7 December 2023
Cruise Critic, the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has named the winners of its 15th annual Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards – the industry’s most comprehensive awards – recognising the best cruise lines and destinations of the year for UK cruisers, as chosen by the site’s international team of cruise experts.
Guided by the Cruise Critic editorial team’s impartial cruise expertise – based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge – the awards name the best-in-industry.
Commenting on the Port of Dover’s win, Cruise Critic said: “As well as its stunning setting with the White Cliffs welcoming passengers, Dover has been hosting an increasing number of cruise lines, including Seabourn, Fred. Olsen, Hurtigruten, Costa and this year Carnival Pride for an entire season. We also applaud its investment in infrastructure and sustainability, including building a brand-new marina and collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.”
Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover added: “We are thrilled to be named as Cruise Critic’s Best UK Departure Port. This is the perfect ending to a brilliant year for Dover Cruise and testament to the world class customer service provided by our team. Leading cruise lines chose the iconic backdrop of the White Cliffs and Dover Castle for inaugural visits and special celebrations throughout the year.
My thanks go to our team for ensuring hundreds of thousands of cruise guests made memories to last a lifetime in 2023, and to our cruise lines for choosing Dover as their number one destination in Britain. See you all in 2024!”
“This was a phenomenal year for the cruise industry”, explains Adam Coulter, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic UK & AU. “Between record-breaking sales and capacity numbers exceeding 100 percent, we saw travellers flock to the seas for high-value holidays. And for UK-based travellers, the introduction of ground-breaking new ships helped to drive interest in cruising even more.”