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QUOTE FROM RAY: "we got diverted to board the Black Watch at Southampton last year when there was a gale blowing at Dover, and it was a totally different experience in their new passenger terminal. Loads of space and loads of staff and no problem with the weather affecting boarding."
Pleased to hear that Southampton offers a good experience to cruise passengers, lived there for ten years and its a lovely city.
Also pleased with the news today that Liverpool has been given the go-ahead for cruise ship turnarounds on the basis that they repay the grant aid they have received. Sailed out of Liverpool countless times in my deepsea days and they thoroughly deserve to reap the benefits of additional ship calls as a great seaport.
All healthy competition for Dover which has achieved the seemingly extraordinary feat of becoming the nation's second cruise port after Southampton despite all adversity. As Ray says, Dover is untenable in southwesterly gales and cruise ships have to find alternative destinations when there is a blow on. There is also the problem of the very strong tidal currents across the entrances and circulating within the harbour, and the jetstreams through both entrances, in the period leading up to high water.
Notwithstanding all this, Dover is set to receive 156 cruise ships and 250,000 passengers this year. The renovation of the Marine Station (CT1) and the dreadfully dilapidated passenger walkway leading to it are to be welcomed.
Bit puzzled that Ray and Keith seem to feel that Dover is lacking in some way, apparently space and staff. Have spoken to my brother-in-law, who has taken four cruises from Dover, and to a friend who is a baggage handler, and they consider the service excellent. The exception would be when there are three ships in at once and one has to draw the short straw of berthing on the Admiralty Pier extension, with pax trundling their luggage from CT2.