Hong Kong: Voyager of the Seas returns as homeport ship in 2028

International

Royal Caribbean will base two ships in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year period, with cruises to Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration

Royal Caribbean will bring Voyager of the Seas back to Hong Kong for a seasonal homeport deployment from January to February 2028. Together with Spectrum of the Seas, the ship will give the cruise line a two-ship presence in the city during the Chinese New Year and winter holiday period.

Voyager of the Seas will operate cruises of four to ten nights, with destinations including Okinawa and Ishigaki in Japan, Keelung in Taiwan and Chan May in Vietnam, the gateway for Hue and Danang. Selected Okinawa itineraries will include an overnight stay.

Chinese New Year cruises from Hong Kong

During Chinese New Year, Royal Caribbean plans four- and five-night cruises from Hong Kong to Ishigaki and Okinawa. Longer itineraries of up to ten nights will combine several Asian ports.

“Whether it's a quick weekend getaway with family and friends or a longer journey discovering new destinations, or festive sailings timed for Chinese New Year, the two ships complement each other,” said Benjamin Bouldin, President of Greater China and Managing Director Asia at Royal Caribbean.

Voyager has a long history in the Chinese market. The ship arrived in Shanghai in 2012 and began operating from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in 2014. It will return to Asia following an extensive upgrade.

Spectrum offers 56 itineraries

Spectrum of the Seas will continue to operate from Shanghai and Hong Kong during the 2027-28 season. Its programme comprises 56 itineraries of three to eleven nights and 22 destinations across Asia, including special sailings from Hong Kong around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said the additional deployment “emphasizes Hong Kong's appeal as a regional cruise hub and reflects the industry's confidence in the city.”

Four Royal Caribbean ships in Asia

Royal Caribbean plans to deploy four ships across Asia in the 2027-28 season. Alongside Voyager and Spectrum, Navigator of the Seas will extend its Singapore season, strengthening the company’s operations around the three major homeports of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

Voyager itself offers a broad range of family-oriented facilities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, waterslides, an ice-skating rink, climbing wall, mini-golf and dedicated areas for children and teenagers. The ship also features restaurants including Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and Izumi.

The two-ship deployment gives Hong Kong a particularly prominent role in Royal Caribbean’s Asian programme, with short regional cruises as well as longer itineraries available from the same homeport.