Cruising the sea on a megaship is a majorly good holiday option if you want to hit up multiple sunny spots with ease. UK cruisers have historically had few options for hopping aboard the biggest ships, though, as many of our seaside towns simply don’t have the capacity. Forget a bigger boat – you’re going to need a bigger port.
But now, thanks to construction work over the white cliffs of Dover, Brits have more cruise options. A major upgrade project means that Dover’s two passenger terminals can now welcome the world’s largest cruise ships, opening the door to a new wave of tourism (and some seriously massive boats).
The port’s £6 million revamp includes a deeper harbour and upgraded terminal facilities, making it possible for mega-liners to drop anchor right on the Kent coast. It’s a game-changer for both the town and the UK cruise scene, and it could bring thousands more visitors to the region and the nation as a whole.
Before the renovations, cruise ships bigger than 320 metres long weren’t able to dock at Dover, but now the port will be open to any ship measuring 350 metres or less, opening up opportunities for bigger cruise ships operated by the likes of Disney and Norwegian.
The port was already welcoming around 200,000 cruise passengers per year, and that number is now expected to skyrocket. Cruise ship titan Viking’s huge Vela vessel has already stopped off in the Kent port on the new boat’s first UK call, with three more Viking ships set to collect passengers in Dover throughout 2025 on their Bergen-British Isles route.
There’s still a lot to be done in the area despite the work that’s already been completed. The ‘Port of Dover 2050’ plan involves huge changes to the seafront, including new pathways and play areas on the promenade’s Waterloo Crescent, alongside a new cultural quarter hosting restaurants and cafes. There’s no confirmed cost for the project yet, but it’s expected to cost upwards of £500 million.
Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, said: ‘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.’
Britain’s best coastal town to move to in 2025.
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