Southampton, England, United Kingdom
One of the world's great embarkation ports, Southampton also rewards those who step ashore — medieval walls, a vibrant waterfront, and London just 80 minutes away by train.
One of the world's great embarkation ports, Southampton also rewards those who step ashore — medieval walls, a vibrant waterfront, and London just 80 minutes away by train.
Southampton has five cruise terminals split between the Western Docks (City, Horizon, Mayflower) and Eastern Docks (QEII, Ocean) — your ship's newsletter will confirm your berth number the night before.
💡 Pro move: If this is your embarkation port, luggage drop opens several hours before boarding — check your cruise line's instructions for terminal-specific timing.
All major cruise lines use the Western Docks complex; berth assignment varies by ship size and schedule.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Norwegian | Mayflower Cruise Terminal (106)📍 | Docked |
| Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess | City Cruise Terminal (101/102) or QEII Terminal📍 | Docked |
| Holland America, Viking, Silversea, Seabourn | Ocean Terminal or City Terminal📍 | Docked |
From London landmarks to the New Forest and Stonehenge, Southampton is a launching pad for England's greatest hits.
The most popular excursion from Southampton: a guided or self-guided day in London. Hit the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Westminster, then make the 75-minute train back with time to spare.
Find London day tours →One of England's most impressive day trips: the prehistoric standing stones at Stonehenge paired with Salisbury Cathedral, home to one of four surviving copies of the Magna Carta.
Find Stonehenge tours →Ancient woodland, free-roaming ponies, and peaceful villages just 30 minutes from the docks. A hired car or guided tour opens up Lyndhurst, Beaulieu Motor Museum, and forest cycling.
Find New Forest tours →Southampton's standout museum tells the story of the Titanic, which departed from here in 1912. Combine it with a walk through the medieval town walls and Bargate.
Find Southampton walking tours →The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor is about 1.5 hours from Southampton by road and makes a rewarding half-day. The State Apartments and St George's Chapel are highlights.
Find Windsor Castle tours →Just 30 minutes east, Portsmouth's dockyard holds HMS Victory (Nelson's flagship), the Mary Rose museum, and HMS Warrior. A full morning of naval history.
Find Portsmouth tours →Southampton's Old Town is compact and walkable, with medieval walls, Tudor buildings, and a revitalised waterfront within easy reach of the cruise terminals.
Follow Southampton's remarkably intact medieval walls from Bargate south through Westgate and down to the Tudor House & Garden. Pass God's House Tower and the Mayflower Memorial on Town Quay along the way.
A relaxed walk from the terminal area along the water to West Quay shopping centre — useful if you want to grab lunch, pick up essentials, or just stretch your legs before sailing.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Southampton, England, United Kingdom (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F / 8°C | 37°F / 3°C | 14 |
| Feb | 48°F / 9°C | 38°F / 3°C | 12 |
| Mar | 51°F / 11°C | 40°F / 4°C | 13 |
| Apr | 56°F / 13°C | 42°F / 6°C | 10 |
| May | 62°F / 17°C | 47°F / 8°C | 11 |
| Jun | 68°F / 20°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 |
| Jul | 71°F / 22°C | 57°F / 14°C | 10 |
| Aug | 70°F / 21°C | 57°F / 14°C | 11 |
| Sep | 67°F / 19°C | 53°F / 12°C | 9 |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 |
| Nov | 52°F / 11°C | 43°F / 6°C | 13 |
| Dec | 49°F / 9°C | 41°F / 5°C | 13 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Southampton, England, United Kingdom. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.