Dartmouth Enjoys Busy Cruise Season

Dartmouth Enjoys Busy Cruise Season as Six Ships Bring Thousands of Visitors to the River Dart

Dartmouth’s reputation as ‘England’s Fjord’ was reinforced throughout 2026 as a diverse fleet of six cruise ships called at the River Dart, bringing a steady flow of visitors and highlighting the town’s growing appeal as a boutique cruise destination.

The season began in April with the inaugural visit of the 144m Hamburg, built at the MTW Wismar shipyard in Germany and extensively refurbished in 2020. The vessel combines passenger comfort with strong environmental credentials, featuring waste-incineration systems, bio-sewage treatment, an onboard osmosis plant and the use of low-sulphur marine fuel.

In May, luxury expedition ship Le Bellot arrived carrying 134 passengers. Operated by Ponant, the vessel is renowned for its quiet hybrid-assisted propulsion system and its innovative Blue Eye underwater lounge, located below the waterline.

This story was originally published by Ships Monthly. Read the full story at Ships Monthly →