Cruise Departure Port - Dover, England

Introduction

The town of Dover is located at the outlet of the River Dour, after which the town takes its name, on the southern coastline of the county of Kent in Britain. On a clear day you can look across the English Channel from the cliffs above Dover and see France, which is only 21 miles away. Every day throughout the year, numerous cross-Channel car and truck ferries voyage between Dover and the French ports of Boulogne, Dunkirk and Calais. Both to the west and east side of Dover rear the stunning White Cliffs, which are composed of chalk. The Latin word for white is albus, and in ancient times England was called Albion.

Even long ago in Anglo-Saxon times Dover was an important center, well ordered with a metalworks, a large church, a busy port and a mint. King Henry VIII had a keen interest in Dover, having held the position of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports before he ascended the throne. He specified additions to Dover castle, and the building of extra heavy gun batteries overlooking the docks. During both World Wars Dover was one of the largest military centers in England. Huge numbers of soldiers with their armaments made the crossing between Dover and France.

Today Dover’s role as a major port continues, and over 60% of the 18 million passengers who cross the Channel every year do so from the town. The town’s modern cruise terminals have attracted many cruise lines including Fred Olsen, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Saga Cruises, who all use Dover as a UK turnaround port.

You Choose The Cruise

Cruises from Dover visit a large number of exciting destinations. Pick a cruise to the warm Mediterranean and sightsee around world-renowned cities like Rome, Dubrovnik, Barcelona and Athens. Cruise south to the wonderful Canary Islands, and find moon-like landscapes and subtropical greenery. Head east into the Baltic to view magnificent St Petersburg with its exquisite Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood and enormous Hermitage art museum. Circumnavigate the British Isles and appreciate these charming islands off Europe’s mainland.

Cruises from Dover shows all the cruise departures from Dover.

Cruise Terminals

In 1988 the Channel Tunnel scheme began building work. The Port of Dover, anticipating the tunnel as a major risk to its vital cross-channel business, planned to branch out with the opening of a cruise port and a marina.

Cruise Terminal 1

In 1994 the old Marine Railway Station at the Western docks was converted into cruise terminal 1. Lots of the Edwardian features are still in place and give a flavor of a bygone era. Services comprise of cafeteria, security, post box, check-in desk, restrooms and taxi rank.

Cruise Terminal 2

Rising demand from the cruise lines led to the construction of cruise terminal 2, just further along from cruise terminal 1, in 2001. The terminal offers all the necessary facilities including an information point, check-in desks, snack machines and restrooms.

Parking

The cruise port’s 1120 capacity car park is next Cruise Terminal 1, so no transfers are required. Porters will take care of your bags. The car park has been given the Park Mark for secure parking.

For the port website see Port of Dover.

Sightseeing In Dover

Dover Castle
Dover Castle ranks among the largest castles in England. It stands proudly on top of the White Cliffs, watching guard over the bustling port below. Your sightseeing ticklist includes the Guest Chamber, the King’s Kitchen, the King’s Brewery, the King’s Chamber, the King’s Hall, the Great Tower, the medieval tunnels and the Guest Hall. The castle is a steep climb up from the town, but you can catch a bus instead of walking.

White Cliffs Of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are five miles of magnificent coastline today under the protection of the National Trust. One idea is to take the bus to St Margaret’s Bay, then hike the 3 miles back to Dover following the well-signed path along the cliff tops. The cliffs were the inspiration for the 1942 Vera Lynn World War Two song, There’ll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover.

Dover Museum
Dover Museum premier exhibit is a Bronze Age Boat, the world's oldest known seagoing boat and a major archaeological discovery. The boat was originally constructed using oak timbers tied together by yew lashings. The museum is a five minute walk from the cruise dock.

Traveling to Dover Cruise Port

By Car
On the M2/A2 from Canterbury
Follow the A2 (Jubillee Way) down into Dover town. Coming to a roundabout turn left onto the A20 with a sign for Cruise Terminal. Keep to the A20 for around 2 miles as it follows the bay. Then at a roundabout, take the 2nd exit along Viaduct St signed for Cruise Terminals. Carry along this for half-a-mile to arrive at Cruise Terminal 1.
On the M20/A20 from Ashford
Head along the A20. Shortly before arriving in Dover town a roundabout has a right hand exit signed for the Cruise Terminals. Take this and drive for half-a-mile to arrive at Cruise Terminal 1.

By Train
Southeastern trains provide a convenient service by high speed train from London St Pancras and Stratford International to Dover Priory railway station. Journey time is just over one hour. Once at Dover station there are taxis which can transfer you to the cruise port, about 10 minutes away.

