Cruises from Southampton
Set sail on the journey of a lifetime from the historic port of Southampton – the UK’s most popular cruise departure port. Cruise to the Norwegian fjords, the year-round sunshine isles of the Canaries and iconic cities in the Mediterranean, all with the warm, unhurried atmosphere our smaller ships are known for.
Southampton Cruise Terminal Facilities
Where is Southampton cruise terminal?
Southampton's cruise terminals sit on the south coast of England - easy to reach by road, rail or air, and only a short drive from the M3 and M27.
Please note your Cruise Terminal will be advised once your cruise tickets are issued, please look out for road signs for correct berth once entering Southampton on day of departure.
Horizon Cruise Terminal
Address details
Western docks, dock gate 10, berth 102, so15 1aw
Terminal Facilities
A bright, spacious start to your cruise. Horizon's departures and arrivals lounges offer plenty of seating, with 52 check-in desks and room for around 985 guests, so you can settle in without feeling rushed.
- Lounges: Generous seating throughout departures and arrivals.
- Food & drink: Café Ceanos serves hot snacks, fresh sandwiches and a range of drinks in the departure lounge. Please note there's no cash machine on-site.
- Connectivity: Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.
- Parking: Pay-and-display short-stay parking sits right beside the terminal. Long-stay parking is run by ABParking next door – we recommend booking ahead if you're travelling in peak season. For car parking options, click here.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, with lift access, wide aisles, priority seating and accessible restrooms throughout.
City Cruise Terminal
Address details
Western docks, Dock Gate 8/10, Berth 101, So15 1hj
Terminal Facilities
City Cruise Terminal is a welcoming space where friends and family can wait with you before you embark on your cruise from Southampton, with efficient check-in areas designed to streamline your boarding process.
- Lounges: Comfortable arrivals seating open to visitors; dedicated priority check-in available on departure.
- Food & drink: On-site café offering a selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals.
- Connectivity: Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, ideal for pulling up your digital boarding pass.
- Parking: Short-term Pay & Display parking opposite the terminal, with disabled bays close to the drop-off point – we'd recommend giving ABP advance notice if you need one. Long-stay parking is available nearby. For car parking options, please click here.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, with support for guests with reduced mobility and both standard and accessible toilets.
Mayflower Cruise Terminal
Address details
Western Docks, Herbert Walker Avenue, berth 106, dock gate 10, SO15 1HJ
Terminal Facilities
Steeped in maritime history, the Mayflower Cruise Terminal offers efficient check-in desks and seating for around 700 guests. The arrivals lounge is available for friends and family to stay with you until you board your ship. As there's no air conditioning inside, we'd suggest dressing in layers on warmer days
- Lounges: Comfortable departures seating; smaller, public arrivals area.
- Food & drink: Ceanos Café serves hot and cold drinks and snacks.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and charging points are available, so you can stay connected while you wait to board.
- Parking: Choose from the terminal's pay-and-display car park opposite the building, CPS valet parking on-site, or ABParking self-parking within the Western Docks. Council multi-storeys and hotel park-and-cruise packages are also nearby. For car parking options click here.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible, with dedicated assistance for guests with reduced mobility. As the terminal is difficult to reach on foot, we'd recommend arriving by car.
QE2 Cruise Terminal
Address details
Eastern Docks, Berth 38/39, SO14 3GG
Terminal Facilities
Southampton's most storied terminal, QE2 offers ample seating in both departures and arrivals, plus a covered area where porters can look after your belongings on arrival.
- Lounges: Spacious seating throughout, with porter assistance and a covered waiting area on arrival.
- Food & drink: On-site Café Ceanos provides drinks, snacks and light meals.
- Connectivity: Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided throughout the terminal for every guest, arriving or departing.
- Parking: Short-term parking sits beside the terminal for easy drop-off and pick-up, with long-term CPS Valet Parking next door – booking ahead is recommended in busy periods. For car parking options click here.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, with lift access and a dedicated assistance team to support you through embarkation.
Which ships sail from Southampton?
Bolette, Balmoral and Borealis each call Southampton home, sailing from here throughout the year. Every ship has her own character — here's a little about each.
Timeless and easy to feel at home aboard, our flagship Bolette has a quiet elegance that keeps guests coming back year after year.
Light, airy and thoughtfully designed, our Adults Only ship Borealis, brings a fresh feel to smaller ship cruising.
Our smallest ship, but spacious and sociable, Balmoral has room to explore, a wide choice of places to relax, and a warm, familiar feel throughout.
Where you can sail to from Southampton
Norway and the Norwegian Fjords
Discover our homeland on a cruise to Norway, where dramatic fjords, cascading waterfalls and picturesque villages await.
Our smaller ships can sail routes that are simply out of reach for larger vessels, bringing you closer to remarkable scenery, from steep mountains to narrow fjords and powerful waterfalls, with the chance to see the Northern Lights overhead in the right season.
Mediterranean & Adriatic
Discover the charm, culture and scenic landscapes of the Mediterranean and Adriatic on a cruise from Southampton. With no flights to book and everything within easy reach, your holiday begins the moment you step on board.
