Cruises from Southampton

Why cruise from Southampton?

Southampton has been welcoming ships and waving them off to sea for centuries and today it is the beating heart of British cruising. More cruises depart from here than any other UK port, which gives you an enormous choice of ships, cruise lines, destinations and dates, all from a single place that's easy to reach from right across the country.

Part of the appeal is how effortless it all feels. Rather than battling through an airport, you make your way to the port, hand over your bags and step aboard, with no airline weighing your luggage and no baggage limit to fret about. Plenty of guests travelling from further afield drive down the evening before and stay over, so the holiday begins the moment they arrive. If you would rather not fly at all, Southampton is the ideal home port, you can browse our no-fly cruises from Southampton for sailings that take you out and back without the hassle of airports.

There is a ship and a style for everyone for the best experience. Pick from vast resort-at-sea megaships with water slides, surf simulators and West End-quality shows or smaller, more traditional vessels built for quiet, elegant sailing. Whatever you picture when you imagine a cruise, you will find it leaving from Southampton.

The cruise lines that sail from Southampton

Southampton is home port to some of the most famous names at sea, so you can compare ships, itineraries and prices side by side with cruise118.com.

Cunard Line have called the port home for generations, and their stately Queens still sail from here, including Queen Mary 2 and her legendary transatlantic crossing to New York. P&O Cruises run the biggest programme of all, with a fleet that ranges from family-friendly giants to smaller adult-only ships for a calmer pace. You will also find Princess Cruises with their slick Medallion Class ships, Royal Caribbean International and their big, activity-packed resort vessels, the modern European style of MSC Cruises, the premium, design-led ships of Celebrity Cruises, the relaxed Freestyle approach of Norwegian Cruise Line, and the smaller, friendlier ships of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines that slip into ports the giants simply can't reach. Not sure which line suits you best? Our Cruise Concierge knows every ship inside out and will happily match you to the right one.

Where you can sail to from Southampton

You can reach a remarkable amount of the world on a cruise from Southampton without ever boarding a plane. Here are some of the most popular routes.

Norwegian Fjords

The Norwegian Fjords are the classic Southampton sailing, and a wonderful first cruise. Over a week or so you will glide past mile after mile of mirror-still water, plunging waterfalls and tiny red-roofed villages, calling at places like Bergen, Olden, Geiranger and Flam, with long summer days that mean the scenery barely stops.

The Mediterranean

On a cruise from Southampton you can sail right into the heart of the Mediterranean, usually over 10 to 14 nights, taking in Spain, France, Italy and the islands. Think Barcelona, the French Riviera, Rome and Florence, all reached without setting foot on a plane. And if you fancy heading further east, our Greek island cruises from Southampton take you all the way to the Aegean.

The Canary Islands

When the UK turns cold, the Canaries serve up winter sun within easy reach. Round-trip sailings call at the likes of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Madeira, with a few relaxing sea days to enjoy the ship along the way. Usually round-trip sailings are 10 to 14 nights, with shorter 7-night getaways and longer voyages of 16 nights or more also on offer.

The Baltic and Northern Europe

From Southampton you can sail to the great cities of Northern Europe, with stops that can include Copenhagen, Stockholm and Tallinn, usually on round-trip summer sailings of 11 to 14 nights that make the most of the season.

The British Isles

You don't have to go far for a memorable cruise. Round-Britain sailings show off the scenery and harbours of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Channel Islands, typically lasting 7 to 14 nights, often with a hop across to Dublin or up to the Scottish isles.

Iceland

Dramatic and otherworldly, Iceland's waterfalls, volcanoes and hot springs make for an unforgettable sailing, usually 10 to 14 nights and often combined with the Norwegian Fjords or the British Isles.

The Caribbean

Yes, you can even reach the Caribbean on a cruise from Southampton. Round-trip sailings make the most of the journey, typically running to 21 nights or more, with a few stops in Madeira, the Azores or Portugal along the way as the ship heads south.

Transatlantic Crossings to New York

For a real slice of ocean liner history, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 sails a classic transatlantic crossing between Southampton and New York, usually over 7 nights of pure sea days with no ports in between. Prefer to do it there and back? Round-trip crossings typically run 14 to 15 nights.

World Cruises

For the trip of a lifetime, a handful of ships set off from Southampton on full world cruises, circling the globe over several months and visiting dozens of countries along the way.

Getting to Southampton

One of the joys of sailing from Southampton is how easy it is to reach the port. By car it sits just off the M3 and M27, with the wider motorway network feeding in from every direction, so most of the country is within a comfortable drive. Prefer the train? Southampton Central station is a short ride from the cruise terminals and well connected, with direct services from London Waterloo in around an hour and a quarter, plus links from the Midlands, the South West and beyond. If you are combining your cruise with a flight, Southampton Airport is just up the road, and the larger London airports are an easy transfer away.

Southampton's cruise terminals

The Port of Southampton has five passenger cruise terminals. Mayflower, Horizon and City Cruise Terminal are located in the Western Docks, while Ocean and QEII are in the Eastern Docks. Horizon is the newest of the five and opened in 2021.

Cruise lines are not tied to one particular terminal, so the same ship can sail from different terminals on different dates. Your departure terminal will be confirmed on your e-ticket or booking documents, and we recommend checking these again shortly before you travel. On the day, electronic signs on the roads into Southampton show which ship is docked at each terminal, and all of the dock gates are clearly signposted. If you are pre-booking parking, make sure you know which terminal you are sailing from first, as the Western and Eastern Docks are on opposite sides of the port.

