Mariner of the Seas leaves Hong Kong for first home-port cruise

The first home-port cruise to set off from the new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal got off to a slow start when passengers found it took more than two hours to check in and the ship's departure time was delayed.

Those waiting to board Mariner of the Seas were cross with the long queues in the departure hall and thought planning could have been better.

But cruise company Royal Caribbean said it was because thousands of passengers from one mainland tour showed up at the same time.

"For the next sailing on November 2, we have talked with the group agency to avoid such chaos happening again," general manager Joseph Lam said.

Carrying more than 3,000 passengers, Mariner of the Seas was making her first home-port sailing from Hong Kong to Taiwan. The ship set sail at 6pm and will now berth at Kaohsiung and Taipei as part of its five-day, four-night voyage before returning to Hong Kong on November 2.

The 310-metre, 15-deck cruise ship was the first vessel to dock at the Kai Tak cruise terminal on its maiden visit to the city in June.

One passenger, Ms Ho, travelling with 10 family members, said it was more convenient to take her children to Taiwan by ship than by plane. But she was dissatisfied with the check-in arrangement that kept her in the queue for two hours, she said.