Cruises from Southampton, England

Our ships sail from Southampton between April and October. No matter which month you choose to travel, we’ll transport you to Europe’s most desirable destinations. For warm, sunny weather and smaller crowds, the best time to take a cruise from Southampton is generally between April and June or September and October. If you’re planning on bringing the whole family along, you can’t beat our summer sailings around the stunning Mediterranean.

For a quintessential English dining experience, look for menus with the following items: Bakewell pudding, a dessert with a pastry base that has an almond filling and is topped with jam and icing; spotted dick, another dessert pudding featuring currants and raisins; Cornish pastry, a savory pastry filled with meat and vegetables; Lancashire hotpot, a stew made with lamb and potatoes; fish and chips, with battered, deep-fried fish served alongside fries; and curry, since England is known for its Indian and Bangladeshi food, particularly chicken tikka masala. 

When you’re in England, don’t miss the chance to savor the country’s iconic traditional breakfast of bacon, sausage, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, black pudding, a roasted tomato, and toast.

Afternoon tea is also a popular way to get a taste of England. A traditional English tea usually has scones with jam, butter, clotted cream, and tea. A couple of the best places to get tea during your Southampton cruise port of call are at Grand Café, which offers two different types of afternoon tea, and Elsie’s Tea Room, which has a vintage feel.

Much of Southampton’s history is tied to its harbor—it was the embarkation port of the Titanic and one of the departure ports for D-Day during World War II. Its architecture also provides insight into its earlier history, as you’ll see a number of ancient buildings left over from the medieval ages.

Southampton is one of the best places in southern England to find arts and music. Internationally renowned art galleries include what many consider to be the best publicly owned art collection in the United Kingdom outside of London at the Southampton City Art Gallery. Southampton is also home to the largest theater in the south region of England, the Mayflower Theatre, which features popular Broadway shows, ballet, and operas.

Southampton has an extensive public transportation system that goes all around the city and to neighboring destinations. The bus system connects the city center to the suburbs and other nearby cities and towns. There are also trains that travel to nearby cities, as well as Southampton Airport. Coaches are available for hire, with one of the most popular rides being to London.

Westquay is located right in Southampton’s city center and has over 100 stores. The multi-level shopping center offers many popular brands and is one of the premier shopping destinations on the south coast of England. If you head east of Southampton’s Old Town area, you’ll come to Princess Alexandra Dock, which has been turned into a fabulously modern shopping center called Ocean Village. You’ll find designer boutiques and upscale restaurants in a fun setting right next to the harbor.

When visiting Southampton, you’ll use the British Pound, similar to the rest of England.  It’s wise to carry some cash on hand, though credit cards are widely accepted here. Tipping of around 10% to 15% is customary in England. If dining out, be sure to double-check your bill before leaving a tip, since a service charge is sometimes included, particularly if you’re dining in a large group.