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Known as the cruise capital of Northern Europe, Southampton has five different cruise terminals and welcomes around 2.5 million passengers annually. First time cruisers along with more seasoned sailors can sometimes find this busy port confusing. In this bumper post I’ve put together your ultimate companion guide with everything you need to know about cruising from Southampton (Bookmark this post for future reference!).
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I’ll cover the best travel options to get to your cruise terminal, the best places to stay in Southampton before your cruise, the best places park, along with what to do in and around Southampton if you have some extra time before or after your cruise.
Southampton is a turnaround port (where a port is both the start and end point of a cruise itinerary). It’s also a ‘home’ port for many cruise lines, so it can get quite busy on turnaround days (usually on a weekend) when thousands of passengers embark and debark their cruise ship. It can also get especially busy during the peak summer months.
SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE TERMINALS
What are the different Cruise Terminals in Southampton?
The Port of Southampton has five cruise terminals.
The Mayflower, Horizon and City cruise terminals are located in what’s known as the Western Docks, on the banks of the River Test, while the Ocean and QEII cruise terminals are located in the Eastern Docks located at the confluence of the River Test and the River Itchen.
| Cruise Terminal | Address | Enter the Port through: |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | Berth 106, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 1HJ, | Dock Gate 10 |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | Berth 102, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 1AW | Dock Gate 10 |
| City Cruise Terminal | Berth 101, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 1HJ | Dock Gate 8 |
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | Berth 46, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN | Dock Gate 4 |
| QEII Cruise Terminal | Berth 38/39, Southampton, SO14 3GG | Dock Gate 4 |
What Facilities are available at Southampton Cruise Terminals?
There are luggage drop-off areas at all of the cruise terminals where porters are be on-hand to help load your luggage. Remember to keep your hand luggage with passports, any tickets and medication with you. All the cruise terminals have vending machines and a Ceano’s cafe serving teas, coffee, chilled drinks, alcohol and hot and cold food. Complimentary magazines and visitor information are available.
Toilets are available in both arrivals and the departure lounge. Wheelchair assistance is also available. There is a taxi rank and short stay parking at each terminal. It’s worth knowing that none of the Southampton Cruise Terminal have an ATM (Cash machine), payphone or WiFi. Southampton also has a range of reliable luggage storage options from £5 per day. Most of the locations available are within 10 mins walk of the most of the cruise terminals.
Luggage Storage in Southampton
Which Cruise terminal will my ship sail from?
While some Cruise lines and ships will predominantly sail to and from of a particular cruise terminal, sometimes you’ll find that some cruise lines might operate out of multiple cruise terminals throughout the season which adds an extra level of complexity.
As a general rule of thumb, the following cruise lines usually depart from/return to the terminals below – but there have been known to be exceptions.
Due to scheduling arrangements at the port, sometimes your cruise ship might depart from one cruise terminal but return to a different one in Southampton. We’ve experienced this on a couple of occasions so it’s best to check this in advance before arranging or pre-booking your car parking or onward travel after your cruise.
My tip is to check the Southampton Port Cruise schedule or Cruise Mapper for the up-to-date schedules and planned movements. Always double check with your travel agent or the documentation sent by your cruise line. Sometimes a last-minute change in cruise terminal might occur and notifications are sent from your cruise line or travel agent via email or text.
| Cruise Line | Terminal |
| AIDA Cruises | Ocean, QEII |
| Azamara | City, Horizon |
| Celebrity Cruises | City |
| Cunard | Mayflower, Ocean, QEII |
| Disney Cruise Line | City |
| Fred.Olsen Cruises | City, Horizon, QEII |
| MSC Cruises | City, Horizon |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | City, Horizon |
| Oceania Crusies | City, Horizon, Mayflower |
| P&O Cruises | Mayflower, Ocean, QEII |
| Princess Cruises | Mayflower, Ocean, QEII |
| Regent Seven Seas | Horizon, Mayflower |
| Royal Caribbean International | City |
| Silversea | City, Horizon |
| TUI | City, QEII |
TRAVELLING TO SOUTHAMTON PORT
How to get to Southampton Cruise terminals by air:
How to get to Southampton From Southampton airport:
A Taxi between Southampton Airport and the cruise terminals is about £20 and takes around 20 minutes. Direct trains from Southampton Airport to Southampton Central station take around 8 minutes and run every 10-15 minutes the cost is £3.90 each way.
The nearest airport is Southampton International Airport, but most long-haul flights will arrive in Heathrow or Gatwick.
There is also a bus service which runs every 10-15 minutes between Southampton Airport and Town Quay and costs £2.70 each way and takes around 55 minutes. If you are taking the Bus or Train, you will also need to travel between Town Quay or Central station and your cruise terminal on via taxi or on foot.
