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florence11

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BritinSoCal

BritinSoCal

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Hi,

 

We are only in Hong Kong for the day for our cruise in Feb 2018 we are looking for suggestions on what we can do can anyone help with any ideas.

 

Thanks

 

Take a look over at the Things to Do in Hong Kong over on Trip Advisor. Only one day? Decisions, Decisions...

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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We maintain, update & contribute this on Flyertalk - suggestions, tips, and latest on what, where, how & getting around with the focus on boots on the jetbridge (gangway for CC'ers) and things to do for 6 to 8 hours, 12 hours, 15 hours, 1 day, day and a half, etc.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-kong-macau/1038795-flying-hk-weekend-first-time-what-do.html

 

From the cruise terminal, make sure you have local HKD (currencies), (take a taxi, free mall shuttle or the Public Mini Bus to 1 of 3 MTR subway/train station nearby - pickup the Octopus Card to travel. Tsim Sha Tsui for the Star Ferry to the island side, pickup the CityBus #15 from Exchange Square or #15C from Star Ferry, bypassing the long lines @Peak Tram's local station by Garden Road, on a scenic ride thru Mid-Level (get your "cameras" ready) as you rise above the concrete high-rise jungle of $1.5 USD million apartments ("flats".) Look to your right and on a good day, you will see your ship in the distance. From the Peak, options/choices include - doing down to Causeway Bay, Stanley, or Central, etc. (P.S. lines & wait time for riding down to the city below on the Peak Tram are far shorter than going up, weekends are still packed)

http://www.hk-victoria-peak.com/

 

Time for a coffee break, Starbucks are easy to find & the Octopus Card is accepted for payment/purchases, just like using it at McDonalds and bottled water at 7-11's; and, stop by "Watson's" (one of the major retail pharmacy chains) for 2 or 3 packets of thick facial napkins/tissues ... ) Return to Kowloon toward the 2nd. half of the day stopover in HK, walk down the shopping "lanes" of Nathan Road. As the day & sailaway / all abroad timer continue to count down - find your nearest MTR station & make your way back to Kai Tak; and, shuttle back to the ship. Even with a few hours, select & find a place to sample local HK food, perhaps a Dim Sum lunch - please, stay away from so called "Street Food" to avoid potential the stomach "bugs" or viruses ... food poisoning, etc.

 

Or, if you decided to shop (HK used to be huge with bargain shopping, not really anymore ... "outlet prices for clothing are cheaper here in the USA, do your homework) & loaded up with bags of items to bring onto the ship just hail a taxi and go, it will fit up to 4 pax - larger bags can go into the big trunk, from Kowloon - the metered fares isn't going to be more than $100 HKD or about $13 USD at most.

Edited by mking8288
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bonsai3s

bonsai3s

Posted
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We maintain, update & contribute this on Flyertalk - suggestions, tips, and latest on what, where, how & getting around with the focus on boots on the jetbridge (gangway for CC'ers) and things to do for 6 to 8 hours, 12 hours, 15 hours, 1 day, day and a half, etc.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-kong-macau/1038795-flying-hk-weekend-first-time-what-do.html

 

From the cruise terminal, make sure you have local HKD (currencies), (take a taxi, free mall shuttle or the Public Mini Bus to 1 of 3 MTR subway/train station nearby - pickup the Octopus Card to travel. Tsim Sha Tsui for the Star Ferry to the island side, pickup the CityBus #15 from Exchange Square or #15C from Star Ferry, bypassing the long lines @Peak Tram's local station by Garden Road, on a scenic ride thru Mid-Level (get your "cameras" ready) as you rise above the concrete high-rise jungle of $1.5 USD million apartments ("flats".) Look to your right and on a good day, you will see your ship in the distance. From the Peak, options/choices include - doing down to Causeway Bay, Stanley, or Central, etc. (P.S. lines & wait time for riding down to the city below on the Peak Tram are far shorter than going up, weekends are still packed)

http://www.hk-victoria-peak.com/

 

Time for a coffee break, Starbucks are easy to find & the Octopus Card is accepted for payment/purchases, just like using it at McDonalds and bottled water at 7-11's; and, stop by "Watson's" (one of the major retail pharmacy chains) for 2 or 3 packets of thick facial napkins/tissues ... ) Return to Kowloon toward the 2nd. half of the day stopover in HK, walk down the shopping "lanes" of Nathan Road. As the day & sailaway / all abroad timer continue to count down - find your nearest MTR station & make your way back to Kai Tak; and, shuttle back to the ship. Even with a few hours, select & find a place to sample local HK food, perhaps a Dim Sum lunch - please, stay away from so called "Street Food" to avoid potential the stomach "bugs" or viruses ... food poisoning, etc.

