asked before. If you were shipwrecked and could have only one book, what would it be?

You might opt for How to Build a Boat, but if you were a passenger on the Costa Romantica it would probably go unread.

Costa Cruises, Europe's number one cruise company, billed the Costa Romantica the ship of romance, and it has just made its maiden voyage to Hong Kong, making a big impression with its Italian flag flying and its iconic yellow funnel.

A crew of 596 is on hand to handle the needs of up to 1,697 passengers. The ship, with two swimming pools, four jacuzzis, one casino, three restaurants and seven bars, has something for everyone. The cruise has already visited Mauritius, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.

'It's been an enjoyable journey and everyone has had a good time. It's my first trip to Hong Kong and we've been very well looked after,' said captain, Pietro Sinisi.

Patricia So, acting deputy commissioner for tourism, said she looked forward to the day when ships similar to the Costa Romantica would dock at the Kai Tak cruise terminal.

World-renowned British architect Lord Foster, who designed the airport and HSBC headquarters and is in the running to design the West Kowloon Cultural District, is set to add the Kai Tak cruise terminal to his portfolio.