What are the best port services available at Southampton for cruise passengers?

Southampton offers five cruise terminals, direct trains from London Waterloo and easy access from the M3. You can also choose on-port parking, meet-and-greet parking or a hotel and park package. Some lines offer coach transfers from selected pickup points.

What are the main facilities available at Dover cruise terminal?

Dover has two terminals in the Western Docks, with more than 1,000 secure undercover parking spaces on site. Off-site car parks with free shuttles are also available. Dover Priory station is about 1.5 miles away, but there’s no luggage storage at the pier.

Are there all-inclusive cruises from Southampton?

Yes. Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea both sail from Southampton, with drinks, dining and gratuities included in the fare. Regent also includes unlimited shore excursions. Oceania Cruises includes speciality dining, but drinks cost extra.

Effortless no-fly voyages: departing from Southampton

October 2026

Rashmi Latchman

Social Media & Content Executive

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Effortless no-fly voyages: departing from Southampton

Effortless-no-fly-voyages-departing-from-Southampton-Port-of-Southampton-with-MSC-cruise-ship-docked

Picture starting your holiday without a single airport queue. With a no-fly cruise, you drive or take the train to the port, and you step straight onboard. Southampton leads the way, welcoming more than two million passengers a year, while Dover offers a quicker route north. This guide shows who sails from each port, what to expect on arrival and how to choose.

Why choose a no-fly cruise from the UK?

No-fly cruises take the stress out of travelling. You skip the flight, the airport transfers and the baggage limits that come with them. Some lines do cap bags at 23 kg, so check the rules before you pack. Either way, you unpack once and wake up somewhere new each day.

Our guide to 5 reasons to book no-fly cruises from the UK covers the benefits in more detail. You can also compare every departure point on our cruises from the UK page.

Which cruise lines operate from Southampton?

Southampton is the UK’s cruise capital. In 2026, more than 30 ships from 13 cruise lines sail from the port. Our guide to every ship and cruise line sailing from Southampton in 2026 lists them all.

Main cruise lines sailing from Southampton:

P&O Cruises and Cunard: The biggest presence at the port, with ships such as Iona, Arvia, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne.
Mainstream and premium lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line all depart from here.
Smaller and international lines: Fred Olsen and AIDA also sail from Southampton.

All-inclusive cruises from Southampton

If you want luxury without the extras, Southampton delivers. Three lines stand out for a luxury no-fly holiday:

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Sails Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager from the port. Fares cover unlimited shore excursions, all drinks, speciality dining, gratuities and Wi-Fi.
Silversea: Sails Silver Dawn and Silver Spirit. Fares include butler service, all dining, premium drinks and gratuities.
Oceania Cruises: Speciality dining comes included, but drinks cost extra, so it isn’t fully all-inclusive.

Not sure which line suits you? Our Silversea vs Regent Seven Seas comparison can help.

What port services does Southampton offer cruise passengers?

Southampton has five cruise terminals. QEII and Ocean sit in the Eastern Docks, while City, Mayflower and Horizon sit in the Western Docks. Horizon opened in 2021 and is the UK’s first terminal with shore power. Your cruise documents will tell you which one to use.

Getting to Southampton

Train: Trains from London Waterloo reach Southampton Central in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The terminals sit roughly 1.5 miles from the station, so a taxi costs around £8 to £10.
Car: The port is about 80 miles from London via the M3, and the drive takes around 90 minutes outside rush hour.
Air: Southampton Airport is just 5 miles from the terminals.
Coach: P&O and Cunard sometimes offer free transfers from selected pickup points, and Fred Olsen runs a coach service from 80 pickup points.

Parking at Southampton

On-port parking: 24-hour security, from around £130 to £180 a week.

Meet-and-greet parking: From around £60 to £70 for a seven-night cruise.
Hotel and park: Packages bundle your room, parking and a taxi to the port.

Prices change, so always confirm before you book. See our cruises from Southampton page for the latest sailings.

Cruise-lines-and-cruise-ships-in-the-port-of-Dover-Effortless-no-fly-voyages-departing-from-Southampton

Which cruise lines operate from Dover?

Dover feels more intimate. Fred Olsen treats it as a home port, with smaller ships sailing to Norway and the British Isles. Saga also sails from here. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard run selected sailings too, mostly shorter breaks or seasonal repositioning voyages.

For something more luxurious, Seabourn Quest leaves Dover on 19 June 2027 for 14 nights in the land of the midnight sun, from £7,539 per person. Our guide to which cruise lines operate from Dover in 2027 has the full picture.

What facilities does Dover cruise terminal offer?

The Dover UK cruise terminal sits in the Western Docks, about a mile west of the town centre. Terminal 1 handles small and medium ships, while Terminal 2 handles larger ones. There’s no luggage storage at the pier, so plan your arrival time carefully.

Parking at Dover

On-site parking: More than 1,000 secure undercover spaces, costing £16 a day or £112 for a seven-night cruise.
Off-site parking: Free shuttles from around £10 a day, and staff will help with your luggage.
Complimentary parking: Holland America offers this on selected sailings.

Getting to Dover

Train: Dover Priory is about 1.5 miles from the terminals, roughly five minutes by car. High-speed trains from London St Pancras take around 66 minutes.
Taxi: Taxis can be limited in the mornings, so book ahead if you can.

Browse our cruises from Dover page for current sailings.

Cruises from Dover or Southampton: which should you choose?

Choose Southampton for the widest choice of ships and itineraries, plus all-inclusive luxury lines like Regent and Silversea. Choose Dover for a smaller, quicker start. It works especially well for Norway, the Baltic and Iceland, and it’s easy to reach from London and the South East. Prefer to stay even closer to the capital? Our cruises from London page covers that option.

Expert guidance from The Cruise Line

Choosing the right port, line and sailing makes your trip feel effortless. Our Voyage Consultants know the UK ports well and give honest, first-hand advice.

To plan your no-fly voyage, get in touch with our Voyage Consultants today.

Which cruise lines operate from Dover and Southampton?

Southampton hosts 13 cruise lines in 2026, including P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea. Dover is home to Fred Olsen and Saga. Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard also run selected sailings from there.