Cruise Port - Piraeus, Greece

The History of Piraeus

Piraeus has served as the port for Athens since the Golden Age. The port was conceived during the the fifth century BC by Themistocles, who foresaw the potential of its three deep water harbors. The early buildings and docks were extended by Pericles with the construction of fortified 'Long Walls' to protect the land corridor to Athens. Today it is a substantial city in itself, handling much of Greater Athens' commerce. For the majority of visitors, however, it is Piraeus's inter-island ferries that are the reason for coming. The port despatches up to 60 ferries each day.

Incidentally the correct Greek way to spell Piraeus is now Pireas, and all signs have been changed accordingly.

Athens is just seven miles from Piraeus, and most tourists will spend the majority of their visit in Athens, rather than Piraeus. Situated on a plain surrounded by five mountains, Athens can get hot, sticky and dirty in summer. But at the city's center stands the iconic Acropolis, a magnetic attraction for travellers from all around the world. Near the Acropolis lies the welcoming tourist-friendly district of Plaka, a place full of historic interest, and the Acropolis and Plaka form the main draw for travellers.

Port of Piraeus
Your ship will dock in the Piraeus Port located to the south of the city. The port sits on the Saronic Gulf, in the Aegean Sea. Piraeus port is a major ferry terminus, providing a service to the many Greek Islands. As Greece is made up of many islands, ferry traffic is vital and ferries arrive at and leave from Piraeus round the clock. The cruise ship berths are on the southern side of the port.

Cruiseliners moor at Cruise Terminal A or Cruise Terminal B. Cruise Terminal A, accessed by gate E11, is situated in mid-harbour sandwiched by the Mioulis and Xaveris quays. Cruise Terminal B, approached by gate E12, lies at the mouth of the harbour, inside the Termistokleous pier. The cruise ship capacity of the port is up to 11 ships, depending on their size.

The cruise ship routes from Piraeus include a wide selection from ports in the Greek Islands, Israel, Egypt, Turkey and the Black Sea. For a comprehensive listing of cruises, Cruises From Piraeus.

Sightseeing in Athens

The Acropolis
The main attraction in Athens is the Acropolis. It costs EUR12 for admittance into the Acropolis.
At the top of the Acropolis stands the magnificent Parthenon, a superb ancient Greek temple, a magestic sight from everywhere in Athens.
Another iconic building is the Erechtheion. The 6 caryatids that act as pillars are replicas - you can see 5 of the originals in the Acropolis museum. Number 6 is in the British Museum in London, together with large pieces of the Parthenon frieze.

Syntagma Square
Look at the soldiers wearing their one-of-a-kind skirt with white tights and oddball shoes. A memorable sight is the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Plaka
Just down from the Acropolis sits Plaka. This pretty area is made up of pedestrian streets, shops and pavement restaurants.

Roman Forum in Plaka
The Roman Agora is situated at the west side of Plaka. Here sits the interesting Tower of the Winds, a 8 sided tower with a different wind god on each side. Shares ticket with Acropolis.

The Shops in Plaka
There are a ton of local products worth considering. olive oil, small carpets, and leather shoes are all sourced nearby and give great value for money. The local antiques market is bustling and interesting.

Restaurants in Plaka
Dining in one of the pavement restaurants enjoying a plate of local food with a glass of ouzo is a very enjoyable way to spend the evening.

Things to See in Piraeus
Marina Zea, the leisure marina - pretty waterside, with cafes and bars.

Hellenic Nautical Museum - painting, models, flags, maps all with a Greek nautical theme.

Archeological Museum - impressive bronze statues of the Greek gods, from both the Classical and Roman periods.

Getting to the Cruise Terminals
From the Piraeus Metro Line station
It's around 1 mile from the station to Cruise Terminal A, and about a mile and a half to Cruise Terminal B. Walking's not practical, as its quite a hike on a boiling day. Instead walk over the main road via the new bridge for pedestrians. Take one of the following buses to the cruise terminal: 832, 833, 843, 859.

