In short
Southampton is the UK's main cruise port: ships sail all year, most often from May to August, usually for 7–14 nights. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam of about an hour, or you can travel by Eurostar via London or by ferry with your car. The UK is outside Schengen: you need a passport and an ETA.
Port at a glance
Southampton
- Where ships go
- British Isles and Western Europe · Norwegian fjords · Transatlantic crossings
- Usual length
- 6–9 or 10–14 nights
- Terminal
- Five terminals: Ocean, QEII, City, Horizon, Mayflower
- Getting there
- Direct flight from Amsterdam in about an hour, or Eurostar
Good to know: to enter the UK you need a passport (ID cards are not accepted) and an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) — without one you cannot board your flight, Eurostar or ferry.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Southampton
- Choice all year. The fjords, Iceland, the Baltic, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Atlantic crossings — Southampton offers more different routes than almost any other port in Northern Europe.
- Across the ocean by ship. Queen Mary 2 sails regularly from here to New York — the classic transatlantic crossing in 7 nights.
- No flight needed. Go by Eurostar and train, or take the ferry with your own car — and then there are no luggage limits at all.
- A city with maritime history. The Titanic sailed from here in 1912, and the Mayflower set off with the first settlers for America in 1620.
Where cruises from Southampton go
Schedules change every year, but the pattern is fairly stable. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe and the British Isles | 2 to 14 nights | All year | Short trips to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre or Hamburg; in summer, round Britain and Ireland |
| Norwegian fjords | 7–14 nights | April to October, busiest from May to July | The first day is a North Sea crossing |
| Iceland and the Arctic | 12–14 nights or longer | May to August | Often with a call in Shetland or the Faroe Islands |
| Baltic | 12–14 nights | May to September | Occasional — Copenhagen or Kiel offer more choice |
| Canary Islands and Madeira | 10–14 nights | October to April | Winter sun; on the way you cross the Bay of Biscay, which can be rough |
| Mediterranean | 12–14 nights or longer | Spring to autumn | The long way round Spain and Portugal, with several sea days |
| Atlantic crossings | 7 nights to New York, longer to the Caribbean | All year, most in autumn | One-way; the USA has its own entry requirements |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Fjords and long days
Waterfalls full of meltwater and light evenings. May is Southampton's busiest month of the year, with everything from short breaks to two-week voyages.
Cruises in May →Iceland and the North
The warmest time for the fjords, Iceland and the Baltic, plus short summer cruises in August. School holidays — book early.
Cruises in July →Autumn and the ocean
The most Atlantic crossings of the year, the last fjord sailings of the season and the first voyages south to the Canaries.
Cruises in September →Winter sun
Fewer departures, but still a good choice: the Canaries and Madeira, Northern European ports, and in January the longest voyages of all, lasting several months.
Cruises in January →Getting to the terminal
The port of Southampton has five cruise terminals. Ocean and QEII are in the Eastern Docks; City, Horizon and Mayflower in the Western Docks. The two ends are about an hour's walk apart, so check your terminal in your boarding documents in advance: on busy days a ship can be moved to a different berth. Southampton Central station is about 3 km from every terminal, 5–10 minutes by taxi.
- By air. There is a direct flight from Schiphol to Southampton Airport, about 1 hour 10 minutes. From Southampton Airport Parkway station the train to Southampton Central takes about 10 minutes, or a taxi to the port 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, fly to Heathrow and drive about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- By Eurostar and train. Amsterdam to London St Pancras takes about 4 hours, Rotterdam about 3 and Brussels about 2. Then the Underground to Waterloo and a train to Southampton Central, about 1 hour 20 minutes. It takes most of a day, so travel the day before.
- By ferry with your car. Stena Line sails from Hook of Holland to Harwich (day or night), then it is about 3 hours by road. Or take Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone, about 35 minutes, and drive roughly 2.5 hours to Southampton. Remember to drive on the left.
- Parking. There is cruise passenger parking at and near the terminals. Book a space in advance — once you are sure of your terminal.
