Cruises to and from Southampton (London), UK
Cruises from Southampton are part of a storied maritime heritage. Famous ships have sailed from Southampton port and, before commercial air travel, it was the gateway to the world with Hollywood celebrities like Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor passing through to board a Southampton cruise.
In its atmospheric Old Town, 12th-century churches, cobbled streets, and timber-framed houses like the impressive Tudor House & Garden sit side-by-side, surrounded by one of the most complete Medieval city walls in the UK where the Bargate – the ancient entrance – still stands intact.
There are bustling marina-side bars, shiny shopping districts and a vibrant cultural quarter where the Mayflower Theatre puts on West End musicals and the SeaCity Museum catalogues Southampton’s seafaring past.
Some of England’s most impressive landmarks are an easy drive away, including the Neolithic wonder Stonehenge, the picturesque spa city Bath or Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern and Tower Bridge in the bustling capital of London. Discover 5,000 years of history and more on a Southampton cruise.
best southampton cruises
There are a variety of Southampton cruises to choose from.
Sail across Northern Europe via Oslo, Copenhagen and Bruges. Or head west down the sunny Iberian coast across Spain and Portugal.
Go even further with MSC Cruises Grand Voyages. Cruises from Southampton can take you as far as Dubai or let you island-hop around the Caribbean.
Cruises from southampton in 2024
Easy access to the English Channel and a unique double tide have made Southampton Port one of the busiest in the UK, meaning that cruises from Southampton can take you across the world to destinations as diverse as Norway and the Caribbean.
It’s perfectly positioned for journeys across Northern Europe, whether you want to explore Norway’s rugged scenery, sightsee in cosmopolitan Hamburg or Rotterdam, or journey inland to some of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities, including Paris, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.
An Iberian getaway is also within easy reach on cruises from Southampton, whether you want to journey through stunning Spanish and Portuguese coastal cities like Cádiz and Lisbon or tour around sunny Santa Cruz de la Palma and Gran Canaria.
Looking to go further afield? Cruises from Southampton 2024-2025 with MSC Grand Voyages can whisk you to white-sand-fringed islands of the Caribbean, including St Lucia and Barbados, or to Abu Dhabi and Doha.
Cruises to southampton in 2024
Whatever your itinerary, a cruise to Southampton lets you explore some of England’s most ancient cities.
Discover remarkably intact medieval architecture in Southampton’s Old Town. Follow twisting streets once visited by the likes of Jane Austen, where centuries-old churches are sandwiched between Tudor buildings and elegant Georgian architecture. All the history manages to blend in with the city’s lively cultural scene, including internationally renowned art galleries, the largest theatre on the south coast of England and Grade-II listed formal parks.
As well as offering pretty harbour towns, sandy coastlines and clifftop walks, a Southampton cruise also lands you within easy reach of stunning countryside like the New Forest and historic spots like Portsmouth, Salisbury and Winchester, where quaint, crooked streets are filled with independent shops.
English history, stunning countryside, a cosmopolitan buzz – a cruise to Southampton has it all.
southampton excursions: see the best of southern england
Explore southern England on one of MSC Cruises’ Southampton excursions. Learn about the myths surrounding prehistoric Stonehenge and get up-close to the ancient stones.Pretend you’re in a Jane Austen novel on a guided adventure around Bath’s grand Georgian houses and sweeping crescents. Or experience the electricity of the UK capital on a selection of London tours that let you snap pictures of Westminster Abbey or cruise down the Thames after dark.
Whatever adventure you’re after, there’s an MSC Cruises excursion for you, and there’s also a 20% discount if booking prior to departure.
How to reach southampton cruise port
Where do MSC Cruises’ ships dock in Southampton?
MSC Cruises’ ships dock at the Horizon Cruise Terminal: Berth 102, Herbert Walker Avenue, Western Docks, Southampton, SO15 1HJ.
