The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. The best cruises from Southampton for a no-fly holiday Beat airport uncertainty with a sailing from the British port city Marc Shoffman Thursday 07 May 2026 10:57 BST
Embarking on a cruise from Southampton is ideal for those looking for a no-fly holiday option. It provides a convenient port for British passengers to access the world, without the worry of rising flight prices and airport delays. Located approximately 80 miles from London, the south coast city is well-connected by road and direct trains from Birmingham, Manchester and London.
More than a dozen cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean, regularly use the port. Whether you fancy some guaranteed sun in the Mediterranean, or setting sail to Scandinavia or even a beach trip to the Caribbean, all manner of cruises are available. Here are some of the best cruises departing from Southampton in 2026 and beyond.
P&O Cruises: Norwegian Fjords
Southampton – Stavanger – Olden – Innvikfjorden– Nordfjord – Hellesylt – Geirangerfjord – Sunnylvsfjorden – Storfjorden – Haugesund – Southampton
P&O Cruises is a regular in Southampton. This summer, passengers are guaranteed a good time at the on board Comedy Club. Comedian Jason Manford has curated a series of acts to perform aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona and Arvia ships between May and October 2026 in the Limelight Lounge venue. Itineraries include a seven-night Norwegian fjords round-trip from Southampton aboard Iona. When not taking in the scenery of Stavanger or watching the beautiful fjords float by, guests can enjoy the ship’s 30 bars and restaurants and three swimming pools. Departs 4 July 2026. From £829pp.
Celebrity Cruises: Canaries & Portugal
Southampton, England – Porto (Leixoes) – Funchal (Madeira), Portugal – Tenerife, Canary Islands – Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – Lisbon, Portugal – Vigo, Spain – Southampton, England
Celebrity Apex is returning to Southampton for a third year running this summer. The Edge class ship is among Celebrity Cruises most modern vessels, featuring its very own rooftop garden as well as The Magic Carpet, a cantilevered, floating bar on the side of the ship. Standout sailings include an 11-night Canary Islands and Portugal itinerary, that mixes scenery and sandy beaches across the varied coastline of Spain and Portugal. Departs 6 October 2026. From £1,699pp.
Cunard: Transatlantic
Southampton – New York
A transatlantic cruise is a bucket list trip for many and one of the most iconic departs from Southampton on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Passengers get a week or more of sea days on the journey to the US. On board, highlights include traditional ballroom dancing, talks in the planetarium and the cruise line’s legendary white-gloved afternoon tea. Plus, the special seven-night “Abbey Road” voyage features live performances, a photography exhibition and the chance to hear from the recording studio’s roster of award-winning recording engineers. Departs 23 October 2026. From £849pp.
Princess Cruises: British Isles with France & Belfast
Southampton, England – Portland, England – Cornwall (Falmouth), England – Cork, Ireland (Cobh - For Blarney Castle) – Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland – Invergordon, Scotland – Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland – Le Havre (for Paris/Normandy), France – Southampton, England
Majestic Princess is making its debut in the UK this summer, homeporting in Southampton for the first time. The nine-year old Princess Cruises ship has its own karaoke rooms, Irish pub and the adults-only “Hollywood Club”, a pool surrounded by stylish sun loungers and sculptures. The 12-day “British Isles with France and Belfast” itinerary – which also includes a stop in the Republic of Ireland – takes in Cornish history, Scottish architecture and Northern Irish charm. Plus, passengers won’t have to worry about the weather as Majestic Princess is one of the few ships in the fleet that has an indoor pool. Departs 9 July 2026. From £2,179pp.
Royal Caribbean: Spanish Flair
Southampton – Lisbon – Vigo – Seville – La Coruna – Bilbao – Southampton
Enjoy a nine-night, round trip sailing around northern Spain and Portugal on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. Destinations include cultural Bilbao and its Guggenheim museum, plus the beautiful beaches of Vigo. Liberty of the Seas was revamped earlier this year with a refreshed pool deck and new Lime and Coconut Bar. There is also an onboard Tidal Wave boomerang slide and FlowRider surf simulator. Evening entertainment includes the Saturday Night Fever musical and the “In the Air” acrobatic show. Departs 24 July 2026, from £1,079pp.
