Thousands of cruise passengers are expected at Dover this year

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Dover Cruise Port is poised for another busy season with the arrival next month of the first batch of 230,000 passengers expected this year.

The trend of cruise lines to offer more services from UK ports is benefiting Dover and injecting more revenue into the Kent economy.

Dover is the second busiest UK cruise port - after Southampton - with two dedicated cruise terminals and a third berth available for port-of-call visits.

Kate O'Hara, the port's head of business delivery, said: "This is always an exciting time of year for us as we get ready to welcome some 230,000 passengers – both repeat and new customers through Dover."

Customers enjoyed not only the port's facilities and levels of service but also "the wealth of shore excursion opportunities in this historic and beautiful county".

Fred Olsen's Braemar is due on March 25 at the start of a 14-day cruise to the Canary Islands. The Braemar is a regular visitor to the port and joins 147 other cruise calls for 2013 including nine inaugural visits.

AIDA has confirmed its commitment to Dover by increasing the number of calls.

The AIDAstella, fresh from its maiden voyage, will offer a new four-day city tour from Dover covering Amsterdam and Hamburg.

Hapag Lloyd's Columbus 2 is also making its debut from Dover on its 14-day tour of the British Isles. Other arrivals will be NCL’s Norwegian Star, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess, Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas, FTI Cruises’ FTI Berlin, MV Explorer from Semester at Sea and MV Voyager from Voyages of Discovery.

Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Legend will also make its inaugural visit to Dover in June, while regular customers Costa Cruises, Saga and MSC are returning.

In September, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will both be berthed at Dover.

Martin Lister, planning manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said; "The port is easily reached by road and rail and we know our guests always love to sail away, enjoying the great view of the famous White Cliffs. We look forward to anther successful season sailing from this iconic port."