Kai Tak cruise arrivals skip Kowloon to head straight for the sights
Passengers of third vessel to dock at new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal largely opt to head directly to attractions on Hong Kong Island
Despite expectations that business from the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal would revive the Kowloon City neighbourhood, cruise travellers said they would rather go straight to the best-known attractions on Hong Kong Island during their short stay.
It was the third vessel to berth at the new terminal, which opened in June, and the first to make use of its immigration counters - with local immigration officers boarding the ship to check passports.
Transport arrangements for the huge crowd went more smoothly than for previous arrivals, with taxis and shuttle buses ready at the terminal before tourists disembarked. A sign was put next to the taxi stand showing approximate prices to popular destinations in response to previous complaints of overcharging.
Half the passengers joined group tours to The Peak, according to Jeff Bent of Worldwide Flight Services, which operates the terminal.
The most popular Hong Kong highlights tour included stops at Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen, while a small number of people joined a tour to Lantau.
Others who preferred individual travel opted for free shuttle buses to shopping malls Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay, Hollywood Plaza in Diamond Hill and APM in Kwun Tong, all with MTR stations nearby. Mikiki in San Po Kong, where there is no MTR station, did not send shuttle buses.