po cruise leaving southampton today

• City Cruise Terminal
• Mayflower Cruise Terminal
• Ocean Cruise Terminal
• QEII Cruise Terminal

Cruise Ship Schedule

• Contact Numbers

Cruise Line Timetable to and from Southampton Cruise Port 2023

Please note: Below timetable list is sujbect to changes, please check with your cruiseliner company for accutre up to date timetable.

38 or 38/9 berth = QEII Cruise Terminal 46 berth = Ocean Cruise Terminal 101 berth = City Cruise Terminal 106 berth = Mayflower Cruise Terminal 102 berth = Horizon Cruise Terminal

November 2023

December 2023

January 2024

February 2024

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Vessels Underway

Return to all live movements page.

• Borealis 1.685 passengers 02 May 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 02 May 2024 - 08:00
• AIDAnova 6.600 passengers 02 May 2024 - 08:00
• Britannia 4.406 passengers 03 May 2024 - 00:00
• Oceania Sirena 803 passengers 03 May 2024 - 06:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 03 May 2024 - 07:00
• Oceania Sirena 803 passengers 03 May 2024 - 08:00
• Ventura 3.727 passengers 04 May 2024 - 00:00
• Iona 6.600 passengers 04 May 2024 - 00:00
• Arcadia 1.904 passengers 04 May 2024 - 00:00
• MSC Virtuosa 5.772 passengers 04 May 2024 - 07:00
• Queen Victoria 2.489 passengers 05 May 2024 - 00:00
• Sky Princess 4.610 passengers 05 May 2024 - 07:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 05 May 2024 - 08:30
• MSC Virtuosa 5.772 passengers 06 May 2024 - 07:00
• Arcadia 1.904 passengers 07 May 2024 - 00:00
• Borealis 1.685 passengers 07 May 2024 - 00:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 08 May 2024 - 07:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 08 May 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Pearl 2.873 passengers 09 May 2024 - 05:00
• MSC Virtuosa 5.772 passengers 09 May 2024 - 07:00
• Britannia 4.406 passengers 10 May 2024 - 00:00
• Anthem of the Seas 4.825 passengers 10 May 2024 - 05:30
• Iona 6.600 passengers 11 May 2024 - 00:00
• Ventura 3.727 passengers 11 May 2024 - 00:00
• MSC Virtuosa 5.772 passengers 11 May 2024 - 07:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 12 May 2024 - 00:00
• Arvia 6.264 passengers 12 May 2024 - 00:00
• Anthem of the Seas 4.825 passengers 12 May 2024 - 05:30
• Norwegian Prima 3.950 passengers 12 May 2024 - 06:00
• Norwegian Getaway 4.819 passengers 13 May 2024 - 05:00
• Borealis 1.685 passengers 14 May 2024 - 00:00
• Silver Dawn 691 passengers 14 May 2024 - 07:00
• Aurora 2.258 passengers 15 May 2024 - 00:00
• Celebrity Apex 3.373 passengers 15 May 2024 - 06:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 15 May 2024 - 07:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 15 May 2024 - 07:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 16 May 2024 - 00:00
• Aurora 2.258 passengers 18 May 2024 - 00:00
• Iona 6.600 passengers 18 May 2024 - 00:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 18 May 2024 - 07:00
• MSC Virtuosa 5.772 passengers 18 May 2024 - 07:00
• Anthem of the Seas 4.825 passengers 19 May 2024 - 05:30
• Sky Princess 4.610 passengers 19 May 2024 - 07:00
• Caribbean Princess 3.766 passengers 19 May 2024 - 07:00
• Celebrity Apex 3.373 passengers 23 May 2024 - 06:00
• Queen Anne 3.353 passengers 24 May 2024 - 00:00
• Britannia 4.406 passengers 24 May 2024 - 00:00
• Silver Dawn 691 passengers 24 May 2024 - 07:00
• Sky Princess 4.610 passengers 24 May 2024 - 07:00

Cruises From Southampton, England

Southampton, 'Cruise Capital' of the UK The Port of Southampton became famous in the twentieth century as the United Kingdom's foremost port of departure for the great cruise lines. In terms of number of passengers, the most popular route used to be the transatlantic crossing to the USA. But in 1939 the first Pan Am passenger flight across the Atlantic signaled the finish of this golden time of ocean travel. In the following years Southampton came to prominence as a major Cruise port. Today the number of cruises from Southampton on offer each year is well over five hundred. The port is split between the Eastern Docks and Western Docks. The Western Docks are the location for the Mayflower, Horizon and City Cruise Terminals, the Eastern Docks the location for the QE2 and Ocean Cruise Terminals. The Eastern Docks witnessed perhaps Southampton's most famous event. In 1912 the Titanic left from White Star Dock (near today's Ocean dock) on its first voyage. When the ship went down, of the 1500 lives lost, 500 were crew who lived in Southampton and the impact on the city was enormous.

Southampton Cruise Ship Terminals Eastern Docks Queen Elizabeth II Terminal - Berth 38/9 The QE2 terminal was opened in 1966 by the Queen. The dock is home to Cunard's cruise liners, Queen Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Facilities include a short stay car park, a bar, a taxi rank and a cafe. The viewing area is closed to visitors. Ocean Cruise Terminal Berth 46 The first Ocean Cruise Terminal was a designer Art-Deco construction. Sadly this was demolished in 1983 The modern building, finished in 2009, is a total change from its namesake, being a huge modern design with simple curved lines. Facilities available include a short stay car park, a taxi rank, a bar and cafe. Western Docks City Cruise Terminal Berth 101 This Terminal has completed a 7 year refurbishment to double its capacity. It can now manage the largest 'Freedom Class' ships of RCI. Facilities include a short stay car park, a taxi rank, a bar and cafe. The nearby Mayflower Park is a good point to watch cruise ship departures. Horizon Cruise Terminal Berth 102 Horizon cruise terminal was opened in 2021, the result of a strategic partnership between the port, NCL, and MSC Cruises. The two level state-of-the-art terminal offers a full range of facilities, including check-in, baggage handling and security. Mayflower Cruise Terminal Berth 106 The Mayflower Cruise Terminal, opened in 1960, has long been associated with the P&O fleet of ships. Facilities are a taxi rank, a bar and cafe, and viewing gallery.

Cruises From Southampton The choice of cruises from Southampton is possibly the best of any departure port in the world. Itineraries from Southampton include voyages north to the magnificent Norwegian Fjords, north-east to the Baltic Sea and majestic St Petersburg, south to the beautiful Canary Islands, or south then east to the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean. Another popular alternative is a voyage around Britain. If you're an ocean lover and enjoy sea days, another option is the classic westbound transatlantic voyage to New York. Finally how about the cruise of a lifetime - Round The World. Cruises from Southampton are easily accessible, thanks to its good rail and road links.

