Table Of Content
- Saga Cruises returns to international cruising following Around-Britain itineraries
- Top Things to Do in Isle of Portland, Dorset
- Visiting friends & family on board a cruise ship
- The greatest place I’ve ever stayed (including a campsite in Wales) – according to 15 travel writers
- Cruise to Isle of Portland, Dorset, UK
The departure times are shown below in the schedule column, however, these can vary slightly at short notice. Advice will be given to the driver on the notification required if booked to collect from a cruise ship at Portland Port in the future. Portland Bill is a high & rocky promontory of about 5 sq miles, on the south coast, connected to the mainland by a permanent causeway. Portland, a small island connected to the UK mainland by a narrow causeway, has recorded the busiest cruise year to date.
Saga Cruises returns to international cruising following Around-Britain itineraries
As more cruise ships sail to the UK, Portland’s businesses will continue to profit. More than 130,000 passengers visited the island during 56 cruise ship calls between March and November 2023. Of those 130,000, there were 50,000 visitors from the United States, 24,000 German visitors, 20,000 from the UK, and almost 10,000 Canadian passengers. The award was for the ‘most improved cruise destination’ and this was for 2012 and 2014. It has now become a leading boat trip destination in the South West of the UK.
Top Things to Do in Isle of Portland, Dorset
Portland Harbour is a major centre for wind-powered watersports – along with Weymouth Bay it was used as the venue for the 2012 Olympics sailing competition. Equipment to hire and lessons for windsurfing, kite-surfing and stand-up paddleboarding are available from OTC. Further along the waterfront lies Portland Castle, a neat little Tudor gun fort built in the 1540s.
Visiting friends & family on board a cruise ship
From the castle to Chesil Beach Centre, which sits at the end of the birdlife-rich Fleet Lagoon and has a café and exhibition on the geology and wildlife, takes about 40 minutes. This will allow us to check with the shipping agent, that approval has been given and your name(s) are on the visitor list.Please email these details to -port.co.uk. Portland Port is a commercial port, therefore for health and safety, passengers and visitors are not permitted to walk freely within the port estate.
Portland Port projected to bring £3.6 million to local economy in September - Cruise and Ferry
Portland Port projected to bring £3.6 million to local economy in September.
Posted: Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Weymouth itself offers a load of things to do, and the harbourside itself allows you to while away a few hours in one of its many pubs and restaurants. If you just wish to sit and watch the world go by, the beach is a delight. There are information boards that have a lot to give, and you can also choose to check information from every room or listen to the free audio guide that are available for visitors. If your time on shore becomes limited, some of the attractions on the itinerary may vary in order to get you back to the ship on time.
The Dorset Pub Tour
Passengers can hear all about the amazing history and family adventures of Minterne House or visit the unique and fascinating Abbotsbury Swannery. Or if you simply fancy tasting the national dish, fish and chips, and enjoying some relaxed sunbathing on an award-winning beach, a shuttle bus trip from Portland Port can provide that too. During your day in port, you can also wander through the charming town, where you’ll find picturesque lighthouses, miles of beaches, and an intriguing maritime history.
Experience tailor made adventures and unique local insights in every journey. Embark on one of our unforgettable guided tours tailored for cruise passengers arriving into Portland. A former quarry opposite the hotel called ‘Tout Quarry’ is a giant sculpture park and nature reserve. Close to the port, you’ll find boutiques and souvenir shops in Fortuneswell.
Dozens of cruise ships visiting from America, Norway Germany, and other European countries are set to moor at Portland Port between March and November this year. This includes impressive ships of Disney Magic, Norwegian Dawn and Regal Princess. MSC Virtuosa, which has a capacity of 4,842, will be the largest ship to visit Portland Port this year on April 28. You can't walk out of the port – a free shuttle bus will take you to the entrance. Castletown, the village outside the port, was hit by the closure of the naval base at Portland in the 1990s, and is a bit rundown but undergoing regeneration. It includes the rewarding D-Day Centre, three minutes' stroll from the port entrance, and Portland Castle, just beyond.
Cruise to Isle of Portland, Dorset, UK
One of three such places like Portsmouth and Plymouth which it sits between both of them geographically on the South coast. During your Dorset cruise, see the famous ring of stones at Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back around 5,000 years. You’ll be amazed at the sheer height and size of the massive stones at this enigmatic site, where scientists and archaeologists are still uncovering its mysteries. The port sits within man-made Portland Harbour, a vast area of water defended from the elements by nearly three miles of breakwaters.
The new ship docking facility is actually an upgrade of the Outer Coaling Pier that was extended by adding a 74-m/243-ft long solid quay. The Outer Coaling Pier was expanded to 250 m (solid berth face) and water depth 11 m/36 ft. Piling works started in October 2022, and the project was completed in April 2023 (fully operational by May 1st). Final quay surface finishing works were scheduled for the period Oct 2023 thru Feb 2024. For the project were used ~380K tonnes of infill material (locally sourced) and ~4800 tons of steel. Overall, Portland’s strategic investments to attract more cruise ships yield significant economic benefits, especially with the increasing interest from cruise lines in homeporting their vessels in the UK.
The interior is very well preserved with its two pulpits, box pews and galleries which are all surviving. The extensive churchyard has recently been repaired and is a treasure trove of fabulous headstones and memorials. Tout Quarry an arts space and nature reserve ideal for the cruise guide to Portland. Traces of early human occupation nearby have been recorded and go back to Mesolithic times. With a submerged sand bank the lighthouse has been very important in keeping mariners safe. Vehicles, full size Spitfire model, guns and artefacts from the period help to tell the story.
Heading east to Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door that are big draws on this part of the coast. Dorchester to the north, the county town and where famous author Thomas Hardy worked. Frontline Coffee, Taylor’s Mobideck, the Boat That Rocks and the Sailing Academy all have great places to sit, eat and take in the harbour activities and marina views. Quiddles café at Chesil Cove offers some terrific seafood as do most eateries in the area being a prime seafood paradise. Rufus Castle built in the 11th century built by William Rufus II which overlooks Church Ope Cove. Taking the steps down to the cove pass what’s called the ‘pirate’s graveyard’.
You’ll receive an email with your tour start times along with your meet and greet instructions 2-3 weeks prior to your tour date. Abbotsbury Swannery the only managed swan colony in the world where some 400 swans come and go from its site located 8 miles west of Weymouth and just behind Chesil Beach. Swinging from ropes and bars at nearby Monkey World which is a wildlife park where primates and monkeys are rescued and rehabilitated. Along at the western end of Chesil Beach is the small port and resort of West Bay and the town of Bridport. Royalty has links to the town with Prince Charles village of Poundbury located just on the western edge of Dorchester.
