Floating book fair, Doulos Hope, docks at Port Klang
It’s not every day that bookworms can browse for books on a cruise ship. With the world-famous “floating” book fair, Doulos Hope, making its way back to Malaysia this December, you can dock the former cruise liner and browse book titles on the waves again.
The cruise book fair will be docking at Port Klang, between 11th December 2025 to 4th January 2026, so you can plan to check it out with loved ones or with the kiddos during the year-end holidays.
Here’s what we know so far:
What to expect at Doulos Hope?
Image credit: Doulos Hope via Facebook
Whether you are hunting for your next favourite read or just want a unique day out on the weekends, this is one maritime experience you do not want to miss. Operated by GBA Ships, the now-retired Doulos Hope has been refurbished into a seafaring bookstore that travels across Southeast Asia.
It concluded in Kota Kinabalu in September and is currently docked in Bangkok. On 11th December, it makes its way to Klang for 24 days, so Klang Valley folks won’t have to travel far to get on board the cruise ship to bury their noses in books.
Image credit: Doulos Hope via Facebook
Measuring approximately 85m in length with a beam of 14m, the cruise ship carries over 2,000 book titles and around 300,000 copies, offering everything from children’s picture books to educational texts, cookbooks, self-development reads, and novels from international authors.
Last year, the floating library’s collection, which landed in Penang, covered a wide range of genres, including science, medicine, faith, history, languages, hobbies, and world literature. This year, you can expect the same genres and even snag a cookbook or a thought-provoking novel — all in one visit.
Ticket prices & visiting hours
Image credit: Doulos Hope via Facebook
Entrance to the ship is expected to remain affordable, with tickets priced at RM2/pax, and free admission for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and above. Tickets will go live on Doulos Hope’s website.
If you plan to visit, arrive early in the day to enjoy a more relaxed pace, as evenings tend to get busier. The ship’s opening hours on past Malaysian visits were from 1pm to 9pm, with Mondays closed for maintenance.
Image credit: Doulos Hope via Facebook
While the official opening hours for this year’s Port Klang stop are yet to be confirmed, keep an eye on the GBA Ships’s website for updates on ticket sales and any special events happening during the visit.
A bookish adventure by the sea
Whether you are a casual reader, a diehard bookworm, or just looking for something unique to do over the holidays, the Doulos Hope is a must-visit to experience browsing through rows of books while feeling the ocean breeze and hearing gentle waves against the hull.
So grab your tote bag, call your favourite reading buddy, and plan a little day trip to Port Klang this December.
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Cover image adapted from: Doulos Hope via Facebook