Travelling to Southampton's Port By Road The majority of passengers booked on cruises from Southampton travel by road from the South-East of England. The M27 motorway, which joins places bordering the southern coast of England, runs just to the north of Southampton. The M3 motorway connects the city to London and also, by linking to the A34 road at Winchester with the Midlands and North. The M271 motorway, off the M27, joins it with the Docks and city centre. By Train Direct train services connect Southampton with London, and many places in England. There is a frequent train between London Waterloo and Southampton Central, the journey time is around 80 minutes. Rail routes run east towards Portsmouth, north towards the Midlands and beyond, and westwards to cities like Bournemouth and Bristol. From the train station you can either catch a taxi, or take the free CityLink bus service between the rail station and Town Quay every quarter-hour. By Airplane From London Heathrow There is a National Express bus to and from Heathrow Terminal every one-and-a-half to two hours. The journey time is about 2 hours. From London Gatwick Airport Take the train to Southampton Central station. Every hour, with a journey time of just under 2 hours. From Southampton Airport It's easiest to catch a cab for the docks.

Southampton Departing Cruises Calendar

The Princess and P&O Cruises leaving Southampton this week including Britannia and Iona

A number of luxury cruise liners come and go each day

• 10:26, 4 APR 2022

It's that time of the week again where we look at the incredible ships in the Port of Southampton. A number of ships come and go each day, and luckily for us their movements are posted online.

One of the best things about Hampshire is the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth is that a day doesn't go by without a fantastic ship taking to the water. From HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Queen Mary 2, there's always something to spot if you're out looking over the Solent.

This week, three luxury cruise liners will be heading in and out of the Port of Southampton. Companies such as P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises both have ships listed in the city this week.

READ MORE: Benny Hill: Remembering the legendary Southampton comedian 30 years after his death

The planned shipping movements in Southampton are published ahead of time - although they are subject to change. Below is a list of the three cruise ships listed to be in the city this week.

Britannia, a P&O cruise liner, will be arriving into city on Friday (April 8). The luxury cruise liner will head out on the same day, taking some lucky passengers on a wonderful European holiday.

Britannia was named by Her Majesty The Queen and entered service in March 2015. She measures at 330m, 143,000 tons and 13 guest decks.

Sky Princess

One of the newer ship in the Princess Cruises fleet is due to make an appearance in Southampton. Sky Princess will arrive and depart from the city on Saturday (April 9).

Built in 2019, Sky Princess was officially named by two pioneering women of the U.S. Space Progra - Captain Kay Hire, and engineer Poppy Northcutt. There are a total of 1,830 guest cabins for the 3,660 visitors who may be onboard Sky Princess.

P&O's newest cruise ship will also be in Southampton this weekend. Iona is due to arrive in Southampton on Saturday and is set to leave on the same day.

This cruise ship was built in 2020 and can hold 5,200 guests, plus 1,800 crew. She measures at 344m, 184,700 tons and has a total of 15 guest decks.

Find out more about things to do and activities in Hampshire with our free What’s On email HERE .

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Joining and leaving your ship

Online check-in       embarkation       flights       luggage       sailing from southampton       , online check-in.

You can check-in online ahead of your holiday via my.pocruises.com or by clicking the link in the email that you’ll receive. By checking in before departure day, you’ll spend less time in the terminal and start your holiday sooner. Online check-in opens 21 days before your holiday begins and closes 10pm GMT the day before your holiday. Here’s how to check-in online:

• Log in to my.pocruises.com using your name, date of birth and booking reference.
• Once logged in, you will need passport information, payment card details and passport-style photos for each person travelling to complete online check-in.
• If you have trouble uploading photos, your photo can be taken at the terminal. However, by uploading yours online, it will speed up your check-in process and avoid any delays at the terminal.
• Once you have completed online check-in and printed your boarding pass(es), you will need to print your luggage label(s). Printing your luggage label(s) and (s) in advance will make embarkation for your holiday even quicker and easier.  

If you have flights booked for your holiday, you are still advised to follow the check-in process as detailed by your air carrier. Your boarding pass will show your embarkation time, so you know when to arrive at the terminal.

To find out more about the online check-in process, visit my.pocruises.com

Embarkation

You will be allocated an arrival time for embarkation on your boarding pass. To ensure we keep congestion and queues in the terminal to a minimum and get you on board as soon as possible, we kindly ask that you adhere as closely as possible to your allocated arrival time. If you are unsure of your arrival time, please go to my.pocruises.com to print out your boarding pass, or ask your travel agent for assistance. In the spirit of fairness, we will be giving priority to those who arrive at their allocated arrival time. As part of our Peninsular Club benefits, Suite and Ligurian tier guests will be automatically allocated the earliest possible arrival time. Baltic and Caribbean tier guests will be allocated the next early arrival time. If you are travelling on our official partner’s coach service, you may notice that your arrival time doesn’t match your coach’s arrival time. Don’t worry; in this case your coach’s arrival time will override the time on your boarding pass.

Flight prices

Flights from London are available on all our fly-cruise holidays. In addition, flights from a range of regional airports are available on selected cruises. The prices of our fly-cruise holidays include economy class flights for the day of embarkation/disembarkation as well as transfers between the overseas airport and the ship. The inclusive airport varies by cruise and departure date and prices may vary for other departure airports. For the latest airport availability and prices please call our Customer Contact Centre, consult our website or contact your travel agent.

All flights are subject to availability.

Your flight details

Your e-ticket will be available via My P&O Cruises , from approximately 45 days before departure. It contains both your flight and cruise ticket information and can be accessed by selecting E-Tickets from the "Travel Documents" menu. Your e-ticket contains:

• Your airline and flight number
• Class of travel
• Departure and arrival times
• Departure terminal information
• Baggage information

E-tickets can be downloaded from My P&O Cruises and printed by you up to two days prior to departure. We advise that you print your e-tickets as close to departure as possible as this will ensure they contain the most up-to-date information about your journey. It is important that you carry these with you as proof of onward travel is required to enter some countries. Flight times are always subject to change. P&O Cruises has no control over changes airlines may make, but will inform you should these occur.

Pre-book your seat

Choose your preferred seat on selected Caribbean and Mediterranean charter flights. Seats on scheduled flights can usually be purchased through the airline’s own website. Some airlines require tickets to be issued before they allow you to pre-book seats, in which case payment for your flight may be required in advance and will be non-refundable. Call our Customer Contact Centre or your travel agent for more information. Alternatively most airlines allow you to check-in online 24 hours prior to departure, at which time seat reservations are usually free of charge, though this does vary by airline.

Caribbean fly-cruises

Flights are available from a range of UK airports, which vary by ship and cruise itinerary. Available airports may include: Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle.

