Took the kids and went for it! May Day cruise from Hong Kong with three families!

We boarded a cruise departing from Hong Kong during the May Day holiday with three families, and it was an absolute blast! The Little Gulangyu Cruise is just perfect! This May Day, three families of us decided to embark on the Gulangyu Cruise departing from Hong Kong, traveling the Hong Kong–Ishigaki Island–Hong Kong route. Never thought traveling with kids could be so hassle-free and enjoyable! 👨👩👧👦 Highly recommend cruises for families with kids! No rushing schedules, no worrying about transportation or hunger, no need to pack and move luggage between hotels. Everything from dining, accommodation, and entertainment is seamlessly arranged, satisfying both the elderly and the kids. Plus, traveling with a group makes it more lively, and moms can take turns to relax! 🛳️ This cruise departs from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. There are shuttle buses or high-speed rail + Hong Kong MTR connections from Guangzhou/Shenzhen. We took the direct shuttle from Guangzhou to Shenzhen Futian, which only cost 12 yuan—super affordable! 🚢 Although the Gulangyu Cruise is smaller than large cruise ships, it has plenty of advantages: Simple layout, everything is close by, and you won’t get lost! No waiting in line for meals! Both the main dining room and the 12th-floor buffet have plenty of seating. Mostly Chinese cuisine, which kids are familiar with, plus desserts, hot and cold drinks are available—absolutely perfect! 🎭 There are nightly theater performances, mini-games, family activities, and even childcare services (finally, the kids were willing to go to childcare—tears of gratitude). 🎤 Live performances, bands, dancing—the atmosphere is super lively! 📚 For those who prefer quiet time, there’s a library where you can sit by the window, enjoy the sea breeze, and read—pure bliss! 🌐 Internet access is hassle-free: • Use Hong Kong data on the day of boarding. • Short-term roaming near Taiwan during sailing days. • Use Japanese data while docked at Ishigaki Island (we used the 9.9 yuan/day for 1GB option). • Switch back to Hong Kong data upon return. 🛏️ We tried the interior cabin this time. Though compact, it was more than sufficient, and the cost was super budget-friendly! Overall, this small cruise offers excellent value for money, with comprehensive entertainment, great food, and satisfaction for both the elderly and kids. It’s a relaxing and healing experience for the whole family. 📌 In summary: First time taking kids on a cruise, and the experience was 100 out of 100. If you haven’t made plans for May Day and want a laid-back island-hopping trip, this is definitely worth considering!