Cruise ship today
- Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
7 August 2011 14:30118920How times change, not many years ago some were complaining that shops could open on Sundays now some complain because they do not.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 7 August 2011 15:35118934Sunday shopping is now a fact of life whether we like it or not , Westwood Cross will be heaving today.Audere est facere.
- 8 August 2011 00:08119043
Took this as the Costa Magica sailed out across the harbour to the Eastern entrance tonight. The Berlioz had to divert to the Western entrance to accommodate the liner.
This handsome bird was watching all the many shipwatchers no doubt waiting for a titbit or two!There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 8 August 2011 07:20119061
Well its hell so it is. Im sitting here on a quiet sunday evening in my cloth cap and string vest, enjoying my brown ale and fishpaste sandwich and the upper crust in their posh cabins float right by my rear window..all of them looking in. I dont know where to put myself. I try to cover up my string vest but its all too late as the captain is pointing me out to the hoi poloi. They've all seen everything. Its so obtrusive and me trying to mind my own business. And no they cant have me fishpaste sandwich recipe neither... I must complain to the Maritime Agency so I must..shouldnt be allowed.
Another angle on the Jacqui pic above...taking the wide view.
email: dover7@msn.com - 8 August 2011 08:50119077The AidaBlu just entering the harbour a few minutes ago
email: dover7@msn.com - 8 August 2011 09:08119079wow what lovely photos one day i will be on one of those beautys
- 8 August 2011 09:47119093Amazing images of the cruise ships - not so amazing the one of Paul in his vest!
How long have the cruise ships been frequenting Dover and how much has been done in this time to capitalise on them bringing hoards of tourists wanting to spend money? This is rhetorical - no answers required.
Jacqui
Not sure if this applies to the Berlioz in this instance but I understand that some of the ferries are diverted via the western entrance to disperse sand that would otherwise build up on the remains of the wreck that lies there (or its concrete content) and hinder the cruise ships. I am sure someone could enlighten us on this. - 8 August 2011 09:56119100Hi Mark. Yes you're right about that. However I use a SW radio to listen to the shipping and last night Port control called Berlioz and asked if they would mind diverting to western as Costa Magica had requested departure from the eastern due to the wind and her direction.
Incidentally on your first point, I was talking to a friend in Canterbury last night and he said Canterbury was awash with cruise passengers from both ships yesterday - what a waste of chances for Dover if only traders would open on Sundays.
I think Paul should let us see him as he was last evening, cmon Paul - publish and be damned lol
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 8 August 2011 09:57119101I thought that wreck was dug up earlier this year ?
Roger - 8 August 2011 10:05119104I know it's been said a thousand times before but why oh why doesn't Dover do more to capitalise on this growing tourist market. Morris men down the docks,welcoming bands playing,vintage tour buses,discounted restaurants for cruise visitors,more souvenir type stalls along the front,All these 'may' convince passengers to spend some time in Dover, town guides dressed in Victorian clothing for tours of local hotspots. I don't know the answers but I would sure as hell give it a try rather than just standing back watching them board the buses,taxis to Canterbury,London and beyond.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 8 August 2011 10:30119115Also, Marek, is the worrying news that was on here recently about the building of the London Cruise Terminal. Before we know it we will just be watching them sail past Dover for the Thames.
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
8 August 2011 11:50119144some great photosALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 8 August 2011 17:23119247Some great pictures there, we are lucky to see such lovely ships sailing into our harbour so we are.
And hey there PaulB will not be washing that string vest of yours - 8 August 2011 17:24119248I have said many times that there is so much more that could be done to make cruise passengers more welcome; I actually got chastised by DHB for saying so and they sent me an email in May last year, which I reproduce below:
Hi Roger,
I have been forward your email and wanted to clarify one or two points that you mention.
There is one partnership, the Visit Kent Cruise Partnership with principal partners being Dover Harbour Board and Visit Kent who manage and co-ordinate the welcome and information desks for independent cruise passengers coming into Dover.
It is pro-active in its approach and staff do not sit and wait for passengers to ask questions but are very active in highlighting the many attractions that can be visited in and around Dover.
Dover Castle being the major attraction in Dover and highly visible from the cruise terminal is clearly a big draw and passengers are actively encouraged to spend some time there.