The night before: where to stay
You can get from the Netherlands to Southampton in a day, but arriving the evening before is calmer: ferries, trains and flights sometimes run late, and the ship will not wait.
Ocean Village and Town Quay
A marina, waterside restaurants and a promenade. In the morning the Ocean and QEII terminals are a few minutes away by taxi.
The Old Town
Medieval walls, pubs and the Westquay shopping centre close by. The Western Docks with City, Horizon and Mayflower are 5–10 minutes away by taxi.
Near Southampton Central
Handy if you arrive late on the Eurostar via London. In the morning any terminal is about 10 minutes away by taxi.
Winchester
England's ancient capital, with one of the country's greatest cathedrals, about 15–20 minutes from Southampton by train. A lovely evening before the cruise.
If you have half a day in Southampton
The city is compact: everything below is 10–20 minutes' walk from each other and from the port.
- The city walls and the Bargate. Some of the best-preserved medieval town walls in England — you can walk along the top of parts of them.
- SeaCity Museum. The story of the port and of the Titanic, many of whose crew came from Southampton. The museum is at the Civic Centre, not far from the station.
- Tudor House and Garden. A 15th-century house with a garden in the Old Town — small, but full of atmosphere.
- The Mayflower Memorial and Town Quay. A monument where the first settlers set sail in 1620, and next to it the quay for ferries to the Isle of Wight.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. Allow about two hours to reach Heathrow, so book a flight in the afternoon at the earliest. The same goes for the Eurostar: take an afternoon or evening train, because border checks happen at St Pancras and you need to arrive early. If you came by car, the overnight ferry from Harwich is a convenient way home.
Practical tips
- An ETA for everyone. Adults and children each need one; it is valid for two years or until the passport expires.
- Check your boarding time. Cruise lines give each guest a time slot; arriving much earlier usually means waiting.
- Pounds and plugs. Britain has its own currency and its own sockets — bring an adapter for the hotel. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- The Bay of Biscay. On the way to the Canaries and the Mediterranean the ship spends a day or two crossing the Bay of Biscay, so keep seasickness remedies to hand.
- Documents for the whole route. Norway, Iceland and the EU countries are in Schengen; the UK and the USA are not. If you do not hold a European passport, check visa rules for every country on the route in good time.
Or start in Rotterdam?
If it is the fjords or Northern Europe you are after, similar routes leave from Rotterdam — reachable by train, with no ETA and no border checks. And some Northern Europe cruises call at both Southampton and Rotterdam, so you can sometimes board in either. Cruises from Rotterdam →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Southampton?
Almost every kind: short Northern Europe cruises, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland, the Baltic, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and Atlantic crossings. Ships sail all year, most often from May to August, usually for 7–14 nights.
Which terminal does my ship leave from?
Southampton has five cruise terminals: Ocean and QEII in the Eastern Docks, City, Horizon and Mayflower in the Western Docks. Your terminal is in your boarding documents; on busy days a ship can be moved, so check again the day before.
How do I get to Southampton from the Netherlands?
The quickest way is a direct flight from Schiphol to Southampton Airport, about an hour. Without flying, take the Eurostar to London and a train from Waterloo, about 1 hour 20 minutes. By car, take the ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich or go via Eurotunnel.
Do I need a visa or an ETA for a cruise from Southampton?
Citizens of the Netherlands, Belgium and other EU countries do not need a visa, but they do need an ETA and a passport: ID cards are not accepted for entry to the UK. If you do not hold a European passport, check the rules for your country in advance.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Southampton?
Ocean Village and Town Quay are closest to the Eastern Docks, the Old Town and the centre around Westquay to the Western Docks. If you arrive late by train, stay near Southampton Central; for atmosphere, try Winchester.
Can I sail from Southampton to New York?
Yes. Queen Mary 2 sails regularly from Southampton to New York, and the crossing takes 7 nights. It is one-way, so you fly home, and the USA has its own entry requirements.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Southampton that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Southampton dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.