The boss of Saga Cruises has played down reports of damage to the company’s first-ever newbuilding, Spirit of Discovery, as it left Germany where it was built.
Robin Shaw described it as “very superficial paint damage.”
The chief executive of Saga Travel, which includes the Folkestone, UK-based company’s cruise operations, added: “It is probably painted as we speak.”
Shaw denied reports of a police investigation into the incident.
Saga said in a statement: “The ship sustained minor, superficial scuffing on contact with a fender on a mooring bollard whilst entering the lock in the Port of Emden.”
The 58,250-gt vessel, which will accommodate slightly under 1,000 passengers, left Emden under pilotage on Monday as planned for its shakedown voyage.
Saga says the ship is expected to arrive in Dover as scheduled on Friday ahead of its naming by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on 5 July.
Shaw described the lock at Emden as “very tight, even for a ship of our size - circa a metre either side.”
He said the whole incident has been “a bit sensationalised.”
The Port of Dover quayside is to be transformed, with grass grown in Yorkshire, for a garden party to celebrate the naming.
Spirit of Discovery departs Dover on 10 July for its inaugural cruise, sailing around the British Isles.
The ship was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, where the keel was laid 3 June for a second Saga newbuilding, Spirit of Adventure, which enters service in 2020.