There are two sections to the web-site you refer to www.visitkent.co.uk/cruise which is a trade site and promoted directly to tour operators/cruise lines/ground handlers to assist them in developing shore excursion ideas.
Dover - White Cliffs Country have fair representation within this. The needs of independent cruise passengers coming into Dover i.e. those who have not booked a shore excursion on board ship can view the Visit Kent web-site or indeed the Port of Dover website and White Cliffs Country web-site, all of which are displaying the places to visit in and around Dover which includes Dover Town centre.
As explained when we met at the Cruise Terminal new ideas are pro-actively presented to cruise operators and tour operators to encourage new itineraries to be developed. This is a highly commercial activity and the tour operators will only produce a package that they know will sell and will make them a profit.
Pre-booked shore excursions into Dover will just not happen as there is no commercial value to the tour operator. Dover Castle are well aware on how the travel trade operate and see their business from cruise in the independent market.
I can clarify again, that cruise companies would not wish to see the partnership at the cruise terminal actively selling tours where money is exchanged, as this would be in direct competition with the cruise operator. As mentioned above the cruise welcome team actively promote attractions in and around Dover and this includes Dover town centre.
The partnership have large highly visual graphics throughout the cruise terminal buildings both inside and outside welcoming passengers to Kent and at the time I agreed that a map highlighting the attractions could be facilitated, and this was an action on the Dover Chamber of Commerce.
The partnership in liaison with a local publisher produces the Step Ashore in Dover consumer guide. 75% of the content is based on Dover and is produced with a timed approach to ensure that the passenger makes the most effective use of their limited time ashore. This is also available
Finally, regarding your comments regarding the Open Top Bus, this was a special promotion that took place in 2009 as Dover Castle Keep was undergoing re-furbishment and was highly valued by the passenger. Dover shuttle bus transports in excess of 12,000 passengers into Dover town centre and to Dover Castle and this does not include the numbers that choose to walk or take taxis.
It should be celebrated that Dover Castle is such a magnificent attraction and has enough to keep a visitor occupied for the day.
I hope this gives some clarity. We do appreciate your passion for Dover and I want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to promote the town and it's attractions.
I hope I haven't upset the Lady who wrote to me about it by reproducing it here, but it shows they are doing their bit. I still maintan though, that more could be done to make passengers feel more welcome, or even wanted.
Roger - 9 August 2011 08:03119403Very interesting post there Roger. I can understand much of it and particularly the point about double selling as it were to passengers who already have their destinations and tours prebooked, and dont want further selling upon their arrival here.
Dover needs to be sold as a destination in itself to ..to.. the cruise lines themselves and not to the individual tourist, by person or persons unknown at this juncture, so it can be promoted as an idea at point of sale by those same cruise lines.
But nobody is doing the job. The town isnt represented at the embryo stage.email: dover7@msn.com - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
9 August 2011 13:33119495paulb
why is it dover struggles?
its so frustratingALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
9 August 2011 13:37119498we all know the main reason,dover is never promted in a good light.if the town was tidyed up a bit and promoted forsefully.it is allso seen as a transit/garrison town,could be a good move to get that tag removed. - 13 September 2011 15:00126278todays visitor, very choppy conditions.
- 13 September 2011 15:41126287the top shot shows the water between the two piers, the bottom one shows the water from the other side of the prince of wales pier.
why such a difference?
- 13 September 2011 15:53126292When I arrived at Cruise Terminal 2 at 07.30 this morning there were dozens of coaches from Hastings Herne Bay as well as local coaches,the people joining these tours have paid alot of money to visit Canterbury,Leeds Castle and London amongst other places.
Visit Kent have no input in these locally our job is to try and keep people local,last week Dave from the Shuttle Bus said they moved 900 passengers,yes many want to visit the Castle but some just want to visit the Town,(many were in Town today) and it is our job to tell them what to see and do in the Town,I had one man that wanted a haircut last week,the people who work down at the Docks for Visit Kent are all local people and are doing thier best,but when people get off the cruise in thier hundreds for coach trips and then for local things in mass groups it is difficult to get into too much detail.
While talking to Dave from the Transport Museum last week we talked about the shuttle buses and they have an A board at the bus stop but have asked if they can have an A board at the Visit Kent desk,which has been agreed.If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