Caribbean flight upgrades

On our charter flights we are pleased to be able to offer flight upgrades for an additional supplement. The benefits of upgrading vary by airline, but include the following:

• Increased baggage allowance~
• Increased seat pitch
• Priority check-in and fast-track (where available) through security at the UK airport
• Complimentary drinks (excluding Champagne and sparkling wine)
• Amenity kit on the outbound flight

Upgrades can be purchased at the time the cruise is booked, but are subject to availability and must be bought on a return basis (with the exception of transatlantic crossings). To book your premium economy seats, contact your travel agent, or call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).

If, for any reason, the upgraded cabin is withdrawn from a particular flight, the upgrade supplement for that flight sector will be refunded in full. Supplements for seats in upgraded cabins are payable in addition to any applicable regional supplements.

~Please note that where the upgraded baggage allowance is greater than 23kg, the weight of each individual bag must not exceed 23kg for safe handling by our ships’ crew and airline baggage handlers, but your overall allowance can be spread over more than one bag.

Flights to/from Antigua and Barbados include complimentary in-flight meals.

The majority of our flights are on chartered aircraft. For this reason, the services offered may differ slightly from the airline’s standard service or from your own experience if you’ve previously flown with them. However, guests travelling in either economy or premium economy class can purchase airport lounge access with Holiday Extras via  my.pocruises.com .

Mediterranean fly-cruises

We are pleased to be able to offer return flights from several UK air cities on all holidays which start and end in Valletta: Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle.

For cruises between Valletta and Tenerife, flights are available from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle. We use a range of charter and scheduled carriers. If you want to extend your holiday to make the most of Malta, we can tailor your flights. Either book one of our City Stay hotels or you can make your own arrangements. All flights are subject to availability.

Most airlines do not include complimentary catering on their short-haul flights. You will be able to purchase snacks and refreshments on board the aircraft. Most airlines are able to cater for specific dietary needs and special meals for children and infants. If you have any such requirements, we recommend that you liaise directly with the airline to ensure that your needs are adequately catered for.

Please note that not all requests can be guaranteed. Any request must be made no later than 48 hours prior to your flight departing.

Canary Islands fly-cruises

We are pleased to be able to offer return flights from the following UK air cities on our Canary Island fly-cruise holidays: Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle. Most airlines do not include complimentary catering on their short-haul flights. You will be able to purchase snacks and refreshments on board the aircraft.

Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys and Exotic fly-cruises

As you are travelling further afield, we want to be as flexible as possible so you can make the most of your holiday. Our prices include flights from/to London for day of embarkation/disembarkation, but we also offer a Cruise Only option so that you’re able to make your own travel arrangements. Please note, there is no reduction in price between Flights Included and Cruise Only options.  

Should you wish to extend your holiday and explore independently, we can book flights so you arrive early (or fly home later). You can book a stopover on selected routes, or if it better suits your travel plans, you can fly to/from an alternative air city. A supplement may apply.

Where flight schedules permit, we can offer flights from alternative UK airports – a supplement may apply.

Scheduled flight details and upgrades are available approximately 11 months prior to departure.

We’d recommend that you take our Flights and Transfers option to ensure that you arrive at the ship on time.

Tailored flight quotations

Please either contact your travel agent or call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).

All flights

a) All flight times, air carriers and flight routings are subject to change. Flights will not necessarily be direct or non-stop. P&O Cruises has no control over changes airlines may make, but will inform you should these occur.

b) Full details of air travel arrangements will be available via my.pocruises.com as soon as they have been finalised.

c) When we charter aircraft from an airline we tailor the services offered for our guests, so these may differ from the airline’s advertised services.

d) P&O Cruises will determine the city airport e.g. for London: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City airports may be used. All services are sold subject to availability.

e) You may have to transfer, under your own arrangements, between London airports depending on flight allocations obtained by P&O Cruises.

f) Occasionally international flight timings necessitate a pre-/post-cruise overnight stay and included in your cruise fare is a hotel room in the international port of embarkation and disembarkation for the night before or after your cruise. This accommodation will not be assigned until 30 days prior to your sailing and for operational reasons will be subject to change right up until the date of your stay. Airport hotels may be used, avoiding long transfer times and allowing you the chance to rest before or after a long flight. You will not be eligible for compensation in the event of a change in hotel and our cancellation terms will apply as per the cruise Booking Conditions.

g) Airlines reserve the right to refuse travel on medical grounds. You must notify us of any medical or mobility requirements such as airport assistance (only available after check-in) or taking your own mobility aid. In addition to completing our medical and mobility questionnaire, you may be required to provide additional information directly to the airline in order that they can assess your fitness to fly. Several airlines are unable to carry passengers who require additional oxygen for medical reasons during part or all of the flight. Those airlines that can offer this service need to have advance notification to make the appropriate arrangements and you may need to pay for any additional costs.

h) In order to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations, you must advise us at the time of booking if you plan to carry an electrical mobility aid on board your flight(s). These include, but may not be limited to, electric wheelchairs, electric scooters and CPAP machines. Information you provide will be passed to the airline so that assessments can be made as to the safety of carrying the equipment on board the aircraft. The airline may require additional information directly from you in order to complete their assessment. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the electric mobility aid not being allowed on the aircraft.

i) On selected charter flights, specific seats can be purchased approximately 14 weeks prior to departure. You will be sent an email with details of how to book. Seat bookings close approximately 7 days prior to departure. All other seats will be allocated by the airline at check-in. When travelling on scheduled flights, it may be possible to pre-book seats subject to each airline’s policies, over which P&O Cruises has no control. Due to the configuration of the aircraft, it may not always be possible to obtain seats together.

j) Airlines have entered into codeshare agreements, so you may find that one or more of your flights is operated by one of their partner airlines. We will advise you if this is the case.

k) For long haul flights, if you have any special dietary requirements, including child meal requests, please advise us at the time of booking or at least 7 days prior to travel. We are unable to guarantee that all requests can be met.

l) Any amendment or cancellation made prior to departure will incur an administration fee of £20 per person plus any costs charged by the airline. Costs vary depending on the airline and the change(s) you want to make.

m) When you or your travel agent make a booking on one of our fly-cruise holidays, you may be offered the ‘Guaranteed Flight’ option, which means that you will have a confirmed booking, including flights, but the specific UK airport will be allocated at a later date. All people booked under the same booking reference in a single cabin will be allocated the same flights; however we may not be able to allocate the same flights to groups who have booked multiple cabins. Flights will be allocated to your booking at least 7 days prior to departure and the price you have been quoted will not change. We will do our best to allocate flights from your preferred UK airport, but we cannot guarantee this.

n) If for any reason, upgraded seats are withdrawn from a particular flight, any upgrade supplement paid for that flight sector will be refunded in full and no compensation will be offered.

o) Baggage allowances vary by airline, route and class. Details will be available to view via my.pocruises.com once all flights in your itinerary have been finalised. Excess baggage can be pre-purchased on some airlines. Please note that the weight of each bag must not exceed 23kg for safety and handling purposes.

p) To comply with immigration rules, you must ensure that the name on your booking matches the name in your passport. You will be responsible for all costs associated with failing to comply with this requirement, such as amendment charges. Please note, it is normal for some boarding passes to only include first and surnames.

q) If you choose to make your own travel arrangements to join your ship, any flights you take will not form part of the package provided by us and will not be covered by our ATOL protection. You will also need to ensure that you leave sufficient time in your itinerary to reach the cruise terminal by the check-in time stated on your e-ticket as our transfers will not be included.

r) Please visit your airline’s website for their most up-to-date travel policies and protocols.

