cruise ship check in jobs southampton

• LIFE AT ABP
• WHAT WE OFFER
• EARLY CAREERS

Our 21 ports are Keeping Britain Trading

Our 21 ports are strategically placed around the UK, offering a strong hold for trade, growth, communities and future opportunity.

They include Immingham, the UK’s largest port by tonnage, and Southampton, the UK’s number one port for cars and cruises and the nation’s second largest container port.

Southampton is the UK’s number one vehicle handling port, Europe’s leading turnaround cruise port with millions of passengers annually, and the UK’s most productive container port. The Port of Southampton supports 45,600 jobs and contributes £2.5bn to the nation’s economy every year. The port is the UK’s number one export port handling over £40bn of exports every year.

Alongside the busy modern shopping centre, surrounded by lively restaurants and bars, you will also find galleries, cinemas and theatres. The thriving port has a rich maritime history and is home to the fascinating Titanic museum. It’s a short hop to the New Forest, where you can spend your day among wild ponies – perfect for walking and cycling, or even a spot of camping. For a peek of medieval history, King Arthur’s round table can be seen in the nearby cathedral city, Winchester. You will find some of the most popular sailing spots along Southampton Water and the Solent, home to the world-famous Cowes Week sailing regatta.

Life at ABP

Our culture, values and mission underpin our way of working. They drive us as team and steer us as a business. Discover what makes us different.

Find out more

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that our differences collectively make us stronger and we provide inclusive environment where every individual can be themselves and feel respected.

P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line. We are part of Carnival Corporation & PLC and we have been for 20 years. With amazing career opportunities across the fleet, we’ll help you settle into an exciting life at sea as part of our P&O Cruises family.

Latest news

• P&O Cruises ( UK )

Check in Staff Southampton

By Blackrat , May 31, 2017 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

Recommended Posts

Anyone know how to sign up as check-in staff at Southampton? Is there a special place for adverts? Can't find anything on P&O but it's probably nothing to do with them. Thanks

Link to comment

Share on other sites, [email protected].

Inchcape, Intercruises, Carnival UK and Denholms are listed as agents for ships visiting Southampton. I would try googling these to try and get contact details.

Best wishes, Stephen.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I am sure I read somewhere that the checkin staff are provided by G4S ?

Thanks for the replies, I will give them a go.

john watson

You could always ask at the terminal about which company employs the staff and how do they recruit. There are also jobs for the wheelchair guys, the luggage porters etc. I should ask if you live near or are moving that way.

Regards John

You could always ask at the terminal about which company employs the staff and how do they recruit. There are also jobs for the wheelchair guys, the luggage porters etc. I should ask if you live near or are moving that way.   Regards John

Thanks for the reply John, but I am quite a distance away at the moment. Perhaps if anyone is reading this and leaving soon they could ask the question on my behalf?

This job ad would suggest that the assistance staff are, so that might well point to G4S being responsible for the lot?

http://ukjobs.g4s.com/jobs/Customer-Care-Officer-Meet-and-GreetF9244707525_47075/

Definitely G4S - we cruised with a dinner-table companion who was one of them, and she told us that her employer was G4S. (At least, that's true for Carnival departures - don't know about RC departures.)

She also told us that it's the same staff for any line. The uniform is the same, but they wear a different scarf depending on the line for which they're checking passengers in.

I have been thinking this over and over the past few days. You have to be incredibly learned and literate to give out the A-Z letters. Probably the entry point for newcomers to this employment Blackrat. However could you honestly say that despite being over forty you are a stunning gorgeous lady that will fit in with the other babes at the barrier?

I have been thinking this over and over the past few days. You have to be incredibly learned and literate to give out the A-Z letters. Probably the entry point for newcomers to this employment Blackrat. However could you honestly say that despite being over forty you are a stunning gorgeous lady that will fit in with the other babes at the barrier?   Regards John

I can very honestly say NO to your last question.

Tom, Eddie,

Thanks for the replies, I will give them a call

so,ton saint

Hi, Anyone know how to sign up as check-in staff at Southampton? Is there a special place for adverts? Can't find anything on P&O but it's probably nothing to do with them. Thanks   Cheers, BR

There is a job at southampton dock,s for a meet and greet officer exellent opportunity to join G4S casual contract various shiffs working for carnival cruises, i hope this helps advertised to-day

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 07:47 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 02:42 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:37 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:40 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 03:08 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Ireland - UK - British Isles Cruise Ports

Southampton (England)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Ireland - UK - British Isles

Local Time 2024-05-12 18:13

Port Southampton cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Southampton, England. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Southampton is the UK's largest passenger (ferry and cruise) port and Britain's second-largest cargo/container port (following Felixstowe). Its first dock was opened in 1843. Most of its operations back then were regular Transatlantic crossings between UK and USA. Since 1982, the port is owned and operated by ABP (Associated British Ports Holdings Ltd).

Currently, Southampton is ranked the UK's largest cruise port and UK's second-largest container port (after Felixstowe).

Port Southampton

Port Southampton (locode GBSOU) is currently the UK's largest seaport, handling annually over GBP 40 billion of exports. The worth of its total trade is ~GBP 75 billion. Southampton is also UK's largest port for vehicle exports and home to UK's second-largest containership terminal (after Felixstowe) handling annually ~1 million TEU-containers.

The port (all its facilities) is managed by ABP (London-headquartered corporation) that owns 21x UK seaports and manages ~1/4th of Britain's sea-shipping trade. ABP Southampton is port's Statutory Harbour Authority, VTS Authority (vessel traffic service) and Pilotage Authority. Pilotage (vessel assistance by ABP pilots) is compulsory on arrival-channel navigation, for berthing-unberthing operations and also when the vessels shift anchorage in Southampton Harbour.