Disney Cruise Line: Belgium Cruise
Southampton - Zeebrugge - Southampton
You don’t have to travel to Orlando or Los Angeles for your Disney fix. Mickey and company are coming to Southampton this summer. Disney Dream is sailing out of Southampton between July and October, visiting Belgium, France, Spain and Port Canaveral, Florida. The three-night Belgium cruise visits Zeebrugge, which is a 20-minute trip to the centre of Bruges and around an hour away from Brussels. This gives plenty of time to taste the country’s iconic waffles, chocolate and beer before recovering during a sea day on the way back to Southampton. Onboard features include the Fairytale Wonderland Disney princess-themed restaurant, Animator’s Palate – where your drawings come alive on the walls – or the more adventurous AquaDuck high-speed waterslide that ends in a lazy river. Departs 28 August 2026, from £3,237pp.
MSC Cruises: Cruises from the UK
Southampton – Lisbon – Cadiz – Malaga – Alicante – Palma De Mallorca – Tarragona – Gibraltar – La Coruna – Southampton
The British weather may start cooling down in September but it will still be warm in the Mediterranean with sunny stops in Lisbon, Malaga and Palma De Mallorca. There will also be plenty of opportunities on this 14-night sailing to try out MSC Virtuosa’s water park and high ropes course as well as its 4D cinema and bowling alley before relaxing with a drink made by its robot bartender. Departs 12 October 2026, from £1,262pp.
FAQs
Do Southampton residents get a discount on cruises?
Southampton residents unfortunately don’t get a discount on cruises from the city, although they will have the benefit of being able to reach the port in less time. Many cruise lines, including Celebrity, P&O Cruises, MSC and Royal Caribbean, offer discounts to NHS, emergency services, and social care sector workers through the Blue Light Card scheme, regardless of where you live.
What is the parking like at Southampton?
There is a car park at the cruise terminal building run by Associated British Ports (ABP). There are a few, so you need to select your cruise line and date of sailing to ensure you park in the closest one to your ship. The car park is opposite the relevant terminal entrance for your sailing and provides trolleys so you can push your luggage to the entrance which is around a five minute walk away. There are also shuttle buses if you have lots of bags. Some cruise lines may offer discounts on parking but the earlier you book, the cheaper the rate. Blue badge holders can also pay for disabled parking, which is a shorter walk to the terminal. Cruise & Passenger Services (CPS) provides official meet-and-greet valet parking for passengers of P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard at the terminal building. There are also third-party meet-and-greet services such as Southampton Cruise Parking Services that operate for all cruise lines sailing from the port. Alternatively, there are three multi-storey car parks close to the port: Bedford Place, Eastgate Street and Grosvenor Square. The Eastgate Street car park charges £9 for the first 24 hours, while Bedford Place and Grosvenor Square charge £11. There is then a £5 per day charge at each location. These car parks are a 25-minute walk to the port or a 10-minute cab ride. Penguin Parking also offers a park and ride service where you meet them close to the port to park your car and take a shuttle bus to the terminal. If you are sailing from Southampton but flying back, Penguin Parking also has a fly-cruise option that will collect you from the airport and transfer you back to your car.
Are there transfers or discounts offered for travelling to Southampton?
Most cruise brands offer coach transfer services from UK airports to Southampton. Some lines, including Cunard, MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises, may have promotions that include coach travel as part of the cruise fare. It is also possible to get a door-to-door transfer arranged by brands such as Norwegian Cruise Line. This may cost extra although there are sometimes deals as part of the cruise package.
When is the best time of year to travel from Southampton to avoid choppy seas?
It can feel choppy on the water when sailing from Southampton, depending on the weather and route. The shallow waters of the North Sea can be particularly rocky and sailings to the Med can be notoriously rough if going through the Bay of Biscay. Sailing conditions are hard to predict but you will typically find calmer waters in the summer months such as July and August. It is best to select a cabin in the middle of a ship on the lower deck if you are worried about motion-sickness at sea.