Regional departures – please note

a) International flights from regional airports may be indirect. If a same day connection is not possible, the cost of overnight accommodation will be at your own expense.

b) Flights are offered subject to airline schedules available at the time of booking. Should subsequent schedule changes result in no regional service being available from a particular airport, no alternative transport will be provided.

c) We offer a complimentary coach service between selected UK airports and the port of Southampton on selected one way fly-cruises.

Whether you are departing the UK from the port by ship or flying from the airport, you can leave your car at the airport at the start of your holiday. Car parking is at your own expense.

On one way fly-cruises sailing from Southampton, a coach will take you directly from the airport to board your ship in Southampton and you’ll fly home following your cruise to find your car waiting. The details of when and where the coach transfer will depart from will be viewable on your My P&O Cruises in the 'Full Itinerary View' tab approximately 30-35 days prior to departure as this is when the details are confirmed with the coach company.

On one way fly-cruises starting in the Caribbean, you’ll fly from the airport to board your ship and sail back to Southampton at the end of your holiday, transferring to a coach that takes you to the airport to collect your car.

Please inform us or your travel agent at the time of booking if you wish to book this service – places are limited and must be booked in advance. You will be given instructions on how to join your coach prior to departure. If you are booking your cruise through our website and wish to add the coach transfer, please contact our Customer Contact Centre once you have made your booking on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply). Coach times are usually available three months prior to departure.

Coach transfers are only available on embarkation day for cruises departing from Southampton or on disembarkation day for cruises arriving into Southampton. If you are extending your holiday and either flying out early or home later, then this service is not available.

These coach transfers are not available on our Exotic fly-cruises.

On roundtrip cruises from/to Southampton, if you book regional flights to/from Southampton Airport for day of embarkation/disembarkation through us you will be transferred to the airport in the morning of disembarkation, even if your flight departs later in the day.

d) Where domestic flights to/from Southampton do not connect with our sailing times, we can book flights on an alternative date. In this case, accommodation in Southampton is available to purchase through Holiday Extras via  my.pocruises.com .

Parking at the airport

Details of airport parking facilities can be found and booked through Holiday Extras via my.pocruises.com. For more information about parking and coach arrangements for one-way fly-cruise holidays, please see below.

One way fly-cruises

We offer a complimentary coach service between the airport and the port of Southampton on selected cruises; please see cruises listed below. Please inform us or your travel agent at the time of booking if you wish to book this service – places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Whether you are sailing from Southampton or flying from the airport, you can park your car at the airport at the start of your holiday. On one-way fly-cruises sailing from Southampton, a coach will then take you directly from the airport to board your ship in Southampton and you’ll fly home following your cruise to find your car waiting. On one-way fly-cruises starting in the Caribbean, you’ll fly from the airport to board your ship and sail back to Southampton at the end of your holiday, transferring to a coach that takes you to the airport to collect your car.

2023/24 Caribbean fly-cruises

B326A, B406, K406, K406A - Birmingham, London and Manchester.

B326, B406A, K322E - Birmingham, Bournemouth, London and Manchester.

K322N - Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Manchester.

K322F, K405D - London and Manchester.

2024/25 Caribbean fly-cruises

B425, B425A, B506, B506A, K423, K423A, K506, K506A - Birmingham, London and Manchester.

K423B, K505D - London and Manchester.

Delays to ships and flights, whilst rare, do occasionally occur. In such situations we liaise with the supplier of our services where appropriate, and will ensure your comfort during the course of any such delay. Depending on the particular circumstances, refreshments, meals and accommodation may be provided as appropriate, subject always to the facilities and services locally available. Our aim will always be to minimise the inconvenience of any delays.

Sailings from/to Southampton

You can bring as many bags as you can comfortably fit into your cabin, but each item of luggage should weigh no more than 23kg for safety and handling purposes. If an item exceeds 23kg at embarkation you will be recalled to the terminal and asked to remove items or repack your bags. Your baggage may also be delayed at disembarkation if you exceed this limit. You may also wish to use our luggage courier service – see below for details.

Suit carriers

We would suggest you carry on your suit carrier to avoid any accidental damage during the loading process along conveyor belts where straps, handles or the bag itself may get caught and tear. Suit/dress carriers form part of your flight luggage allowance where applicable.

Coach transfers

Cruise Connect restrict passengers to a luggage allowance of two ‘medium’ cases weighing no more than 23kg per piece plus one item of hand luggage per person. For further details, visit my.pocruises.com, contact Cruise Connect directly on 0344 338 8690 (local call charges apply) or visit  www.intercruises.com/cruiseconnect

Fly-cruises

On fly-cruises, both the charter and scheduled flight luggage restrictions vary, but are usually between 20kg and 23kg per person. Log into my.pocruises.com and visit the Flights page to view your air carrier baggage allowances. Please note that if your airline allowance is greater than 23kg, we ask that no individual item of luggage weighs more than 23kg, in order to be safely handled by the ship’s crew and airline baggage handlers.

Flights between Tenerife and Valletta

Whether you fly to Tenerife and fly home from Valletta, or vice versa, you must adhere to the luggage allowance on your Valletta flight, as the smaller aircraft is unable to carry more than the specified allowance. Once your flights have been confirmed, visit my.pocruises.com to view your airline baggage allowances.

Luggage courier service

For convenience, you may wish to arrange to have your luggage sent to the ship if you are departing from Southampton. The Baggage Handling Company offers a convenient service collecting your luggage from your home and transporting it to the port up to 96 hours before your cruise departs, so you don’t have to worry about your luggage until you reach your cabin. Safely sealed and stored in a secure facility before departure, the service guarantees complete peace of mind over the security of your luggage once in the possession of The Baggage Handling Company. On return from your holiday, you will be met by a representative in the terminal, who will reseal your luggage and return it to you on the date agreed. The service is available from £36 per bag each way, dependent on location.

