A Cruise Expert Answers Your Questions on the UK’s Biggest Cruise Port, Southampton
Taking a cruise from the UK’s biggest cruise port, Southampton, has never been easier. Hundreds of cruises depart from the UK coastal city every year, visiting destinations all over the world.
Google Trends data shows a 42% increase in the term “cruises from Southampton” in 2024 compared to five years ago, with more Brits looking for no-fly cruise options.
With that being said, Chief Commercial Director, Dave Mills, of Iglu Cruise has answered the most common questions in regards to cruises from Southampton.
Where can you cruise to from Southampton?
Cruises from Southampton visit a variety of incredible destinations. Popular sailings include Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Norway, however, you can find itineraries with plenty of options, depending on where you wish to visit and the length of your trip.
For shorter trips, you can sail to Ireland, northern France or even the Netherlands. These itineraries are popular if you’re searching for a weekend getaway or wish to dip your toes into the world of cruising.
If you’re looking for a bigger adventure, you can even sail to the Caribbean, including Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua, as well as Miami or New York in the USA. These sailings are often around 10 nights or more, making for an unforgettable trip. If you have a specific destination in mind, get in touch with us to see how we can help.
Which cruise lines go from Southampton?
Many cruise lines depart from Southampton, meaning you can easily find what works for you. If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean offers sailings throughout the year. These ships have a wide variety of child-friendly activities, including multiple world-class shows, swimming pools and even water slides.
Whilst P&O Cruises offer a selection of family-friendly getaways, they also offer adults-only escapes from Southampton, on their adults-only ships P&O Arcadia and P&O Aurora. This is a great option if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a girl’s weekend, or even a stag or hen do. Plus, you won’t need to worry about the stresses of getting to the airport on time or the long line at security.
Other cruise lines that depart from Southampton are Cunard, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Azamara Cruises.
Does Southampton Cruise Port have a car park?
There are several options for parking at Southampton Cruise Port. This means you can leave your car in a safe environment whilst you set sail, knowing it will be well looked after.
ABParking is operated by the Port of Southampton owners, ABP, and is located in the Western Docks next to the cruise terminals. Parking is within view of the cruise ship and close to the check-in area. Reservations can be made online or by calling the call centre during office hours. They also have a dedicated Blue Badge car park, which must be booked in advance.
Some cruise lines, such as P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard also have complimentary parking, however, bookings must be made in advance, at least 35 days before your departure. Get in touch with a travel agent at Iglu Cruise if you wish to look into parking options.
What time of year is best to sail from Southampton?
You can find cruises from Southampton all year round, however, some months are more popular than others. Summer months tend to be more popular for family-friendly sailings. We recommend booking at least six months in advance for the peak summer months as capacity is limited.
If you’re more flexible, sailings in September, October and November could be a good option. You’ll still find itineraries across much of Europe, and further afield, plus, you’ll find the ports to be quieter too.
If you’re after a festive mini-cruise, December itineraries allow you to visit wonderful destinations such as Bruges, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. You can find sailings anywhere from 4 nights plus. Alternatively, try a New Year’s cruise for something truly special.
April and May are good options if you’re looking for sunshine and longer days, without the rush of summer crowds. Temperatures in southern Europe, such as Spain, Italy and Greece can see highs of around 25 degrees Celsius.
How can I find good deals for cruises from Southampton?
You’ll be able to find fantastic cruise deals all year round from Southampton. Iglu Cruise has a cruise deals page which is regularly updated for all the best deals. Alternatively, you can all sign up to a newsletter where you’ll receive exclusive deals straight to your inbox and be the first to hear about Iglu Cruise sales.
You can also speak to Iglu Cruise by using the Live Web Chat where you can speak to a Virtual Assistant (24/7) or connect to one of our Customer Service Agents. A team member will respond as soon as possible, to ensure your query is answered. Alternatively, you can email and call Iglu Cruise, and someone will be able to help with a query.
Cruise Deals From Southampton from Iglu Cruise
Northern Europe from Southampton
MSC Cruises
4th October 2024
7 nights
From £531 pp
British Isles from Southampton
MSC Cruises
12th October 2024
4 nights
From £319 pp
Atlantic Islands from Southampton
P&O Cruises
5th October 2024
14 nights
From £1,604 pp
European Explorer from Southampton
Princess Cruises
8th October 2024
12 nights
From £1,274 pp
