Thursday, September 9, 2021 - 17:33 by ce-press
Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Bolette had the white cliffs of Dover as her backdrop when she set sail on a scenic maiden voyage on August 16. Her departure was marked with fireworks and farewell sprays from the port's water tugs before she set sail on the first of eight departures.
Sonia Limbrick, head of cruise Port of Dover, commented: “We are delighted that Fred Olsen have chosen us as the homeport for their beautiful new flagship vessel, and we look forward to our excellent relationship with them reaching new heights as Bolette begins her exciting new adventures from Dover.”
July 15 marked the arrival of another newcomer. Tradewind Voyages chose Dover as the departure port for square-rigged sailing vessel, Golden Horizon, on four UK voyages. She embarked on her inaugural voyage on July 19.
Limbrick said: “I’m really pleased to see the cruise season back in full swing again; it’s exciting to see another new cruiseline at the port today, both for the first time in Dover and as she prepares to embark on her first ever voyages.”
On June 26, the first passenger cruise call took place in Dover for the first time in 15 months. TUI's Marella Explorer arrived alongside a celebratory welcome from local tugs and water cannons as part of her ‘British Sights and Seas’ sailings.
The port worked closely with the UK Chamber of Shipping, Cruise Lines International Association, Cruise Britain and the many cruiselines that choose Dover, to implement the industry framework for Covid-safe cruising.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette made the second passenger call on July 4. Deirdre Wells OBE, chief executive Visit Kent, commented: “We’re thrilled to see cruise, which is such an important industry to Kent, re-opening again. Our thanks go to colleagues at the Port of Dover, who I know have been working tirelessly in order to ensure that all passengers arriving into Dover receive the warmest, and safest, of welcomes to the Garden of England.”
The port looked after cruiseships and their crew throughout the pandemic by offering layby and repatriation facilities.