As cruise port, Southampton handles 500+ ship calls and 2+ million passengers annually. As ferry port, Southampton serves ~3 million passengers to and from Isle of Wight .

In the period 2012-2017, in port development projects were invested over GBP 280 million, including over GBP 50 million in new vehicle export facilities. On November 2, 2017, was inaugurated the Pacific Terminal (vehicle export terminal) that serves UK car manufacturers. The new facility has parking capacity 3400 spaces and is part of ABP's GBP 50 million investment plan for the port. Southampton is UK's main vehicle handling port, with 9 shipping lines making every month 110 visits to 52 ports in 40 different countries.

In 2017, the port handled some of world's largest boxships - MOL Triumph and MOL Trust (each with TEU capacity 20170 containers). The largest ever to visit the port boxship so far - Milan Maersk (20568 TEUs) - docked here on November 7, 2017. The Triple-E class vessel has LOA length 399 m (1309 ft), width 59 m (194 ft), above waterline height 60 m (197 ft).

Port's sheltered inland location and also Isle of Wight (in the English Channel) protect it from the effects of bad weather. Additional advantages are the close proximity to London City and the excellent rail / road infrastructure linking to the rest of England and bypassing the capital city's congestion.

In March 2021, DP World Southampton (cargo terminal) received "Freeport" status from the UK government. DP World Southampton also started an infrastructure investment project (GBP 40 million) which includes: dredging and widening of the boxship berths (via partnership with ABP), purchasing (GBP 10M) 11 Kalmar Hybrid Straddle Carriers (vehicles which lift TEUs moved by quay cranes), redevelopment of the dockyard for empty TEU storage , quay extension (by 120 m / 394 ft) to allow the world’s biggest gantry cranes to serve all the terminal's berths.

In March 2022, ABP officially opened for business developments an area of 30 acres (12 hectares), including 22 acres (at Redbridge Ward/which has a Freeport status) and 8 acres (in the Marchwood Industrial Park).

Each cruise ship visit to Southampton generates ~GBP 2,7 million in economic impact, of which about half remains within the region. The sector also annually supports ~14000 local jobs.

Southampton cruise port

Port Southampton has 5 cruise terminals in addition to passenger ferry terminals, container terminal and drydock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs. Major turnaround/departure cruise ports in the UK are England's Bristol , Dover , Harwich , Hull , Liverpool , Tilbury-London , Newcastle and Portsmouth , and Scotland's Leith-Edinburgh and Greenock-Glasgow .

In late-November 2020 ABP announced that for the building of the 11695-m2 (125890-ft2) new cruise terminal at Berth 102 (Western Docks) is contracted Brymor Group (Portsmouth-based construction company). The new (5th) terminal will provide shore-to-ship power supply. The new terminal (via partnership with NCLH-Norwegian and MSC Cruises ) received a GBP 8 million (EUR 8,9 M / USD 10,65 M) grant from the UK's Getting Building Fund. Also in late-November 2020, MSC signed a long-term agreement with Port Southampton for preferential docking rights. The deal started in summer 2021 with the homeporting of MSC Magnifica at the Port's newest/5th terminal (named in May "Horizon Cruise Terminal"). By this agreement, every year MSC has to homeport at least one ship in Southampton. For 2021, MSC scheduled for Magnifica 21x roundtrips from Southampton, including to the Mediterranean, mini-cruises to Northern Europe and 7-days to Norway's Fjords.

• After receiving a GBP 7 million government grant, in 2020 ABP Southampton introduced shoreside power connectivity for liners mooring at the new Horizon Cruise Terminal. Shore-power (aka "cold ironing") enables docked vessels to receive electricity from the city's power grid. From the berth, vessels can plug-in directly to the grid for full onboard operations without using their diesel engines (or gas turbines) which are shut down right after berthing.
• In mid-May 2021 ABP announced that Mayflower Cruise Terminal will be also equipped with shorepower technology.

In 2018, the port had scheduled 8 maiden calls (new ships visiting for the first time) - AIDAperla, Norwegian Bliss, MSC Meraviglia, Sapphire Princess; MS Zuiderdam, Seven Seas Navigator, and MS Koningsdam. In 2018, here was held the naming ceremony for the former P&O Adonia ship - now Azamara Pursuit (August 28), followed by a 2-night Cruise to Nowhere . Cruise port's busiest day in 2018 was August 31 - a 6 ship day with booked for berthing here Arcadia (P&O), Aurora (P&O), Braemar ( Fred Olsen ), Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), Mein Schiff 3 (TUI) and Queen Victoria (Cunard).

For season 2018, MSC Cruises scheduled an extended itinerary program with more regular departures from the UK. The company intends to homeport here one of its newer (bigger) ships.

For 2017, the cruise port reported a record-breaking year with over 2 million cruise passengers. It is estimated that every visiting cruise ship brings around GBP 2 million to the city's economy. In 2017 the port received over 500 passenger ship calls. The busiest long weekend (15 cruise ships) was in June.

In June 2016, the 3 NCLH (abbrev "Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings") owned companies - Oceania , RSSC-Regent and NCL Norwegian - were consolidated/headquartered together in a building previously used by Carnival UK. The move came ahead of NCL returning to UK port departure cruises in 2017 (for the first time since 2010) with the ship Norwegian Jade leaving roundtrip from Southampton. NCLH's new UK company address is: "Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, 4th Floor, Mountbatten House, Grosvenor Square, Southampton, SO15 2JU".