To find out more or to book this service visit  www.thebaggagehandlingcompany.com  or call the P&O Cruises customer line on 0844 8094661. Calls cost 5p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

Sailing from Southampton

Coach travel.

For sailings from Southampton, Cruise Connect offers coach transfers to and from your ship from 50 collection and drop-off points throughout the UK^. You can book a comfortable and spacious coach or privately hire from a range of different sized vehicles. The prices shown below apply to the lowest available price in each region. For applicable prices and to book, please contact the coach operator on 0344 338 8690 (local call charges apply) or visit  www.intercruises.com/cruiseconnect †

Wales from £84 per person

Midlands from £80 per person

South East from £79 per person

North from £94 per person

Scotland from £145 per person

^Coach collection/drop-off point may not be central to town or city indicated. Service is subject to minimum numbers and Cruise Connect reserves the right to cancel the service 28 days prior to embarkation if deemed necessary. Cruise Connect is operated by Intercruises.

†Your contract will be with the coach service provider. Price shown applies to one departure point in each region.

Valet car parking

If you’re driving to your ship in Southampton, a full valet parking service is available at our home port. When you arrive, porters will be on hand to take care of your luggage while you check your car in with representatives from Cruise and Passenger Services Ltd. From that point on, their careful drivers will park your car for you, and it will be kept in a safe and secure car park until your return. Prices range from £9.50-£20◊ per day depending on the duration of your cruise. For full prices and to book, call 0345 071 3939 or visit  www.cruiseparking.co.uk

◊Prices as at January 2020 and are subject to change.

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Cruise line P&O UK (P&O Cruises)

• Bridgetown (Barbados)
• Southampton (England)

Britannia current position

Britannia current location is at North Sea (coordinates 58.13837 N / 7.99318 E) cruising en route to Kristiansand. The AIS position was reported 9 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Britannia

Britannia current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Norwegian Fjords . The itinerary starts on 26 Apr, 2024 and ends on 03 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Britannia

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Britannia Itineraries

Britannia review, review of britannia.

The 2015-built MV Britannia cruise ship is the largest vessel in the P&O UK's fleet. From this Royal-class are also the Princess Cruises liners Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017), Sky Princess (2019), Enchanted Princess (2021) and Discovery Princess (2022). These are the ever biggest cruise vessels constructed by Fincantieri (Italy).

The vessel (IMO number 9614036) is currently UK- flagged (MMSI 235106595) and registered in Southampton .

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

The 3700-passenger ship Britannia is the biggest ever cruise liner built especially for the British source market. The £500 million new-build is a result of four years of planning. P&O Britannia is 25,000 tons heavier than Azura and Ventura sister ships (previously the largest vessels in the P&O fleet). The Britannia ship alone boosts the capacity of the P and O line by almost a quarter – 24%. Britannia impresses with her Union Jack livery and offers British-style cruising with modern look and feel. Her homeport is Southampton .

Britannia has the most popular features of the P&O fleet, such as The Crow's Nest Bar, Atul Kochar's Sindhu restaurant, Olly Smith's The Glass House, as well as brand new amenities. P&O says that Britannia cruise ship engine power output (MAN diesel engines) is equivalent to 70 Challenger tanks’ power or 86 supercars Bugatti Veyron. Britannia cruise ship is also the greenest yet and designed to deliver greater levels of environmental and operational efficiency. The new form of the hull is expected to reduce fuel consumption by approx 20%. Along with the hull design, P and O changed the hull art as well – with the Union Jack flag 94 m / 308 ft long.

The Britannia ship is the eighth vessel to join P&O UK's fleet and named "to resonate with the forward-looking mood in Britain". Britannia is considered to be the most fitting name because of its famous long heritage, so suitable for the newest P&O addition – the favourite cruise line of Britain. Apparently, HM The Queen gave her permission to P&O use the name.

Two ships connected to the company have been previously named "Britannia". The first one entered service for General Steam Navigation Company in 1835. The second one, together with three other boats, was ordered to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary of her accession to the throne) and entered service in 1887. The "Golden Jubilee ship" had passenger capacity 410 (160 second-class plus 250 first-class) and cargo capacity 4000 tons. In 1888, on this Britannia sailed (to Bombay India ) Winston Churchill, with his hussar regiment, and then fought on India's North-West Frontier (present-day Pakistan's KPK-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province/occupied by the British between 1849-1947 via the East India Company).

Royal Yacht Britannia was the vessel decommissioned in 1997 by John Major government, but the name has been associated with P&O for a long time. In June 2013 a management shake-up at Carnival UK operations later saw the exit of Carol Marlow- the former managing director, and Peter Shanks – ex-boss of Cunard brand. Britannia is the first vessel for P&O Cruises since then. These departures were linked to boosting younger cruisers’ proportion at the UK arm of Carnival Cruises. Everyone who believes in the growth of the cruise industry now expects the new P and O cruise ship Britannia to mark a new era of success.

Her Majesty The Queen (1926-2022) was the royal godmother. She named the ship on March 10th, 2015, at Southampton's Ocean Terminal. HM The Queen was accompanied by Prince Philip and The Duke of Edinburgh. After the royal words "May God bless her and all who sail in her", The Queen pressed the button that released a Nebuchadnezzar wine (a giant bottle of sparkling wine, the equivalent of 20 regular bottles) to be smashed against the hull. This most special event was also marked by live band music performances – Her Majesty's Royal Marines band, and the Irish Guards’ Regimental Band. Also present at the naming ceremony were the Carnival Corporation's front men Micky Arison (chairman) and Arnold Donald (CEO), and also David Dingle (chairman of Carnival UK).

Decks and Cabins

MS Britannia staterooms (a total of 1837 total, in 35 grades) include 64x Suites, 1298x Balconies, 448x Inside and 27x Studios (single-occupancy cabins). The ship has no Oceanview cabins. Most staterooms are Balcony (sized 175-290 ft2). Cabin balconies are rather small (sized 35 ft2 / 3 m2). The largest accommodations are the Owner's Suites (470 ft2/44 m2, with terrace sized 210 ft2/20 m2).

The boat has 17 decks , of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The rise on the world stage of British cooking is reflected in Britannia's dining options. The Epicurean Restaurant specializes in fine dining and molecular gastronomy. It features both contemporary and traditional dishes. The Glass House is home to nearly 40 different wines from all around the world, including labels from Greece, Croatia, and Japan. Wine expert Olly Smith pairs wine with food from the menu, featuring dishes like a Wagyu burger, sea bass ceviche with lime, lobster buns, Morecombe Bay and Devon crab sliders. The first British ship to offer cooking lessons at sea, The Cookery Club provides guests an opportunity to hone their cooking techniques under the watchful eye of food experts and chefs. Aboard the Britannia, passengers can cook alongside baking queen Mary Berry and TV chef James Martin. Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar teaches guests how to make dishes from Sindhu - his signature restaurant. Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White also runs a class, demonstrating his famous dishes whilst passengers cook alongside him.

