We have been welcoming cruise passengers to Southampton for over 100 years, so you're in very good hands.
If you are joining a cruise in Southampton then this page has a wealth of information to help you plan your trip. The Port of Southampton has five dedicated cruise terminals; City Cruise, Horizon, Mayflower, Ocean, and QEII. The locations of these terminals are shown on our visitor map (click here to download). Please take a look at your cruise booking confirmation to find out from which terminal you will depart.
Getting to your cruise ship
Arriving by car & parking
The Port of Southampton is located within close distance of the UK motorway network via the M27 or M3 motorways. The port and relevant cruise terminals are well signposted as you approach the city and are located just off the A33.
There are a number of short-term and long-term parking options for cruise passengers departing from Southampton:
- ABParking is the only official operator with on-site car parks located within the Port of Southampton for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, NCL, MSC and Disney Cruises
- Cruise and Passenger Services offer long-term parking for guests booked onto Cunard, P&O and Princess Cruises. This meet and greet service must be pre-booked
- Airlynx Parking has secure off-site parking and offers transfers to all of the cruise terminals
Each cruise terminal has disabled bays, as well as drop-off points and Pay & Display short-term car parking facilities for those who would like to wave their loved ones off or welcome them back from a cruise. Alternatively, there are several options for parking in the city centre with both short and long stay car parks.
Arriving by rail
Southampton Central Station is the closest railway station to the Port of Southampton. From here, the port is just a five-minute taxi ride and taxis are readily available at the station.
Arriving by air
The nearest airport is Southampton International Airport, on the outskirts of the city. Trains from the airport to Southampton Central station take around 8 minutes and run every 10-15 minutes. There is also a bus (Unilink U1) which runs every 10-15 minutes between Southampton Airport and Town Quay, calling at many stops across the city centre, including the railway station (please note that terminals are up to 30 minutes walk from Town Quay).
Arriving by coach
There are regular National Express coaches to Southampton’s central coach station. From here, it is between 10 and 15 minutes walk to City and Horizon Terminal. If you were heading to Mayflower, we anticipate an additional 15 minutes. If your cruise is located in Ocean & QEII terminal the walk will be a minimum of 30 minutes and where possible a taxi may be more suitable.
Arriving by foot
Southampton City Centre, with its many hotels, is within walking distance of all five terminals and takes approximately 15-20 minutes depending on which terminal you are departing from and where you are in the city.
Before you board your cruise ship
There are luggage drop-off areas at all of the cruise terminals where porters will be on-hand to help load your luggage. Please keep your hand luggage with you.
All of the cruise terminals have ample seating, vending machines and standard and disabled access toilets.
Ceanos Café offers a selection of hot and cold snacks, as well as hot, cold and alcoholic beverages in a number of the terminals. A stand offering complimentary magazines can also be found here, with the collection changing throughout the year.
Accommodation before or after your cruise
If you are planning to stay in Southampton before or after your cruise, there are a number of accommodation options across the city to meet all budgets and requirements from budget hotels through to five-star luxury accommodation. There are many places to stay that are a short walk or a quick taxi ride from the cruise terminals, offering you convenience and proximity to many of Southampton’s attractions as well. Take a look at our accommodation page to discover more.
Left luggage services
If you plan on exploring the city before or after your trip, handling luggage can become quite burdensome. In order to make your stay as easy and hands free, there are several locations across Southampton offering left luggage services. If you are stopping off in a hotel before or after your cruise, speak to your hotel about their free left luggage options, while you explore the city.
Burlington House, located on Portland Terrace, is a great option for those looking to do a bit of exploring. They offer left luggage storage Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, which can be booked via their reception desk or online (Stasher). If you have a wheelchair, electric scooter, or any other mobility support items you can also safely store them here. Drop-off and collection services directly to the terminal are available every day of the week (from 8am – 5pm) including weekends.
Further left luggage locations can be found online via Stasher. Simply head over to their website here, select a location, reserve your time slot, and drop off your bags. It's that simple!
And don't forget Biltong and Bangers over on High Street. Simply pop in and speak with one of their friendly staff or call them on 023 8178 9946.
