Smooth Sailing from Hong Kong

For Royal Caribbean International, Hong Kong is a pivotal homeport for regional expansion. It is set to double its Hong Kong homeport sailings in 2025.

Founded in the United States in 1969, Royal Caribbean International is known for its luxury cruises that provide top-of-the-line accommodations, onboard experiences and exciting itineraries. The company expanded to Hong Kong in 2014 and has since become the longest-standing homeporting operator in the vibrant Asian metropolis, where it has continued to build its reputation as the world’s leading cruise line.

In 2024, the brand’s Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas, operated five sailings from Hong Kong, with plans to extend the season to 10 sailings in 2025. Additionally, Ovation of the Seas had two sailings in April 2025.

Anchoring in Hong Kong

“We established the Hong Kong office in 2014 because we saw the potential of this city as a strategic homeport for regional business,” said Kevin Fung, Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Hong Kong Limited. Not only is Hong Kong a leading tourism destination that attracts travellers from all around the globe, the city also boasts a strong appetite for outbound tourism, with Fung describing Hong Kong citizens as “true adventurers and travel lovers”.

“The city’s strategic geographic location in the heart of Asia also makes it a perfect homeport for cruises, as travellers can easily access different popular destinations on cruise ships departing from Hong Kong,” Fung said. “In particular, the city acts as a key gateway to Mainland China for both inbound and outbound travellers, and initiatives such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the recently implemented visa-free policy for cruise tour groups have further enhanced its position as the cruise hub of Asia.”

Government Support Fuels Cruise Tourism

According to Fung, the Hong Kong government has been proactively investing in and improving the infrastructure and policies to facilitate the growth of the cruise industry. “Our brand has benefitted greatly throughout the years from the support of government entities such as InvestHK and the Hong Kong Tourism Board,” he added.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean International aims to continue building up the best possible fleet and creating more diverse itineraries to attract both first-time and returning cruise travellers.

“Cruise travel has been growing fast worldwide, especially after the pandemic. We are confident that this will be a new trend in Hong Kong and the region nearby,” Fung noted. “We are excited to ‘anchor’ in Hong Kong to deliver a truly world-class cruise experience.”