Just a few questions to start:

Where will the ship dock? We are staying on Victoria side; how best to get to ship?

Approximately what time should we anticipate that we can embark?

Doug, I can't find your write up on concierge.com. Can you post here or email?

Anyone have recommendations on "must do" in Hong Kong?

thanks,

MOST POPULAR as per discover Hong Kong
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/popular/ta_popu_vict.jhtml

Victoria Peak
High above Hong Kong Island on the 'back of the Dragon', Victoria Peak is Hong Kong's premier visitor attraction, providing magnificent harbour and city views. Arriving late afternoon enables you to experience the dazzling panorama of Hong Kong Island, the harbour, Kowloon and the hills beyond. Later, you can thrill to the neon-dotted skyline by night. What's more, The Peak offers visitors a multitude of fantastic entertainment, dining and shopping options.

Peak Tram
The best way to get to the top is via the Peak Tram, a funicular railway that carves a steep 373-metre swathe up the lush mountainside. The tram has been in operation since 1888, and once competed with sedan chairs as the most popular way up. Try to get seats at the front of the tram on the right-hand side for the journey skyward. The only way to describe the views from this vantage point is "simply awesome".

Hong Kong Tramways
Running east and west along Hong Kong Island, these ancient trams rock, rattle and roll along the same tracks they have traveled since 1904. The tram offers one of the best views in town as it weaves through various bustling districts.

Hong Kong Walks
Summaries only are in this guide. Go to the website to find more information and maps etc.
http://webserv1.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/index.jhtml

Hong Kong is filled with amazing sights that are best explored on foot and at your own pace. To help you find your way, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has developed nine walks with detailed directions and insight. Each of these diverse and fascinating walks will introduce you to incredible experiences that you will cherish; from traditional culture and heritage to out of the way places beyond the city's bustling urban areas.

Choose any of the walks in this guide and you will be delighted by the diversity and sophistication of Hong Kong. This is a city of contrasts: East meets West throughout the day; city, harbour and green interlink; and ancient heritage, culture and festivals thrive in a modern world. As you walk, treat yourself to the tempting shopping and eating opportunities. Enjoy yourself. Hong Kong - Live it, Love it!

Walk #1 – Central & Western District: Travel through Time
http://webserv1.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/ta_walk_walk1.jhtml

Catch intriguing glimpses of daily life in Hong Kong with a stroll through time in the Central & Western District. Starting in the Western area, you'll discover a world of wonder where the hustle and bustle of this modern city mingles with the colourful age-old traditions of yesterday. Here, among the dried seafood and Chinese herbs shops, you'll see traditions of the past that remain vibrant today. As you continue along the walk, you'll experience time through the ages ending in Central, the financial heart of Hong Kong, full of energy and dynamism. Its modern landmarks, towers of steel and glass, symbolize Hong Kong's success.

Note: Sections of this tour involve walks up steep hills which could be strenuous for some people.

Walk #2 – Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok Markets for Leisure and Pleasure
http://webserv1.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/ta_walk_walk2.jhtml

For a non-stop experience of local, urban Chinese lifestyles, you need look no farther than Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok - the heart of the Kowloon Peninsula. Within these two neighborhoods are side streets

Hope this helps,

Marc - you dock on the Kowloon side in the international terminal (it connects to the Harbor City shopping center). It's about 1-1/2 blocks from the pier for the star ferry.

We also stayed on Hong Kong Island (Victoria) and took a cab to the pier. It is easy to see the ship but very tricky to figure out where to have the cab drop you off with your luggage before you board. We had taken the Star Ferry over the day before to check logistics for boarding.

We found the passenger entrance easily & saw the route people took to reclaim luggage; however, the drop-off point is not in the same location we learned at embarkation time as the luggage pick-up point. Our driver never did figure it out correctly. We pack lightly so this was mainly an inconvenience. I think you guys tend to bring more stuff so it would be unworkable.

If I had it to do over again, this is one time I would have stayed over at the same hotel Radisson uses for pre-cruise. They should have a Radisson person in the lobby who can help with directions (or have the cab follow the bus over). I'm sure you could book the hotel independently for less than the package price. Alternatively, you could contact the port agent before you go and get more specific information about how to get to the luggage drop-off point. It's behind a parkling lot on a street that runs below the Harbor City shopping center.