 

Or, if you decided to shop (HK used to be huge with bargain shopping, not really anymore ... "outlet prices for clothing are cheaper here in the USA, do your homework) & loaded up with bags of items to bring onto the ship just hail a taxi and go, it will fit up to 4 pax - larger bags can go into the big trunk, from Kowloon - the metered fares isn't going to be more than $100 HKD or about $13 USD at most.

 

Not meaning to hijack this thread but we are hoping that mking8288 will respond. We have read and learned from your detailed responses...thank you.

 

We will be spending 2nights in Hong Kong pre-cruise this November. Based on suggestions you have provided we will do the following: Buy an Octupus Card, use the MRT, PMB, or Ferry to get around. The two sites we plan on visiting are the Big Buddha in Lantau and the casinos in Macau.

 

What area would you suggest for us to start searching for a convenient hotel?...first priority being one that is close to an MRT...relative close to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal...and walking distance to other local sites/restaurants/street food. Thanks again mking8288! :)

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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We will be spending 2nights in Hong Kong pre-cruise this November ... plan on visiting are the Big Buddha in Lantau and the casinos in Macau.

 

What area would you suggest for us to start searching for a convenient hotel?...first priority being one that is close to an MRT...relative close to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal...and walking distance to other local sites/restaurants/street food. Thanks again mking8288! :)

Hi, before I offer up some ideas & options - let's narrow it down since 48 hours and even 3 days is going to challenging - take into account where you flying from and estimated arrival time (AM/PM or evening) into HKG pre-cruise (to set the baseline) and your sailing is on day 3 or day 4.

 

How much luggage do you have - reasons being that I'm thinking of the direct Macau ferry from HKIA (airport) on arrival - transfer & do sightseeing on the Cotai on the Bay if the casinos are on the short list. Perhaps, overnight (rates are reasonal on weekdays, usually) - then, continue to HK the next day. Big Budda is on southeast on Lantau Island whereas HKIA is on west shore side on reclaimed land - and, it's a 3 hours+ round trip from the "city" side via MTR ... at least, the NP360 Cable Car should be better than new by then.

 

Urban planning has granted the go-ahead to build 2 brand new hotel right next to KTCT, adjacent land (the old runway) but I don't think it will be ready this Fall - not to mention getting around. There are some hotels in nearby Kowloon Bay & those are situated almost on top of a MTR elevated station stop or within 5-10 minutes walking distance, and 20 or 30 minutes to Tsim Sha Tsui ... so never too far, really until you are out in the N.T. (which we prefer as the air is fresher & there are still plenty of greens vs. the concret hi-rise jungle).

 

Anyway, what is your budget range for hotel, any preference for chains/brands (airline milege earned, LOL) like Marriott, Hilton, Best Western or Holiday Inns, etc. and # of beds/travelers - rooms are typically "small" by USA standards but not for Euro visitors - but efficient & highly functional in design. The Salsbury YMCA facing the Victoria Harbour is most often recommended and also, highly sought but they only have 370 rooms and not 3,700 rooms so can fill up solid very easily - especially the Fall is popular for cruises to stop; and, competing with the business & family travelers arriving by the plane loads. There's a couple good ones in the 4 stars category, roomy & modernized further up Nathan Road by the Jordan MTR station - and you can walk to just about anywhere or take a quick taxi ride when tired (instead of dealing with the MTR underground)

 

I also assume that your cruise is going to disembark elsewhere (Singarpore, Sydney, etc.) and return to HKG to fly home ... please advise otherwise.

 

As it stands at the moment, our own Alaska & Pacific coastal trip is not happening due to vacation schedule and now DW is open to doing HKG and Singarpore in early November ... most likely land-based so we could well be in competition for those secret hotel room deals with fellow CC'ers, LOL.