From Athens City Center to Piraeus Port
Metro Line
The best way to travel from Athens to the Piraeus Port is via the metro electric rail line. ISAP Line 1 (green, Kifissia - Piraeus) joins the city of Athens directly to Piraeus Port. Look at the metro map (http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/athens.htm) for the correct route to take from your location in Athens.
By Bus
There are 2 buses that travel between Piraeus and Athens. Buses Nos 040 and 049 operate all day, running every 20 minutes from 6am until midnight and then every hour. Bus No 040 runs Cruise Departure Port - Piraeus, Greecebetween Syntagma square (Plaka district) in Athens and Akti Xaveriou in Piraeus (situated right between the cruise terminals). Bus No 049 links Omonia Square in Athens and Themistokleous Square in Piraeus. Get off at Karaiskaki square which is opposite gate E8, and from here take a 843 bus to the cruise terminals located at gate E11 or E12.
Taxi
Taxi fares are relatively low in Athens, but scam taxi drivers are fairly not uncommon, so use the service arranged by your hotel. It's extra for baggage (EUR0,30 for each item), and extra for entrance to the port ( EUR0,60). The trip between Athens' center and Piraeus takes around 30 min and the taxi fare is around EUR20.

Travelling from Athens Airport to Piraeus
Metro Train
Line 3 links the airport to Monastiraki station where you change to Line 1, taking you to Piraeus. The journey time between the airport and the port is about an hour and a quarter.
Bus
Bus no X96 runs day and night between the airport and Piraeus's Karaïskaki Square, with services 3 times an hour. The bus leaves from the area outside arrivals Gate 5. On arrival at Piraeus catch a further bus to the cruise terminals (numberno 832, 833, 843 or 859).
Taxi
There's a surcharge for trips from Athens' airport, luggage costs more per item and the ride takes at least 1 hour (iit's 30 km between Athens' airport and Piraeus port) so the cab price can come to €50 or more.

Southampton, England - The UK's busiest cruise port

Introducing the Cruise Port of Southampton

The Port of Southampton found fame in the 20th century as the UK's most important port of departure for the great cruise lines. In terms of number of passengers, the busiest route used to be the cross-atlantic voyage to the United States. However in 1939 the first ever Pan Am flight across the Atlantic heralded the end of this remarkable era of sea travel. In the following years Southampton reinvented itself as a major embarkation port for cruises.

The port is split between the Eastern Docks and Western Docks. The Western Docks are the location for the Mayflower and City Cruise Terminals, the Eastern Docks the location for the QE2 and Ocean Cruise Terminals.

The Eastern Docks saw perhaps Southampton's biggest moment in history. In 1912 the Titanic departed from White Star Dock (near today's Ocean dock) on its maiden voyage. When the ship went down, of the 1500 lives lost, 500 were crew who lived in Southampton and the impact on the city was long-lived.

You Choose The Cruise
Cruises from Southampton include the Baltic Sea, Canary Islands, round Britain, Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean. Transatlantic and longer cruises are also available. If you're UK based cruises departing from Southampton could not be easier, due to its excellent rail and road links. For a comprehensive list of cruises leaving from Southampton see Cruises From Southampton.

A selection of routes available would be
2 Night Short Break (PO Ventura) (Southampton, Zeebrugge, Southampton)

Canaries Spring Cruise (Fred Olsen Black Watch) (Southampton, Funchal, St Cruz De La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Agadir, Arrecife, Southampton)

Western Mediterranean (PO Oceana) (Southampton, Gibraltar, Cartagena, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Monaco, Barcelona, Cadiz, Southampton)

Norwegian Fjords (PO Ventura) (Southampton, Bergen, Flam, Olden, Stavanger, Southampton)

Baltic (PO Arcadia) (Southampton, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Oslo, Kristiansund, Southampton)

Guide to Southampton Cruise Terminals
Eastern Docks
Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, Berths 38 and 39
The QE2 terminal was opened in 1966 by the Queen. The terminal is the home of Cunard's cruiseliners, Queen Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Facilities include a short stay car park, a bar, a taxi rank and a cafe. The viewing area is not open to visitors.

Ocean Cruise Terminal, Berth 46
The original Ocean Cruise Terminal was a designer Art-Deco construction. Unfortunately this was demolished in 1983 The replacement building, completed in 2009, is a total change from its namesake, being a huge modern design with simple curved lines. Facilites available are a cab rank, a short stay car park, and a restaurant and bar.

Western Docks
City Cruise Terminal, Berth 101
This Terminal has undergone an ambitious renovation to double its size. It can now handle the largest 'Freedom Class' ships of RCI. Facilities available are a short stay car park, a taxi rank, a bar and cafe. Closeby Mayflower Park is a great place to watch ship sailings.

Horzion Cruise Terinal Berth 102
Horizon cruise terminal was inaugurated in 2021, thanks to a partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and the port. The two level terminal offers a full range of modern facilities..

