howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
looking at the front page we seem to be expecting a record summer for cruise calls.
a rough glance suggests that we will be averaging more than one ship a day over the season.
do we deserve them?
i won't go over the old arguments about run down buildings, empty planters and a closed off fountain - will our traders put themselves out to welcome the visitors?
recenty history says no, many outlets will not be open on a sunday whether a cruise ships is in or not, how many will have a welcome sign in their window in the language of the visitors?
only 4 months before they start, plans need to be made to ensure we do not "miss the boat" again.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#2
open shops [sundays],cafes open to late and shops taking euros/dollers might help as well,
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#3
There's lots more that could be done to make the cruise passengers feel welcome and wanting to spend in Town.
DHB have done very well to bring them here, but who is going to make sure they come into Town and enjoy their experience - as in previous years, no one.
Roger
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#4
roger;
i think everyone is sating the same
sadly our politicians/officers
and all those that can make a difference wont do any better than any other years
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#5
There is an astonishing amount of cruise calls for 2012 ..the item still showing on frontpage... which is great to see, as the competition for these ships is getting very tough indeed.Despite a downturn in world economics the cruise market seems to be holding its own. particularly great for cruise ship watchers is the return of the MSC monster beauties...MSC Lirica and MSC Poesia..the guys will be getting their cameras out for those two, and many of the others.
Although the market is tough, when trying to get cruise liners to chose Dover, it is also tough interesting the huge number of affluent passengers on the ships in local sights, as their options are enormous.
Just look at this quote from the frontpage.............................
Kate O'Hara, Head of Commercial & Marketing at the Port of Dover said;
"First-class levels of service, excellent facilities and a wealth of shore excursion opportunities, coupled with a high speed rail service to the centre of London, have contributed significantly to the continuous growth we are enjoying. Our repeat customers already know that there's no better way to start a European cruise than sailing into the sunset against a back-drop of the White Cliffs."
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#6
Kate has done very well to bring those cruise ships here, but the shore excursions do not include Dover as there's no money in them for the cruise companies.
I believe the Port of Dover website has some good information on Dover, but as I haven't looked at it for a while, I can't remember if it is easy to find on there or not.
Roger
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#7
Visit Kent are on hand for visiting ships with maps and infomation on Dover,people like Denise Smith and others work down there so they have local information,but it is sad seeing hundreds walk by you going to visit London,Canterbury Leeds Castle but those who stay are always pleased with he Information.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
#8
Maps and information are great, but perhaps we need to be a little more creative?
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#9
Have now removed the cruise calls list for 2012 from the frontpage but you can find it at the top of ALL RECENT FEATURES if needed.
Worth a look if you havent seen it. Lets corale some of these visitors into town if possible. Its very true Dover has some fierce competition but a good marketing strategy could ensure some success.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
we get more and more cruise passengers coming into town year on year, the problem is that there are few businesses making the most of it.
the shoe shop in pencester road is the only one i can remember that offers a discount to passengers and crew members.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
#11
Its great to see that we have maintained approximately the same amount of ships for next season as this years, there were rumours it would fall dramatically. Its good to see MSC making some calls again. The Holland Americas will be the smaller ones this time around ie the Ryndam but all in all great news that the cruise market is holding its own in these bleak times so all good for Dover's cruise port.
On the Port of calls its very difficult to entice the cruise passengers into Dover as the point of sale is already achieved before they reach Dover with sales of tours to Canterbury, London, Leeds Castle etc already sold to them. The few who stay in Dover are our target at present unless we can get on the tour list they sell to them beforehand.
On the other hand people come to Dover to board and then come back to Dover to go home so no real business for the town there except for the crew who come to buy from Argos and food stores.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#12
collette;
it's all about creativity, vision, hard work, and planning
Dover lacks most of them(well our leaders do)
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#13
howard,is that the one thats closing down.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
that's right brian, still trading at present though and were doing a good trade yesterday.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#15
we(our leaders)still have time to get it right
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#16
Offering discounts to get cruise passengers in shows a total misunderstanding of the cruise market. Cruise passengers look for quality not cheap. Dover has lots of cheap but not much quality.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#17
im sure with all the expertese out there dover could offer so much more
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#18
my experience tells me that cruise ship passengers are the same as everyone else.
if something is going cheap they are like a rat up a drainpipe.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#19
Howard to them, cheap means lunch for £30 a head not £40. It doesn't mean buy one get one free at a discount shoe shop.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#20
wrong peter, i used to work in an off licence in bench street.
when they saw 3 bottles of wine for the price of 2 their knees buckled.
i used to wrap them so that they did not rattle when they boarded the ship as they were not allowed to take booze on.