Building on the success of 2010’s record season, Dover Cruise Port is enjoying a growing reputation as the port of choice for luxury cruise operators offering affordable five-star holidays next year.Niche operators such as Crystal, Seabourn and Oceania are catering for a renaissance in premium cruising around Northern Europe from Dover. The Hebridean Princess for example only takes a select fifty guests, offering fine wine and dining as it cruises the Western Isles or Northern France. These operators are bringing on board travellers looking for an individual experience - with ships that showcase 21st Century technology alongside the unobtrusive and refined service reminiscent of a bygone era.
One operator spreading the glamour further afield is the world-class Holland America Line which is offering fabulous five-star trips to New York from its homeport, Dover. The port will also be welcoming once again the extremely popular lines; Aida, Ibercruceros, Pullmantur, Fred Olsen, Saga and Princess as well as greeting the Oceania Marina debuting in February 2011 and HAL’s MS Ryndam, on its first visit to the UK.
Kate O’Hara, Head of Commercial & Marketing at the Port of Dover said, “Dover is carving out a niche as the port that caters for the discerning traveller as well as contributing to the popular growth in European cruising that is winning new converts each season. First-class facilities at the Cruise Terminals and improved transport links are also encouraging new audiences to try a cruise holiday from Dover. It’s promising news that UK Cruise is bucking the trend in the holiday market with over 1.65m expected to have holidayed on board this year.”
Issued by Corporate Communications on 01304 240400 (ext 4410)
Notes to Editors:
The UK Cruise market grew by 3.8% in 2009 to 1.53 million and estimates for this year show growth to 1.65m. Figures - Passenger Shipping Association (PSA)
Cruising now accounts for over 10% of the UK package holiday market. Figures -(PSA)
Dover is the second busiest UK cruise port with two dedicated cruise terminals. A third berth is available for port-of-call visits.
Flybe routes from Kent International to Edinburgh and Manchester have recently taken-off and the roll-out of the high speed rail link from Dover to London puts both capitals within easy reach of our customers.
The Port of Dover cruise business welcomed over 300,000 passengers this year.
