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CRUISING TO ENGLAND:
SOUTHAMPTON |
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Cruise Port
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Southampton has been an important passenger ship
port since the Southwestern Railroad linked it to London in the 19th Century. By the turn of the century, it had become the eastern terminus for most transatlantic crossings. The waterfront is divided into areas along the River Test. The Eastern Docks are the original docks while the Western Docks are built on land that was reclaimed from the sea in the first half of the 20th Century. Today, there are four cruise terminals. In the Eastern Docks, there is The Queen Elizabeth II Terminal (Berths 38 and 39). Although it was home to the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) for most of that ship's career and is often referred to as the "QEII terminal", it is named after the monarch, not the ocean liner. Today, it is used by a number of lines. Nearby is the Ocean Terminal (Berth 46). A modern facility, it is built along the old slip where the Titanic docked. Now, it is often used by Cunard and P&O ships but ships of other lines use the terminal on occasion. The City Cruise Terminal (Berth 101) is in the Western Docks. Royal Caribbean spent some 97 million pounds over a seven year period to expand the capacity of this terminal. As a result, the ships of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, sail primarily from this terminal. Ironically, this terminal is directly across from the UK headquarters building of Royal’s primary competitor in the British market Carnival UK. As a result, executives at Carnival can see (and hear) the RCI and Celebrity ships while passengers on those ships can see the signs for the various Carnival brands atop the Carnival UK building. At the far end of the Western Docks is the Mayflower Terminal (Berth 108). Somewhat confusingly, it is not the terminal closest to Southampton’s Mayflower Park (that is the City Terminal). The Mayflower Terminal is often used by Princess and P&O Cruises. Access to the various terminals is through manned-security gates. While it is possible to walk to or from the terminals carrying or rolling ones bags, it is, generally-speaking, a considerable distance just from the gates to the terminals and these areas are quite busy with cars going to the terminals and with industrial traffic going to the freighter piers that are interspersed between the passenger ship terminals. Consequently, most people arrive and leave the terminal via coaches, private cars or one of Southampton’s numerous taxis. |
Above and below: The Queen Elizabeth II Terminal is at the mouth of the harbor.
Above and below: The Ocean Terminal.
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Above left: Navigator of the Seas berthed at the City Terminal.
Above right: The City Terminal from the water.
Below left: Queen Victoria at the Mayflower Terminal.
Below right: It is not unusual to see a ship docked between the City Terminal and the Mayflower Terminal. Here, Rotterdam is docked between Aurora (Mayflower Terminal) and Queen Victoria, this time at the City Terminal.
Above right: The City Terminal from the water.
Below left: Queen Victoria at the Mayflower Terminal.
Below right: It is not unusual to see a ship docked between the City Terminal and the Mayflower Terminal. Here, Rotterdam is docked between Aurora (Mayflower Terminal) and Queen Victoria, this time at the City Terminal.
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Above and below: The Southampton Central railroad station.
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Getting To SouthamptonSouthampton is located 62 miles (100 km) from London.
There is frequent train service from London to Southampton Central Station, which is located within the City closest to the City Cruise Terminal. Trains take a minimum of an hour, depending upon the time of day, to traverse the distance. There is also regular train service between Southampton several other British cities including Portsmouth. The trains are designed for commuter service. There are usually areas in the cars for luggage but these can fill up quickly if it is a popular train. Outside of Southampton in the town of Eastleigh is Southampton Airport, which is a regional airport with flights to UK and European destinations. Southampton is about 65 miles from London Heathrow Airport. There is a direct bus service but no direct train service. Gatwick Airport is 95 miles away but there is a direct train service. National Express operates coach service between London and Southampton. Some of the cruise lines (e.g., Cunard) charter coaches to take passengers from London to Southampton. The M27 motorway links Southampton to other towns along the south coast. Going to or from London involves taking the M3 Motorway. |
Getting Around in SouthamptonOnce in Southampton, there are a variety of alternatives for getting around.
One can drive but in recent years, there has been considerable congestion around Southampton, particularly on days when there are several cruise ships in port, a professional football match is being played or there is a sale at one of the city’s big stores. The congestion near the docks has improved following the completion of a road works project. Southampton is a walkable city. The central area is pedestrian-friendly with good sidewalks and pedestrian-only areas. However, Southampton is a busy city and there is a good deal of traffic. Of course, drivers follow the British system of driving (i.e., the steering wheel is on the right side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road)) rather than the American/European way and so pedestrians from outside the UK should be careful crossing streets. There are numerous taxis operating in Southampton. In addition, there are bus services that runs through the center of town and to the Southampton Central railroad station. At the Town Quay are terminals for the Hythe Ferry, which carries people across Southampton Water to the village of Hythe, and the Red Jet Ferry, which is a high-speed service between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Nearby is the Red Funnel Ferry, which takes people and vehicles to the Isle of Wight. For more about cruising to England:
Click here for our England home page Click here for our London home page |
Above: The Red Jet catamarans run a fast service to the Isle of Wight.
Below: The Red Funnel ferries also go to the Isle of Wight. They are not as fast but you can take your car. 
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Cruise destination - England - Southampton - Cruise Port