howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i don't think the proposed cruise terminal at tilbury will be the death knell for dover's cruise business.
firstly the journey into london would be on the dreaded a13, secondly some passengers like dover for a day out as we know, tilbury would not have the same appeal and thirdly the market continues to grow so if we lose a few calls new ones could make up any shortfall.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
Yes, certainly blowing a hooley over the Dover side of the strait this morning. We are running about an hour late now. I am due off for my leave when we get back to Dover so can leave the others to enjoy it!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Following on from the earlier picture in post 51 which is a bit more dramatic, but this one here shows the moment the AIDA LUNA gave up and headed elsewhere..Antwerp as was stated earlier. This is part of the problem for Dover in relation to a Tilbury enterprise...we cannot get big ships in in bad weather as happened several times last year if my memory serves me well. The thoughts of a Tilbury taking ships away from us fills me with horror, lets hope it doesnt happen.
Lucky to be off Ed as I believe the weather promises to be rough over the next few days.
Did you see the picture of your ship and Howard's comment on the Springtime picture thread?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
great picture, no wonder the other one decided not to dock with the sea like that.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Thats the one that didnt dock Howard..apologies I did that last post in several stages and several goes.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Feeling queasy just looking at that pic!
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Yes your're right there PaulB, quite a few ships couldn't get in last year because of adverse weather conditions. Its a shame really as Dover is a lovely port to dock in and leave from especially in the sunshine and there's the rub.
Howard, hope your positive slant on Tilburys unappealing nature and dreaded transport links rings true
Great pic above showing the struggling ship.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,897
Thinking as a foreign holidaymaker with potential brochure illustrations in front of me I would pick Dover rather than Tilbury given the choice.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
with the lack of prison places available, those convicted could be sent to live in tilbury or nearby grays.
that should help cut reoffending rates.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
As the pictures show it sure was choppy today and you are right Ray, very queasy indeed more so for the passagers i'm sure,as said we lost a few ships last year through bad weather, lets hope this does not happen to often this year.
Would also be good not to see coaches waiting to ferry passengers off else where, as the Frontpage picture shows we can hope that jubilee and olympic celebrations over the coming months, will keep some in port hopefully.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
hardly any ventured into town jan, spotted this small group get off the tour bus and go for a wander.
i suspect that many that had planned to see dover took a quick butchers outside and decided to enjoy the shipboard delights included in the cost of the cruise.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
Tilbury was and is officially London's Cruise Terminal, in its heyday in the fifties it was something to behold, but now half of it is mothballed and run down. There is no way it could handle some of the cruise ships that visit Dover on a daily basis.
Guest 718- Registered: 28 Jun 2011
- Posts: 195
Agreed Barry. Tilbury is in a sorry state and, from what I hear, does not enjoy a good reputation for facilities or service.
The main problem seems to be for port-of-call ships is that it is well off the channel shipping lanes - a bit of a liability where fuel economy is a major consideration for the operators.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I doubt Richard Mahony (who runs a new tour-bus service) has the time, but if he did have, perhaps it would be an idea for a leaflet to be created ? Perhaps say, one called "Discover Dover" with all the historic sites and attractions that Richard goes to, to show the cruise passengers what we have here.
It would have to have a map inside of course and could include the quality pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as the good shops around Town.
Now why didn't I think of that ???????
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Very positive to hear the negative about Tilbury!!
The Ryndam which came into Port here yesterday, she of the black and white Holland America Line, is still here in harbour. She was a blaze of lights all last night...lit from stem to stern and quite spectacular too. They dont usually stay overnight...not often, so I imagine the prolonged visit has something to do with the atrocious weather in the channel, gale force winds which are continuing today as we can see. I wouldnt fancy cruising in it. Much prefer to champagne and jitterbug the night away in the confines of the harbour...
Yes indeed Roger I seem to remember an excellent leaflet from previous times.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
paul,its only this side of the channel thats windy.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
too windy to walk down the pier earlier, so just a distant shot of todays visitor.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Much more benign conditions greeted the return of the MSC Lirica this morning. Now resting calmly at the outer station. The cruise liners are certainly coming thick and fast so well done Dover. There has been an absolute spree of arrivals. Pity they are not gettiing the weather.
A lovely sleek ship this morning...will recycle Howards picture from Post 29 so that everyone can see which one it is. Good to see MSC coming here steadily and regularly. Anyone around the town today can watch out and see if any passengers make it in to see the inner sights.
Brave stab above there Howard in post 77 at getting the Holland America Lines Ryndam. Glad you didnt go down the pier as too dangerous yesterday. Impossible even to hold the camera steady. She drifted off early evening although I didnt see her go. Things had become a bit calmer by then..a bit.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a bit of over kill i know, took this one from ropewalk field this afternoon.
then from st martin's battery
note the sea conditions the other side of the admiralty pier.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Note the cars parked. A big plus for cruise passegers.
Watty