How to get to Southampton From Heathrow Airport:
A taxi between Heathrow Airport and Southampton cruise terminals will usually take around 2.5 hours and costs vary but start from £200 each way. There are lots of different providers so it’s best to shop around for different options. Check out the latest prices for your dates and journey below.
There are no direct train services from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Central. Therefore, travelling from Heathrow Airport to Southampton Central by train will require a minimum of 2 changes (usually at London Paddington, Reading, or London Waterloo) and you may also need to navigate the London Underground (tube) which is not always advisable with heavy or bulky luggage.
The average journey time by train between Heathrow Airport and Southampton Central is 2 hours and 37 minutes. Tickets start at £32.30 when you book in advance Once you arrive at Southampton Central, you will also need to travel between Central station and your cruise terminal on via taxi or on foot.
A National Express Bus Service between Heathrow Airport and Southampton is available with no changes. This costs around £20 and takes around 2 hours. Once you arrive at Southampton coach station, you will need to travel the last part to your cruise terminal either by taxi or on foot.
Private transfers Between London Heathrow and Southampton are also available
How to get to Southampton From Gatwick Airport:
A taxi will usually take around 90 minutes and costs around £180 each way. Private transfers Between Gatwick Airport and Southampton are also available
Trains run directly from Gatwick Airport to Southampton station every hour and the journey takes an average of 2 hours each way. Tickets for this journey start from £6 when you book in advance. Once you arrive at Southampton Central, you will also need to travel between Central station and your cruise terminal on via taxi or on foot.
A National Express Bus Service is available between Gatwick Airport and Southampton is available – but there is with one change at Heathrow Airport. Tickets are around £40 and the journey takes around 4 hours.
How to get to Southampton Cruise Terminals by Train:
Southampton Central Station is the closest railway station to the Port of Southampton cruise terminals. Once you arrive at the station you will need to take a taxi to your cruise terminal. It is also possible to walk – see approximate walking times and distances below.
Fully licensed taxi ranks are available either side of the station, along with clearly designated areas for pre-booked taxis. Taxis can also be booked directly, or through your hotel.
The Journey between Southampton City centre, coach and rail stations is approximately 5 minutes and costs around £10.
Southampton Taxi Companies:
- Radio Taxis Tel: 02380 666 666
- West Quay Cars Tel: 02380 999 999
- Aero Taxis Tel: 02380 01 02 03
- Beeline Cars Tel: 02380 660 666
- Southampton Taxis Tel: 02382 182 183
How to get to Southampton Cruise terminals by coach:
National Express operate a regular service to Southampton’s central coach station from all over the UK. A taxi is recommended from the coach station to reach your cruise terminal, but if you’d prefer to walk, walking times are provided below (see ‘on foot’ section below). National Express Coaches Timetables and Tickets.
Alternatively, you can book coach travel through the official coach providers for many cruise companies. such as Eavesway and Intercruises. If your cruise fare includes complimentary coach travel, you will be given a voucher to book this via the coach providers website. Coach transfers booked with Eavesway and Intercruises are the only coach services which will drop off and pick up right next to the terminal buildings.
How to get to Southampton Cruise terminals by car:
The Port of Southampton is located within close distance of the UK motorway network via M27 and M3 motorways. All cruise terminals are located just off the A33. After leaving the motorway, the port and relevant cruise terminals are clearly signposted as you make your way into the city.
Each cruise terminal has disabled bays, as well as drop-off points and short stay Pay & Display car parking facilities – perfect if you have family or friends who are dropping you and waving you off or picking you up and welcoming you back from your cruise.
There are also plenty of long-stay parking options in Southampton – keep reading for more information.
Walking to Southampton Cruise terminals:
While you might arrive in Southampton by other means, you may wish to walk the last part of the journey on foot. Just remember that Southampton is not only a busy cruise port but also an industrial port. So it is always best to stick to the designated paths.
All 5 cruise terminals are within walking distance of Southampton City Centre.
| Terminal | Walking distance from Rail Station | Walking distance from Coach Station |
| City Cruise Terminal | 15 min (0.6 miles) | 18 min (0.8 miles) |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | 13 min (0.6 miles) | 18 min (0.8 miles) |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | 26 min (1.1 miles) | 30 min (1.3 miles) |
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | 31 min (1.4 miles) | 26 min (1.2 miles) |
| QEII Cruise Terminal | 47 min (2.1 miles) | 41 min (1.9 miles) |
CRUISE PARKING IN SOUTHAMPTON
If you are driving to Southampton, then you will need to find somewhere to park your car while on your cruise. There are plenty of cruise parking options in Southampton to choose from and the best one for you will usually depend on a number of factors such as, cost, location, security, and whether you require accessible parking or electric vehicle charging options.
Car parking for cruisers in Southampton fall into the following categories.
Official Port Parking – Usually closest to your cruise terminal and the most expensive. You might also have complimentary parking included in your cruise fare so it’s best to check when you book. Depending on the duration of your parking you may or may not need to leave your keys with the parking provider.