On May 21, 2016, RCI-Royal Caribbean International and the port authority ABP signed a GBP 5,5 million deal. It secures City Cruise Terminal (Berth 101) as the Royal Caribbean's official UK cruise departure port for the period 2016-2023. The Southampton cruise port's contribution to the UK economy was ~15000 cruise shipping-related jobs and GBP 1+ billion economic impact. On April 11, 2016, the new RCI ship Ovation of the Seas arrived and docked at Berth 101 (City Cruise Terminal, Western Docks). The ship stayed for a few days in Southampton before the repositioning cruise (53-days "Global Odyssey" itinerary) ending in port Tianjin-Beijing China .

On April 20, 2015, the RCI-Royal Caribbean ship Anthem of the Seas was officially named in Southampton. The christening ceremony was led by the godmother Emma Wilby (British travel agent). On May 3, 2015, Cunard Line's 175th Anniversary Celebrations were held in the cruise port. The special event was attended by all three Cunard liners - Queen Mary 2 , Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria . The three ships left the port together on their scheduled itineraries, en-route to, respectively, NYC New York, Hamburg and Guernsey (Channel Islands) .

In late-March 2014, RCI announced that Explorer of the Seas will be deployed in Europe and homeported in Southampton for summer 2015 (April through September). The list of roundtrips included 3- and 8-night Baltic Sea, 11- to 16-night Mediterranean and 10- to 14-night Madeira, Canary Islands and Azores.

(statistics) In 2013, the cruise port handled around 1,7 million passengers. In 2011 were handled nearly 1,5 million passengers (11% increase over 2010). Each cruise ship call in Port Southampton generates an economic impact of about GBP 2,5 million.

(statistics) Following the COVID crisis, in 2022 Port Southampton handled a record 489 cruise ship calls, including 8 maiden visits (by AIDAcosma, AIDAperla, Azamara Onward, Celebrity Beyond, Enchanted Princess, Norwegian Prima, Silver Moon, Arvia).

For 2023, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 492 ship calls/booked berthings (including 7 maiden/first-time visits) and expected ~2 million passengers.

In 2023, cruise shipping in Southampton contributed the record GBP 1 billion to Hampshire's maritime economy. The season was marked by ~2,6 million cruise tourists handled during 460 ship calls. Each ship call brought ~GBP 2,7 million to the local economy.

Cruise itineraries to and from Southampton England

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Southampton:

• World Cruises - around the world voyages from Southampton include either westbound Transatlantic crossings (with Panama Canal transition or around South America routes) or eastbound (with Suez Canal transition or around Africa routes). Depending on direction, smaller itinerary segments end up in USA ports ( New York , Miami , San Francisco ), Asia ports ( Dubai , Singapore , Hong Kong ), Australia ( Sydney , Brisbane , Melbourne , Adelaide , Fremantle-Perth ) or even New Zealand ( Auckland ).
• Iceland and Greenland are often visited on itineraries around Britain (themed "British Isles") visiting ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
• Baltic Sea itineraries visit Norway (Norwegian Fjords), the European Arctic (North Pole), Scandinavia and Russia ( St Petersburg / overnight stays).
• Mini-Cruises from UK (to Belgium, France, Holland) are generally booked as "shopping" or "short-break" vacations. Most of these deals (with regularly scheduled departures) are offered by P&O Ferries‎ . Several times a year, Cunard's QM2 liner offers 2-day cruises to Hamburg Germany .
• Iberia (voyages to ports in Portugal and Spain) visit ports on the Europe's Atlantic Coast, and are often combined with Gibraltar .
• The Canaries itineraries (to Canary Islands) are usually combined with Madeira Island (Port Funchal) .
• Mediterranean Sea - Western Med itineraries (visiting Spain, France, Italy, Malta) are often combined with ports in North Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Tunis).
• Roundtrips to the Mediterranean/Eastern Med itineraries visit ports in Greece (including Greek Islands), Turkey and Italy.
• Roundtrips to the Mediterranean/Holy Land voyages (to Israel and Egypt) are usually combined with ports in Greece and Turkey.
• Black Sea roundtrips from Southampton are among the longest and visit ports in Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia.

(RepositionCruises.com) Transatlantic crossings to the USA (NYC) and New England-Canada are operated regularly by Cunard ( QM2 ). Transatlantic voyages to the Caribbean (roundtrips or one-ways) are offered seasonally. Regular deals UK to the Caribbean are offered by P&O with fly-cruise packages that include flights from the UK to Barbados (ship departures from Bridgetown port ).

"Project Orient Limited” (POL) plans to build two ocean liners for a regular passenger shipping service between Europe/UK and Australia (Southampton - Sydney). The scheduled itinerary will be 26 days in one direction (Southampton to Sydney, and the reverse Sydney to Southampton). The included ports of call are Fremantle (at the 20-day mark), also Dubai, Mumbai (India) and Singapore. Each of the STX France-built ships will be 200,000 GT tons and with capacity 1600 pax. The expected cruise pricing starts from around GBP 2900 per person (one-way).

The list of UK cruise lines (with regular departures out of Southampton) includes Cunard , P&O UK , RCI-Royal Caribbean , Celebrity , Princess , AIDA , MSC , NCL-Norwegian , Fred Olsen , Saga UK , Marella UK .

Southampton cruise terminal

Southampton cruise port is very easy to access. The city is located on England's southern coast's central part and has great road and rail links to the other major UK cities. The cruise ship port comprises two docks (Eastern and Western) with all 4x passenger terminals and 4 berths (docking locations).

(QE2) Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal

• Location: Eastern Docks
• Address is "ABP QEII Terminal 38/39 Test Road, Eastern Docks Southampton SO14 3GG".
• GPS coordinates are N 50°53′05.4″, W 01°23′44.9″
• Berth 38, Berth 39
• Dock gate - 4 (GPS N 50°53'47.2", W 1°23'55.1")

The QE2 terminal is for Cunard ships only. Terminal facilities include short-stay parking, bar, cafe, taxi rank.

