2023 proved to be an distinctive 12 months for the Port of Dover, and 2024 seems to be thrilling in its personal proper! With a number of inaugural visits and elevated calls by a number of cruise strains on the horizon, it’s going to be a busy cruise season for the UK port.
The Port of Dover Anticipates Busy 12 months For Cruises
The Port of Dover, positioned within the South East of England, is likely one of the busiest cruise ports in Britain and Northern Europe, welcoming an estimated 250,000 cruise passengers every year.
Situated simply over an hour from London by prepare, Port of Dover gives the quickest and most handy path to the capital of England and gives the quickest sea crossing to Europe, incomes it the nickname of the Gateway to Europe.
Annually, the UK port providers over 20 completely different cruise strains between two berths, that are able to docking as much as three ships at a time. It additionally serves as a busy ferry port out of a separate terminal.
After a profitable 2023, the favored cruise port is anticipating one other busy 12 months, together with six inaugural visits, elevated visits from returning cruise strains, and a number of days the place the port will probably be at cruise ship capability.
“There is no such thing as a doubt that 2024 will probably be an unforgettable 12 months for us. We eagerly await the return of all our cruise strains and may’t wait to welcome these which are visiting us for the primary time,” says Peter Wright, head of Cruise on the Port of Dover.
“The beautiful view of the White Cliffs and Dover Fort is a spotlight of any cruise, and our wonderful customer support and unrivalled location ensures a seamless and unforgettable vacation for all,” provides Wright.
Of the cruise strains returning to the UK port in 2024, Fred. Olsen Cruise Strains will probably be providing 5 cruises embarking from Dover in the summertime of 2024.
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“We’re delighted to be returning to Dover as soon as once more, with 5 cruises setting sail to lovely locations together with Norway, Iceland, Portugal and the Azores this summer time,” says Clare Ward, Director of Product and Buyer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Strains.
The primary of the Fred. Olsen voyages will embark on a round-trip, 14-day cruise from Dover on June 27, 2024, crusing to Germany, Poland, and Finland on Borealis, the cruise line’s 1,353 passenger ship.
Different acquainted faces calling on the UK port this 12 months will probably be AIDA Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Saga Cruises, Viking Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Movie star Cruises.
The Port of Dover Rides The Wave Of Success From 2023
The Port of Dover’s success in 2024 comes after a unprecedented 12 months for cruising in 2023, full with inaugural cruise calls from main cruise strains and round 11 million guests, counting each cruise and ferry passengers.
On July 26, 2023, Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess referred to as on the Port of Dover for the primary time. The two,000-guest ship visited the UK port as a part of a 107-night world cruise. Her arrival was celebrated by locals with leisure within the cruise terminal, together with a storyteller who gave a behind-the-scenes have a look at Dover’s historical past and heritage.
Later, on September 8, 2023, the Gateway to Europe celebrated the inaugural go to of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. Just like Coral Princess, the two,666-passenger vessel was met with festive fanfare, together with water canons, dancers, music, and native delicacies.
Dover will develop into Nieuw Statendam’s homeport within the UK subsequent 12 months, with the ten port calls scheduled for her 2025 season.
In the meantime, the Port of Dover celebrated its most profitable cruise season with Carnival Cruise Strains so far. Carnival Satisfaction accomplished 10 complete sailings from the port all through the summer time – which is the most important variety of calls by the cruise line so far.
Carnival Satisfaction will probably be providing 7-night Japanese Caribbean cruises through the upcoming cruise season, however her sister ship, Carnival Legend, will take her place, crusing from Dover starting June of 2024.
