Best P&O Cruises holidays from Southampton: Top tips & itineraries

There are a wide array of P&O Cruises from Southampton to choose from at every time of the year, as many of the brand’s cruise ships homeport in this major English port.

For those seeking adventure and the Great Outdoors, there are P&O Cruises from Southampton to Norway for magical journeys amidst towering mountains and mythical legends.

Anyone seeking sunshine and the chance to lie back on a golden beach can hop on a P&O cruise from Southampton to Spain or Portugal.

There are plenty of other destinations too for travellers looking to steer clear of airport mayhem, ditch luggage restrictions and sail from Southampton on Blighty’s own turf. Pick from P&O Southampton cruises to the Netherlands, Germany, the Canary Islands and beyond.

You can even go all the way to the Caribbean on P&O Cruises from Southampton!

Why take a P&O Cruise from Southampton?

This is hassle-free holidaying at its finest for UK travellers.  You can (literally) sail straight into holiday mode with P&O Cruises from Southampton – no airport queues, no luggage restrictions, no jet lag. As the UK’s leading cruise hub, Southampton cruise port is the gateway to some of the P&O Cruises’ best-loved itineraries, from Norwegian Fjords to Mediterranean classics. Itineraries range from 2-day mini cruises up to 24-day epic voyages.

With ships like Arvia, Iona and Ventura regularly homeported here, Southampton really is the beating heart of P&O’s fleet. Onboard, you’ll find a flavour of home no matter where you sail in the world, with British favourites like afternoon tea, West End-style shows and no currency surprises. Simply board, unpack once and let the adventure begin.

– READ MORE: Southampton port guide: what to see, do & eat –

Best destinations on P&O Cruises from Southampton

P&O sails to pretty much every corner of Europe (and sometimes beyond!) from Southampton. Here’s a breakdown of each popular destination you can sail to.

Mini Cruise Destinations

Perfect for first-timers, those times when you’re short on annual leave, or just fancy a long weekend escape, P&O’s mini cruises from Southampton deliver. Set sail to city break hotspots like Bruges (via Zeebrugge) or Amsterdam or relax in the quaint Channel Islands of Guernsey – all in just two to five nights. Expect all the onboard perks without committing to a full-blown voyage.

Norwegian Fjords

These scenic sailings are a P&O Cruises staple. From late spring to early autumn, cruises to the Norwegian Fjords whisk guests to storybook ports like Flåm, Geiranger and Olden. Think towering waterfalls, glassy fjords and epic hikes — all with the convenience of a round-trip Southampton departure.

Canary Islands

For winter sun seekers, cruises to the Canary Islands from Southampton are a dream. Sail south for island-hopping adventures in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Madeira. With a mix of beach days, volcano treks and subtropical gardens, these longer voyages offer a nice mix of relaxation with exploration.

Mediterranean

Skip the summer airport bedlam and sail from Southampton straight to the sun-soaked Med where ports like Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Marseille and Palma de Mallorca are all highlights on P&O Cruises Mediterranean itineraries. Strike the ideal balance with a range of excursions in each port, plus a couple of sea days, making sure you have time to enjoy the ship’s pools, spas and sparkling entertainment.

Northern Europe & the Baltics

Sail from Southampton into the heart of Scandinavia and the Baltic region – where distinct culture, design and history collide in serious style. Visit standout capitals like Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki, alongside hidden gems such as Kristiansand and Gothenburg. Expect fairy-tale harbours, avant-garde architecture, and long summer days perfect for outdoor exploring. With a mix of scenic cruising and immersive city stops – this is one of the most enriching ways to see Northern Europe.

Iceland

For jaw-dropping natural wonders closer to home, P&O offers occasional cruises from Southampton to Iceland, often combined with ports in Scotland or the Faroe Islands. Expect dramatic volcanic scenery, geothermal lagoons, thundering waterfalls and the chance to spot whales, Northern Lights, or the midnight sun – depending on the season.

Caribbean & North America 

A fair bit longer in length (28+ nights), P&O’s Caribbean Grand Adventures and voyages to the US East Coast take you on an epic journey across the Atlantic to islands like Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua, or to see New England’s Autumn colours in all their glory. Plenty of sea days mean time to enjoy your ship in full – this is the ultimate in slow travel.

– READ MORE: Whales, vikings & spas: this is cruising Iceland  –

Which P&O ships are sailing now from Southampton?