This is the famous dock from where RMS Titanic left on her maiden voyage in 1912. Many of the Titanic victims (nearly 500) were Southampton citizens.

The home dock of the Cunard's liners (Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2) was open by HM The Queen in 1966.

In 2015-2016, the "Cunard Terminal" was renovated for GBP 5 million. The renovation project was funded by Carnival Corporation and ABP (Associated British Ports) and carried out over 2 stages. Phase 1 (completed 2016-Q1) included building infrastructure improvements (check-in area, baggage handling area, X-ray / security screening area), also installing a 46-person elevator and reorganizing the drop-off passenger area. Phase 2 (completed in 2016-Q4) included the installation of a new ship-to-shore walkway.

In October 2018 started construction works on the new (GBP 15 million) multi-deck parking with capacity 3000 vehicles. This is the 8th multi-deck parking at the seaport. For the project was contracted Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure, with scheduled completion by June 2019.

(NEW) Horizon Cruise Terminal (Western Docks' Berth 102)

In late-November 2020, ABP announced that for the building of the 11695-m2 (125,890-ft2) new cruise terminal at Berth 102 (Western Docks) is contracted Brymor Group (Portsmouth-based construction company). The new (5th) terminal features roof-mounted solar panels (2000+ PVs/photo-voltaic modules) and provides shoreside power supply .

The new terminal (via partnership with NCLH-Norwegian and MSC ) received a GBP 8 million (EUR 8,9M / USD 10,65M) grant from the UK's Getting Building Fund.

Port Southampton's newest cruise terminal costs GBP 55 million (EUR 64M / USD 76M) and was completed in July 2021.

In early-April 2021, ABP started an online contest for the name of the building. Fans had the chance to win a 7-night free cruise for two in a balcony cabin (roundtrip from Southampton) by simply submitting their name suggestions for the terminal before April 28. After receiving 4000+ name suggestions, in May ABP announced the facility's name - "Horizon Cruise Terminal".

In mid-June 2021, ABP Southampton installed an airbridge (GBP 5 million / EUR 5,8M) at Berth 102 (Horizon Terminal). The 235-tonne airbridge (jetway) was custom-built (to automatically adjust with the tide). It is permanently positioned at the quay and provides the docked ships with ship-to-shore passenger access.

As of 2021, ABP operates 21 seaports plus other shipping-related businesses, annually contributes GBP 7,5 billion (EUR 8,8B / ~USD 10,4B) to the UK economy, and supports ~119,000 jobs.

Ocean Cruise Terminal

• Address is "Cunard Road, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN".
• GPS coordinates are N 50°53′29.6″, W 01°24′02.5″
• Dock gate - 4 (GPS N 50°53'47.2", W 1°23'55.1")

Ocean Cruise Terminal was inaugurated in 2009. It features a modern design (Art-Deco) building, short-stay parking, bar, cafe, taxi rank.

In October 2018 started the GBP 12 million (2-year) reconstruction project via partnership with P&O Cruises ( Carnival UK ). Following the upgrade, Ocean Terminal now can handle bigger liners, among which P&O UK's newest ship Iona (2021). The upgrade was completed in March 2019 and increased the terminal's capacity by 50%.

Project's Phase 1 (completed in March 2019) included infrastructure upgrades and adding 18 new bollards (150-ton each) replacing the old 50-ton ones. Bollards are quayside vertical posts used for mooring (lines). Terminal's building was redesigned and significantly improved and increased (as passenger capacity).

Project's Phase 2 included installing 2 new gangways (airbridges) and 2000 solar panels (mounted on the building's roof). Both gangways were specially designed for the 5200-passenger Carnival XL class ships (Iona being the first) and arrived from Barcelona on January 4, 2020. Ocean Cruise Terminal also received LNG bunkering capabilities.

The renovated and enlarged terminal was completed in May 2020, and like the terminals Horizon and Mayflower also provides the berthed vessels with shoreside power .

City Cruise Terminal

• Location: Western Docks
• Address is "Solent Road, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 1HJ".
• GPS coordinates are N 50°54′00.6″, W 01°24′51.8″
• Dock gate - 8 (GPS N 50°53′58.1″, W 01°24′40″) or 10 (GPS N 50°54′14.8″, W 01°25′02.8″)

At City Terminal can dock even the world's largest passenger ships. Dock facilities include short-stay parking, bar, cafe, taxi rank. Located nearby is Mayflower Park - a great vantage point to watch the departing ships.

Terminal's capacity was doubled after a 7-year redevelopment project.

Southampton City Cruise Terminal (Berth 101) is Royal Caribbean's official UK homeport (departure port for roundtrip itineraries). The list of terminal's improvements made by the RCCL corporation includes new paperless check-in operations, faster curb-to-gangway processing, new security screening zones, step-free access to larger RCI ships (up to Quantum-Class), free Wi-Fi (throughout the terminal), digital signage (wayfinders), new air-conditioning, improved logistics.

Mayflower Cruise Terminal

• Address is "Herbert Walker Ave, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 1HJ".
• GPS coordinates are N 50°54′18.6″, W 01°25′45.8″
• Dock gate - 10 (GPS N 50°54′14.8″, W 01°25′02.8″) or 20 (GPS N 50°54′48.2″, W 01°27′39.4″)

Mayflower Terminal is generally associated with the P&O UK ships . Its facilities include taxi rank, bar, cafe, an art gallery. The terminal was inaugurated in 1960. Here are homeported RMS Queen Mary 2 and P&O UK's largest and newest liners.

