By
Alex Smith |
The Port of Dover has marked the end of its 2024 cruise season with the departure of AIDA Cruises’ AIDALuna, which was both the first and last ship to visit the UK port during the year.
AIDA Cruises was the most frequent visitor to Dover in 2024, making six calls at the port. It was joined by 20 other cruise lines during the season, which used Dover either as a destination or a turnaround hub.
Six ships made their inaugural visits to the port during the year, including: Viking’s Viking Saturn; Compagnie Française de Croisières’ Renaissance, Seabourn’s Seabourn Venture; TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4; Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis; and Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony. There were two days with three cruise ships visiting simultaneously, with the WD4 berth providing direct access to the Marina Curve and waterfront by foot.
Other highlights included the visit of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam in April, ahead of its full season homeporting in Dover in 2025. The port’s community event, the Regatta, was also sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the first time it has been supported by a cruise line.
“It’s been a brilliant season, which has seen us welcome a diverse range of cruise ships of all sizes, multiple berths in use, wonderful inaugural call celebrations, and our long-standing customers returning for large sets of calls,” said Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover. “I’d like to thank our brilliant team here for working so hard to provide our guests with an exceptional welcome and to our cruise lines for choosing Dover. We are excited for what 2025 will bring.”