Dover Cruise
Trade
Dover is the premier hub port for cruise lines in the South East of England. It’s one of the busiest turnaround ports in Britain and Northern Europe, welcoming over 20 individual cruise lines and 200,000 cruise passengers every year. Located just 76 miles South East of London, Dover is England’s gateway to Europe.
Dover has plenty to offer visitors, blending history, natural beauty, and is home to one of the most impressive castles in England. It has a rich history, from its medieval origins to its role in World War II. You can explore the vast grounds, enjoy spectacular views, and even visit the secret wartime tunnels.
The White Cliffs are one of the most recognizable natural landmarks within the UK and Dover has a deep historical significance, serving as a key port for centuries.
Kent as a region has a lot to offer a cruise guest, both on a day visit and pre and post. Kent is famed for its unique cathedrals, castles and country houses throughout the county.
Cruise Terminals
Cruise Terminal One
Cruise Terminal 1 operates within a classically constructed 100-year-old former railway station. Sympathetically designed, this boutique cruise terminal retains the old station’s architecture whilst providing modern facilities that are perfect for smaller vessels of up to 250m LoA.
Cruise Terminal Two
The larger of our two terminals, this purpose-built facility has capacity to handle vessels up to 350m LoA for both turnaround and transit calls.
| Port Information | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Berth 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Zone | GMT | GMT | GMT |
| Normal Operating Hours | 24hrs | 24hrs | 24hrs |
| VTS Channel | 74 | 74 | 74 |
| Indoor Area | 1192m2 | 1992m2 | n/a |
| Maximum Ship Length | 251m | 350m | 320m |
| Depth | 8.5m | 8.5m | 10m |
| Air Draft Restriction | none | none | none |
| Ship Services | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | Berth 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Water Supply | Available | Available | Available |
| Waste and Garbage Disposal | Available | Available | Available |
| Sewage Disposal | Available | Available | Available |
| Recycling | Available | Available | Available |
By Train
Dover Priory is the nearest train station to Dover Cruise Terminals, with High-Speed train services to London St Pancras International which take just 66 minutes.
By Taxi
There is a taxi rank outside Dover Cruise Terminal 1 and 2 where taxis will be waiting when you arrive from a cruise. You will also find a taxi rank outside Dover Priory railway station.
By Air
The nearest airports offering direct flights from worldwide destinations are Heathrow (95 mins) and Gatwick (78 mins).
Police Force and Security
Security at the Port of Dover is present 24/7, 365 days a year, our own dedicated Port of Dover Police carry out regular landside patrols. 24-hour security surveillance cameras.
The Port of Dover Police have marine trained officers, who can respond onboard the Harbour Patrol Launch to incidents working alongside with the harbour patrol crew. The team conduct general patrols to show a high visibility presence on the water and provide security to the port.
Security and Resilience
The Port of Dover has a dedicated Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) who ensures the Port’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, by undertaking regular security drills, audits and inspections. The PFSO liaises closely with the vessel operator’s Company Security Officers and Ship’s Security Officers, as well as the control authorities, to maintain and enhance security awareness and vigilance amongst all those who work at and visit the Port of Dover.
Sustainability
The Port of Dover prides itself on its sustainability and environmental performance
In April 2026, the port announced i has achieved its ambitious goal of carbon net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) for 2025, at least five years ahead of any other UK port target, and 25 years ahead of the UK Government’s maritime target.
Our environmental management system drives constant improvements in sustainability and protection of our diverse and rich natural environment. As part of this continual improvement, we have expanded the scoring criteria of the Port of Dover SEA Award to include carbon emissions and safety considerations as well as waste and recycling. We believe it is important to work with all our port users and partners to continue to improve the environmental performance of the Port.
Trade Travel Training
As a cruise port we fully support all of our Operators with ship visits and educational tours, and when possible, we can provide training on the destination and the surrounding attractions. For more information please contact cruise@portofdover.com
Brochure
Find out more about Dover Cruise Port, the facilities available within the terminal, pre- and post-trip ideas.
Affiliations & partners
Port of Dover continues to foster mutual partnerships and affiliations to grow the awareness of Dover and the Kent region. The Port is a member of:
CLIA
Leaders and innovators in responsible tourism and the best way for travelers to experience the world.
Cruise Britain
A unique way to explore the UK’s stunning coastline and historic ports.
Cruise Europe
An exclusive B2B network that allows companies to connect with partners and customers around the continent.
Get in touch
If you would like to get in touch with Port of Dover, or have any feedback you would like to send, please fill in the form below.
Tel: +44 (0) 1304 240 400
Email: cruise@portofdover.com