Dover port - white cliffs?

[leannak]

Does anyone know if we cruise out of Dover for our European cruise on July 29 heading toward Amsterdam will we get to see the White Cliffs of Dover? My husband really wants to see them so if we won't be able to from the ship I might need to find another way to get him near those.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone know if we cruise out of Dover for our European cruise on July 29 heading toward Amsterdam will we get to see the White Cliffs of Dover? My husband really wants to see them so if we won't be able to from the ship I might need to find another way to get him near those.

We saw them coming into Dover on our EBTA. A little hazy, but we saw them. They are northeast of the cruise port.

 

[GPaLarry]

Yes, you will. We did the Baltic Capital DCL cruise a couple of years ago in and out of Dover and you can see them as you pull away from the dock. We didn't have time to do it, but the fort on the hillside overlooking the port looks awesome and, I am told, well worth going through. Tell your husband to have his camera ready as you leave the dock for some great shots of that area and the cliffs on your port side.

 

[Marc D]

Here are pictures of the view from the top deck (port) and from our stateroom (starboard) on departure day last year.

 

[leannak]

WaHOOOO! Husband will be so delighted!! He doesn't seem excited about our cruise yet but when I told him we're cruising out of Dover he mentioned the white cliffs of dover being important in WWII so seeing that right off the bat is sure going to be neat for him. : )

 

[Minniemouse07]

WaHOOOO! Husband will be so delighted!! He doesn't seem excited about our cruise yet but when I told him we're cruising out of Dover he mentioned the white cliffs of dover being important in WWII so seeing that right off the bat is sure going to be neat for him. : )

If you get a chance, visit Dover Castle. It was one of the highlights of my UK trips. While the castle itself is interesting, the tour of the caves in the cliffs was fascinating. They highlighted the role the cliffs and caves played throughout history, including WWII.

 

[kiford]

DH got amazing pictures while we were sitting in port for our Baltic cruise in 2015. In fact, we both said nearly simultaneously that we didn't really expect them to be that white in person (I don't know what I expected - that pictures or movies we'd seen enhanced the colour? Not really sure why I'd think that) or that we'd get to see them that clearly before even leaving port. He spent nearly 45 minutes on deck taking pictures (not that that's very different from any normal vacation with him).

 

[Minniemouse07]

DH got amazing pictures while we were sitting in port for our Baltic cruise in 2015. In fact, we both said nearly simultaneously that we didn't really expect them to be that white in person (I don't know what I expected - that pictures or movies we'd seen enhanced the colour? Not really sure why I'd think that) or that we'd get to see them that clearly before even leaving port. He spent nearly 45 minutes on deck taking pictures (not that that's very different from any normal vacation with him).

They are all chalk. When we did our cave tour you could rub your finger along the cliff face and the chalk came off on your finger. While it totally makes sense..it blew me away.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We too are doing the Dover castle and caves before our transatlantic cruise in sept. Also we are flying in a few days early to see the downton abbey site and then on to Scotland before heAding back to Dover. We are spending the two nights before cruise at the best western plus which is on the Dover waterfront.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We too are doing the Dover castle and caves before our transatlantic cruise in sept. Also we are flying in a few days early to see the downton abbey site and then on to Scotland before heAding back to Dover. We are spending the two nights before cruise at the best western plus which is on the Dover waterfront.

I also really enjoyed Canterbury. We did that the same day as Dover so I don't think it is too far.

 

[Vicki106]

If you have time, Leeds Castle is not too far away, either. We did Leeds, Canterbury and Dover in one day. Leeds Castle is absolutely beautiful with its moat and gorgeous gardens.

 

[#NotMyName]

If you have time, Leeds Castle is not too far away, either. We did Leeds, Canterbury and Dover in one day. Leeds Castle is absolutely beautiful with its moat and gorgeous gardens.

I was considering these sights before or after our cruise. Did you rent a car?

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I also really enjoyed Canterbury. We did that the same day as Dover so I don't think it is too far.