Mayflower Cruise Terminal, Berth 106
The Mayflower Cruise Terminal, opened in 1960, has long been associated with the P&O fleet of cruise ships. Facilities include a taxi rank, a bar and cafe, and viewing gallery.

Sightseeing in Southampton
Southampton is normally viewed as a port of departure, and not many cruise passengers linger to investigate the city itself. Though if you've spare time at one or the other end of your cruise, there's plenty to do and see.

Old Town
In the medieval era, the town was surrounded by a fortified wall with imposing gate buildings. The 'Bargate' at the northern end of the old town, is still Southampton's most famous building. The building is a good location to start the walk of the city's walls. Stop at the guardtowers, the remains of the castle, the West Gate, the remains of the and God's House Tower where you'll find is home to} the local Archaeological Museum (free). Other noticable places include the fully restored Medieval Merchants House, the Maritime Museum in the old Wool House (free entrance), with its Titanic exhibits, and the beautiful Tudor House, a (free) museum with peaceful grounds.

Shopping Centers
The city's main retail center, Above Bar, is where you'll find the main high street chains. An alternative destination is Ocean Village which has undercover outlets, a peaceful marina and many bars and excellent restaurants. Another possibility is the modern West Quay retail center which features leading chain stores.

Art Exhibitions
Southampton Art Gallery has a good reputation for its collection of pre-Raphaelite art.

Aviation Museum
The Solent Sky Aviation Museum showcases the innovative work of R Mitchell, the Spitfire's creator.

The Titanic Trail
Walk around the trail finding out about places with connections to the Titanic. The walk commences at the Musicians Memorial and stops at the Maritime Museum, situated in the Wool House, which showcases the history of the tragic voyage.

The New Forest
An enchanting area known for its unique heathland, and ancient arrangements of animal pastures.

Getting to Southampton's Cruise TerminalsBy Car
The M27 motorway, linking places along the south coast of England, passes to the north of the city. The M3 motorway links Southampton to London and also, by linking to the A34 road with the Midlands and North. The M271 motorway, a spur of the M27, connects it with the Docks and city centre.

By Rail
Direct trains link Southampton with London, and many other parts of the UK. There is an every 30 minute service between London Waterloo and Southampton Central station. Rail routes run east towards Portsmouth, north towards the Midlands, and west to cities such as Salisbury, Bath, and Bristol.
From outside the train station you can either catch a taxi, or there is a free CityLink bus service between the rail station and Town Quay every quarter-hour.

By Aeroplane
From London Heathrow Airport There is a National Express coach to and from Heathrow Terminal every hour.
From London Gatwick Take the train to Southampton Central station.
From Southampton Airport Catch a taxi to the port. The airport is well served, with planes from Belfast, Jersey, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester, Isle of Man, Aberdeen and Liverpool.

Cruise Departure Port - Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Introduction

Situated around 80km northwest of Rome, Civitavecchia, translated as 'old town', is a working cruise, ferry and cargo port with good transport links to the Rome area and the middle of Italy. You'll find an efficient direct train service from Civitavecchia Port to central Rome, with services every 30 minutes, and a journey time of around an hour.

Emperor Trajan founded Civitavecchia Port in the part of the second Century, giving it the name Centumcellae. Even today, ruins of Trajan’s Port, which lie within the walls of the modern port , can still be seen. At the end of the fifteenth Century, Civitavecchia port was subject to frequent attack by mercenaries. Pope Julius II instigated the building of a massive castle to protect the harbor. This was finished by Michelangelo in 1537. In the 19th century Civitavecchia was connected to Rome by a railway. World War II brought destruction to nearly three-quarters of the Port. The rebuilding extended the harbor beyond its pre-war area.

Nowadays many cruise liners dock regularly at the Port of Civitavecchia. Cruise companies with a presence at the port include Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Princess, and Seabourn.


You Choose The Cruise
In general itineraries focus on either the Eastern Mediterranean - Greece, the Greek Islands and Istanbul, or the Western Mediterranean - France, Spain, Morocco and Mallorca or Ibiza. A typical 7 day Western Mediterranean itinerary would call at Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma, and Cagliari. For a full calendar of cruise departures from Civitavecchia see cruises from Civitavecchia.




Civitavecchia Cruise Terminals

Much of Civitavecchia port is occupied by container ship and ferry ship traffic. Cruise ships berth at quays on the land side of the long sea wall. These are 11 (Traianea), and 12 and 13 (Antemurale Colombo). Number 25 (Commerciale) is also used as an overflow berth. Currently there are 3 cruise terminals, named the Bramante at pier 12, and temporary terminals on quays 11 and 25. 