Wander through Dubrovnik’s old town, scenic cruise along the beautiful Amalfi coast, explore Cinque Terre and Sorrento, or lose an afternoon in the history and culture of Athens.
With ports of call across Italy, Croatia, Greece and Spain, there's a Mediterranean cruise that’s right for you.
Canary Islands
Sail from Southampton to the Canary Islands, where volcanic peaks, coastal towns and golden beaches bask in year-round sunshine and warmth. Rich in natural beauty and local character, these islands continue to be one of our most popular cruise destinations.
Explore Tenerife’s mountain trails, unwind on Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas Beach, discover local towns or simply relax on deck as you cruise through the islands.
Trending cruises departing from Southampton
Southampton is the most connected of our home ports — close enough to reach easily from most of the UK in a morning, and equipped to handle everything from a long weekend away to a world cruise. There's always a wide choice of ships, seasons and cruises sailing from here.
Getting to Southampton cruise terminal
How far is Southampton from you?
| From | Approx. drive time |
| London | 1hr 50 mins/80 miles |
| Bristol | 1hr 55 mins/100 miles |
| Reading | 1hr 10 mins/ 50 miles |
| Birmingham | 2hrs 35 mins/145 miles |
| Cardiff | 2hrs 30 mins/130 miles |
| Manchester | 4hrs 10 mins/225 miles |
| Leeds | 4hrs 15 mins/235 miles |
| Newcastle | 5hrs 45 mins/320 miles |
| Edinburgh | 7hrs 45 mins/430 miles |
By car - directions, terminals postcodes, parking (ABP)
If you're driving to Southampton, your cruise documents will confirm which terminal you're sailing from — City, Mayflower, QE2 or Horizon — so keep an eye out for the signs as you approach the docks.
For your SatNav, use the following postcodes:
- City / Mayflower Terminal: SO15 1HJ
- QE2 Terminal: SO14 3GG
- Horizon Terminal: SO15 1AW
From the M3, leave at Exit 13 for the M27 west towards Southampton docks, then follow signs for the M271 and Southampton Docks & Old Waterfront.
From the M27, leave at Junction 3 onto the M271 towards Totton, then follow signs for Southampton (A3024 – Mountbatten Way) at the roundabout.
If you'd like to book parking, ABParking (Associated British Ports) offers exclusive rates for Fred. Olsen guests — call 0238 048 8870 or visit abparking.co.uk. Please book at least 48 hours before you sail to guarantee your rate. If your cruise includes complimentary parking, you'll still need to book a space — please wait three working days after your booking before calling to arrange this. Regrettably, if parking isn't pre-booked, the full 'on the day' rate applies and can't be reimbursed.
A separate car park is available for anyone dropping you off or collecting you.
By train - Southampton Central, taxi links
Travelling by train? Southampton Central is the station to head for. From there, it's a short taxi ride to the terminal — Radio Taxis (023 8066 6666) can arrange your pick-up, though other local providers are available too.
By coach - Eavesway Cruiselink routes
For cruises of seven nights or more, Eavesway Cruiselink runs coach services to Southampton from Scotland, the North East, and North Wales. Call 01942 727985 (option one) to book, or see our transport page for full routes and prices. Click here for more information.
Luggage made easy with Baggex
There's no need to wrestle your cases through the terminal. Baggex will collect your luggage from home before you leave, deliver it straight to your cabin, and have it waiting for you at home again when you're back — so you can travel to Southampton with just your hand luggage and nothing else to think about.
How it works:
- Collected from your door — Baggex picks up your luggage before you set off, at a time that suits you.
- Delivered to your cabin — no queuing at the terminal or carrying cases on board; it's there when you arrive.
- Returned home after your cruise — the same service in reverse, so you travel home light too.
To book, call Baggex on 01473 807200 and quote "Fred. Olsen." Alternatively, you can email [email protected]
Assistance for guests with mobility needs
We want every guest to feel confident and looked after from the moment they arrive.
- Accessible parking bays are available close to the terminal entrance
- Step-free access is available throughout
Guests can arrive at the terminal and request assistance, no need to pre-book for embarkation. If you need assistance when disembarking in Southampton, please contact Guest Services when on board.
Southampton FAQs
Do you have short cruises from Southampton?
Yes — if a quick getaway suits you better, take a look at our mini cruises. Use the filters above and select "five nights or fewer" to see the full range sailing from Southampton.
Where is Southampton Cruise Terminal?
Southampton's cruise terminals sit on the south coast of England, easily reached by road, rail or air. There are a several terminals in use, so check your cruise documents for the exact one you'll be sailing from.
Parking and arrival times
Check-in times are carefully staggered to allow for ease of boarding, so please arrive as close to your allocated time as possible - you'll find it in your cruise documents. Parking must be pre-booked with ABP (Associated British Ports) see the “Getting to Southampton” section above for details of how to book.
What facilities are available at Southampton Cruise Terminal?
You'll find seating, light refreshments, free Wi-Fi and accessible toilets at the terminal, with porters on hand to help with luggage.
Is assistance available for guests with mobility needs?
Guests can arrive at the terminal and request assistance, no need to pre-book for embarkation. If you need assistance when disembarking in Southampton, please contact Guest Services when on board.