P&O Cruises cruise ship docked at the port of Southampton, England
Western Europe

Southampton, England

Port schedule

Southampton, England cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information. If you want to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

Arrivals

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Departures

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Port Overview

The Port of Southampton is the UK’s busiest and most advanced cruise port, handling over 2 million cruise passengers annually. It is a key turnaround port for Europe and the transatlantic market, offering itineraries to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North America. Operated by Associated British Ports (ABP), the port features world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge terminals, and excellent rail and road connectivity. Its location near London and access to Heathrow make it a preferred departure point for international travelers and major cruise lines including Cunard, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises.

Port General Information

  • Number of Quays: Multiple quays with 5 dedicated cruise terminals located across the Eastern and Western Docks.
  • Number of Passenger Terminals: 5 cruise terminals: Mayflower, City, Ocean, Horizon, and QEII Cruise Terminal.
  • Distance to City Center: 1–2.5 km (0.6–1.5 miles), depending on the terminal. Most are 5–10 minutes by taxi.
  • Distance to Airport: Southampton Airport (SOU) is approximately 8 km (5 miles) away.
Port address
Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton, Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way, Southampton, SO14 3QN, United Kingdom
Port phone number
+44 (0) 23 8060 8205

Southampton, England - Transport to the Cruise Port

1. Taxi & Rideshare

  • Approx. 15–20 minutes by taxi from Southampton Airport (SOU) to the port terminals.

  • Average cost: £20–£30 depending on traffic and terminal location.

2. Train

  • The airport has a dedicated station: Southampton Airport Parkway.

  • Trains run frequently to Southampton Central Station (7 minutes journey).

  • From the station, taxis or shuttles can take passengers to the cruise terminals (5–10 minutes).

3. Private Transfers

Reliable services are available from:

Recommended for those arriving at London Heathrow or Gatwick, with direct service to Southampton (1.5–2 hours).

4. Coach Services

  • National Express and private companies like Cruise Connect operate coach transfers from London and major UK cities to Southampton cruise terminals.

5. Car Rentals & Parking

  • Rental cars available at the airport and in the city.

  • ABParking (official cruise parking) offers long-term and valet parking directly adjacent to each terminal.

Southampton, England - Cruise Port Terminals

Mayflower Cruise Terminal

Located in the Western Docks, the Mayflower Terminal is one of the oldest but recently refurbished facilities. It features modern check-in counters, efficient passenger flow, and ample seating. It often serves P&O Cruises and Carnival UK.

  • Cruise Lines: P&O Cruises, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Carnival brands

Terminal Facilities
Air conditioning
Baggage handling
Boarding bridges
Crew lounge
Direct bus to the city center
Duty free stores
Metal detectors – X-ray machines
Police – immigration
Taxis
VIP room
WiFi
Check-In Process
Waiting Areas
Accessibility

City Cruise Terminal

Also located in the Western Docks, City Terminal handles large ships and offers efficient embarkation and disembarkation. It includes check-in halls, security screening, and access to coach and taxi services.

  • Cruise Lines: MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, occasional Royal Caribbean

Terminal Facilities
Air conditioning
Baggage handling
Boarding bridges
Crew lounge
Direct bus to the city center
Duty free stores
Metal detectors – X-ray machines
Police – immigration
Taxis
VIP room
WiFi
Check-In Process
Waiting Areas
Accessibility

Ocean Cruise Terminal

Positioned in the Eastern Docks, this terminal is designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships. It features advanced check-in systems, extensive parking, and direct access for tour coaches.

  • Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises

Terminal Facilities
Air conditioning
Baggage handling
Boarding bridges
Crew lounge
Direct bus to the city center
Duty free stores
Metal detectors – X-ray machines
Police – immigration
Taxis
VIP room
WiFi
Check-In Process
Waiting Areas
Accessibility

QEII Cruise Terminal

One of the most iconic terminals, named after Queen Elizabeth II, it’s located in the Eastern Docks and often used for luxury and transatlantic cruises. It includes premium lounge areas and upgraded check-in services.

  • Cruise Lines: Cunard (especially Queen Mary 2), Seabourn, luxury brands

Terminal Facilities
Air conditioning
Baggage handling
Boarding bridges
Crew lounge
Direct bus to the city center
Duty free stores
Metal detectors – X-ray machines
Police – immigration
Public phones
Taxis
VIP room
WiFi
Check-In Process
Waiting Areas
Accessibility

Horizon Cruise Terminal

The newest terminal, opened in 2021, Horizon is the UK’s first cruise terminal with shore power capabilities. It features cutting-edge technology, facial recognition, automated luggage handling, and sustainability initiatives.

  • Cruise Lines: MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises

Terminal Facilities
Air conditioning
Baggage conveyor belts
Baggage handling
Boarding bridges
Crew lounge
Direct bus to the city center
Duty free stores
Foreign exchange
Metal detectors – X-ray machines
Police – immigration
Taxis
VIP room
WiFi
Check-In Process
Waiting Areas
Accessibility

Cruise Port Guide

Southampton, England Cruise Port Info

Southampton Is located on the South coast of England and is best known as the port where the Titanic departed in 1912 carrying 3,327 passengers and met its fateful end days later as she hit an iceberg on the way to New York causing her to sink. Another famous ship, the Mayflower which sailed from Southampton transporting the Pilgrim Fathers to America was back in 1620. It was one of the top ten cities in the UK to have been bombed during the war.

Southampton is a busy port that each year sees as many as 1.5 million passengers and almost 450 cruise ships through its 5 cruise ship terminals with the newest addition being the ‘Horizon’ Cruise Terminal. The others being ‘The Queen Elizabeth II, City, Ocean and Mayflower’ terminals. Cruise lines are not tied to any particular terminal.
The railway and coach stations at Southampton are within 400 yards of each other in the city centre and a couple of miles from the terminal. There are no shuttles to any of Southampton’s five cruise terminals.

Southampton also has a wealth of places of interest for you to see. The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, which Florence Nightingale herself helped design. Ocean Village can be found in the old town in Princess Alexandra Dock, which has been transformed into a fantastic place to shop and take part in leisure activities. Canute’s Pavilion is great for people watching in the harbour of luxury yachts as well as for shopping, eating and entertainment including a cinema and art-house.

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