Mini Cruises from Southampton
Mini Cruises From Southampton
Southampton port is well known as the cruise capital of the UK. Numerous ship berths and excellent passenger terminal facilities has made it the choice for many cruise companies which means that there are also plenty of mini cruises from Southampton to choose from in 2024 & 2025.
Whether a 2, 3, 4 or 5 night break, there are a variety of companies like P&O, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean offering mini cruises to a range of local destinations including Bruges, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Le Havre. And plenty of facilities on board means that you'll have plenty to enjoy during days at sea. If you've never tried it before, it's a great "taster cruise" to dip your toes in and see if it's for you, with short cruises from Southampton being cheaper too.
Popular Mini Cruise Lines
A Guide To Mini Cruises From Southampton
Great Mini Cruise Companies
P&O Cruises
Based in Southampton, P&O are one of the best known cruise companies in the UK with a range of ships, offering both family friendly and adult only cruises. Their mini cruise itineraries offer short breaks to Guernsey and Bruges, often with a full day at sea. Last minute cruises from Southampton may also be a great way to save and try out your first trip.
You'll find that many of their customers are loyal and have been coming back time and time again so a mini cruise with P&O is the perfect chance to try them out and see if you like them. Be sure to choose the right ship for you as each has its own character and style and suited to different types of customer.
Mini Cruises with Celebrity
A popular brand to travel with, Celebrity Cruises offers a range of cruises from Southampton including short breaks to European ports of call. The modern, yet elegantly designed ships offer a luxurious way to explore the Oceans, with 3 day mini cruises starting from just £399 per person.
Mini Cruises with Royal Caribbean
Don't be fooled by the name Royal Caribbean also offer mini cruises from Southampton to ports around the English Channel and North Sea. They also have a range of ships to choose from, all very family friendly and one or two ships with some incredible activities like waterslides and all sorts.
Southampton Cruise Terminals
There are a number of cruise terminals in Southampton, with Mayflower, Ocean and QEII cruise terminals being the busiest. The latter underwent a £5m refurbishment to become the modern terminal it now is. Each terminal is approx. a 10-15 drive from Southampton Central train station.
Each passenger terminal in Southampton offers a range of facilities prior to guests boarding their ship including a dedicated luggage drop off area, as well as food and drink outlets for those waiting to board their cruise.
Three Day Mini Cruises
A three day mini cruise from Southampton is the perfect way to try out a cruise without having to spend long days at sea wishing you had tried a shorter trip beforehand. These short cruises combine allow you to spend time on the ship, discovering its huge range of amenities, as well as allowing you to spend a day visiting somewhere new like Le Havre or Bruges.
Some of these shorter trips may not even include a port stop. During the Covid pandemic, cruise brands started trips which simply headed out to see and ensured guests could still have a wonderful holiday, sailing around the UK, without needing to get off. Instead, you can enjoy the excellent service, dine at multiple speciality restaurants and enjoy live music and entertainment both during the day and in the evening.
Fly Cruises
Fly cruises are also possible from Southampton, allowing you to set sail for places like Amsterdam or Hamburg, enjoy both time on the ship and a few days in the city, before flying back home, or vice versa. These can be another great way to test the waters and see if a cruise is for you.
Popular Destinations
Even though it's just a few days, a short cruise can still take in some beautiful and popular destinations:
St Peter Port, Guernsey
Guernsey has that holiday feel but still has some very English charm. Arriving into St Peter Port, you'll likely dock a little out to sea and disembark the ship on small tender boats to get onto the island. You can wander round the local area at your own leisure, or join one of the many organised excursions like cycling tours, historic day trips and food focused trips too. Guernsey is usually featured in itineraries on most short cruises from Southampton.
British Isles
There are a number of shorter durations which sail around the UK, visiting ports like Stornoway, Lerwick, Liverpool and Belfast. UK cruises are great options if you want to visit certain areas just for a few hours, without spending lots on flights and hotel accomodation.
Le Havre
Le Havre is the gateway to Normandy and many tours run from here into the beautiful city of Paris. Explore the sights of the French capital like Notre Dame and the Louvre, or enjoy a day of shopping at your own leisure with coach transfers from the port into the heart of the city. Alternatively, the rich history of Normandy is also ideal for day trips to explore the past.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a popular destination on a short break cruise and to get here. From Southampton, companies like Cunard and MSC offer trips. Some ships will even stay overnight in the Dutch capital so that you can enjoy a late night, taking in the bars and restaurants on offer.
Northern Europe
Slightly longer journeys allow you to head up to areas like the Norwegian Fjords to explore the dramatic scenery and even the stunning Northern Lights. Expect cooler weather but you'll certainly want to book a balcony cabin for this sort of trip to relax and enjoy the views. The summer months between June and September are ideal for visiting Northern Europe and many Norwegian Fjords cruises are 6 or 7 nights.