Isle of Portland (Weymouth, Dorset England)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Ireland - UK - British Isles
Local Time
2021-01-26 15:41
7.9°C
12.4 m/s
39 °F / 4 °C
Isle of Portland is located in the English Channel and on Dorset's southern coast (southern England). Portland Island is connected to mainland Dorset (at Abbotsbury) via a narrow piece of land (named Chesil Beach, aka Chesil Bank) with length approx 29 km (18 mi). Enclosed between Chesil Beach and Abbotsbury is the freshwater lake Fleet.
The island is most famous for the white limestone quarried here. After WW2 (1939-1945) a British naval base was built at peninsula's southernmost tip - Portland Bill (now closed). Pennsylvania Castle (currently a hotel) was built during the 18th century for John Penn - grandson of the founder of the USA's Pennsylvania state Admiral William Penn. Here are also the remains of the 11th-century Rufus Castle.
On island's southern tip is located Portland Bill (lighthouse). From here, cruise passengers can visit Abbotsbury Swannery (nesting Mute Swans colony), Bovington Camp's Tank Museum and the seaside resort Weymouth (Dorset).
Portland UK cruise port
Portland Port's cruising season runs April through late-October / early-November.
Mein Schiff 5 (one of TUI Cruises newest ships / launched January 2016) made an inaugural visit on September 12, 2016. During the port call, a large number of passengers went on shore excursions, with over 75% of them visiting the popular Dorset attractions Jurassic Coast, Portland Bill, Corfe Castle, Minterne House, Abbotsbury Swannery. On September 20, 2016, another new (2016-built) cruise liner - ms Koningsdam (Holland America) visited Portland England for the first time.
In April 2017 was announced the near-completion of the new GBP 3 million cruise berth extension project allowing docking of bigger-sized ships (more info in the "terminal" section below). The total number of scheduled ship calls for 2017 was 24 (of which 10 first-time visiting ships) bringing over 36,000 passengers. In 2017, Portland UK reported a record-breaking year with handled nearly 36,000 passengers in 24 cruise ship calls. Also in 2017, an inaugural call made the ship Disney Magic (on May 23).
Port's most regular customer is Phoenix Reisen. Port's largest passenger liners so far are the NCL-owned sisterships Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape (LOA length 326 m, GT 145600 tons, max passengers 4820). Port's record-breaking day was July 15 (2018) with two simultaneous dockings (RSSC Regent-owned ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Navigator).
During season 2018, the cruise port had scheduled 44 ship calls (38% increase over 2017), including maiden visits from Pullmantur and Princess Cruises. The number of passengers (based on berth bookings for 2019) was 62,000. For 2020, Portland Port reported a record-breaking season with scheduled 46 ship calls (berth bookings) and estimated 80,000+ cruise tourists (passengers and crew).
New / first-time calling ships (cruise companies) in 2020 included Silver Whisper (Silversea), Celebrity Reflection (Celebrity Cruises), Amera (Phoenix Reisen), Columbus (CMV), Island Princess and Regal Princess (Princess), Monarch (Pullmantur), Seven Seas Splendor (RSSC-Regent).
Isle of Portland cruise terminal
Cruise ships to Portland Island (England) dock in Portland Harbour, at a pier located on the isle's northern coast. The harbour is a former British Navy base, and the pier is close to the causeway. There are free bus shuttles (provided by the Port Authority) transporting passengers right from and to the dock.
In 2017, Port Portland completed a GBP 3 million cruise pier extension project to allow docking of larger cruise ships. The upgraded terminal facility allows docking of vessels with LOA length up to 340 m (1115 ft). The previous berth allowed docking of vessels with LOA length up to 300 m (985 ft). The first cruise ship to dock at the extended pier was Disney Magic (on May 23, 2017).
On July 6, 2019, NCL's liner Norwegian Spirit became the first passenger vessel to use port's new gangway (mobile passenger bridge) system. It was installed as part of an investment plan for improving and extending port's cruise docking-mooring arrangements on Deepwater Berth and Outer Coaling Pier.
Port Isle of Portland cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Isle of Portland, Weymouth, Dorset England. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
---|---|---|---|
25 April, 2021 Sunday | ![]() | 07:00 | 19:00 |
- Cruise Industry
Cruise ships sail back to Weymouth Bay UK after Storm Christoph
Cruise ships returned to Weymouth Bay (off Isle of Portland, Dorset England) following the turbulent weather caused by Storm Christoph. England's...
January 24, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Princess Cruises extends Sky Princess ship's UK 2021 season
Princess Cruises announced it had extended Sky Princess ship’s ex-UK season with 6 additional departures in September-October 2021. The 3660...
January 12, 2021 - Cruise Industry
5 liners remain in Weymouth Bay, England after suspension of cruises due to COVID-19
There are 5 remaining cruise ships in Weymouth Bay (off Isle of Portland, Dorset England) following the suspension of cruise travel due to the...
January 4, 2021 - Accidents
Crew medevaced from Marella Discovery cruise ship off Dorset England coast
A 43-year-old male crew on Marella Cruises' ship Marella Discovery was medevaced Saturday night, November 21, while the liner was anchored in...
November 24, 2020 - Cruise Industry
4 of the world's largest cruise ships still anchored off Bournemouth beach, Dorset UK
4 of the world's largest cruise liners remain anchored off Bournemouth Beach (on Isle of Portland, Dorset, England). It is not an unusual...
November 12, 2020 - Cruise Industry
VIDEO: 10 cruise ships in Weymouth Bay (Isle of Portland, England)
An incredible video has captured 10 cruise liners anchored in Weymouth Bay (off Isle of Portland, Dorset England) and at Portland Harbour on Saturday...
July 23, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Cunard's Queen Victoria becomes the sixth cruise ship in Weymouth Bay, England
A 6th cruise ship joined the growing fleet in Weymouth Bay (off Isle of Portland, Dorset England) on May 14. Cunard's liner Queen Victoria...
May 16, 2020 - Cruise Industry
P&O UK cruise ship Ventura anchored in Weymouth Bay due to Coronavirus crisis
Another P&O Cruises UK ship anchored in Weymouth Bay (near Isle of Portland Port, Dorset England) on Wednesday, April 22. The passenger-free MS...
April 23, 2020 - Cruise Industry
First Cruise Ship of Season Docks at Portland Port
The first cruise ship of the season docked at Portland Port - Isle of Portland (Dorset, England). The Hurtigruten-owned cruise ship ms Fridtjof...
March 9, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Portland Port Expects Record Cruise Season
Portland UK's cruise season 2020 is going to be another record-breaker by visiting passengers and ship calls. Numbers have been increasing from just...
January 14, 2020 - show more news