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bonsai3s

bonsai3s

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Hi, before I offer up some ideas & options - let's narrow it down since 48 hours and even 3 days is going to challenging - take into account where you flying from and estimated arrival time (AM/PM or evening) into HKG pre-cruise (to set the baseline) and your sailing is on day 3 or day 4.

 

How much luggage do you have - reasons being that I'm thinking of the direct Macau ferry from HKIA (airport) on arrival - transfer & do sightseeing on the Cotai on the Bay if the casinos are on the short list. Perhaps, overnight (rates are reasonal on weekdays, usually) - then, continue to HK the next day. Big Budda is on southeast on Lantau Island whereas HKIA is on west shore side on reclaimed land - and, it's a 3 hours+ round trip from the "city" side via MTR ... at least, the NP360 Cable Car should be better than new by then.

 

Urban planning has granted the go-ahead to build 2 brand new hotel right next to KTCT, adjacent land (the old runway) but I don't think it will be ready this Fall - not to mention getting around. There are some hotels in nearby Kowloon Bay & those are situated almost on top of a MTR elevated station stop or within 5-10 minutes walking distance, and 20 or 30 minutes to Tsim Sha Tsui ... so never too far, really until you are out in the N.T. (which we prefer as the air is fresher & there are still plenty of greens vs. the concret hi-rise jungle).

 

Anyway, what is your budget range for hotel, any preference for chains/brands (airline milege earned, LOL) like Marriott, Hilton, Best Western or Holiday Inns, etc. and # of beds/travelers - rooms are typically "small" by USA standards but not for Euro visitors - but efficient & highly functional in design. The Salsbury YMCA facing the Victoria Harbour is most often recommended and also, highly sought but they only have 370 rooms and not 3,700 rooms so can fill up solid very easily - especially the Fall is popular for cruises to stop; and, competing with the business & family travelers arriving by the plane loads. There's a couple good ones in the 4 stars category, roomy & modernized further up Nathan Road by the Jordan MTR station - and you can walk to just about anywhere or take a quick taxi ride when tired (instead of dealing with the MTR underground)

 

I also assume that your cruise is going to disembark elsewhere (Singarpore, Sydney, etc.) and return to HKG to fly home ... please advise otherwise.

 

As it stands at the moment, our own Alaska & Pacific coastal trip is not happening due to vacation schedule and now DW is open to doing HKG and Singarpore in early November ... most likely land-based so we could well be in competition for those secret hotel room deals with fellow CC'ers, LOL.

 

We haven't booked our flights to date. The RCCL website (Air2Sea/ChoiceAir) is currently not allowing us to book that far in advance. Our cruise starts in Hong Kong, then Singapore, then ends in Sydney. We'll be flying home from Sydney. We are hoping our flight to Hong Kong arrives early in the morning...wishful thinking.

 

We will have one rolling luggage each and our small backpacks. Any hotel under $200 is fine, but of course the cheaper the better...its all contingent on how convenient the hotel is...and again, how close it is to an MRT.

 

Note: Thank you for the advice on the distance of the Big Buddha. It is on our bucket list to see...how early are the MRT and or other transportation open in the morning...we can leave first thing in the morning and make it a day trip.

 

Thanks again! :)

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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We haven't booked ... RCCL website (Air2Sea/ChoiceAir) is currently not allowing ... cruise starts in Hong Kong, then Singapore, then ends ... flying home from Sydney. We are hoping our flight to Hong Kong arrives early in the morning...wishful thinking.

 

We will have one rolling luggage each and our small backpacks. Any hotel under $200 ... contingent on how convenient ...and ... MRT.

 

Note: ... Big Budda ... how early are the MRT and or other transportation open in the morning...we can leave first thing in the morning and make it a day trip.

Thanks again! :)

Bonjour ! One of our BIL/family used to live & work in Montreal before immigrating across the border. Do you have a choice/say in booking your flights with RCCL ? Looks like for late Oct/early Nov. - you have 2 daily nonstops, Air Canada and Cathay Pacific (which we prefer, given a choice - better food & services) ... as that's one of the longest route, going polar - 15 hours. AC would land around 1:30 PM vs. CX at 7 PM - immigration/luggage & custom - picking up the Octopus Card, etc. and ground transportation, would put you in the middle of the city about 2 to 2.5 hours later, around 4 PM or 9:30 PM.