Sightseeing in Civitavecchia

Being the official Port of Rome, Civitavecchia is the access port to one of the most beautiful and fascinating destinations in the world. But if you've visited Rome before, and fancy a change, Civitavecchia has several sights of interest well deserving a visit. Wander through the city center, and you will see remains of the old town walls, Benedict XIV's fountain, medieval buildings such as the old hospital, pretty piazzas and plenty of everyday Italian life. Follow a tour a the town with a relaxing hour or two at the beach (or gastronomes may prefer a trip to a restaurant!). Specific sights of interest in Civitavecchia are:

The Cathedral of San Francesco d'Assisi
The Franciscans built Cathedral of San Francesco d’Assisi on the remains of 17th Century monastery. The Baroque-Neoclassical design of the cathedral attracts many visitors. Pope Gregory IX laid the foundation stone in 1228, and the cathedral was completed in 1253. The church features intricate stained glass windows and decorative frescos.

Forte Michelangelo
The 16th Century fortification named Forte Michelangelo towers over the port. It was commissioned by Pope Julius II and finished in 1535 by Giulano Leno.The middle tower was designed by Michelangelo. Built on the ruins of Roman barracks, the fort is made from walls over 6 metres thick.

Civitavecchia Beach
Steps leading from the coastline walkway, just opposite the train station, lead to a pretty sandy beach. The sea is very clear and the beach is popular with swimmers.

La Scaglia tombs
The La Scaglia Necropolis dates from the Estrucan period. View these extensive underground tombs. The cold sacerdotal atmosphere seems eerily unnerving, but nonetheless fascinating.

Getting to the Port

From Leonardo da Vinci Airport
By Cab
A taxi ride from Fiumicino airport to the Civitavecchia Port costs about €150 one way. Taxis are available outside the arrivals terminal. It's a good idea to only use registered taxis (white vehicles showing a taximeter).
Train
Take the train from the Leonardo da Vinci Airport to the Rome Termini train station. The journey takes around 35 minutes. Remember to validate/punch your ticket before boarding the train. Connnect with the Rome-Civitavecchia train.

Travelling From Rome to the Port
Train
A train to the Port of Civitavecchia runs from Rome's Termini train station, located in the center of Rome. It's a half-hour service and costs about 14 euros per person. The trip takes between 70 and 80 minutes. The Port is a 10 minute walk from the train station. Turn right as you leave the train station, and walk along the road that parallels the sea front. The way is frequently signed. When you get to the entrance to the port, adjacent to the Michelangelo fort, look for a bus stop. Here shuttles leave to the cruise piers. There's also a nearby information kiosk which can be very helpful.

Cruise Port - Barcelona, Spain

Introduction

Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, a defiant and independent region of Spain, which has a distinct culture, language, and history. Situated on Spain's southern coast, its climate is perfectly Mediterranean, sea breezes chasing away the heat. It’s the perfect location for a vacation, spending time by strolling the boulevards, shopping, relaxing at a café, sampling Spanish fare for dinner, and visiting fantastic sights.

You Choose The Cruise

There's an extensive range of cruises available which stop at many diverse destinations. The most popular is a trip around the Western Mediterranean. Alternatives include the Canary Islands, North Africa, or longer trips to the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Islands. A typical Western Mediterran cruise would call at ports like Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, St Tropez, Monaco, Portofino, Livorno, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Civitavecchia. For a complete listing of cruises departing from Barcelona, see cruises from Barcelona.

A map of the Port of Barcelona

Barcelona Cruise Terminals

Ships berth at Port Vell. The area has become a tourist attraction in its own right with a large Maremàgnum shopping mall with a fun IMAX theater, and Europe's largest aquarium. Port Vell leads directly onto Las Ramblas, the main Barcelona street packed with cafes and entertainment that leads into the heart of the city. Las Ramblas is alternately called the singular form, La Rambla.

The port has 8 terminals at Port Vell, split into 3 locations.

Adossat Quay
Cruise Terminals A, B, C and D are located at the Adossat Quay and are furthest away from the city. Terminal D is also called Palacruceros. Shuttle buses make the short trip from these cruise terminals to the start of Las Ramblas.

World Trade Center Terminals N, S
There are 2 terminals in the World Trade Center or WTC pier which are called North, and South. The East quay provides an extra berth. From these it is an easy walk to Las Ramblas.