A new cruise ship dock was opened on April 28, 2015 (Berth 104 / Dock Gate 10). Mayflower Terminal's redevelopment project cost around GBP 6 million and resulted in increased passenger capacity and berthing (allowing even the world's biggest cruise vessels to dock here). In the terminal's refurbishment project were engaged 200+ workers on the refurbishment. Works started in December 2014. After their completion, the Mayflower Terminal has 36 check-in desks, larger passenger lounge, more security search lanes, expanded passenger drop-off/pick-up areas (at the terminal's entrance).

Like the new Horizon Terminal, Mayflower also provides shorepower connectivity for the docked liners.

Cruise ship terminals directions and parking

Port Southampton is accessible via the M27, some 80 mi / 130 km from London (~ 1:50 hours drive distance) and some 200 mi / 320 km from Norwich (~ 3:50 hours drive distance).

• (option 1) From North, East and London regions - drive on M3 southbound. Follow the Southampton signs. Merge onto M27, follow the M27 West signs. Leave M27 at Junction 3. At the roundabout take 1st exit (M271) toward Southampton Docks. At next (Redbridge) roundabout take 1st exit onto A3024 leading to a dual carriageway and heading into Southampton (assigned Dock Gate). This route brings you close to Dock Gate 20 and Dock Gate 10 (CITY CRUISE TERMINAL, MAYFLOWER CRUISE TERMINAL).
• (option 2) From North, East and London regions - From the end of M3 (junction 14) follow the A33 signs for Southampton Docks. This route brings close to EASTERN DOCKS (Dock Gate 4) where are located OCEAN CRUISE TERMINAL and QE2 CRUISE TERMINAL.
• From west regions - from the end of A31 Poole-Bournemouth follow road through New Forest. Join M27. Leave M27 at Junction 3. At the roundabout take 3rd exit (M271) toward Southampton Docks. At next (Redbridge) roundabout take 1st exit onto A3024 leading to a dual carriageway and heading into Southampton (assigned Dock Gate). This route brings you close to Dock Gate 20 and Dock Gate 10 (CITY CRUISE TERMINAL, MAYFLOWER CRUISE TERMINAL). For Eastern Docks stay on this road and follow the signs to Dock Gate 4 (OCEAN CRUISE TERMINAL, QE2 CRUISE TERMINAL).

Lost property/baggage enquiries

• P&O, Cunard and Princess cruise passengers should contact - for baggage inquiries (phone number 023 8087 3111) and for lost property (phone number 023 8065 6426).
• Celebrity and Royal Caribbean passengers should contact for lost baggage/property - phone number 023 8068 2680.
• For other Southampton cruise lines please contact the line/company or your booking agent directly.

Europe's largest cruise ship port Southampton has:

• Port address is "Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton SO15 1, United Kingdom".
• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - GBSOU.
• four dedicated cruise terminals
• capability to accommodate more than 4 vessels at a time
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deepwater channel
• deepwater berths
• no restrictions on length and GT tonnage of cruise ships
• sheltered harbor area

Access is unrestricted by tides. The port's average tidal range is ~5 ft (1,5 m) with 17 hours per day of rising water. This allows even the largest cargo vessels and cruise ships to access the port for up to 80% of the time.

The cruise port is accessible the whole year round - 24/7, 365 days a tear.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Southampton in early morning (4:30, 5, 6, 6:30, 7:30 or 8 AM) and depart from Southampton in late afternoon (4:30, 5, 6 pm) or in the evening (8, 9:30 or 10 pm).

Port Southampton Vehicle Ferry Terminal 3 Quay has GPS coordinates N 50°53'44.2", W 1°24'22.4"

Port Southampton Passenger Ferry Terminal 2 Quay has GPS coordinates N 50°53'39.6", W 1°24'19.4"

Follows the list of cruise ship management companies (agencies) serving the major lines:

• CARNIVAL UK serves Cunard, P&O and Princess ships.
• DENHOLM WILHELMSEN LTD serves AIDA, Fred Olsen, MSC, Saga and Marella ships.
• INTERCRUISES serves Azamara, Celebrity and RCI-Royal Caribbean ships.
• Old Town: one of the most famous landmarks in Southampton it the old town northern entrance – “Bargate”. Visit the the Archaeological Museum, the Medieval Merchants House, the Tudor House, the Maritime Museum and the God’s House Tower remains.
• Shopping Centers: visit the Above Bar shopping center (the main one), the Ocean Village or the new West Quay mall.
• Theater: visit the popular Mayflower theater.
• Southampton City Art Gallery : Victorian art collection.
• Aviation Museum: explore RJ Mitchell’s WW2 Supermarine Spitfire pioneering work at the Solent Sky Aviation Museum.
• Titanic Trail: start at Musician’s Memorial and end at the Maritime Museum. The museum is located at Town Quay in the Wool House. Explore the tragic faith of the famous ocean liner.
• Jane Austen Walking Trail: the famous author was seven when she came to Southampton. She often spent her vacations in the city and much later she moved to Southampton.
• New Forest National Park (train travel time from Southampton 15 min / southwest) - free ponies, deer, wildlife, great for walking, cycling, horse-riding
• Stonehenge Tour (car travel time from Southampton 50 min / northwest, or 30 min train travel to Salisbury)
• Isle of Wight (ferry travel time from Southampton 30-60 min / south) - beaches, historical buildings, food
• Portsmouth (travel time from Southampton 40 min by car and 45 min by train / southeast) - Charles Dickens' birthplace, naval port, maritime-themed attractions (Historic Dockyard, the restored ships HMS Victory and Mary Rose)
• Winchester (train travel time from Southampton 15 min / north) - cobbled streets, Wolvesey Castle ruins; Great Hall (houses a replica of King Arthur's Round Table), Cathedral

Southampton tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Princess Cruises boasts largest-ever European season (2026)

Princess Cruises has announced its grandest European cruise and cruisetour season to date for 2026, with a fleet of 5 ships set to embark on a total...

