A cruise starts with the journey to the ship, often a long one with more luggage than any other trip. These are the UK’s main cruise ports, and how to reach them calmly.
Cruises have become hugely popular, and many now start and end in the UK, sailing to Norway, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and beyond. Unlike a flight, there is no limit of one case each, so cruise passengers often travel with a lot of luggage, including smart clothes for formal nights. And because the ports are on the coast, they can be hours from home. Here is what you need to know about each of the main ports.
1. Southampton
The UK’s biggest cruise port, with several terminals. Check which one your ship uses. Around two hours from London in normal traffic.
Southampton has been one of Britain’s great ports for centuries. The Mayflower set sail from here in 1620, before stopping at Plymouth, and the Titanic began her maiden voyage from Southampton in 1912. The SeaCity Museum in the city tells the story of the Titanic and her crew, many of whom came from Southampton.
Today, Southampton is home to some of the biggest cruise ships in the world, including those of Cunard and P&O Cruises. It has several cruise terminals spread around the docks, each with its own entrance, so it is important to know which one your ship uses. Your cruise line will tell you in your documents.
Southampton is reached from London by the M3, and from the Midlands and the North by the M40 and the A34, or the M1 and the M25. From Manchester, the journey can take around four and a half hours or more. On busy sailing days, the roads into the docks can queue, so allow extra time.
2. Dover
Cruise terminals below the White Cliffs in Kent, with sailings to northern Europe and beyond. Dover is famous as the busiest ferry port in the UK, with ferries across the Channel to France. Its cruise terminals are at the Western Docks, away from the busy ferry port.
One of the cruise terminals is in the old Dover Marine railway station, a grand building where troops arrived during the First World War. Dover Castle stands on the cliffs above the town. The White Cliffs of Dover are one of the most famous sights in Britain.
Dover is reached from London by the M20 and the A20, or the M2 and the A2, a journey of around two hours in normal traffic. Traffic heading for the ferries and the Channel Tunnel can be very heavy, especially in the summer holidays. Allow extra time.
From the North, Dover is a long way, often more than five hours by car. Some people travel down the day before and stay overnight. It is worth considering for an early sailing.
3. Portsmouth
A growing number of cruise calls, with the Historic Dockyard to visit before you sail. Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Navy, and its harbour has been one of the most important in Britain for centuries. Its international port is busy with ferries to France, Spain and the Channel Islands, as well as cruises.
The Historic Dockyard is home to HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s warship, raised from the seabed in 1982. HMS Warrior, the first iron-hulled armoured warship, is here too. It is a wonderful place to spend a day before or after a cruise.
The Spinnaker Tower, on the harbour front at Gunwharf Quays, has views across the harbour and the Solent. Gunwharf Quays has shops, restaurants and bars. Old Portsmouth, with its cobbled streets and fortifications, is nearby.
Portsmouth is reached from London by the A3 or the M3, a journey of around two hours in normal traffic. The M27 links it with Southampton. See our Portsmouth guide.
4. Liverpool Cruise Terminal
On the Mersey at the Pier Head, handy for the North and Wales. Liverpool was once one of the greatest ports in the world, and millions of emigrants sailed from here to America and beyond. The great ocean liners of Cunard and the White Star Line were based here.
The Titanic was registered in Liverpool, and the name of the city was painted on her stern, although she never visited. The Merseyside Maritime Museum, on the Royal Albert Dock, tells the story of the port, the emigrants and the Titanic. It is well worth a visit before you sail.
Cruises from Liverpool sail to Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Iceland and further afield. For passengers from the North, the Midlands and Wales, Liverpool is much closer than the south coast ports. It saves hours on the road.
Liverpool is about an hour from Manchester, and around two hours from Leeds. The cruise terminal is on the waterfront, close to the Three Graces. See our Liverpool guide.
5. London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury
On the Thames in Essex, east of London. Tilbury has been a port for centuries, and the cruise terminal is in a historic building once used by passengers of the great ocean liners. It was here that the Empire Windrush arrived in 1948, bringing some of the first of a generation of Caribbean migrants to Britain.
Tilbury Fort, one of the best preserved artillery forts in England, stands on the river nearby. It was near here that Elizabeth I is said to have given her famous speech to her troops in 1588, as the Spanish Armada approached. The river views are wide and dramatic.
Tilbury is reached by the M25 and the A13, and it is close to the Dartford Crossing. From central London, the journey takes around an hour or more, depending on traffic. Tilbury Town station, with trains from London Fenchurch Street, is nearby.
The Dartford Crossing and the M25 can be very busy, so allow extra time. From the North, the journey is long, and some people travel the day before. Smaller cruise ships sometimes moor in central London, near Tower Bridge or Greenwich.
Luggage and timing
Cruise luggage is bigger than airport luggage. Count every case when you book and only cars that fit them are offered: an estate or a people carrier for a couple with big cases, a minibus for a family group.
Ships board within a set window. Aim to arrive at the start of it, and allow extra time on the roads to Southampton and Dover in the summer.
At most terminals, porters take your cases at the kerb and deliver them to your cabin, so you only need to carry your hand luggage onto the ship. Label every case with the tags your cruise line sends you. Keep medicines, documents and valuables with you.
For the journey home, book the car before you sail, with the date and time the ship returns. Ships usually arrive early in the morning, and passengers leave in groups over a few hours. Your driver’s details are on your journey page before pickup.
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