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English coastal town reveals £6billion renovation – which will welcome world’s largest cruise ships
Plus, Sun Travel's cruise expert reveals her eight top tips
THE largest cruise ships in the world can now dock at Dover for the first time.
The busy port in Kent has undergone a huge renovation which means it can now welcome bigger cruise ships.
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The upgrades cost more than £6million and involved expanding the mooring facilities of two of its cruise berths.
They were made larger to accommodate ships of up to 350 metres in length overall for the first time.
Previously, only cruise ships with a maximum length of 320m could moor at Dover.
A statement from the Port of Dover following the upgrade said that it can now welcome “some of the largest cruise ships in the world”.
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They will have room for bigger ships from the likes of Disney, MSC, Norwegian and Princess.
Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, added: “Our 2025 season is in full swing, and we already see a diverse range of cruise ships bringing in thousands of guests each week during high season.
"Our vision for cruise will ensure that Dover remains at the forefront of the sector, whilst delivering economic benefits across the region.”
The Port of Dover is the second-largest cruise port in the UK with two passenger terminals.
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Prior to the upgrade, they welcomed over 200,000 cruise passengers per year and had more than 20 cruise ships docking in Dover.
On some of their busiest weekends, up to 8,000 passengers descended into the region to visit Kent's major landmarks, like the White Cliffs of Dover.
First Look at Norwegian Aqua Cruise Ship
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The port is a popular departure spot for liners such as Carnival, Fred Olsen, Holland America Line, Saga and Windstar.
Last month, the port welcomed new ship Viking Vela for its first UK call
Four Viking Ocean cruise ships – Viking Jupiter, Viking Saturn, Viking Sky and Viking Vela – will sail to Dover this year for a total of 19 calls as part of its London to Bergen and British Isles sailings.
The project is part of the a bigger renovation plan to develop the entire seafront - called "Port of Dover 2050".
Plans are part of expansion to turn the area into a "regional tourist destination".
The waterfront will be revamped in the multi-million pound regeneration and the promenade across Waterloo Crescent will get new pathways and play areas.
A new commercial quarter in Dover will have new cafés and restaurants.
The project does not have a confirmed cost, but it's expected to cost hundreds of millions with £500million invested across Dover's renovation.
In other news, Dover's Maison Dieu, a Grade-I listed town hall, will open to the public next year for the first time in its 800 years.
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Pros and cons of going on a cruise ship
Whether you're considering a long holiday, working remotely or even living on board a cruise ship for a few months or years, here are the pros and cons from a former cruise shipper.
Pros
- Travel the world, learn and experience new cultures
- Meet new people
- Don’t have to think or worry about room cleaning, or food
Cons
- Internet connection can be painfully slow and expensive
- Limited luggage allowance so have to wear the same clothes on rotation
- Having no control of where the ship would go next and the possibility of visiting the same ports
- Having the same onboard entertainment, on-demand movies, and little choice of TV channels
- No fresh newspapers or new books unless someone adds them to the library
- Relatively the same food week after week unless major menu changes occur seasonally.
- Occasional rough seas, bad weather and viral outbreaks while inboard.
Here are more of Lisa Minot's top cruise tips from the most family-friendly trips to why you should book a land-based stay alongside your ocean journey.
Plus, how to find hidden gems onboard a cruise ship, and how to avoid the mistake that most passengers make.
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