By
Laura Hyde |
The Port of Dover has welcomed inaugural visits from Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC), Seabourn and TUI Cruises from 7 to 11 May 2024. These are three of six inaugural visits the UK port expects to host during an ‘unforgettable year’.
Plaque exchange ceremonies took place onboard CFC’s Renaissance, Seabourn’s Seabourn Venture and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 following each vessel’s arrival to the port, which hosts ships from over 20 cruise lines each year.
“It’s been a fantastic week for us; we are delighted to have welcomed a trio of wonderful cruise ships for debut calls, with their guests being able to sit alongside the stunning backdrop of the White Cliffs in all its glory as the sun arrived just in time,” said Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover.
On 7 May CFC’s Renaissance, which debuted in September 2023, called at Dover as part of a 10-day Scottish Highlands voyage.
CFC’s Renaissance, which was built in 1993 by Fincantieri, brought its passengers to Dover on 7 May
On 9 May Dover was the final port of call for Mein Schiff 4 as it sailed a five-day roundtrip from Bremerhaven, Bremen in Germany. The ship became TUI Cruises’ second ship to sail from Dover in 2024 as Mein Schiff 3 will return in June as it spends the summer sailing British Isles and Western European itineraries.
From left: Tobias Pietsch, Captain of Mein Schiff 4, with Peter Wright and Sonia Limbrick
“TUI Cruises calls at various ports in the UK; Dover, with its location on the south-east coast of England and quick access to London, is an attractive port for the Mein Schiff fleet,” said Marcus Puttich, TUI Cruises' destinations director. “We are delighted that the guests of Mein Schiff 4 have now also been able to discover the city and the region for the first time.”
Finally, Seabourn Venture called at the Port of Dover on 11 May. Seabourn has eight more turnaround visits scheduled at the port this season with its ships, Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.
Seabourn Venture visited Dover as part of a 28-day roundtrip calling at various destinations in the British Isles
“Thank you to the teams onboard [these ships], in particular the captains for celebrating these extraordinary calls with us,” said Sonia Limbrick, head of business development for cruise at the Port of Dover. “I’m proud of the diverse and growing portfolio of cruise lines choosing Dover as their number one destination in the UK for turnaround and port of calls. We are looking forward to some exciting journeys ahead.”