Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

• Embarkation

First, let’s talk about the transportation. The ship was moored at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, which is located at a developing district. As it is the edge of the city, it is seldom to have transportation getting there. Normally only two mini-bus and bus routines will pass through the terminal. On our embarking day, we planned to go there by minibus from Kowloon Bay. Once we saw the queue for the mini-bus, we were shocked! The queue was long enough that I guessed more than one hour to wait. I heard that a few passengers were impatient and claimed that not even one mini-bus arrived for 20 minutes. In this case, we definitely moved to taxi station and wait for taxi. Unfortunately it also had only a few taxis, and at last we spent 15 minutes to get on the taxi.

However, here was another challenge encountered on the way. It should spend only 10 minutes to the cruise terminal normally. Since here were two ships moored at the same terminal, the only way between the town and the terminal was overloaded. It is single line driveway for both in and out that is too narrow if many passengers at the same time. Thus, traffic jam occurred and finally we spent 30 minutes to the terminal.

After the depressing journey to terminal, the upcoming part which i appreciated much!

At the terminal, the instructional signage are everywhere and it can direct the passengers clearly where to go to embarkation. We were instructed to second floor for the check in. Even though it still had six hours from departure, here are long queue for the embarkation check in. However, Royal Caribbean is leader of the cruise leader and it is experienced in handling family check in, group check in was offered. Therefore, the check in process was very efficient.

Then, the immigration and security check was efficient as well. Same as the security drill at airport, the hand-carry bags should be scanned. Since Kai Tak Terminal is newly released for a few years only, its facilities are updated and the manpower is enough for handling a huge capacity of passengers. Moreover, it is one of the modern and biggest port in Asia, the spacious area for all the embarkation procedure will not make the guests feel uncomfortable.

After the embarkation, our passports would be collected by the ship crews and the passport would be given back the day before the disembarkation. Instead, room key would be distributed. It could be an identity card on the cruise. Upon the check-in, the facial scan would be applied, your personal data and picture was entered in the room key card. As it can also link with your credit card, when you purchased or dined in the specialties, simply presented the room card and it would be billed to your account. It would be another convenience to guest as only one card can replace the functions of several items.

During this sailing, two destinations in Vietnam would be the ports of call. Visa is necessary for Vietnam immigration. However, a kind reminder that the cruise can do it for you. When you reserve the sailing, the cruise will include the visa fee in the package accordingly. Therefore, it eases the procedure to issue visa, no matter of the destinations.

• Disembarkation

After the 4 days sailing, the ship disembarked at Kai Tak Terminal in the early morning. It amazed me about the efficiency of the disembarkation! Actually we could settle all the payment the night before disembarkation. Passports could also be delivered. As it was more flexible than taking flight, passengers could take off the ship within a few hours. This avoided the overload of prolong waiting time for immigration and luggage handling. To enjoy the last relaxing breakfast on ship, I took off two hours after the mooring. Fewer passengers for the immigration and my luggage had been dropped already. The overall disembarkation experience was better than taking flight, at least the less waiting time for the luggage.

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