Oceania Regatta
Dover-Barcelona Cruise

By Durant Imboden

LEFT: Dover Castle looms over the town's central business district.

Dover shore excursions

Continued from: Port of Dover

Dover is a popular "turnaround port," meaning that many cruises begin or end in Dover. Frequently, passengers arrive in Dover with several hours to kill before embarkation--or, if they're allowed to board early, they have time for shopping and sightseeing before the ship sails.

From the cruise terminals, you can easily reach the town center by walking out of the port and along the waterfront. Just beyond the outlet shops behind the beach, you'll find a pedestrian underpass that leads to the main business district. Downtown Dover isn't huge (the town's population is only about 35,000), but it does have a good assortment of shops, restaurants, pubs, and small museums.

If you have time, grab a taxi at the cruise terminal and head for Dover Castle, which is on the cliffs above town. And if you're in the area for a day or two, consider an excursion to Canterbury and its Cathedral, the medieval village of Sandwich, and other nearby attractions. Your cruise line may offer organized excursions, or you can hire a taxi for the day and go on your own.

For more information on things to see and do while you're in Dover, see:

White Cliffs Country

Kent: The Garden of England

Next page: Guernsey (St. Peter Port)