Cruise Port - Boston

Introduction

Boston, the largest city in the north eastern US, is seen as an unofficial capital of New England because of its artistic and economic influence on the entire area.

The city has played a large part in American history since its beginnings. In 1630, a group of Puritans arrived from England and founded Boston, which rapidly became the financial, educational and religious center of the Massachusetts colony. In the 1770’s Boston was a hotbed of anti-English feeling. The famous Boston Tea Party, when men dressed as native Americans boarded English ships in the harbor and threw the tea cargo into the sea, was a precursor of the war. The rise of industry in the mid 19th century attracted many immigrants, and Boston transformed from a commercial city with citizens of generally English origin, to a manufacturing hub populated by a majority of Irish residents.

Today Boston is celebrated as a center of computer and electronics inventiveness, thanks to its large number of research and development companies with strong links to premier universities such as Harvard and MIT.

You Choose The Cruise

Boston’s winters are snowy and cold, restricting the cruise calendar to the period between May and September.

Several cruise lines operate cruises out of Boston, including NCL, Royal Caribbean and HAL.

Cruise ships sail northeast following the New England and Canadian coasts, a fall favorite on account fo New England’s magnificent foliage, or south to the gorgeous white sand beaches of Bermuda.

Cruises from Boston details all the cruise ship departures out of Boston.



Cruise Terminal

The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is situated in South Boston’s lively Waterfront District, just a quick taxi or bus ride from downtown.

The cruise terminal was inaugurated in 1986, and just a year later was offering new cruise routes to Bermuda on the cruise ships Galileo and Canada Star. In 2010 an ambitious $11 million refurbishment of the terminal created twice the space on the third floor to allow for dedicated processing of embarking passengers.

The cruise terminal offers comfortable seating, along with elevators, security screening, luggage porters, check-in desks and soda machines.

Handily placed cruise parking is offered on level 4 at the BRA-EDIC garage, next to the terminal, which is under 24hr security surveillance.

For the port website see Port Of Boston.



Sightseeing In Boston

Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail tours a historic collection of parks, houses, a battleship, burying grounds and churches, recounting the story of the turbulent years of the American Revolution. Highlights of the tour include Faneuil Hall, with its famous 2nd floor assembly hall, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, with the grave of Mary Chilton the first woman to alight from the Mayflower, USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, Boston Common, America’s oldest public park and Old South Meeting House, where the meeting which instigated the Boston Tea Party was held. Be sure to take a break for a refreshing drink at America’s oldest bar, Bell in Hand Tavern, on Union Street.

Paul Revere’s House
The Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End belonged to the famous silversmith between the years 1770 to 1800. Paul Revere is famous for his ‘midnight ride’ from this house to Lexington, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that they were due to be arrested by British troops. The building was carefully restored in the years 1902 to 1908 to closely matche its late 17th century look, with original fireplaces, doors and raftering. The house is open to the public every day excluding winter Mondays and public holidays.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts is amongst the most representative art museums in the world with a collection that speaks to the diversity and richness of art from prehistoric times to the modern day. One of the most popular works at the museum is Paul Revere’s Sons of Liberty Bowl, engraved with several Revolutionary emblems. The museum is open every day apart from certain public holidays.

USS Constitution
USS Constitution, one of six new battleships whose construction was given the go ahead by the 1794 Naval Armament Act, has served for over 2 centuries in the US Navy. The ship's greatest fame hails from the War of 1812 when she captured four English Navy frigates. During the battles cannon balls shot at the USS Constitution glanced off her thick hull, giving her the moniker ‘Old Ironsides’. The ship is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, in the Boston National Historic Park.

Traveling To Boston Cruise Port

By Car

The cruise terminal is within easy reach via the I90 or I93 of many cities in New England including Providence (1 hour away), New Bedford (1 hour away) and Springfield (2 hours away).

From the North
On the I93 expressway leave at exit #23 signed Purchase Street. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Seaport Blvd signed S Boston Waterfront. Make a right onto D street. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.

From the South
Follow the I-93 north into Boston. Leave at exit #20 signed I-90 Logan Airport. Follow the signs to South Boston. Head onto Congress Street. Turn rightwards right onto D street. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.

From the West
Drive along the Mass Turnpike head in the direction of Logan Airport. Take exit #25 signed South Boston. Continue straight onto Massport Haul Road. Make a right onto Pumphouse Road. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.

From Summer Street
Turn left onto Drydock Avenue into the Boston Marine Industrial Park, with a sign for the Cruise Terminal. Straight ahead on the left hand side is the BRA-EDIC garage.

From the Airport
All the Logan Airport terminals have taxi ranks, and it is a short 10 minute ride to the cruise port.