Ports : Hurtigruten establishes Dover as UK home port for expedition cruises for March 2021
Hurtigruten, world leader in expedition cruises, announces a year-round programme of unique voyages departing from Dover from mid March 2021.
The Norwegian operator, considered to be the world’s greenest cruise line, has launched 4 adventurous itineraries as expedition cruises from March 2021, on sale from 20 June.
Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:
“We are thrilled to be the UK homeport for Hurtigruten’s expedition cruises from next year and are eager to embark on our exciting new journey together.
MS Maud will bring an amazing sense of excitement and adventure to Dover when she arrives in March 2021. We are delighted to now be welcoming Hurtigruten here all year around, including for the first official winter cruise season at the Port.”
The health and safety of guests and staff has always been the number one priority for Hurtigruten. Following guidelines recommended by the Norwegian Government, the company has built on existing protocols to introduce additional practices to ensure safe, sustainable and enjoyable expedition cruising.
Taking less than 500 passengers, MS Maud will be freshly refurbished prior to her arrival in Dover. She goes into the refurb project as the currently in-service MS Midnatsol, already well-known to those who have sailed on Hurtigruten’s Coastal route in Norway.
As part of the multi-million-pound refurb project, MS Maud will proudly emerge with all new public areas. Natural Scandinavian materials will be used to seamlessly bring the great outdoors inside – Scandinavian wool, pine, birch, oak, and granite will unknowingly provide the perfect backdrop to your voyage from Dover.
Three new restaurants will be introduced – Aune, the main restaurant; Fredheim, for casual international dining; and Lindstrom, our exclusive fine dining restaurant. Each serving cuisine with character, locally sourced in line with our sustainability principles.
Departing directly from Dover
Eliminating a flight adds convenience and ease to your expedition cruise. You can begin your adventure from much closer to home and immediately you swiftly pass through the gorgeous cruise terminal, without suitcase restrictions or the need to pack and unpack multiple times. Dover is very well connected by road and rail, so joining is simple and quick, be it by private or public transport. Your fellow British passengers will be kindred spirits as you venture forth
on your expedition.
Sonia Limbrick joins the Port of Dover as Head of Business Development (Marine), whose cruise market attracts the likes of Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Disney, Crystal Cruises, Saga, Fred.Olsen and AIDA.
Prior to joining the UK’s second busiest cruise port, Sonia was with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and was instrumental in putting its upmarket brand, Azamara Club Cruises, on the map in the UK and Ireland during her time as the brand’s Business Development Manager.
It’s this experience and insight into the high end, luxury marine travel market which she now aims to channel into the Port of Dover, promoting the very best of Dover and Kent to an international market.
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