Dover Cruise is preparing for a bumper season in 2026 after a milestone year. Recent investment has seen the Kent port enhance its facilities and infrastructure, paving the way for a larger range of cruise ships and lines to visit. Upgrades to mooring capabilities mean that it can now welcome vessels of up to 350m loa, and a new state-of-the-art passenger boarding facility in the historic Cruise Terminal 1 will be operational in 2027.

AIDA, Carnival, Holland America Line, Saga, Seabourn, and Viking all sailed in regularly for turnaround and transit calls, and the Port marked seven inaugural calls.

In June 2025, Azamara Cruises and English Heritage hosted the first ever AzAmazing event at Dover Castle, with a second event confirmed for next summer. CLIA has also recently announced plans to host its third Expedition Summit on May 8, 2026 on board the HX Expeditions ship MS Fram in Dover.

Peter Wright, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:

“The success of Dover Cruise this year is a real testament to our position as one of the UK’s leading cruise ports, as seen on national primetime TV for Dover 24/7: Britain’s Busiest Port and Holland America Line’s Supercruising: Life at Sea.

“With upgrades to our two dedicated cruise terminals bringing in a larger variety of cruise ships, industry leading events being hosted here, and further growth planned for the future, we are excited to celebrate more landmark moments throughout our 30^th anniversary year.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to over 20 different cruise lines each year. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a new marina which is at the centre of the revived waterfront, plus opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.