This Cruise Ship From The Used Historical Ferry Is Sold To The Public

The Golden Star Ferry was transformed into a luxury cruise ship. (Source: oceanindependence)

JAKARTA - Star Ferry is one of the most attractive attractions for every tourist who comes to Hong Kong. But, Star Ferry cruises are another story.

The iconic ship, which carries both locals and tourists between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, has long been one of the city's most famous symbols, as well as a popular Hong Kong-related photo object.

Only one of these Star Ferry fleets has ever been sold into private hands and has since been turned into a cruise ship. The cruise ship is now for sale, giving the general public an idea of what happened to this beloved ship.

The largest single sofa in Hong Kong. (Source: oceanindependence)

Named the Golden Star, the ferry went on sale to the public in 2011 after one of the city's cross-harbor ferry lines (between the Hung Hom and Wan Chai neighborhoods) was suspended, amid the expansion of the MTR subway.

The man who bought it, reported CNN, is a native of Hong Kong who has a deep nostalgic connection with the ferry system. He works at Hung Hom and travels frequently via the Star Ferry.

Under its decade-long ownership, the ship which now has the name DOT was converted into a floating house with an area of 6,000 square feet. It includes four main rooms, an office, an onboard cinema, a formal dining area, a rooftop sundeck, and a living room that is said to be home to Hong Kong's largest single sofa. There is also room for a 14-foot tall Christmas tree each year.

There is a cinema too. (Source: oceanindependence)

DOT uses solar power that is placed on top of the ship, the wastewater is reprocessed, making it completely self-sufficient. There are also air conditioning facilities to cope with Hong Kong's humidity during the summer.

Transportation enthusiasts will notice another significant change to DOT, the colors. The Star Ferry in Hong Kong is generally painted white on the upper deck and dark green on the lower deck.

Kitchen and minibar. (Source: oceanindependence)

This is not a purely aesthetic decision. After World War II, the British army still had excessive dark green paint leftover, so it was used in many public works projects throughout the city, including ferries and, later, trams.

These days, the DOT is all white, but it's hard to miss the familiar boat shape of Hong Kong's turquoise waters. DOT is being offered at a price of 21 million Hong Kong dollars or about 2.7 million US dollars through Ocean Expeditions.

The deck for relaxing on the boat. (Source: oceanindependence)

Please note, the first Star Ferry Service across Victoria Harbor began in 1888, and the journey took between 40 and 60 minutes depending on water conditions.

Today, thanks to a combination of more modern boats and more reclaimed land shrinking the size of the port, a trip on the Star Ferry only takes a few minutes.

All ships in the Star Ferry fleet have the word 'Star' in their names. There are two remaining routes between Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) at the southern tip of Kowloon and Central Piers on Hong Kong Island and between TST and Wan Chai. These three neighborhoods are home to most hotels in Hong Kong, which means that taking the ferry will be scenic and comfortable.