CPS offer official port parking services for Cunard, P&O and Princess cruises and ABParking offer official port parking for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Fred.Olsen and MSC Cruises. Your cruise fare may include complimentary parking and if you, you will be provided with a voucher code to book on the relevant providers site.
Public Carparks – Centrally located in Southampton. These public carparks are just a short taxi ride to the cruise terminals – some are even within walking distance. These barrier-controlled carparks can sometimes be reserved in advance and will have a Park Mark and CCTV and are one of the cheaper options.
Some of the main barrier-controlled Car Parking in Southampton Include:
➡️ Triangle Parking (closest to Ocean Terminal)
➡️ West Quay Car Park (closest to City Terminal)
➡️ Eastgate Street Multi-Storey Car Park
➡️ NCP Southampton Portland Terrace
➡️ Grosvenor Square MSCP Car Park
➡️ Bedford Place Multi-Storey Car Park
Park & Ride Services – Slightly cheaper than the official port parking, but not the cheapest option. Usually located slightly further away from the port and include two-way coach transfers to the cruise terminals. They are also a great option if you don’t want to drive into Southampton which can get busy on embarkation/ disembarkation days – especially in the high season. Park and Ride services usually require you to hand your car keys over to the parking provider.
Stay & Cruise Hotel Deals – Many of the hotels in and around Southampton offer Stay and Cruise Deals where your accommodation is combined with up to 15 days parking. These can be a great combination if you also need to stay in Southampton the night before your cruise. Most deals include breakfast and two-way transfers to your cruise terminal. Sometimes these deals can be cheaper than the standalone official port parking too, so it’s worth doing a price comparison. See which offer Stay & Cruise Deals with parking
Alternative parking – these can range from Private Driveways, gated parking, or Valet Parking Services. The cost, location, and security features will vary from provider to provider, and you may or may not need to leave your keys with the providers. You may also need to factor in a taxi to get you to and from the port.
SOUTHAMPTON CRUISE HOTELS
One of my golden rules is never travel on the day of your cruise – especially if there are flights involved. Extending your stay in Southampton either before or after your cruise can make a more relaxing start or end to your holiday too which means you can also explore more of the area.
Where to stay in Southampton before a cruise depends on four main things – your budget, who you’re sailing with, how you’re getting to port and what terminal you’re departing from. Most hotels will get booked up very quickly in high season so as soon as you’ve booked your cruise, it’s best to start making reservations.
➡️ How to Choose the Best Pre-Cruise Hotel in Southampton
➡️ Best Pre-Cruise Hotels in Southampton with Park and Cruise Packages
➡️ Best Cheap Pre-Cruise Hotels In Southampton
Check out cheap and reliable luggage storage options in Southampton here
Map of Pre and Post Cruise Southampton Hotels
SIGHTSEEING IN SOUTHAMPTON BEFORE YOUR CRUISE
If you have dropped your luggage off early and have a few hours free before you need to board your ship then this can be a great time to explore some of Southampton’s historic city centre. Or you might want to extend your stay in Southampton a little longer before or after your cruise. In both cases there is plenty to do and Southampton can act as a perfect base to explore the Hampshire, the South of England and London.
If you have a few hours: then head to West Quay for a bit of retail therapy or to pick up some last minute cruise essentials.
A great place to head for a coffee in Southampton is Mettricks which is conveniently located in West Quay Shopping Centre (there’s also one up near the Guildhall too). I highly recommend it over the retail chains as it’s a family-run, independent coffee house in Southampton serving speciality coffee which is roasted in the city. Opening in 2013, Mettricks was the first speciality coffee house of its type and is a fantastic stop off point for great coffee and a delicious and brunch while you wait to board your ship.
If you have a day to spare: then you can explore more of this Historic City. Southampton Split into quarters:
| Cultural Quarter | Southampton Centre |
| SeaCity Museum Southampton City Art Gallery Mayflower Theatre MAST Mayflower Studies John Hansard Gallery | Marlands Shopping Centre West Quay – large shopping complex |
| The Old Town | The Maritime Quarter |
| Bargate Mayflower Heritage Gardens The dancing man brewery The Tudor House and garden Guided walks around the city God’s House Tower | Solent Sky – aviation museum Blue Funnel Cruises Hythe Ferry and Railway Ocean Village Oxford Street SS Sheildhall |
@sotonbloggers on Instagram has some great ideas and suggestion and is my go-to account for Southampton for new places to eat drink and discover while you’re in the city. There’s lots of ideas and info on this great account and definitely worth a follow.
If you’re planning to stay longer: before or after your cruise, these are also great options to explore:
- Isle of Wight
- New Forest and Burleigh
- London
- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
- Stonehenge
- Windsor Castle
- Hampton Court
- Marwell Zoo
- Paulton’s Park
Watch Next:
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