Cruise season 2014 gets under way in Dover

Even more cruise lines will call this year as the Port of Dover's 2014 cruise season gets under way this week.

Following the Port's successful hosting of the CLIA UK & Ireland Luxury Expo last year and a fruitful presence at the recent Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 to promote the Port and the Garden of England, the Port has announced a number of inaugural calls this year that further showcase Dover's appeal to luxury liners.

Included in the line up are five calls by Dover newcomer Portuscale Cruises, with its two ships MV Funchal (formerly the Portuguese Presidential Yacht) and MV Azores. MV Azores' inaugural call on 30th March will be the first cruise call of the year at Dover.

Andy Harmer, Director, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland, said: "We have held a series of highly successful events in Dover including a luxury expo which took place at the dedicated cruise terminal. Dover is ideally placed as more British passengers than ever before are beginning their cruise holiday from a British port. The Port of Dover and Visit Kent also form a great destination partnership, promoting the very best of Dover and Kent to an international audience."

Other inaugural visits include AIDA Cruises' AIDAbella, Sea Cloud Cruises' Sea Cloud II, Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud, Seabourn's Seabourn Quest and SeaDream Yacht Club's Seadream I.

Ben Greenwood, Business Development Manager, Port of Dover, said: "We look forward to welcoming this year's cruise customers to the Port of Dover. Whether the cruise line, cruise vessel or one of the customers on-board, we are committed to ensuring that they all receive the very best service.

Dover regulars, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Saga Cruises, will be retaining a significant presence along with Holland America Line, a sign of the successful partnerships that the Port of Dover has established with its cruise line customers. AIDA's growing commitment to Dover is also reflected with 21 calls booked for 2014.