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Oceania Regatta
Dover-Barcelona Cruise

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ABOVE: The former Marine Railway Station at Dover's Western Docks is now a part of the Dover Cruise Terminal.

Port of Dover

Dover has been England's most convenient sea gateway to the European continent since Roman times, and the Dover Harbour Board received its charter from King James I in 1606. Today, ferries run between Dover and France almost constantly, and the port's ferry terminals handle more than 1.8 million trucks or lorries per year.

Dover has become increasingly popular as a cruise port, serving more than 150,000 cruise passengers a year. The port, which is just under two hours from London by train or car, has two adjacent cruise terminals at the Western Docks on the edge of town:

Terminal 1 occupies the old Marine Railway Station (see photo above), where ferry passengers once transferred from trains to Channel steamers.

Terminal 2 is a new building farther down the pier.

Both terminals have attractive waiting rooms, snack bars, toilets, and other facilities for cruise passengers. They're within reasonable walking distance of the town center, although passengers arriving or departing via the Dover Priory railroad station (which is above the town) will need to hire taxis. For train times, use the Britain's National Rail Enquiries journey planner.

For more information on Dover's shipping and cruise facilities, see:

Port of Dover

Next page: Dover shore excursions


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Dover-Barcelona cruise: ports and sights

Dover Cádiz
Guernsey (St. Peter Port) Málaga
Bordeaux Palma de Mallorca
Oporto (Leixoes) Barcelona
Lisbon