The Carnival Corporation brand had planned to welcome travel agents to the event at the Port of Dover on 20 June to share the latest updates from the line and to showcase Carnival Miracle, which will sail nine ex-Dover voyages this spring and summer.

However, Carnival Corp earlier this month announced it would close Carnival Cruise Line’s UK operation on 12 May – around five weeks before DoverFest, which the brand was due to co-host with Carnival Corp stablemate Holland America Line.

In a short email to travel agents on Wednesday (30 April), Carnival Cruise Line said: “We’re reaching out with an important update regarding DoverFest, which was scheduled to take place on Friday 20 June. 

“We’re very sorry to say the event has been cancelled. The Carnival ship visit and all elements of the schedule will no longer take place. We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption to your plans.”

Carnival Cruise Line concluded the message, saying: “Holland America Line’s UK team are on hand to support any requests you have, including providing info and insight on their plans for 2025 and 2026, such as their ex-UK seasons from Dover. You’re also most welcome to join a future ship visit with them if of interest.” 

The decision to cancel DoverFest comes just a few days after several of Carnival Cruise Line’s international sales team members, who were based in the UK, made appeals for new job “opportunities” online. 

International sales director Luke Smith, senior account manager Gemma Ashworth and account manager Danielle Kerton all posted similar messages on LinkedIn around the same time on 24 April. 

TTG contacted Carnival Corporation for further comment.