ABTA Protected | Personal Cruise Consultant
Everything you need to know about sailing from the UK: terminals, parking, transport, hotels, and insider tips
The UK's busiest cruise port handling over 2 million passengers annually. Home port for P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC Cruises.
Tap a terminal for directions
Multiple long-stay car parks from ~£8/day. ABP cruise parking, Cruise & Park, and Purple Parking are popular options.
Direct trains from London Waterloo (1hr 20min). Southampton Airport 7 miles. M27/M3 motorway access.
Grand Harbour, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, Holiday Inn Southampton, Premier Inn Southampton City Centre.
England's closest port to continental Europe. Primary port for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and seasonal calls from other lines.
Dover Cruise Terminal parking from ~£7/day. Pre-booking essential in peak season.
High-speed trains from London St Pancras (1hr). M20/A2 motorway. Easy access from the Channel Tunnel.
Best Western Plus Dover Marina, Premier Inn Dover, Ramada Dover.
A growing cruise port on the River Mersey with a stunning waterfront setting. Home to a purpose-built cruise terminal at the Pier Head.
Liverpool ONE car park and Pier Head parking nearby. City centre parking from ~£10/day.
Direct trains from London Euston (2hr 15min), Manchester (45min). Liverpool John Lennon Airport 8 miles.
Pullman Liverpool, Malmaison Liverpool, Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre.
London's cruise port on the Thames estuary. Regular departure point for river and expedition cruises.
On-site parking available at the terminal. Pre-booking recommended.
Tilbury Town station (c2c line from London Fenchurch Street, 45min). M25 junction 30/31.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge, Holiday Inn Basildon.
Scotland's primary cruise departure port located in Rosyth, Fife. Gateway to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.
Terminal parking available. Pre-booking essential.
Inverkeithing station nearby (20min bus). Edinburgh Airport 12 miles. Forth Road Bridge access.
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing, Village Hotel Edinburgh.
Departure port for Norwegian Fjords and Northern European cruises from the North East.
Free parking at the cruise terminal, which is a major advantage over other UK ports.
Metro to Percy Main station. Newcastle Central Station (taxi 15min). Newcastle Airport 15 miles.
Staybridge Suites Newcastle, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
Sail directly from UK ports to these incredible destinations
Answers to the most common questions about cruising from the UK
Southampton is the UK's largest and most popular cruise port, offering the widest choice of cruise lines and destinations. However, the best port depends on your location. Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Edinburgh all offer excellent sailings without the need to travel south.
Most cruise lines recommend arriving 2-3 hours before sailing time. For Southampton, arriving 3 hours early is advisable due to the volume of passengers. Smaller ports like Tilbury and Newcastle are typically quicker.
Yes, all UK cruise ports offer parking, either at the terminal or nearby. Southampton has the most options with multiple operators. Newcastle offers free terminal parking. Always pre-book for the best rates and guaranteed spaces.
No-fly cruises (also called sail-from-home cruises) depart directly from UK ports, eliminating the need for flights. They're ideal if you prefer to avoid airports, want to bring more luggage, or simply enjoy the full sailing experience from day one.
Major cruise lines sailing from UK ports include P&O Cruises, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Fred. Olsen, Marella Cruises, Viking, Saga Cruises, and Ambassador Cruise Line.
From UK ports you can reach the Norwegian Fjords, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Baltic capitals, Iceland, Atlantic Islands, British Isles, Northern Europe, and even transatlantic crossings to the Caribbean and North America.
Speak with your personal cruise consultant to find the perfect sailing from your nearest UK port. We'll handle everything, from choosing the right cabin to arranging parking and transfers.