While P&O UK has already linked up with celebrity chefs for Cookery Club school, Britannia will also act as a backdrop to the first at sea celebrity-led TV cooking contest, Battlechefs, from April 4. On April 2, 2016, the ship will be the setting for another first as she will host live Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway from the top deck.

Follows the complete list of Britannia restaurants and food bars.

• The Limelight Club (supper club for specialty dining; offers live performances and the 3-course dinner menu)
• Meridian Restaurant (aft Dining Room; for Breakfast 7:30-9 am, and Lunch 12:15-1:45 pm/3-course menu; Afternoon Tea 4-4:45 pm.; club dinner dining at 6:30 or 9.30 pm)
• The Oriental Restaurant (aft MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 pm)
• The Peninsular Restaurant (forward MDR, with fixed seating dining at 6:30 and 8:30 pm, open-seating breakfast and lunch; also serving Afternoon Tea 4-4:45 pm)
• Sindhu (Indian specialty restaurant, by A. Kochhar)
• Ocean Grill (specialty, by chef Marco Pierre White)
• The Glass House (steakhouse/seafood specialty restaurant and wine bar, by Olly Smith)
• Java Cafe (buffet-style restaurant)
• The Cookery Club (specialty restaurant and cooking club by James Martin)
• Fine Dining Restaurant (Epicurean Restaurant - specialty, dinner-only, by the Michelin star Marco Pierre White)
• Horizon Restaurant (Lido buffet; complimentary, self-service; with several food stations and floor-ceiling windows)
• Beach House (casual dining venue, dinner-only)
• Poolside drinks and fast-food bars – The Pizzeria, Lido Bar, Lido Grill, Riviera Bar, “Grab and Go”.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MV Britannia ship design is a masterpiece created by Richmond International – London-based architects, who anticipate today's Britain tastes. They are well known for creating “flowing” coherent interiors but with each area having an individual identity. While the Britannia ship may be a large vessel, every inch of the interior was carefully considered as to become breathtaking and striking. MV Britannia was designed to make guests feel special, and all of her was planned with flair and imagination. The Britannia ship offers the very best of Britain's contemporary design and an unprecedented number of facilities for passengers.

The vessel provides the best classic features of Aurora and Oriana , and a wide choice of the contemporary variety of Azura and Ventura. 13 cafes and restaurants, 13 bars, 15 passenger decks, 4 swimming pools, 9 jacuzzis – what more of all these could a traveler wish for? Another good decision on a practical level is the greater number of single cabins - more than on any other ship. Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, supervised kids program, laundry/self-serve laundromats, nursery.

Follows the complete list of Britannia lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Britannia Atrium (3-decks central open floor area and social hub); Atrium Shops (Regalia - clothes, souvenirs, gifts; The Wardrobe - brand fashion, watches, bags, hats); Chic - fashion boutique; Emporium - candy shop; Eternity - jewelry, Essence - perfumes)
• Market Cafe (Atrium patisserie by Eric Lanlard), Blue Bar (Atrium piano bar), Sunset Bar
• Brodie’s Pub; The Studio (multi-purpose lounge); Marlow Suite (multifunction room, doubles as Card Room)
• Headliners Theatre (836-seat, 2-decks, featuring grand scale productions, live performances, game shows)
• The Crystal Room (Lounge and Bar; daily dance classes, grand evening balls)
• The Live Lounge (music-dedicated venue; disco at night)
• The Crow's Nest Lounge (dance floor, a stage for live music; with floor-ceiling windows for panoramic views; hosts art classes, quiz games, cooking demos during the day)
• Casino; Ivory Suite (vow renewal and wedding services)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery; The Library (with Internet computers)
• Terrace Pool (adults only area, served by Terrace Bar); Riviera Pool area; Aqua Pool and Bar; Coral Pool and Bar
• adults-only relaxation areas ("Retreat" /VIP Spa terrace with private cabanas, and "Serenity")
• Oasis Spa complex (Treatment Rooms, Steam Rooms, Thermal Suite, Thalassotherapy pool, Beauty Salon)
• Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
• Childrens' Facilities (Kids Play Area, The Reef Kids Programming Rooms, Nursery)
• Promenade (Walking Lane and Jogging Track); Sports Court (basketball, volleyball, football, cricket, tennis); Table Tennis; four Golf Net cages.

Itineraries

P&O Britannia itinerary program is based on homeporting in Southampton England and Bridgetown Barbados . The roundtrips include Caribbean Islands (from Barbados), ex-Southampton voyages along the Atlantic Coast, Baltic, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, "mini-cruises" to Guernsey (Channel Islands), Transatlantic repositioning crossings.

Britannia returned to the UK/Southampton on March 25, 2016 (a year after the naming ceremony led by HM The Queen) being homeported in Barbados throughout winter 2015-2016. From the UK, the ship operated short-breaks to Northern Europe and longer cruises to the Mediterranean (during summer). For the Caribbean winter 2016-2017 season, the ship was homeported in Saint Lucia (Castries) .

On June 27, 2021, Britannia became P&O UK's first liner to restart operations (following the 15+ months pause due to the Coronavirus crisis) leaving roundtrip from Southampton on a 4-night "Short Break" ( cruise to nowhere ) in the English Channel/along Devon's coast.

Britannia - user reviews and comments

Photos of britannia.

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Britannia wiki.

MS Britannia is currently P&O UK's largest liner, as well as the ever-biggest built specifically for the UK market, Fleet's next largest vessels are  Azura and Ventura . The interior was designed by "Richmond International" - UK-based hotel design company. On February 22, 2015, the vessel was delivered at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard . The ceremony was attended by Enrico Morando (Italy's Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance), Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation's Chairman), David Dingle (Carnival UK's Executive Chairman), David Noyes (P&O UK's CEO), Vincenzo Petrone (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

P&O Britannia (Monfalcone shipyard/hull number 6231) is powered by Wartsila marine diesel engines (models 12V46F and 14V46F) generating total power output 62,4 MW.

First Mediterranean cruise (2015, March 14) was a 14-day roundtrip from Southampton to Gibraltar , Barcelona , Monaco , Civitavecchia-Rome , Corsica , Cartagena , Cadiz . First Transatlantic cruise crossing (2015, October 23) was a 14-day itinerary from Southampton to Bridgetown Barbados , visiting Madeira (Funchal), St Maarten, St Lucia, Dominica, Grenada. First Caribbean cruise (2015, November 6) was a 14-day roundtrip from Barbados to Aruba, Grand Cayman, Jamaica (Ocho Rios), BVI (Tortola), St Maarten, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada.

