A UK port can now welcome some of the largest cruise ships in the world as the seafront undergoes major renovations. Dover had a £6million facelift which means it can now accommodate much bigger vessels, welcoming thousands more passengers every year. The multi-million pound upgrade involved expanding the mooring facilities of two of its cruise berths.

This means the Kent waterfront can now host ships of up to 350 metres in length for the first time. Before the renovation, only cruise ships with a maximum length of 320 meters could moor. The Port of Dover said that, following the upgrade, it can now welcome “some of the largest cruise ships in the world”. This includes the likes of Disney, MSC, Norwegian and Princess. 

The project is part of larger renovation plans to develop the wide seafront called “Port of Dover 2050”. The expansion hopes to turn the area into a "regional tourist destination" with new pathways, play areas and a commercial quarter with cafes and restaurants.

Across the entire Kent upgrade, the revamp is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds, although an exact figure is yet to be determined. 

The Kent port is the UK’s second-largest cruise port with two passenger terminals, previously welcoming over 200,000 visitors per year. On one of their busiest weekends, up to 8,000 passengers arrived at Dover.

Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, said: “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.