Cruise Ship MS Oceana in Covid-19 Lockdown, Dover, Kent, UK

In mid-March 2020, P&O Cruises announced the cancellation of all cruises. After disembarking her passengers at Southampton, the MS Oceana made her way to Dover Harbour where she has been ever since.

Originally berthed at the Admiralty Pier Cruise Ship Terminal, this view shows the ship in Berth C of the Cargo Area of the new Western Docks development:

This ASIS map shows the current position of MV Oceana:



On the 20th of March 2020, the Port of Dover gave this press release [1]:

The Port of Dover is supporting its cruise customers by offering lay-by provision for their vessels to help them bring their cruises back home to the UK.

Currently we are hosting two P&O Cruises vessels - Aurora and Oceana.  

Everyone on board is fit and healthy and the crew are remaining on-board to protect the local community as well as themselves.  

Food and supplies are being provided by their normal specialist suppliers so there will be no impact on the availability of food and other supplies in local supermarkets.

COVID-19 is having a significant economic impact on all of us in the cruise industry, so it’s important that we work together and support each other as we navigate through some difficult times.

The Port of Dover is pleased to assist P&O Cruises as part of its wider response to the current situation.

Initially, P&O Cruises thought that cruises might resume in the second week of April but has since said the following:

P&O Cruises is extending its pause in operations up to and including May 15, 2020 as a result of the continued impact of COVID-19.

It is clear that the original date of 11 April to resume sailings, which would have been a 30 day pause in operations, is just not feasible in light of the recent government announcements.

Regrettably, therefore, we are now extending this pause in operations for all sailings up to and including 15 May [More]

The photo was taken part-weay along the New Marina Pier, marked "P1" on the cycling route map of the 7th of April 2020:

Original map and biometrics on this Polar Flow web page.

Abbreviated versions of this post are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Permitted cycle ride under the UK Coronavirus lockdown rules. 

[1] Port pleased to help with lay-by provision

[2] P&O Cruises extends pause in operations until 15 May 2020