Mini Cruises from Southampton

Mini cruises from Southampton give you the full cruise experience over the course of a few days, sailing to some fantastic European destinations. There are a range of cruise lines to choose from, each offering a different experience to suit couples, families or solo travellers.

Mini cruises from Southampton in 2020 & 2021:

• Celebrity Cruises - Celebrity Apex
• Cunard - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria
• Fred. Olsen - Balmoral, Blackwatch, Boudicca, Braemar
• MSC Cruises - MSC Grandiosa, MSC Splendida, MSC Preziosa, MSC Magnifica
• P&O Cruises - Ventura, Aurora, Arcadia, Britannia, Oceana
• Princess Cruises - Crown Princess, Grand Princess
• Royal Caribbean - Anthem of the Seas
• Saga - Spirit of Discovery, Spirit of Adventure

Why try a mini cruise?

Short cruises are also known as taster cruises because they give people who have never cruised before a taste of what cruising is like. Two-night cruises, three-night cruises or four-night cruises from Southampton can give you the full experience of a cruise without the commitment of a longer holiday or the hassle of arranging flights and hotels. You can try all the facilities of your chosen ship, sample the cuisine and explore some lovely European destinations.

Even if you're a seasoned cruiser, you may want to book a mini cruise to sample a new ship or cruise line which you haven't sailed with before, or just to enjoy a few nights away from home at a great price.

If you live within driving distance of Southampton, cruising from this port is a really convenient way to holiday in Europe and avoids any hassle associated with airports and flying. Mini cruises are also available from other UK ports, so see our full range of mini cruises if you'd like a wider choice:

See all mini cruises from the UK

Cruise lines sailing from Southampton

Southampton is the main port for the UK, and you'll find that most cruise lines offer cruises from here. Popular favourites for first-time cruisers include P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean. If traditional luxury cruising is your thing, you'll adore Cunard. Or if you prefer a modern 5-star cruise ship, you can't go wrong with Celebrity Cruises. For those on a budget, Fred. Olsen and Cruise & Maritime Voyages offer some very reasonable prices on short cruises from Southampton.

Top mini cruise destinations

• France - Sail to the northern French ports of Cherbourg, Le Havre, Honfleur, Rouen and you'll be able to take a day trip into Paris
• Holland - Rotterdam and Amsterdam are both great cities to explore with beautiful tall and narrow buildings
• Belgium - Sail into Zeebrugge from where you can easily access Bruges with its quaint cobbled streets and oldy-worldy feel
• Germany - The city of Hamburg is crisscrossed with hundreds of canals and features lots of open green spaces
• Guernsey - Explore the pretty harbourside town of St Peter Port and its rich naval history

One-way cruises

Although many short cruises from Southampton are round trips, it's also worth considering a one-way cruise, which is also known as a 'repositioning cruise'. Here at Cruise118, we will be happy to arrange a flight back to the local airport of your choosing. You may choose to fly back straight after your cruise or to spend a few days at your destination. Our dedicated cruise concierge team will be happy to arrange hotel stays, transfers and anything else you require as part of your mini-break. Just give us a call to discuss your plans.

Book with our Cruise Concierge team

Mini cruises from Southampton are perfect for a school holiday trip with the kids or a romantic break for two. Take a look at our deals below to find your ideal itinerary. If you have anything specific in mind, please don't hesitate to call our award-winning Cruise Concierge team.