 

MTR basically runs from 6 AM to midnight (a little past on longer route at the "outskirt") with buses running all night on key routes, and there's always (red) taxi to be hailed ... as long as it's not a no-stopping zone, clearly marked on major roadways (typically, stops are designated nearby on side streets/around the corner)

 

If you connect via Vancouver (YVR) - CX has a red-eye that land pre-dawn or at sunrise - and, you would be stumbling into town around 8 AM ... really too early for checking-in and the body clock upside down, not recommended - one of our niece did that & regretted it, never again. Rest of us landed the afternoon ahead of her, checked in & ate a light dinner nearby, tired and lights out by 10 PM - but, ready to go at 8 AM after breakfast ... smacked into the 95% humidity in Septembe, LOL. Then, late afternoon - got hit by the virtual truck, better known as jetlag ... take a good 2 to 4 days to readjust the body clock, so take it easy and ease into things.

 

Nathan Road runs north-south in Kowloon, the historic avenue of the shops where a good # of hotels are located, from Mong Kok MTR station all the way to Tsim Sha Tsui (4 stations apart - walking along this extremely crowded section - 30 to 45 minutes, with a little window shopping along ... no jaywalking against traffic lights, or you will be stopped & ticketed by the police, or at least get a warning. Being once colonial & British, drive & walk on the left, so be careful while crossing & look the other way first.

 

If you can leave after Breakfast to the Big Budda by 8:30 or 9 AM - weather permitting & good visibility (no clouds or storm, etc.) - you can be riding the cable car by 10:30 or 11 AM ... spend maybe 2 or 3 hours there. Shops in the village are tourist-oriented & pricey and there are better vegetarian meals in town, so I would skip those up there. Scenic way to see the rest of Lantau would be to time the scheduled bus route to come downhill back to Tung Chung, and, reconnect on MTR back to the "city" - lookout for herds of cows no longer wanted by ex-farmers, roaming the countryside and on roadsides along the way. Pack a picnic/ready-to-eat sandwiches or light lunch to come along, maybe at Tung Chung before riding. Find a Starbucks or stop at McDonalds for afternoon coffee & snacks, or better yet - checkout one of the Maxim, fast food & bakery - all over town & inside the MTR station concourse. Should have time to ride the Star Ferry, perhaps up to Victoria Peak (unless ...) or catch the nightly 8 PM laser show - squeeze in time for dinner somewhere; and, if not exhausted - a quick walk thru the night market (beware that shops & those working there don't like flash/camera being used and pictures taken.)

 

$200 USD dollar nightly should net you some good choices vs. $200 CDN would be a little more challenging, let me run a few searches to see what's on the listing & get back ... will input Thurs, Fri & Sat for 3 nights with checkout on a Sunday (for embarkation out of KTCT)

 

That's all for now, will get back with some more ideas & thoughts, probably tomorrow evening - feel free to comment & let me/others possibly following too, what else ... Regards :)

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bonsai3s

bonsai3s

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mking8288, thank you for the detailed response. Our cruise departs KTCT on Tuesday, Nov. 14th, so our 2 night stay will be Sunday and Monday nights.

 

Based on your info., we'll start searching for hotels on or near Nathan Road. I could see ourselves walking there at night and enjoying the "crowds" and perhaps street food.

 

Thanks again. :)

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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mking8288, thank you for the detailed response. Our cruise departs KTCT on Tuesday, Nov. 14th, so our 2 night stay will be Sunday and Monday nights ... we'll start searching for hotels on or near Nathan Road. I could see ourselves walking there at night and enjoying the "crowds" and perhaps street food. Thanks again. :)

Mid-November, I think hotel occupancy should be a little lower with smaller mainland crowds competing. Take a look at Google Map for the following hotels, they are all easy walking distance from 1 of 4 MTR stations I mentioned - double decker bus will go south along Nathan Road toward Tsim Sha Tsui/Star Ferry (and Ocean Terminal ... for smaller cruise ships) - comfortable walking shoes & mid-November should be cooler in the 60's and 70's, very comfortable compared to Sept/Oct with higher humidity - stroll to the Harbourfront in 30 minutes or so, depending on your pace & starting point.

