Located along the southern coast of England and only 69 miles away from London, Southampton is a fantastic departure port for a cruise around Europe. This thriving city full of history, culture, shopping, and world-class cuisine is a great jumping-off point for excursions to places like the mysterious stone ruins of Stonehenge and the small cathedral city of Winchester, where legendary author Jane Austen once lived.
Cruises from Southampton sail to some of Europe’s most coveted destinations, including seaside towns in the Mediterranean, the stunning Norwegian Fjords, and Scandinavia and Russia. Cruises from the UK also visit unforgettable ports in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, and the Canary Islands.
Family Cruises from Southampton
Enjoy the best of Europe with a family cruise from the UK
Mini Cruises from Southampton
Experience a taste of luxury on our short cruises
Sail down fjords that date back to the Ice Age and stop in quaint waterfront towns during a Norway cruise. During your vacation, you’ll witness unforgettable landscapes full of towering waterfalls, rocky cliffs, emerald green waters, and colorful architecture. During your cruise, you’ll see natural wonders up close, like Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords, and Briksdal Glacier, the largest glacier in all of Europe.
Soak up the history, culture, and food of the beautiful Mediterranean, a seaside paradise for those looking to experience the best of Europe. Travel to the region’s most popular destinations, including Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the luxurious towns of the French Riviera, and the ancient ruins of Athens. You’ll find there’s no shortage of charms to enjoy, including delicious cuisine and historic landmarks.
Discover the pastoral beauty of Ireland and the natural wonders of Iceland during a cruise that visits both of these scenic countries. Dance to live music and admire historic churches and cathedrals in Cork. Dip into the famous Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and sample the city’s unique culinary scene. While in Akureyri, explore the ancient lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the stunning landscapes of the Namafjall Mountain.
Experience the best of Scandinavia and Russia on a luxury cruise. Spend a night in Copenhagen, a cosmopolitan city with fantastic Baroque castles. Visit Stockholm, the Swedish capital with an eye for avant-garde art and cool design. Tour Tsarist palaces, take a picture in front of the iconic spirals of the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, or spend an evening at the ballet, one of Russia’s most renowned and delightful experiences.
Unwind on the golden sand beaches of the Canary Islands, a heavenly archipelago located just off the coast of Morocco. These Spanish islands are full of natural wonders, including sprawling sand dunes, vibrant coral reefs, massive craters, and the world’s third-largest volcano. In Tenerife, savor fresh seafood and wander around its picturesque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While in Gran Canaria, simply relax under the sun at one of the island’s glamourous beaches.
Embark on a cruise from Southampton aboard the modernized Celebrity Summit® or Celebrity Silhouette®, both of which have undergone a luxurious upgrade as part of the Celebrity Revolution. Unwind in reimagined accommodations, and enjoy The Retreat, our exclusive vacation experience, where you’ll stay in a luxuriously appointed suite and have access to a private restaurant, sun deck, and lounge.
On cruises from Southampton, explore the fascinating cities of Europe while sailing in complete luxury. During your cruise with Celebrity Cruises®, you’ll visit cosmopolitan capitals and quaint towns, exploring both natural wonders and incredible landmarks.
After spending a busy day in port, enjoy world-class service and delicious cuisine on board. Unwind in the soothing Solarium or recharge at our relaxing Spa. Head to one of our specialty restaurants or enjoy dinner in the ship’s main restaurant, with dishes crafted by our Michelin-starred chef. Whether you’re on board or off, you’ll experience the vacation of a lifetime with Celebrity Cruises.
Make memories you’ll cherish forever on a family cruise. Whether it’s the sunshine and culture of the Mediterranean, the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, or the fascinating history of the Baltics, you’ll find there are always new adventures for all ages to be had. On board the ship, kids will love Camp at Sea, our fully customizable kids club that offers over 500 activities.
The Southampton cruise port is one of the largest ports in the world. Cruises from Southampton depart from the City Cruise Terminal, which is easily reached from Southampton International Airport via taxi or bus. If you’re arriving at the port via London, you can either take a two-hour drive from the city to the cruise terminal, a train from Waterloo Station, which will take about an hour and 15 minutes, or a bus ride from Victoria Coach Station, which takes around two-and-a-half hours.
One of the most iconic excursions to go on before Southampton cruises is a visit to Stonehenge. Famous for its Neolithic engineering as well as its mysteriousness, Stonehenge features a stone circle that was built from massive stones weighing as much as 25 tons that had to have been transported incredibly long distances using only the simple tools they had available at the time. It’s an incredible experience to walk around the circle and imagine a former civilization constructing it thousands of years ago.
Spanning 1.5 miles, London’s Oxford Street is a shopper’s paradise. As one of the world’s largest retail streets, you’ll find a little bit of everything for every type of budget, from high-street brands like Topshop and River Island to legendary department stores such as Marks & Spencer and Selfridges. Squeeze in a shopping session before your Southampton cruise, or simply stroll through the pedestrian-friendly street, where you’ll also be able to enjoy dozens of trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Dating back to the 11th century, Windsor Castle has served as the royal home for over 39 monarchs over the span of 900 years, making it the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Visit the State Apartments, where Queen Elizabeth used to host her official visits. See Queen Mary’s doll house from the 1920s, which was built to include electricity and running water. Stop in St. George’s Chapel, the site where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018.
Visit Runnymede, the place where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. The picturesque meadows became the unofficial birthplace of democracy over 800 years ago, when King James signed the Magna Carta into existence. There are several memorials to explore in the site, including the Magna Carta Memorial, the JFK Memorial (a plaque that commemorates the former U.S. president’s legacy after his assassination), and the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial, which includes the names of the more than 20,000 members of the Allied Air Forces who died during World War II.
As the home of several popular landmarks, including the London Eye and Tower Bridge, the River Thames is the longest river in England and a quintessential London attraction. Take a river cruise down its gentle waters and admire the cityscape in the distance. Stroll along the Thames and stop for lunch or dinner at a riverside restaurant. Cross the bridge by either walking over the iconic Tower Bridge or the futuristic Millennium Bridge—a great spot to take a selfie with the Thames in the background.
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.
