Oceania Cruises’ Marina has cut short a port call in Dover after a large demonstration caused significant disruption around the port on Saturday morning.
The ship had arrived in Dover early on 5th September 2026 and was originally due to remain until late in the evening. However, Marina left the port during the morning as the protest affected access to the ferry and cruise facilities.
A passenger aboard Marina reported that guests were informed the ship would leave Dover and head back to sea, turning what had been planned as a full day ashore into an additional sea day.
The passenger said the decision was taken because of the developing situation around the port and reported that the ship’s captain described the circumstances as something he had not previously encountered.
Marina’s early departure meant passengers lost the opportunity to spend the day visiting Dover and other destinations accessible on excursions from the port, including Canterbury and London.
Large Protest Disrupts Dover
The disruption was caused by a demonstration involving hundreds of people, many dressed in black and wearing face coverings, according to reports from the scene.
Kent Police said officers were aware of a demonstration at the ferry terminal and were engaging with protesters.
Road traffic into and out of the port was initially stopped, although access via the A2 was subsequently restored. Access via the A20 remained restricted during the disruption.
National Highways reported that traffic was stopped in both directions on the A20 between the A256 York Street and A2 Jubilee Way, with congestion stretching for around three miles and delays reaching approximately 30 minutes.
Reform UK councillor Paul King, who represents Dover West, said he had been told the demonstration was a “stop the boats protest”. Police had not at that stage confirmed who was responsible for organising it.
Dover and Deal MP Mike Tapp said individuals wearing black clothing and balaclavas had blocked roads leading towards the port.
The Port of Dover described the disruption as an ongoing public order incident affecting both the port and the town and said it was in contact with Kent Police.
The incident also affected cross-Channel ferry passengers. P&O Ferries said access had been restored via the A2 and that passengers who missed their scheduled crossing would be placed on the next available sailing. DFDS similarly said affected passengers would be accommodated on later departures.
Marina Was Due To Spend The Day In Dover
Marina had been scheduled for an extended call in Dover on Saturday, giving passengers most of the day and evening ashore.
The Port of Dover’s published cruise schedule listed the Oceania Cruises ship at Cruise Terminal 2 on 5th September, with an early-morning arrival and departure shortly before midnight. Cruise itineraries published ahead of the voyage similarly showed Dover as the first port of call following the ship’s departure from Southampton on Friday.
The visit forms part of a Northern Europe itinerary aboard Marina. After Dover, the ship already had a scheduled sea day on 6th September before continuing north to Scotland, with Edinburgh due to be its next port on 7th September.
Subsequent calls include Aberdeen, Invergordon and Stornoway before the ship continues through a wider itinerary covering ports in the British Isles. Some passengers are booked on an 11-night itinerary ending in Belfast, while Marina is also operating a longer 21-night Southampton-to-Lisbon voyage incorporating the same opening section.
Dover is a major gateway for both ferry and cruise traffic. The port handled more than nine million road passengers and two million freight vehicles during 2025, according to figures published by the Port of Dover.
Marina’s unscheduled departure illustrates how disruption outside a cruise terminal can affect a call even after a vessel has successfully docked. With road access around the port restricted by the demonstration, passengers leaving the ship for excursions or independent visits could have faced difficulties returning to the terminal.
The cancellation also removes a day’s expected cruise passenger spending from Dover and surrounding destinations, with the ship having originally been scheduled to remain alongside for much of Saturday.
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