Star Cruises, operator of the ocean cruise in Hong Kong, had got all the rooms reserved two months before Christmas on its two vessels, SuperStar Leo and Star Pisces, according to the Star Cruises.

A five-storey-high huge Christmas tree decorated with butterfly bows was set up in the main hall on board. Passengers who got the right number of the bows will win a lottery for the new year, said the cruise company.

To mark the Christmas and forthcoming New Year's Day, Star Cruise has got prepared various games and performances on board. Santa Claus was ready to take photos with all passengers on Christmas Eve and each child could also get a Christmas gift from Santa Claus.

The schedule is convenient for Hong Kong travelers, and many Hong Kong families chose the cruise for their family reunion on Christmas. Besides, a large number of foreign travelers also celebrated their Christmas on board. The cruise became part of their Hong Kong travel.

"Asian travelers have come to find cruise a very interesting lifestyle," said Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Star Cruises. "Although the cruise market is young in Asia, the acceptance of Asian people to the cruise is similar to the people in the west."

Lim told Xinhua that Star Cruises is devoted to starting business in Asia and aimed at bringing a satisfying and value-for-money trip to passengers.

He said a megaship like SuperStar Leo carries over 2,000 passengers, and thus helps bring the cost down, adding that Asian people with reasonable income can come and enjoy the cruise.

He noted that the recent listing of Star Cruises at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will allow the company to get access to more international investors and help its business expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Star Cruises started business in Singapore seven years ago, and has now covered whole coast of east Asia," he said. "We are optimistic about our business in Hong Kong and Asia."

(Xinhua 12/29/2000)