 

Look at TripAdvisors for reviews & rating, use Hotwire or Travelocity to check out rates & specials - I like to use Agoda dot com as it is a major hotel booking engine sites used widely for Asia bookings - many of the specials are non-refundable but substantial in savings ... and, I trust you are going to have some travel & trip interruption insurance to cover things, just in case. Or, at least - book something fully 100% fully refundable for now, too early to "lock-in" the best rates.

 

Hotel Panorama by Rhombus in TST, a nice boutique 4 stars with 7.9 ratings (out of 10) about $184 nightly.

Shamrock, one of the classic ones around on Nathan Rd - around Jordan MTR, 3 stars w 8.1 scores, just $117.

Holiday Inn - Golden Mile (TST) - 4 stars/8.1 - $198 USD

Butterfly on Pratt (another boutique hotel) $145

Novotel (we stayed in one of theirs in Seoul, SK in 2015 - very nice) $143 north of Jordan MTR right on Nathan.

Nathan Hotel (been around since the 1960's but very good, spacious & modern) almost/right next to Novotel - guess on which "Road" - $214

 

(just for comparison) Sheraton TST $306

IC (Icon) - formerly the Regents, 5 stars ... preferred by many over the Peninsula $311

Salisbury YMCA - $281 (New World, brand new/rebuild from foundation up - next to IC on the harbour front, stayed thre in the 80's - very pricey as well ... looks good)

And, for others - feel free to price out Mid-Level, Central/Admiralty area on the island side - the Marriott & Conrad - wonderful views from high above ... $$$ but not very convenient. Use loyalty points if you have them - more suitable for those on business.

 

Most of these hotels are easily reached by Airport Express and free transfer to one of the bus shuttle route (and, free porter help at the Kowloon AE Station, below the multi-level shopping mall complex) ... 25 minutes from HKIA to the city, plus 15 to 20 minutes to the nearest stop (or, take a taxi, inexpensive)

 

With a 25" or 22" roller/spinner - you can also do the Airporter Bus with limited stops (by CityFlyer) - route # A21 will travel south on Nathan Road, step off at the nearest stop and with 5 min. walk to hotel - 45 minutes or less from HKIA. Upper deck with giant windows, front has best view - take a 20 minutes short nap as it leave the airport to go over the bridges into town, then a free but quick sightseeing ride along Nathan Road - bilingual signs on upcoming stop so you won't miss it. There are a # of good Youtube videos I previously recommended to others for a virtual view to ride along.

 

Jordan MTR area has pretty good food for frugal travelers, and some "street" food. Yau Ma Tei (MTR) and Mong Kok area (MTR) has more street food & super crowded in the evening. Going on a long cruise, I advise against trying most street food to stay clear of stomach virus, unlike locals accustomed to it - look & smell is fine. Dim Sum is very different than those you get in Montreal but Scarborough, Ontario area is very good these days (were just there last October) - definitely get some.

 

Macau still on - probably squeeze in 3/4 of a day, leave on a 9 AM ferry, roam for a few hours, see the landmarks & ruins of St. Paul, etc. before the casino, then catch a late day/early evening Hydrofoil ferry ride to HK (before or after dinner) - bring passports as you will be doing the stamps 4X in total - maybe a late ride up to Victoria Peak + the laser show at 8 PM on the harbour.

 

To be continued ... :p (**** hotel rates are for reference, as I quoted those for about 2 weeks earlier for the weekend, Monday night should be lower)

Edited by mking8288
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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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They are usually good at clearing the ship once docked, you should be off by 8:30 or sooner and even if there's a line for the free MTR/mall shuttles - inside the train stations before 9:30 and that will give you a good 5 to 6 hours to sightsee & do things. What is the cutoff time to be back onboard, not sailing time (2 hours ?)

 

Besides the view up on the Peak, weather permitting, any other must see or do, i.e. Star Ferry, Tsim Sha Tsui, and thoughts on a (quick ?) (dim sum ?) lunch, etc.

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