Sky Princess offers front-row seat to Solar Eclipse on Mediterranean cruise

The upcoming total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, presents a unique opportunity for travelers aboard the Princess cruise ship Sky Princess...

Cunard's new ship Queen Anne embarks on maiden voyage from Southampton UK

Cunard's latest cruise ship has commenced her inaugural voyage from Southampton UK. Queen Anne marks the company's first new vessel in 14 years and...

Cunard's newest liner Queen Anne arrived in homeport Southampton UK

Cunard's latest cruise ship MS Queen Anne has completed the relocation voyage to homeport Southampton England UK from Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard...

P&O Cruises' Britannia sets sail after extensive refurbishment

P&O Cruises UK's flagship Britannia left from Southampton on April 21st following an extensive multimillion drydock refurbishment. The company...

Cunard unveils stellar lineup: Three Queens to grace path of next Solar Eclipse

The recent celestial event of the solar eclipse has sparked anticipation for the next occurrence on August 12th, 2026. Cunard UK announced that...

P&O UK unveils summer 2026 cruises with early booking discount

P&O Cruises UK has unveiled its summer 2026 program, accompanied by an enticing early-bird booking promotion. The itinerary collection...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils 2025 voyages on Balmoral ship

The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled 4 new voyages scheduled for 2025, featuring destinations such as Costa Rica, the Dominicana, and...

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries, promising families unforgettable voyages to beloved destinations worldwide. Among...

P&O Cruises' Iona refurbishment delay prompts cruise cancellations

The planned refurbishment of P&O Cruises' vessel, Iona, has experienced delays, leading to the cancellation of two cruises scheduled for next...

•   show more news

Southampton - user reviews and comments

Corporate And Shore Operations Employment

Ground services department.

Register for Cruise Ship Jobs Now!

QUALIFICATIONS:

  Dispatcher -  Coordinate daily assignments as outlined in Collective Bargaining Agreement and policies and procedures. Act as first line of supervisors to Drivers. Assist in providing needed information and tools for Drivers to complete their assignments. Communicate with all other departments regarding customer!&s needs as related to dispatching operations. Execute random testing as required by Department of Transportation regulations and company policies. Respond to customer inquiries and needs when support departments are unavailable. Complete all reports and necessary documentation regarding operations including reporting equipment needs failures and requests to maintenance. Interact with Safety department regarding Driver compliance with DOT regulations and company policy. Maintain and continually update driver!&s records including uniform distribution, days off, and sick time etc. Research seasonal needs for forecasting purposes. Keep calendars and reports up to date to ensure driver communication and understanding. Other duties as assigned by management team.

Primary Responsibilities:

Job Qualifications:

• Planned Movements
• Vessels Alongside
• Vessels Underway
• Vessels Sailed
• Ships At Anchor
• Cruise Ship Schedule

Cruise Ship Schedule 2024

Lost property/ baggage enquiries.

P&O, Cunard, Princess Cruises   Any Baggage enquiries for the above lines please contact  The Baggage Handling Company Tel:  023 8087 3111   For lost property for the above lines please contact Tel:  023 8065 6426

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise Lines & Azamara For any baggage or lost property enquires please contact Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services – 023 8068 2680

For all other cruise lines Please contact your cruise line or booking agent directly

Directions to the Terminals

Please note that the information below refers to the BERTH that a ship is scheduled to arrive at / depart from.

For any other berth number, please check with your cruise operator for full details and see "Directions to Terminals"

For parking and directions to all of the cruise terminals, as well as local information, please click HERE or visit: www.abparking.co.uk   

Accuracy of Information

Please be advised that the Cruise Ship Schedule is strictly provisional and is subject to alteration without prior notice (Please refer to our Disclaimer). More precise details can be found under 'Planned Movements' (left) within six days of the indicated arrival date. 

We feed cruise ship times and berthing details directly to this web site from ABP's own live data. The information below will be updated every 10 minutes day and night, and will always show the latest arrival and departure times known to the port.

No other website has the benefit of this live information, and in the case of any conflict, this page or our planned movements page are likely to be the most up-to date and accurate. 

Whilst we make every effort to provide you with information that is as accurate as possible, the departure and arrival of cruise ships at ABP Southampton's cruise terminals can be affected by weather, air pressure, tidal times, technical problems and changes to itineraries by the cruise lines.

The cruise list is compiled from ABP's live shipping information.

However, we cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage or delay as a result of relying on this information. You must check (with your tour operator or cruise line) before your arrival or departure which cruise terminal a cruise ship will be berthed at, and your boarding time.

All the cruise ships arriving and departing Southampton this weekend

Bank holiday weekends always tend to be a busy one for Southampton .

As cruise ships sailing from all across the world arrive in the city, tourists flood the streets and no doubt the traffic gets a lot busier.

So here are all the ships arriving and departing Southampton this weekend.

Saturday, May 4

Iona arrived at 6.35am, and is due to leave at 5.30pm.

MSC Virtuosa arrived at 7.08am and is due to leave at 8pm.

Ventura arrived at 6.29am and is due to leave at 6pm.

Arcadia arrived at 5.56 and is due to leave at 8pm.

Sunday, May 5

Queen Victoria will arrive at 6.30am and will leave at 4.30pm.

Sky Princess will arrve at 6.45am and leave at 4pm.