Port Vell Quay
Across from the World Trade Center Terminal. This ferry terminal is only occasionally employed for cruise ships.

Each terminal possesses a dedicated taxi rank. Other information

For the port website, see Port Of Barcelona.

Sightseeing in Barcelona

Barcelona takes at least a week to tour, many days longer than the single day cruise ship passengers have. Be sure to include well-known destinations such as La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's much photographed church, the medieval Barrio Gothic district, and the Picasso museum. Don't forget to head up to Montjuic for a wonderful view over the whole of the city and the surrounding hills and ocean.

Las Ramblas
A fabulous promenade leading from Port Vell to Placa de Catalunya, right in the middle of old Barcelona. It's packed with cafes, shops, florists, street entertainers, and Boqueria, a charming market. Halfway up Las Ramblas is the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona's magnificent opera theater. Las Ramblas ends at the Placa de Catalunya, a huge square surrounded by shops and cafes.

La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona's funkiest church was designed by the famous Gaudi. Work began in 1883, and the imaginative building is only now nearing completion. Don't miss features like the nativity-themed facade, the mosaic bell towers, and massive doors representing faith, hope and charity.

Barri Gotic
In Barcelona's gothic quarter, the buildings date back to the 13th century. The streets are narrow and winding and packed with busy life. Art lovers will enjoy the Museu Picasso, showcasing the works of Picasso. Another must-see is the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, a magnificent example of early-European architecture.

The Museu d'art Contemporani de Barcelona

This shining white glass and concrete building towers over Old Barcelona. The Contemporary Art Museum collection, beginning around 1950, includes many works from Catalan, by artists like Antoni Tapies and works by International names such as Miguel Barcelo.

La Pedrera
Gaudí realised a fantastic house with undulating, lifelike curves for the property developer Pere Milà Camps. La Pedrera was Gaudi's last work before dedicating all his time to the Sagrada Família.

Parc Guell
A real treat for Gaudi fans, Parc Guell is a pleasant town park. The planting is imaginative and colorful, but the number one attraction are Gaudi's buildings, such as faux temples and mosaic seats.

Montjuic
The area of Montjuic rises 700 ft above the city's port and is filled with boutiques, galleries, cafes and museums. Don't miss the Museu Arqueologic which showcases a diverse range of items from prehistoric cultures from Catalonia and the Balearic Isles. Another super art museum is the Museu Nacional d'art de Catalunya, which highlights Romanesque works.

Getting to the Port

From the City to the Port
Walking
The WTCcruise ship terminals are the nearest to the foot of Las Ramblas, being approximately a 5-minute walk. However, the Adossat quay cruise ship terminals, A, B, C, and D, are a lot further and you need to catch a shuttle bus named the Blue Bus, which picks ups at the memorial to Christopher Columbus and deposits you at Adossat dock.
Metro
The Drassanes station (Green Line, L3) is no more than five minutes by foot from the Christopher Columbus memorial.
Taxi
It's easy to take a taxi from Barcelona's center to the port. This is not expensive, cost around eight euros, and fast, generally under a quarter of an hour. .

Travelling from the Airport to the Port
By bus
Catch the Aerobusline A1 from terminal 1, line A2 from terminal 2 to Placa Catalunya in Barcelona, service approximately every 10 minutes, then travel by metro to Drassanes. From Drassanes walk to the statue of Christopher Columbus. Get on the Blue bus to take you to your cruise terminal.
Taxi
The quickest method for travelling from the airport to the port is a taxi. The trip takes about 25 mins and will cost you about thirty euros in total. The cost will include per-bag supplements and additional airport and cruise terminal levies.

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 - Palma De Mallorca, Mallorca

Introduction

In the Balearic Sea, one hundred miles off the south eastern coastline of Spain, lies the island of Mallorca. The city of Palma is positioned in Palma Bay on the south west side of the island.

The Romans were the first people to spot the ideal location of Mallorca as a trading center, and in 123BC founded two ports, one being Palmeria. In medieval times Palma was ruled by Moors, who named the settlement Medina Mayurka. There is little evidence of this era remaining, apart from the Arab baths and sections of the walls of Almudaina Palace. The Moors employed Palma as a base to harass Catalan boats sailing near the mainland.

In 1229, to remove the menace, James I of Aragon conquered Palma. The city was annexed into the Kingdom of Aragon. The Golden Age of Mallorca started, this saw a blossoming of the island’s agriculture, trade and industry. The imposing Bellver Castle and magnificent le Seu cathedral were constructed, and the Almudaina was transformed into a marvelous Gothic palace. In 1516 the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were united when Charles I, son of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the first King of all Spain. Mallorca changed from an important part of the Kingdom of Aragon to a rather neglected region of a much bigger country.

