Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise company by passenger numbers, will increase its sailings to and from Hong Kong from the current 12 to 16 next season, marking further recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as the city experienced strong growth in international visitors during the first nine months of this year.

In an interview with the Post on Wednesday, Kevin Fung, managing director of the cruise company’s Hong Kong operations, said mega vessel Spectrum of the Seas would return to Hong Kong on November 23 and call the city its home port.

Having Hong Kong as the home port means that the 168,666-tonne Spectrum of the Seas, capable of accommodating 5,622 guests, will have passengers embark and disembark at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

“Demand is building up in the Greater China region, we will have more port calls in the region, such as Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam,” he said.

“Before Covid, we had two ships based in Hong Kong. As demands continue to grow, we aim to have two or even three ships stationed here.”

For the 2025-26 season, Spectrum of the Seas is set to undertake 12 sailings, an increase from seven last year. The number will rise to 16 in 2026-27.