Hi do you remember which hotel you stayed in Canterbury & how did you get to the Dover?

 

[closetmickey]

Hi do you remember which hotel you stayed in Canterbury & how did you get to the Dover?

We are staying in The Pilgrims Hotel before our cruise this summer.

 

[CarolynU]

I live 15 minutes drive from Dover so if you have any questions just let me know.
One factor that needs to be taken into consideration right now is Operation Stack where the main road is restricted and speed restrictions due to roadworks.
Don’t be too ambitious. Much better to see a couple of things thoroughly than try and do too much and get caught in a traffic jam!
For anyone interested in history I’d definitely visit Dover Castle as they played a key part in battles and wars.
You can see The White Cliffs from anywhere along Dover seafront and the cruise terminal.
Canterbury is a lovely city with great architecture. There is a cathedral there where Sir Thomas A Becket was murdered by the knights of Henry 11.
You could visit both Dover Castle and Canterbury in one day but I wouldn’t advice going further than that.
Fire away with questions folks and I’ll do my best to answer them.

 

[Homemom]

I live 15 minutes drive from Dover so if you have any questions just let me know.
One factor that needs to be taken into consideration right now is Operation Stack where the main road is restricted and speed restrictions due to roadworks.
Don’t be too ambitious. Much better to see a couple of things thoroughly than try and do too much and get caught in a traffic jam!
For anyone interested in history I’d definitely visit Dover Castle as they played a key part in battles and wars.
You can see The White Cliffs from anywhere along Dover seafront and the cruise terminal.
Canterbury is a lovely city with great architecture. There is a cathedral there where Sir Thomas A Becket was murdered by the knights of Henry 11.
You could visit both Dover Castle and Canterbury in one day but I wouldn’t advice going further than that.
Fire away with questions folks and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Our plan was to see Canterbury Cathedral and Dover castle plus maybe Deal in the same day. Do you think that’s doable or too much? I should add we’ll be driving from Gatwick hotel starting about 7 am to stay the night in Dover.

 

[CarolynU]

Our plan was to see Canterbury Cathedral and Dover castle plus maybe Deal in the same day. Do you think that’s doable or too much? I should add we’ll be driving from Gatwick hotel starting about 7 am to stay the night in Dover.

Umm personally I would stick to just two out of the three. You could drive from Gatwick and instead of taking the M20 take the M2 directly to Canterbury en route and stop off there first. After spending time there perhaps grabbing breakfast, or an early lunch then drive to Dover Castle and spend the rest of the day there before checking into your hotel. If you want to get a flavour of Deal then just drive there for the evening maybe popping into a pub for a final bite to eat. That route would save you back tracking on yourself.

 

[Homemom]

Umm personally I would stick to just two out of the three. You could drive from Gatwick and instead of taking the M20 take the M2 directly to Canterbury en route and stop off there first. After spending time there perhaps grabbing breakfast, or an early lunch then drive to Dover Castle and spend the rest of the day there before checking into your hotel. If you want to get a flavour of Deal then just drive there for the evening maybe popping into a pub for a final bite to eat. That route would save you back tracking on yourself.

Thank you! This helps a lot!

 

[CarolynU]

Thank you! This helps a lot!

You are welcome. Any more info just ask away.
You would take the M23 to the M25 connecting to the M26 and onward to the M20 before switching again to the M2 directly to Canterbury.
When your stay at Canterbury is ended you take the A2 directly to Dover.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have left from Dover a few times. Yes you see the cliffs. Last sept when we did the transatlantic cruise we went to the castle and tunnels. Fascinating. But before that we flew into heathrow, rented a car and did highcliff, the downton abbey castle which was amazing. And then drove up to Scotland to see some outlander sites. We dropped the car off in Dover just two blocks from our hotel, right on the water. The best western plus. We did hythr bay seafood restaurant for dinner. It was very good. Then we took cab to port the next day. We’re doing the Iceland Norway cruise in July and leaving from Dover again. I think we will just take a limo from heathrow to Dover.