For the following three hundred years Palma descended into a long slump, due to a mixture of political indifference, many plagues and frequent attacks by Barbary Corsairs. The French invasion of Algeria in 1830 at last saw a finish to the risk of attacks by Berber Pirates, resulting in the growth of marine traffic from Palma’s port.

Tourism started to become an important industry to Mallorca during the early part of the 20th century. Holidaymakers visited to experience the island’s tranquility and beauty. There was a lull in tourism during World War II, but after the war visitor numbers skyrocket, as people from all over Europe arrived for a sunny vacation.

Some may criticize the sometimes negative effects of the large number of tourists on the island, but Palma is still to this day a charming city with a lot for the visitor to see. The city’s Old Town, with its beautiful squares, quaint cobbled streets and medieval palaces are the historical highlight of the city.

Mallorca is situated in the middle of the Western Mediterranean sea making the island a favorite port-of-call for cruises. In recent years, in main due to the convenient and well served Palma de Mallorca airport, the island has also become a major departure port for cruise ships.

You Choose The Cruise

Palma is an excellent base for a week long itinerary calling at exciting ports in the Western Mediterranean.

Favorite shore trips available at Western Mediterranean ports would include the atmospheric D’Alt Vila of Ibiza, the eery Cappuchini Catacombs in Palermo, the opulent Monte Carlo casino in Monaco, the towering Colosseum in Rome (from Civitavecchia) and the superb La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

In fall repositioning cruises may be on offer to the Caribbean and the Canaries.

Cruises from Palma shows all the cruise ship departures from Palma.




Cruise Terminals




Estacion Maritima 1 Through 4 Cruise Terminals
Estacion Maritima 1,2,3,4 cruise terminals serve ships moored at the Poniente and Paraires quays numbers 21, 23 25 and 26. The cruise terminals are joined with a number of raised and covered foot bridges. Services include restrooms, health office, cafeteria, waiting areas, telephone kiosks, police station and post office. These cruise terminals are about a mile and a half to the southwest of Palma’s center.



Estacion Maritima 5 Cruise Terminal
Some cruise ships moor inside Dique Del Oeste (the west sea wall) at piers 28, 30 and 32. These berths are served by the Estacion Martima 5 passenger terminal. The No 5 cruise terminal is at the southern end of the harbor.

For the port website see Port Authority of the Balearic Islands.



Sightseeing in Palma

La Seu
Palma’s magnificent cathedral la Seu is the city’s favorite attraction. Construction work began in the early years of the 13th century, and continued for over 3 centuries. A major rebuilding project commenced in the the 20th century, with the renowned architect Gaudi making several contentious contributions.

Almudaina Palace
The attractive Moorish style of the Palacio de la Almudaina echoes its origin as a Moorish castle. After the conquest of Mallorca by the Catalan army in the 13th century the building was converted into a palace for the Mallorcan monarchy. Today it is a museum containing art such as oriental carpets, Flemish tapestries and an excellent selection of paintings.

Bellver Castle
The impressive Bellver Castle is home to the Palma History Museum and the Despuig Classical Sculpture Museum. There are wonderful views from the castle’s ramparts over the turquoise blue Bay of Palma. Bellver Castle is a 10 minute walk upwards from the cruise terminal.

C'an Pere Antoni Beach
The shoreline south of the city center has a narrow ribbon of sand, which, if you stroll for 5 minutes in an easterly direction, widens into the large C'an Pere Antoni beach. The sands shelve gently into the sea. A few palms behind the beach provide a cooling shade, and nearby shops offer snacks and beach gear.

Palma To Soller Railway
This old-fashioned narrow-track electric train connects Palma de Mallorca with the mountainside township of Soller, a journey 27km long. The route traverses a wide stretch of countryside, then climbs up through 13 tunnels to get to Soller. The excursion, taking just over an hour, is an interesting way of getting to know the undeveloped landscapes of Mallorca. The Palma terminus is positioned in the center of the city, nearby the modern train station.

Getting To The Cruise Port

The easiest way of traveling between the airport and the cruise port is by coach or taxi. One other way is to get the no 1 bus which runs from the airport through Palma center to the Estacion Maritima. From the bus stop walk into the Estascion Number 2 terminal across the street then follow the signs to your required terminal.