Monday, May 6

MSC Virtuosa will arrive at 6.15am and leave at 4pm.

Protect Your Trip »

Icon of the seas: the best dining, amenities and more on royal caribbean's new ship.

This family-friendly megaship features plenty of activities, entertainment and restaurants.

Icon of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Key Takeaways

• Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, with 18 passenger-accessible decks, eight different neighborhoods and 2,805 staterooms.
• Think of Icon of the Seas as an all-in-one adventure vacation contained on a ship. Young families and energetic travelers will enjoy it most.
• Itineraries originate from Miami , sail to destinations around the Caribbean and include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island , Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you have any degree of interest in traveling or cruising, chances are you've heard the buzz around Icon of the Seas. Another record-breaking ship by Royal Caribbean International , Icon of the Seas debuted on Jan. 27, 2024, as the largest cruise ship in the world. It is epic in every sense, featuring 18 cruiser-accessible decks and stretching 1,196 feet from bow to stern.

With greatest-of-all-time soccer player Lionel Messi as the ship's godfather, the Icon of the Seas is truly iconic. Messi brought the entire Inter Miami team along for the opening ceremony and the big reveal of the team's new Royal Caribbean-sponsored jerseys. I was fortunate enough to attend this star-studded ceremony as part of the press preview sailing in the days leading up to the ship's grand debut to the public. It was everything I thought it would be and more, and nobody could have been more appropriate than Messi to send this ship on her maiden voyage.

Boarding a ship of this size can seem overwhelming, but not when you understand the layout. Icon of the Seas is broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Suite Neighborhood and Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families looking for nonstop fun and kid-approved eats and treats.

In addition to these public areas, there are 2,805 staterooms spread across 12 decks. Icon of the Seas' capacity maxes out at 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, but with the plethora of public spaces and variety of things to do and see, you can choose your own adventure without encountering more crowds than you want to.

Find your perfect cruise

Skye Sherman

Icon of the Seas itinerary

During its inaugural 2024-2025 cruising season, Icon of the Seas offers seven-night eastern or western Caribbean adventures from Miami, stopping at a variety of tropical destinations. All sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas . Other destinations include Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis ; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico .

During the 2025-2026 cruising season, new destinations will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands ). All sailings will originate from Miami.

No matter your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you'll visit beautiful places – but you can expect to feel torn about spending any time off the ship, because it's just that jampacked with things to do.

Who should sail on Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas appeals not so much to a demographic as to a psychographic; you're going to need to be someone who likes to live life in all caps. Royal Caribbean set out to create "the world's best vacation" contained on a ship, so Icon of the Seas is for anyone who would enjoy the combination of a beach trip, a resort stay, a water park adventure and island-hopping.

Fun-loving travelers and families with kids of varying ages will do best on this ship; it feels a little bit like Disney World with over-the-top everything and a truly massive sprawl. Older travelers who prefer a more quiet, refined experience may want to opt for a less kid-friendly ship. Still, even couples without children will find plenty of fun adult-friendly things to do and romantic places to tuck in.

The Royal Promenade can be quite loud and buzzy, but simply relocating to another onboard neighborhood can completely shift the vibe. Also, keep in mind that the ship really is huge, and walking from end to end can be a hike, so those with limited mobility or endurance might want to look into a smaller ship.

Icon of the Seas prices are high in its opening season, but cruisers with big dreams and small budgets can expect rates to drop by the time the next ship in the series debuts.

The stateroom

With a ship this overstimulating, it's imperative that your stateroom is a haven. Luckily, Icon of the Seas offers peaceful rooms, many of which feature ocean or Central Park neighborhood views. Cruise ship accommodations are stereotypically compact – even cramped – but the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in Icon of the Seas' cabins (with the exception of the windowless interior rooms) lend an airy, open feel. The cabin layouts are also optimized to provide the maximum amount of storage, floor space and comfort.

Stateroom decor is mildly nautical- and tropical-themed, with calming hues that mimic the scenery outside your window (think blues, beiges and whites). High-tech elements include smart TVs, LED mirrors and the ability to control many aspects of your room from an app.

My husband and I stayed in an Ocean View Large Balcony Stateroom, a 204-square-foot refuge from the hustle and bustle of the ship (the balcony adds another 65 to 70 square feet). This room type can sleep up to four people with a sofa bed for one or two; the room also features twin beds that convert to a king bed for couples.

My husband is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and we were comfortable in our room, even though our quarters included a large bed, a bathroom, a sofa and a desk. We loved sitting on our private balcony and watching the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean flow by.

If money is no object, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – an over-the-top eight-guest, three-story pad with a private whirlpool on the balcony, three bathrooms, a slide that connects the second and main levels, an in-suite cinema, a dining room and a kitchenette – looks epic. But keep in mind, it costs nearly $100,000 for the week.

The Sunset Corner Suites (about one-fifth of the cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, but still expensive) are also pretty sweet, with a wraparound balcony and a bed facing the sea.

Luckily, not all rooms break the bank; with four main stateroom categories (suite, balcony, ocean view and inside) and 28 subcategories, there's something for everyone.

Best amenities on Icon of the Seas

It's almost impossible to run out of things to do aboard Icon of the Seas.

For thrill-seekers, the largest water park at sea – Category 6 – features the Frightening Bolt (the tallest waterslide on a ship) and the Pressure Drop (the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise vessel).

