Kai Tak Cruise Terminal opens doors to public

The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will open to visitors today, as it hosts the city's first Cruise Holiday Expo featuring the world's most luxurious and exotic cruises as well as trips leaving from the new terminal.

The terminal, at the end of the former Kai Tak Airport runway, received its first cruise vessel in March. It had been out of bounds for locals as construction work had yet to be completed.

Now that all the major features are finished, the terminal will welcome visitors today and tomorrow. For HK$10, visitors can go into the building and see an exhibition of cruise products.

But the water seepage that has plagued the terminal during the typhoon season remains a problem, and yesterday, water dripping into buckets could still be seen.

Seventeen cruise companies and more than 30 local tour agencies have set up booths in the exhibition, introducing their packages which range from the highest-priced holidays to the bargains.

Luxury cruise line Seabourn, whose vessels carry 200 to 400 passengers, charges US$1,000 a night.

"All cabins are suites. You can eat and drink without paying extra, even caviar is available any time. They use Gucci soaps and offer personalised services," sales agent Linda Yuen Lai-fung said.