During winter, the ship cruises in the Caribbean on roundtrips from Barbados . The ship was homeported in Port Castries (St Lucia) during winter 2016-2017 season. It also offers fly-cruise deals from UK ( Southampton England ). P&O UK's "flight and cruise" deals to the Caribbean are inclusive of discounted airfare to and from Barbados or St Lucia.

P&O Britannia refurbishments review

The ship's first drydock refurbishment was in 2019 (October 8-22) at Damen Shipyard Brest (France) . During the drydock works were implemented the following changes:

• All interiors were refreshed (shipwide).
• ( Landing Deck 5 / midship Lobby) a permanent Art Gallery was added (adjacent to Blue Bar / Atrium bar)
• (deck 5 midship) The Atrium was redesigned with new color schemes and relaxed live entertainment (music, informal acts).
• (deck 5 midship) Market Cafe's menu upgraded with new gourmet sweets (recipes by Eric Lanlard / French patissier and celebrity chef)
• (deck 5 forward) To Oasis Spa and Salon (ship's wellness complex) were added two express pods for treatments - one for high-tech spa massages, the other for express skin treatments and LVL lash lifting.
• ( Tween Deck 6 ) The onboard shopping was upgraded with new luxury brands - Jo Malone London (candles), Tom Ford (designer fashion), Michael Kors (designer clothing and accessories, handbags, watches, shoes), Clifton (custom design clothing), Edinburgh Gin (alcohol).
• ( Main Deck 7 midship-starboard) Java Cafe (buffet restaurant's) menu was upgraded with alcoholic beverages.
• (deck 7 midship-aft-starboard) Photo Gallery upgraded with Dixons Electronics Hub selling gadgets (imaging, computing, audio) from premium brands like Amazon, Apple (electronics, computer software), Microsoft (software), Sony (electronics, gaming), Canon (imaging and optical products), Fitbit (trackers, wireless wearables), GoPro (action cameras), Bose (audio devices / headphones, speakers, wearables).

On MS Britannia, P&O also introduced a try-before-you-buy program with consultant-managing tasting tables in the ship's beauty and make-up areas.

Drydock 2024 (conducted in April) included upgrades to various areas, including all public spaces, all passenger and crew staterooms, redesigned Lobby Hall (an extension of the Loyalty Desk and Cruise Sales Desk), enhancements to the Market Cafe, a substantial renovation of the crew areas. The children's splash pool zone was revamped with interactive water features. The Sunset Bar's capacity was increased with extra seating.

Fun ship facts

During its first year of service (March 10, 2015 - March 25, 2016), the Britannia cruise ship:

• sailed more than 90000 nautical miles (103570 ml / 166680 km)
• hosted 730 theater shows
• served 94457 meals
• operated 43 itineraries (visiting 31 different countries and calling on 61 seaports).

During that time, the ship carried 116900+ passengers, who consumed ~375000 cocktail drinks, ~2,8 million cups of tea, 292000+ scones.

The vessel was laid down in 2011, its name was announced in 2013. P&O Britannia features a 308 ft / 94 m long Union Jack flag on hull's bow - world's biggest of its kind. The vessel is the first Monfalcone -made cruise ship with 2 funnels. The last ocean liner with 2 funnels (SS Eugenio C) was delivered by Monfalcone shipyard in 1966.

For the naming ceremony was used a nebuchadnezzar British Brut NV (from Winston Estate Winery, England's Sussex region). For the cruise ship's christening event, thousands of bottles "Rose Vintage 2011" and "Brut NV" were delivered.

MV Britannia ship's godmother was Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain (Elizabeth II/1926-2022). On the naming ceremony, she was accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Philip. The event took place in Southampton on March 10, 2015. The list of other P and O cruise ships named by British Royals includes Oriana (April 6, 1995, by HM The Queen), Aurora (April 27, 2000, by HRH Princess Royal) and the ships Oceana and Adonia (both named on May 21, 2003, by HRH Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips).

The cruise ship's namesakes are the ferries Spirit of Britain (P&O FERRIES) and Stena Britannica (STENA LINE).

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Cunard Queen Anne cruise ship arrives in Southampton

• Published 12 hours ago

Cunard's newest cruise ship has arrived at its home port of Southampton.

The 3,000-capacity luxury Queen Anne was watched by crowds as it sailed in from the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice.

It was visible from Gosport and the north coast of the Isle of Wight earlier in the evening.

The vessel - the company's first new cruise ship in 14 years - is due to depart on its maiden voyage to Lisbon on Friday.

Cunard's newest cruise ship

322.5m length

64m height above the water

3,000 passengers

1,225 crew members

4,300 works of art

The 113,000-tonne ship joins Cunard's fleet of queens - Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Following a 14-day cruise to the Canary Islands, it is due to embark on a voyage around the British Isles with stops including Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Belfast and Cobh.

The voyage also includes a naming ceremony at Cunard's "spiritual home" of Liverpool on 3 June.

Cunard took ownership of the ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Italian shipyard in Venice on 19 April.

Speaking at the ceremony, Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: "Not only does she reflect the Cunard distinctive style on the outside, the inside perfectly echoes the brand heritage with reimagined, elegant spaces and designs."

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Traffic warning for Southampton drivers as city welcomes nine cruise ships plus as Saints home game

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• Saturday 27 April 2024 at 11:20am

People travelling around Southampton this weekend are being warned to prepare for traffic delays as the Saints football game coincides with a number of cruise ships arriving.

The centre of Southampton is expected to be busy with a number of events happening in the city, including increased passenger numbers on Red Funnel Crossings.

Red Funnel are expecting particularly busy services on Saturday, making the waterfront area busier than usual.

On Saturday, Southampton Football Club are also playing at home at 3pm so routes around St Mary’s stadium will be busier than usual before and after the game.

The city council say the temporary anti-clockwise, one-way system on the Ring Road remains in place - from Charlotte Place to the Civic Centre.

Across Friday and Saturday four cruise ships were due to visit the port - Iona, Sky Princess and Arcadia.

On Sunday, four cruise ships will be docking in Southampton - Queen Mary 2, Arvia, Queen Victoria and MSC Poesia.

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Beautifully Nostalgic Photos Of Cruising Through The Decades

Posted: May 1, 2024 | Last updated: May 1, 2024

Cruising through time

From the earliest transatlantic voyages and golden-age ships to today's glittering juggernauts, we reveal 32 nostalgic images that chronicle cruise history.

1830s: the very beginnings

1840s: the first pleasure cruises

1840s: a landmark in cruise-line history

1850–60s: early developments

Passenger cruising continued to develop through the mid-19th century, with luxuries like on-board lounges and simple entertainment emerging. Shown here, in 1856, is Cunard's RMS Persia, one of the largest ships of her time and an early Blue Riband winner (an award given for high-speed Atlantic crossings).