Parking

If you are driving, you can pre-book secure parking a short walk or transfer from your terminal, so your car is waiting nearby when you step back onto dry land. Booking in advance is usually cheaper than paying on the day, and it means one less thing to think about on embarkation morning.

Whichever terminal your ship is sailing from, the route is clearly signposted from the roads into Southampton, and each terminal is set up to get you from car or taxi to check-in with the minimum of fuss.

Make a day of it in Southampton

It's well worth arriving early and giving yourself time to explore, because Southampton offers more than many people realise. The city has a thousand years of maritime history, and you can feel it everywhere you turn. The excellent SeaCity Museum tells its story, including its poignant link to the Titanic, which set sail from here in 1912. The timber-framed Tudor House and Garden is a lovely step back through the centuries, and you can still trace long stretches of the medieval town walls and walk beneath the ancient Bargate, once the main gateway into the old town. If you fancy something more modern, the WestQuay centre has all the big-name shops, the marina is lined with bars and restaurants that are perfect for a pre-cruise meal, and the Mayflower Theatre regularly hosts touring West End productions. With a little more time, some of southern England's most famous sights are within easy reach by car, including the prehistoric wonder of Stonehenge, the historic cathedral city of Winchester, and the wild ponies and open heath of the New Forest.

Stay the night before you sail

Travelling a long way, or simply fancy starting the holiday a little early? Booking a hotel the night before takes the stress out of reaching the port on time, and turns the journey into part of the trip. Southampton has plenty of hotels close to the terminals, from comfortable budget stays to smarter waterfront options, and many offer handy park-and-cruise packages that let you leave the car with them while you're away. Just ask our team and we'll help you arrange it.

When's the best time to cruise from Southampton?

There are cruises from Southampton all year round, so the best time really depends on where you'd like to go. Summer, from around May to September, is the peak season and offers the widest choice, with the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, the Baltic and the British Isles all at their best in the long, light days. As autumn arrives, attention turns south. Through the colder months you'll find Canary Islands sailings chasing the winter sun, along with longer voyages and transatlantic crossings bound for the Caribbean. Spring and autumn, the shoulder seasons either side of summer, are often the sweet spot for value, with quieter ships and lower prices just outside the school holidays. As a rule, booking early gives you the widest choice of cabins and the best prices, especially for popular summer dates. But if you can be flexible, a last-minute cruise from Southampton can turn up a real bargain as departure approaches.

Find the right cruises from Southampton for you

Whatever kind of holiday you are after, there is a Southampton sailing to match it, and we have gathered them into easy collections to help you choose. If you are keeping an eye on the budget, our cheap cruises from Southampton bring together the best-value fares across every line, while an all-inclusive cruise from Southampton wraps your drinks, dining and tips into the price. Short of time, or fancy trying cruising for the first time? Our mini cruises from Southampton are perfect for a quick taste of life at sea. If you travel a particular way, take a look at our family cruises with something for every age, our solo cruises designed for going it alone or grab a last-minute cruise from Southampton when you can pack at short notice.

Why book your cruises from Southampton with Cruise118?

From your first enquiry till the day you are home again, you'll be looked after every step of the way. Here's what booking with Cruise118 gives you:

- ABTA and ATOL protected, so your holiday is financially secure.

- A 4.8 out of 5 customer rating, built on thousands of five-star reviews.

- The backing of World Travel Holdings, the world's largest cruise retailer, for outstanding choice and value.

- Your own Cruise Concierge, for genuine, first-hand advice from people who know cruising inside out.

- Low deposits and flexible payments, with 0% interest plans on selected sailings so you can spread the cost.

- Our Best Price Guarantee on your cruise from Southampton.

Cruises from Southampton: your questions answered

Where do cruises from Southampton sail to?

Loads of destinations, many with no flight needed, including the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Baltic, the British Isles and Iceland. Longer voyages cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean, and a few ships set off on full world cruises.

Can you cruise from Southampton without flying?

Yes, and it's one of the main reasons people choose Southampton. You travel to the port by car or train, board the ship, and on a return sailing you come back to the same terminal, with no airports or flights at any point.

Which cruise lines sail from Southampton?

Most of the big names, including P&O, Cunard, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line and Fred Olsen. P&O and Cunard are both based in Southampton.

Which cruise ships sail from Southampton?

The ships change from season to season, but you'll typically find P&O's largest ships, Cunard's Queens including Queen Mary 2, and big resort ships from the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC. Ask our team what's sailing on your chosen dates.

How long are cruises from Southampton?

Anything from two and three-night mini trips right up to two-week Mediterranean sailings, longer transatlantic voyages and round-the-world sailings. Most Fjords and Northern Europe itineraries run around 7 nights.

Is there parking at Southampton cruise port?

Yes. You can pre-book secure parking a short distance from every terminal when you book your cruise, so it's ready and waiting when you return. Booking ahead is usually cheaper than turning up on the day.

How do I get to Southampton cruise terminal?

By car it's just off the M3 and M27. By train, Southampton Central is a short ride from the terminals, with direct services from London Waterloo in around an hour and a quarter. Your cruise line confirms which of the five terminals your ship is using.

How early should I arrive for my cruise?

Your cruise line will give you a check-in time, usually a window in the afternoon on departure day. It's worth arriving within that slot rather than too early, and many guests choose to stay locally the night before to make the morning relaxed.

Can I add a hotel or parking to my booking?

Yes. We can arrange a pre-cruise hotel and parking alongside your sailing, including park-and-cruise packages. Just ask our Cruise Concierge and we'll sort the details.

How far in advance should I book?

Booking early usually gives you the best choice of cabins at the lowest prices, especially for popular summer dates. If you can be flexible, late deals can also offer great value closer to departure.