Ngaire & Ken found the jade market so if you'd like some it's an excellent place to indulge. Victoria Peak is spectacular. We went over to Cat Alley & the Mo Ming temple as it was a festival day when we were there. We also went out towards Repulse Bay and Tai Tam and did a long hike to Shek-O. Best thing is being on deck taking in the gorgeous harbor from the deck of the ship. Discovery Bay (easily reached by ferry) is also more local and a pretty option. Lots of nice restaurants on Silvermine Bay over there. Cheers, Anne

We'll be in Hong Kong over Christmas, Marc. One of the most interesting sites for HK info is the one you had recommended, Marc! Flyer Talk!

Marc,
I agree with all that Anne said.
I probably would add the Hotel Intercontinental (use to be the Regent) for a drink in their bar. A beautiful, relaxing setting of the harbor, boats and the Island side.
When we did our Seabourn trip, we took a taxi from the hotel to the ship which was as Anne said, tricky. If you taxi, perhaps your hotel conceirge can give directions. That is what ours did.
While we were in Hong Kong for our pre-cruise, the Mariner was in port. As we are Radisson fans too, besides Seabourn, we met some passengers with in the Harbor Shopping terminal. They went straight from the ship into the shopping center.
In our earlier trips to Hong Kong we also visited Stanley Island. You can go by bus. However, I don't know how it would be today. We have not returned in our last two visits to Hong Kong.
The Star Ferry makes it so easy to go from one side to the other side. Enjoy your trip.

Marc

The concierges in the upscale hotels tend to
be well informed and very helpful...so suggest
you have yours help you.
I 2nd the nomination for cocktails w. a harbor
view....also, a tea-cart dim sem luncheon... fabulous chinese cuisine and lots of fun exploring on your own.

Marc, can't add much to what the others have said....we were docked on the Kowloon side for 2 days. We (with the Mondaes) went up Victoria Peak on the tram for the gorgeous views, rode around the harbor on a sampan seeing all the people who actually live on these fishing boats and saw the largest restaurant in the world (named Jumbos...it's floating, I think it held 5,000 people!) then we went to a jewelry store where Tony bought Joanna a beautiful saphire ring. We also went to Stanley Market where we did some serious shopping (we also bought another huge suitcase in HK). We went to a wonderful lunch at the Repulse Bay Hotel (this was a Radisson comp). You will be docked very close to the Star Ferry, making for easy access to Victoria.

This was actually the 2nd time we'd been to Hong Kong. You will LOVE it there!!!

Let us know if you see the Diamond as she may be there in her new capacity as a floating casino!

I second (third?) a drink at the Intercon as well as a dim sum lunch. The last time we were in HK we had dim sum at a restaurant right at the Harbor City shopping center. It was reasonable and very good (well, except for the fish head soup).

The jade market is fun, but buyer beware. It is full of fake "antiques" and the like. Our "hand carved" mini shrine cracked in our carryon on the way home revealing it to be molded out of some sort of resin. Oh well.

The big government store at the Harbor City center is worth a look. I've always found some good buys there and the quality is guaranteed.

Oh yes Marc, keep your eyes open for the Diamond. It is there! The HUGE MANSION of the now owner of the Diamond was pointed out to us from our bus. It sits on the edge of a cliff with a view to die for.

Has anyone gone to Macau for the day while in port? Was it difficult? We would do it on Tuesday, the day we sail; are we taking a chance or will we definitely be able to get back to the ship?

Any particular sights to recommend on Macau?

thanks,

I took the hydrofoil over to Macau for the day years ago. All I remember is going to the casino and buying some Mateus to contribute to a room party (hey! I was 20 what did I know?). As I recall things were pretty run down.

I don't know that I would particularly recommend it unless you have a lot of time to kill...

Tom and I took the ferry to Macau and went to the casino for an afternoon as well. Like Suzanne, I don't remember being too impressed either!

To be honest, one reason (possibly only reason) that we are thinking of Macau is that it counts as a separate country for Travelers Century Club. Given that updated list cost me a country (San Blas Islands), we need every country we can get.

Nice to know hydrofoil works for afternoon trip; however, sounds like we should it at bottom of the priority list.

We took the hydrofoil over & found the island to be of no interest other than the old Portuguese Museum which may or may not exist anymore. We stayed at a lovely romantic hotel there years ago. It was quite a place. But, other than the fascinating little hotel & the purchase of a wonderful bottle of port, the island didn't interest us. - Michele

I just e-mailed the Hong Kong document to you, Marc.

Doug, thanks. I received. Very detailed with lots of great info!

Thanks!