Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Plans Airport Check-In, Bag Delivery in 2026

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong is planning to add an airport check-in and baggage delivery service in 2026 as it works to make the cruise facility easier to use for inbound international passengers, according to Worldwide Cruise Terminals (WCT) Managing Director Jeff Bent.

The proposed service is part of a broader push to expand the terminal’s role beyond cruise ship days, with WCT framing Kai Tak as a place that can draw residents and overseas visitors through a growing mix of events, retail, and dining.

2026 upgrades aimed at international passengers and year-round visitation

“Looking ahead to 2026, the terminal is poised for further growth and innovation,” Bent said, citing the planned airport check-in and baggage delivery service among the additions under development.

Bent said the direction includes increasing activity at the site beyond embarkation and arrival days, supported by more events and a continued rollout of shops and dining, with the goal of positioning Kai Tak as a destination in its own right.

Seven inaugural calls and a three-ship day that tested capacity

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal recorded seven inaugural cruise ship calls in 2025, a year WCT characterized as a continued rebound in cruise activity.

One of the most operationally significant days came in March 2025, when three large ships from two cruise lines called at the terminal across its two berths, producing a combined gross tonnage of more than 280,000 and bringing more than 10,000 passengers and crew members into Hong Kong via Kai Tak.

The cluster of calls involved Cunard’s Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth as well as Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky. WCT said Queen Anne arrived the day before and stayed overnight, while Queen Elizabeth and Norwegian Sky arrived on March 19, 2025. The visits by Queen Anne and Norwegian Sky were inaugural calls to Hong Kong.

New tenants and a pet-friendly rooftop park strategy

WCT has also linked the terminal’s growth strategy to new on-site tenants intended to widen the mix of visitors coming to Kai Tak outside cruise operations.

• Two Point Zero Cafe & Bar, a pet-friendly cafe, opened in July 2025.
• The Global Chinese Pop Music Association opened in September 2025.
• The Hong Kong International Medical Healthcare Management Centre is scheduled to open in February 2026.

Bent connected the pet-friendly cafe to the evolution of the public rooftop area, saying: “Building on the success of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Rooftop Park, which became an inclusive park for pets in March 2025, Two Point Zero Cafe & Bar offers a welcoming space for pet owners to relax and connect,” he said.

WCT has described the mix of cultural and health-and-wellness-related tenants as part of an effort to broaden the terminal’s day-to-day draw while maintaining its cruise function.

Travel trade training tied to cruise sales growth

In addition to ship operations and tenant expansion, Kai Tak continued its industry engagement through travel trade training. On December 9, 2025, WCT sponsored, hosted, and co-organised a full-day workshop with Cruise Lines International Association, The Hong Kong Travel Agents Owners Association, and Royal Caribbean International.

More than 50 travel agents who were new to selling cruises attended, with programming that included training sessions at the terminal and an onboard visit to Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas.

Awards and how WCT summarized the year

Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was named Asia’s Leading Cruise Port at the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year, and WCT said the terminal also collected more than 15 awards and certifications during 2025.

“2025 has been a significant year for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal,” Bent said, adding that the pace of activity reflected the effort of the team operating the facility.

As the terminal enters its thirteenth year of operations in January 2026, WCT has pointed to the expected February 2026 opening of the Hong Kong International Medical Healthcare Management Centre and continued work on passenger-facing upgrades, including the proposed airport check-in and baggage delivery service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What new passenger service is planned at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for 2026?

WCT plans to introduce an airport check-in and baggage delivery service, aimed at improving the experience for inbound international cruise passengers.

Which ships were involved in Kai Tak’s three-ship day in March 2025?

The ships were Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, and Norwegian Sky. WCT said Queen Anne arrived the day before and stayed overnight, while Queen Elizabeth and Norwegian Sky arrived on March 19, 2025.

When is the Hong Kong International Medical Healthcare Management Centre expected to open at the terminal?

It is scheduled to open in February 2026.

How has Kai Tak Cruise Terminal supported industry training for travel agents?

On December 9, 2025, WCT sponsored, hosted, and co-organised a full-day training workshop with Cruise Lines International Association, The Hong Kong Travel Agents Owners Association, and Royal Caribbean International. More than 50 new-to-cruise travel agents took part, including training sessions at the terminal and an onboard visit to Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas.