More than 500 guests from all over the country flocked to Dover on Monday for an exclusive gala dinner on board the Braemar cruise liner.

And they were left in no doubt as to how much local people should value the cruise business.

From a five-course dinner to all-night entertainment, the “cruise to nowhere” aimed to give visitors a glimpse of what Dover and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have to offer.

Barbara Buczek, head of business development at the port, said: “The Port of Dover was delighted to yet again welcome Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and MV Braemar to its shores.

“The evening gave us the perfect opportunity to promote Dover as a destination and showcase the port facilities to Fred Olsen’s loyal cruise passengers.

“The cruise business is of huge importance to the port, Dover town, as well as the Kent region as a whole.”

Even the captain, Mikael Degerlund, was thrilled to be in Dover, and added what such a high-scale event can do for the area.

He said: “Tonight is good for Dover Port as it brings trade to the area and money into the local economy.”

Those who attended the event were excited to hear why they had been picked.

Fred Olsen invited a variety of people, including those related to the brand as well as loyal customers.

Stressing how effective the port is, Fred Olsen’s sales and marketing director, Nathan
Philpot, said: “The people of Dover and Kent need to realise what they have on their doorstep.

“People think of Dover as a ferry to Calais rather than a gateway to the world.

“There are so many places in the UK that don’t have that privilege.”

After breakfast, guests disembarked on Tuesday morning before the ship headed out into the Channel to continue cruising to other worldwide destinations.