The cruise terminal is located southwest of the city centre and is a ten-minute taxi ride from the train station
How do I reach the car park at Southampton cruise port?
From the M3 motorway, follow the signs for Southampton and join the M27 westbound.
At the Junction 3 roundabout, take the M271 exit towards Southampton/The Docks. Then, take the first exit left and continue along the A33 towards Southampton, following the signs to the dock gate for your cruise, which is shown on your ticket.
How do I get to the Southampton cruise port from the train station?
By car (whether a taxi or private hire vehicle), the journey time from Southampton Central rail station to the cruise is around 10 minutes. It is also possible to request an MSC Transfer with the MSC Call Centre or your travel agent. Walking from the train station to the cruise terminal (just over one kilometre) should take 15-20 minutes.
After exiting the station, take a left on Blechynden Terrace/Southbrook Road. Then take a right towards Commercial Road, before turning left on to Commercial Road. Continue to Fourposts Hill and take a slight left. At the roundabout, take the first exit to Central Station Bridge/A3507. Continue to Southern Road/A33. At the roundabout, take the first exit to Solent Road, then turn right on to Horizon Way. The cruise terminal will be on the left.
Is there a beach in Southampton?
Thanks to its coastal location, the area areas around Southampton are peppered with beaches, each with their own atmosphere. The closest beach for swimming is Calshot Beach, on the edge of New Forest National Park. This shingle beach is popular with locals thanks to its colourful beach huts and Calshot Activities Centre, a large outdoor activities and watersports hub. The beach is a 30-40-minute drive from central Southampton or an hour-long journey by bus from Southampton Central rail station.
A little further south-west down the coast is the beach at Lepe Country Park, a mile-long stretch offering some sand and some stones. It’s ideal for swimming and opular with kite surfers and windsurfers, also offering views out to the Isle of Wight on a clear day. Lepe Country Park is located 30-40 minutes away from Southampton by car.
For something a little closer, Western Shore is less than three miles from Southampton city centre. Although not recommended for swimming, Weston Shore has a wide footpath that makes it great for biking and strolling, and the grassy lawn is lovely for picnics.
For a classic British seaside resort experience, Bournemouth is a popular escape for Southampton residents, reached via a 35-minute train from Southampton Central or a 45-minute drive on the motorway.
What can I do in Southampton in one day?
Southampton – known as ‘Soton’ by locals – is a popular destination for cruisegoers, both before setting sail and after a trip ends. Fuel up for the day with a traditional English breakfast at a cafe or local pub. Take a stroll through history in the Old Town. The city also boasts more than 90 listed buildings and over 30 ancient monuments, including the Bargate (a 12th-century medieval gatehouse) and Holyrood Church, which was hit by bombs during World War Two.
North of the Old Town, the SeaCity Museum offers interactive exhibits about the Titanic and Southampton’s centuries of maritime heritage. Sports fans can watch a Southampton F.C. match at St. Mary’s Stadium, while art-obsessives will appreciate the city’s wealth of galleries. Meanwhile, kids will love Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s theme park. In the evening, stop by the historic Mayflower Theatre to catch a show or head to Oxford Street for convivial bars and restaurants.
How do I get from Southampton Airport to the cruise port?
Southampton Airport is located approximately six miles away from the cruise port. The journey takes 20-30 minutes by taxi, or the Southampton Airport Parkway train station is a few minutes from the airport by foot.
Trains to Southampton Central leave every eight minutes, and the journey takes 10-15 minutes. From the train station, it’s a 10-minute taxi or 15-20-minute walk to the cruise terminal.
What is the weather like in Southampton?
Southampton enjoys a temperate maritime climate. Thanks to its sheltered, low-lying location, the coastal city is one of the warmer and sunnier cities in the UK.The warmest months are June to August, with average temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C.
The coldest months are December to February, when average temperatures range from between 5°C to 8°C, although Southampton generally enjoys mild winters and some cool periods during summers, as well as sunshine.
