2022 is set to be a record-breaking year for cruises from the Port of Dover

Port of Dover looks forward to record-breaking year for cruising

The only UK destination on the Lonely Planet's Best in Travel List 2022 and welcoming 130 cruises, including 73 turnaround visits and 11 inaugural ships calls; hundreds of thousands of passengers are getting ready to experience the wonders of Kent's Heritage Coastline and our world-famous White Cliffs during what is set to be a record-breaking year for cruising at Dover and the wider region as a destination.

Dover’s appeal as one of the UK’s leading cruise ports is now matched by the confidence of knowing industry-leading Covid-safe protocols that Dover helped develop along with many of the cruise lines that choose the Kent port are in place, tried and tested.

Dover is eagerly anticipating inaugural cruise calls from TUI, Celebrity Cruises, Sea Cloud Cruises, Carnival Cruises, National Geographic, Holland America Line, Viking, Princess Cruises, Mystic Cruises and Ponant.

The fantastic season includes the arrival of the brand-new, cutting-edge ship, Celebrity Apex, which will be visiting Dover for its inaugural call in May 2022. The Port is also delighted to welcome TUI Cruises to the Port, for their first visit since 2010. The jam-packed 2022 schedule also includes the return of Carnival Legend, for its first turnaround at Dover since 2013.

With Kent’s Heritage Coast rated the fourth best region in the world to visit in 2022 by the Lonely Planet, the Port of Dover can’t wait to welcome these ships back and for their guests to experience the first-class destination and service that the region and the Port has to offer.

Dover has also renewed its important commitment to sustainable cruising with the launch of the 2022 Safety and Environment Awareness (SEA) Award. Started in 2017, Dover’s SEA Award acknowledges outstanding performance on recycling rates, greener emissions and safety. Every ship that has passed through the Port since its launch has been eligible for this award.

Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover, said: "Following the launch of winter cruising at Dover in 2021, with Hurtigruten selecting the Port of Dover as their home port, 2022 will mark the first year-round cruising season for the Port and is expected to be our busiest year yet as we welcome cruise ships every few days.

"We also look forward to the return of international guests as well as our regular customers from the UK – Saga, Fred Olsen, Disney, AIDA, Crystal, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises and Seabourn – as well as the highly anticipated return of TUI Cruises to the Port.

"Dover has a fabulous offering, with strong transport links – it’s High Speed train gets to London in just 66 minutes – and the beautiful surrounding towns and cultural sites, including Samphire Hoe, Tudor fortresses at Deal and Walmer and Dover Castle. Alongside our sustainability credentials, Dover is a top choice cruise destination. With Covid-safe industry protocols firmly in place, it’s all systems go and we are overjoyed to be welcoming passengers back in their droves to the Port throughout 2022.”

Notes to Editors

Dover is one of the most popular cruise ports in the country with two dedicated terminals set amongst the stunning backdrop of the White Cliffs and Dover Castle. This, combined with Dover’s inspirational heritage, makes it the port of choice for many of the world’s leading cruise lines. With a new multi-purpose berth; the Port has the capacity to accommodate four cruise ships at once. For the duration of the pandemic, the Port’s dedicated cruise team has been working hard to adapt to new COVID safe measures after helping cruise lines find a home in Dover for ships needing lay-by facilities.

Press release issued by the Port of Dover (2 February 2022)