If you've tired of the seven swimming pools, six waterslides, laser tag, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, escape room, sports courts, outdoor decks, theater, spa and all-day programming, simply take a stroll down the Royal Promenade for Las Vegas -style people-watching. The Royal Promenade has 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a Starbucks that seems to have a line no matter what time you go. The neighborhood feels a bit like a shopping mall … if a shopping mall had floor-to-ceiling ocean views made possible by the world's largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl, a feat of engineering, is one of the most unique aspects of the ship's design. This art piece is actually a load-bearing structure supporting three decks, but it looks and feels like an interactive art experience designed solely for the enjoyment of guests. The multisensory immersive structure has 3,000 kinetic panels and moody ever-changing lighting. It is one of the first things guests will see when they walk on board, as it stretches from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park.

My husband and I spent most of our time at the FlowRider surf simulator – his favorite amenity – but we made sure to leave time for Taylor Swift trivia at Spotlight Karaoke and the superhuman stunts of the Aqua Theater show, a must on any Icon of the Seas voyage. The ship even has a massive ice arena called Absolute Zero for ice skating (the 20-minute sessions are complimentary) and impressive shows.

We also loved lounging in The Overlook Bar & Pods, an area at the very front of the ship (behind the AquaDome) that features two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows. It felt airy and open, which can't be said about many cruise ship interiors.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Best dining venues on Icon of the Seas

There are more dining options aboard Icon of the Seas than you can fit in on a seven-night cruise – but you can give it the old college try. Thirteen of the dining venues are complimentary, while 14 are specialty restaurants (which cost extra; fees vary). There are also 18 bars and lounges.

The best meal we experienced on the ship was at the Chops Grille specialty eatery. When we spotted Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty and a group of bigwigs at a table next to us, we knew we were in the right place. We loved sitting outside and enjoying the breezes of Central Park while we chowed down, but you can eat indoors for an elegant steakhouse experience and a view of the open kitchen and butcher's display, which shows off specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu and bone-in tomahawks.

While I'd never turn down a swanky steak dinner, grabbing quick poolside bites at El Loco Fresh and indulging in some food hall-style grazing at AquaDome Market were equally enjoyable. We also had no complaints eating several meals at Windjammer, the classic complimentary cruise ship buffet.

Even though we don't have children, we stopped into Surfside Bites for a very kid-friendly meal, complete with soft serve ice cream cones from Sprinkles (because no cruise is complete without soft serve). We didn't try anything from the open-air, lemonade stand-inspired Lemon Post bar, but its menu of cocktails and mocktails looked delicious.

And since you're on vacation, be sure to check out the milkshake bar Desserted, where the sugary creations are as photo-worthy as they are decadent. They're worth the upcharge.

Best excursions on Icon of the Seas

Depending on what's on your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you may be able to book activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, tropical jungle adventures, visits to Mayan ruins, volcano hikes, rainforest zip lining, relaxing beach days or cultural immersion tours.

Note that Royal Caribbean features the same options on many of its other Caribbean cruises; none of the excursions on offer are exclusive to Icon of the Seas.

Because our press preview sailing only visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, we did not experience any of the shore excursions. Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas was plenty of fun, even though we didn't plan anything in advance.

If we had made plans, we would have liked to check out the Up, Up and Away tethered hot air balloon, which wasn't running that day, and the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club, which were all booked. Thrill Waterpark (which features the tallest waterslide in North America), Oasis Lagoon (the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean) and the adults-only Hideaway Beach are other highlights of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Overall impressions of Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean seems to be focused on superlatives. It has the biggest, best, tallest, largest and most of everything – especially when it comes to Icon of the Seas. If you like jampacked, adventurous vacations that squeeze a lot of adventure and relaxation into one memorable week, Icon of the Seas is probably for you.

While I love seeing Royal Caribbean push the limits of what cruises can be, the ship may almost be too big for some. It's an all-out Vegas-esque vessel that feels more like a floating city; you will probably forget (more than once) that you're not on dry land.

That's not necessarily a bad thing – if Icon of the Seas looks fun to you, it probably will be – but my husband and I tend to gravitate more toward authentic, immersive, on-the-ground cultural experiences when we travel. While Icon of the Seas is a lot of things, it's not that. We had a fantastic time and have already started planning a future Royal Caribbean cruise with a group of friends and family, but we also sympathize with the anticruisers of the world. Vacationing does not a traveler make.

Still, the shows are entertaining, the service is attentive, the music is jamming, and the architecture and design are incredibly impressive. I have no real complaints and suspect that most cruisers will have the time of their lives on Icon of the Seas – exactly as the minds at Royal Caribbean envisioned when they dreamed up this iconic ship.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Skye Sherman has been cruising since childhood, when her parents took her on her first cruise through the Caribbean. She has sailed various ocean cruise lines, gone off the grid for a six-day riverboat expedition deep into the Amazon River and even planned a European river cruise with 48 of her closest family and friends. She's a fourth-generation Floridian and hopes to visit every country in the world during her lifetime. She covers travel and lifestyle topics for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships
• Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival
• The Largest Cruise Ships in the World
• The Best New Cruise Ships
• The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Royal Caribbean Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best new york city tours.

John Rodwan and Ann Henson May 9, 2024

The Best Cheap Luggage

Erin Vasta and Amanda Norcross May 9, 2024

Top-Rated St. Augustine Ghost Tours

Holly Johnson May 9, 2024

The Best San Francisco Tours

Lyn Mettler May 8, 2024

The Best Water Parks in the U.S.

May 8, 2024

Top Adults-Only Cruises

Gwen Pratesi May 6, 2024

Top-Rated Newport Mansion Tours

Andrea McHugh May 6, 2024

The 9 New York City Boat Tours

Lyn Mettler May 6, 2024

The 13 Best Key West Tours of 2024

Gwen Pratesi May 3, 2024

Essentials to Pack for a Cruise

Gwen Pratesi and Amanda Norcross May 2, 2024