Famous UK seaside town’s £6mn boost so world’s largest cruise ships can stop there
A busy port has undergone major renovation as part of a long term project to improve the seafront.
A UK port is now able to accommodate some of the world's largest cruise ships, thanks to significant upgrades to its seafront. Dover has undergone a £6 million renovation, enabling it to welcome much larger vessels and handle thousands more passengers each year. The extensive upgrades involved expanding the mooring facilities at two of its cruise terminals.
As a result, the Kent waterfront can now host ships spanning up to 350 meters long, whereas previously, only ships up to 320 meters in length could dock. The Port of Dover has stated that, with these upgrades, it can now accommodate "some of the largest cruise ships in the world," including vessels from world renowned companies.
The project is part of the broader “Port of Dover 2050” renovation plan, aimed at transforming the expansive seafront into a major regional tourist destination. The expansion will introduce new pathways, play areas, and a commercial quarter featuring cafes and restaurants.
The overall upgrade across Kent is expected to cost several hundred million pounds, though the precise figure has yet to be determined.
As the UK’s second-largest cruise port, Dover currently operates two passenger terminals and has historically welcomed over 200,000 visitors annually. On particularly busy weekends, as many as 8,000 passengers have arrived at the port.
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Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, told The Sun: “Our 2025 season is in full swing, and we already see a diverse range of cruise ships bringing in thousands of guests each week during high season.
"Our vision for cruise will ensure that Dover remains at the forefront of the sector, whilst delivering economic benefits across the region.”
Last month saw the new ship Viking Vela stop at Dover for the first time. A total of four Viking Ocean cruise ships will visit Kent this year including Viking Jupiter, Viking Saturn, Viking Sky and Viking Vela. The port is usually a popular spot for other vessels such as Carnival, Fred Olsen, Holland America Line, Saga and Windstar.
