Cruise Departure Information : Southampton

SouthamptonPort is a major passenger and cargo port located in the central part of the south coast of England. Since the Roman occupation of Britain nearly two hundred years ago Southampton has been an important port, and has a multifaceted history. From the Mediaeval period to the end of the 20^th Century, it was a departure point for soldiers going to war and it was a centre for Naval shipbuilding. Southampton was Britain’s gateway to the world before the invention of jet travel.

Southampton, the UK’s biggest cruise port, has four cruise terminals, each terminal are a 5 minute taxi ride from the bus and coach stations in Southampton.

Mayflower Cruise Terminal  

The Mayflower terminal is at Dock Gate 10 less than a mile from the Terminal.

Southampton Railway station and coach station are half a mile from Dock Gate 10.

SouthamptonAirportis 5 miles away.

There is a taxi rank that can be found outside the arrivals hall.

CPS valet parking is available at this terminal

It has a fully licensed café and bar is available in the Departure Lounge after check-in. Rest rooms and refreshment facilities are accessible in the Arrivals Hall for visitors.

This terminal is used by P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruise Lines.

City Cruise Terminal

This terminal is at the Western Docks (Dock Gate10) The railway and coach station is one mile away.

There is a dedicated taxi rank outside the arrivals hall.

There is a fully licensed bar and café is available in the Departure Lounge, after check-in.

This Terminal is used by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal

Located at the Eastern Docks, at Dock Gate 4 which is 1 mile from the terminal.

The Railway station and coach station are 1 mile away.

There is a taxi rank outside the embarkation lounge.

Café facilities are available in the visitors lounge and full buffet service in the main embarkation lounge.

Full disabled facilities are available.

This Terminal is used by Cunard Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line and P&O Cruises.

Ocean Cruise Terminal

The newest cruise terminal is located at dock gate 4, Eastern Docks. This terminal is 400 yards from Dock Gate 4.

This terminal has a fully licensed bar and café is available in the departure lounge.

There is also a dedicated taxi rank.

This terminal is used by Cunard and P&O Cruises.

To all the Terminals you can go by car, coach or train.

Noteworthy….If arriving my car please note that the weekends, especially Saturday’s the traffic can be very congested as you approach the port area, strongly advice allowing extra time.

By car if you are driving from the North the M3, M27 and A34 provide direct road links into Southampton city centre. From the West, Bristol and Wales the A36 is the major route. From the East follow A27/M27 and leave at junction 8.

By car it will take you approximately 2 hours to get to Southampton from London.

By coach National Express provides services from Central London, Heathrow, Bournemouth, Birmingham, and various points from the North.

By train from Southampton central station there are four departures an hour and journey time is approximately 70 to 90 minutes to London’s Waterloo Station. The railway station is a five minute taxi ride from the cruise terminals.

Cruise Lines and Ships that sail from Southampton:

P&O Cruises: Azura, Ventura, Adonia, Arcadia, Oceania, Oriana and Aurora.

Princess Cruises: Grand Princess

Cunard: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse

Royal Caribbean International: Independence of the Seas

Silversea: Silver Whisper

MSC Cruises: MSC Opera

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Seven Seas Voyager

Fred Olsen: Balmoral, Bouidcca, Black Watch and Braemar

Star Clippers: Star Flyer

CrystalCruises: Crystal Symphony

A relaxing way to start your cruise holiday would be to stay overnight in Southampton prior to your cruise. Details of a few hotels are shown below including hotels that staff at Cruise Select have stayed, the De Vere and Novotel.

The Express by Holiday Inn Southampton West:

This hotel is located off junction 1 off the M27. This is a popular budget hotel near the docks of Southampton.

The De Vere Grand Harbour:

This hotel is situated right next to the Cruise Terminals in Southampton. A luxurious hotel overlooking the port of Southampton, rooms at the front have balconies. This hotel boasts an excellent restaurant, relaxing bar area, friendly staff and central location.

The Novotel Southampton:

This hotel is classed as 3 stars and offers parking located a short drive from the cruise docks. This hotel is also just a few hundred metres from Southampton Central Railway Station.

Personal restaurant recommendation…..  Ennio's which is located on West Quay Road, facing directly onto the old waterfront and Southampton Water. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a lovingly converted old Victorian warehouse. The restaurant is famous for traditional homemade cuisine and was voted the best Italian restaurant in Hampshire. The menu is extensive including fine pastas and top quality fresh fish, with a selection of different varieties daily. Prices are very reasonable indeed. 

Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday – Would suggest booking in advance due to its popularity!