1870s: the New World

1880s: lighting up the ocean

1890s: “floating palaces”

1900s: entering cruising’s golden age

At the turn of the century, there was still a frisson around cruising and large, buzzy crowds would often gather to see off the ships. This nostalgic photograph was snapped between 1900 and 1915, and shows large steam boats leaving from the White Star Line dock in Detroit, Michigan. Well-dressed passengers fill the ships' upper and lower decks too.

1900s: the first purpose-built cruise ship

1910s: onboard entertainment

1910s: the Titanic disaster

One of the most famous and devastating events in cruise history occurred in this decade. Dubbed "unsinkable" by the White Star Line's vice-president, the Titanic set out from Southampton on her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912 to much applause. But just four days later, she collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic: the compartments in her hull filled with water and she tragically sank. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people.

1910s: First World War

1920s: cruising’s golden age continued

1920s: setting the bar high

1920s: a festive feast

1920s: the first round-the-world cruise

Another major milestone came in the 1920s: the very first round-the-world cruise. The Cunard Line's RMS Laconia (pictured here leaving Liverpool circa 1920) sailed around the globe in 1922, calling at 22 ports along the way, and taking 450 lucky passengers with her.

1930s: all games on deck

1930s: making a splash

1940s: post-war cruising

1950s: the post-war decades

Come the 1950s, cruise ships had another phenomenon to compete with: jet planes. Commercial air travel boomed in this decade, with comfier aircraft and improved routes enticing travelers into the skies. Many cruise liners underwent swish post-war refits in an attempt to stay afloat: this 1950s photo shows the opulent dining room of French liner SS Île de France after a dramatic post-war makeover.

1950s: going Down Under

1950s: the Blue Riband record breaker

Though formalized in the 1930s, the Blue Riband – the award for the passenger cruise liner with the fastest Atlantic-crossing time – has its roots right back in the 19th century. The record is still held by SS United States of United States Lines, which first sped across the Atlantic in 1952. She's pictured here on 9 July 1952, docking in Southampton.

1960s: the Jet Age

1970s: The Love Boat

As flying became more commonplace, the popularity of cruising looked set to dwindle. However, one particular TV series is often credited with keeping travelers' passion for cruising alive. The Love Boat – aired from the 1970s – was a comedy series that followed the crew and passengers of luxury liner SS Pacific Princess. Such was its popularity, some say it brought cruising back into the mainstream once more. This shot shows Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1975. 

1970s: cruising opens up to the masses

1980s: the cruise to nowhere

The 1980s is thought to be the decade that pioneered the "cruise to nowhere," where the ship really was the destination. The SS Norway (pictured) – a lavish mega ship with room for thousands of passengers and amenities like a casino – embarked on a no-docking cruise in this decade.

1990s: Disney takes to the water

2000s: making waves in the modern world

The 2000s saw larger-than-life, no-expense-spared, mega cruise ships sail onto the scene. This sunset snap shows Cunard Line's Queen Mary II as she completes her first trans-Atlantic voyage in January 2004. At this time, she was the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever constructed with room for 2,200-plus passengers, a theater and even a planetarium, setting the bar for the ships of posterity. 

2010s: bigger, better and healthier

2020s: off to a rocky start

The 2020s got off to an eventful start. The COVID-19 pandemic halted almost all cruises, with some passengers and crew marooned onboard while testing and entry protocols were debated. In 2021 rife cancellations, last-minute border changes and variant outbreaks persisted. However, the years since have indicated a return to pre-pandemic popularity, with 300 cruise ships departing in April 2022 – pretty impressive compared to just 22 departing in April 2021. Cruise lines have incorporated more health and safety protocols, such as advising passengers to control their TV, light and temperature via an app instead of touchpoints. 

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7 luxurious cruises leaving southampton in may 2024 including the queen anne, cunard, msc and p&o cruises leaving southampton in may 2024.

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of usual life can be a great way to recharge, and what better way than to take a trip on a cruise from Southampton?

There are several leaving from the city in May that are sailing all over the world including the likes of Cunard, P&O, Fred Olsen and MSC to name a few.

In total, there are 50 international cruises listed to depart from Southampton for the remainder of this month, and prices are correct as of May 1, 2024.

Here's a selection of some of the journeys you can go on, with a full list being available at the Southampton Cruise Centre website.

Many of the cruises leaving Southampton in May will visit Scandinavian locations (Image: Canva)

World cruises leaving Southampton in May 2024

Maiden voyage of queen anne.

Provider : Cunard

Departing : Friday, May 3

The maiden voyage of the Queen Anne (the latest addition to Cunard's fleet) will depart from Southampton on Friday, May 3.

It will make stops at La Coruna and Lisbon before returning to the port on a seven-night cruise.

However, for those wanting to be a part of the trip, all rooms are sold out.

Shetlands & Norwegian Fjords

Provider : MSC Cruises

Departing : Saturday, May 11

A short seven-night voyage from MSC Cruises will stop off at destinations like Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Haugesund, Flåm and Kristiansand before returning to Southampton.

At the time of writing, there are fares from £551 per person.

Most of the cruise will be travelling around Europe (Image: Canva)

Whales & Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland

Provider : Fred Olsen

Departing : Tuesday, May 14

This 11-night cruise will be travelling around Iceland, stopping off at places such as Reykjavik, Isafjørdur and Thorshavn.

People will have the opportunity to see some of Iceland's natural wonders and take part in some whale watching.

At the time of writing, there are fares from £1,299 per person.

Roundtrip Transatlantic Crossing

Departing : Thursday, May 16

This cruise from Cunard will last 14 nights and travel across the Atlantic Ocean before stopping off at New York.

After a brief stay there, travellers will go back across the ocean to conclude the voyage at Southampton.

At the time of writing, you will need to call 02380 658 386 to find out prices.

There are plenty of cruises to choose from during May (Image: Canva)

Scandinavia and Baltic Sea

Provider : P&O Cruises

Departing : Saturday, May 18

This 16-night cruise will visit various locations including Helsinki, Tallinn, Klaipeda and Skagen before returning to Southampton.

At the time of writing, there are fares from £1,028 per person.

Best of Scandinavia

Provider : Celebrity Cruises

Departing : Monday, May 27

One of the first cruises the Celebrity Apex ship will make from Southampton is this 12-night cruise exploring Scandinavia.

It will visit locations such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm and Visby along the way.

Recommended reading:

• All you need to know on the Celebrity Cruises Silhouette replacement ship Apex
• P&O Britannia sets sail from Southampton following multi-million-pound makeover
• Disney cruise ship set to make first-ever sailing from Southampton in 2025

Flavors Of Western Europe

Provider : Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Departing : Thursday, May 30

This 10-night cruise will visit spots such as Saint-Malo, Best, Lorient, Bordeaux and Gijon before returning to Southampton.

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