2011 Cruise Ship Season Springs Into Action

The Port of Dover welcomes the Spring arrival of the first cruise ship of the year - the AIDACara. Launching the 2011 cruise season, the ship will call on Monday 28th March en-route from Le Havre and bound for Hamburg, Amsterdam and Antwerp on its German Bight Cruise.

The blossoming UK cruise business will see around 240,000 cruise enthusiasts pass through Dover Cruise Terminals this year and the port is continuing to encourage this growth in popularity with holidays to suit all tastes and budgets.

New for 2011, Holland America Line (HAL) will be offering luxury trips to New York from its homeport Dover and travellers looking for an individual experience will enjoy sailing with niche operators such as Crystal, Seabourn, Oceania and Princess from Dover's first-class cruise terminals.

Dover Port is also delighted to welcome the extremely popular Aida, Ibercruceros, Pullmantur, Fred Olsen and Saga lines. There are nine inaugural visits from cruise liners AIDASol, the Emerald Princess and Dawn Princess, Nippon Maru, Costa Pacifica, the Artania from Phoenix Reisen and Ibercruceros' Grand Voyager. Oceana Marina will be debuting in July 2011 and HAL's MS Ryndam will arrive in Dover, in May, on its first visit to the UK.

Kate O'Hara, Head of Commercial & Marketing at the Port of Dover said: "The beginning of a new season is always an exciting time for us as the cruise terminals are re-opened to travellers. Staff are eager to welcome not only new and returning visitors but ships and crews on their inaugural visit to our iconic port and town.

"First-class levels of service, excellent facilities and a wide range of cruise holidays available this year means that Dover will cater for all types of cruise traveller as well as contributing to the popular growth in European cruising that is winning new converts each season. Our repeat customers already know that there's no better way to start a European cruise then sailing into the sunset against a back-drop of the White Cliffs."