Early indications at the Port of Dover, Kent, are that it will be breaking all records with cruise bookings for 2010, according to Kate O’Hara, head of commercial and marketing. She says: “Dover’s investment in state of the art cruise facililties, excellent transport links and award-winning customer service is paying dividends.”
Certainly the line up of new operators to come to the port in 2010 confirms this view with Disney Cruise Lines, AIDA Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, TUI Cruises, Ibercocruceros and Pullmantur all calling for the first time.
This year 140 cruiseships called bringing 273,817 passengers while 2008 saw an increase on 2007 of 12 more ships and 62,000 more passengers.
The Kent Cruise Partnership is a group dedicated to maximising cruise passengers’ experience of the county and its efforts are reaping rewards. “Cruises are making a significant contribution to the Kent economy and this is a market which is continuing to grow year on year,” said Fran Warrington, head of Visit Kent, a member of the Partnership.