Six out of P&O Cruises’ fleet of seven ships all sail from Southampton. These include:

• Iona – which started a new generation of ships for the brand and became the UK’s first megaship, sailing to the Norwegian Fjords, Mediterranean, Canaries & Northern Europe. Perfect for families.

• Arvia – Sister ship to Iona and the newest to join the P&O fleet, Arvia is also based year-round in Southampton and sails Mediterranean itineraries in summer and Caribbean itineraries in winter – leading to its nickname “Sunshine Ship”.

• Britannia – Christened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, Britannia has a foodie focus onboard (it launched the first-ever cook school at sea in the UK), and sails to the Mediterranean, Norway and the Caribbean.

• Ventura – Another family-focused vessel in the fleet. Popular during UK school holidays, Ventura sails from Southampton to Spain, Portugal & France, as well as the Canary Islands and the Caribbean. 

• Aurora – P&O Cruises’ first adults-only ship, known for its traditional ambience; sails to destinations across British Isles, Spain, Portugal & France and the Mediterranean.

• Arcadia – The cruise line’s second adults-only ship, offering cruises to Northern Europe & Scandinavia and the Mediterranean as well as longer World Cruises. 

The only P&O Cruises ship not to sail from Southampton is Azura, which operates fly-cruises out of Malta and Tenerife.

– READ MORE: P&O Cruises itineraries in 2026: what’s new? –

Which cruise terminal does P&O use in Southampton?

The Ocean Cruise Terminal is the P&O Southampton cruise terminal, specifically in Berth 46/47. From on foot to convenient trains, there are lots of options when it comes to getting there.

The P&O Southampton cruise terminal is accessed through Dock Gate 4. Southampton Railway Station and the coach station are just a bit over two miles away from the terminal.

How to get to the Southampton P&O cruise terminal

While walking to P&O Southampton cruise terminal is possible and within walking distance (approximately 40-45 minutes from the stations), the area around the docks is quite crowded, so it might be best to take a taxi instead. There’s a designated taxi rank right outside the Arrivals Hall at Southampton cruise terminal.

If you’re taking a flight to reach Southampton cruise terminal, the good news is that Southampton Airport is only 5 miles away. From there, you can reach the P&O cruise terminal in Southampton from the airport either by taxi or by train.

Planning to drive yourself? You’ll approach the Southampton P&O cruise terminal via the M3 and M27, with clear signposts guiding you to the Docks.

Finally, coach transfers for Southampton round-trip cruises lasting 7 nights or longer can be arranged for your return journey with P&O Cruises itself. All guests on the booking are eligible for P&O Cruise coach travel to Southampton. Simply inform the cruise line during the booking process if you’d like the coach service. You’ll then need to get in touch with the coach provider directly at 0344 338 8690 (local call charges apply) no later than 35 days before your departure.

If you don’t have this option with your P&O cruise, you can pre-book through coach transfer service Cruise Connect yourself (the same company P&O uses).

Other P&O cruise coach travel to Southampton services include: Eavesway Travel, Megabus (although this will only take you to Southampton city centre), and National Express (but again, this will terminate at Southampton Coach Station, over a mile from the Southampton P&O cruise terminal).

P&O cruise parking Southampton

For short-term parking, there’s a pay-and-display car park adjacent to the Ocean cruise terminal.

Long-term P&O cruise parking in Southampton requires booking through CPS valet parking service. The car park is conveniently located right next to the terminal building.

– READ MORE: Complete guide to P&O Cruises ship Iona –

Tips for booking P&O Cruises from Southampton

Book as early as you can!
P&O Cruises are a firm favourite with British holidaymakers, and sailings from Southampton often sell out fast – especially during school holidays and Norway’s fjord season – so get in there quick! Booking early means pick of the bunch for cabins, dining times and sail dates.

Look out for added-value deals
Keep an eye out for P&O’s Select Price offers, which sometimes include perks like onboard spending money, free port parking at Southampton, or coach transfers. Or, consider booking with a cruise travel agent as they often have competitive prices and add-ons such as transfers.

Compare ships to suit your style
From the mega-ship buzz of Iona and Arvia to the adults-only exclusivity of Arcadia and Aurora, each P&O ship offers a different energy and experience. Make sure to do a little research to match your desired cruise experience to the ship that suits your travel style and needs best.

– READ MORE: Do P&O Cruises have a dress code? All you need to know –