Explore on your own rating
A homeport with good rail and transfer links.
Where ships dock
- Ocean and QEII terminals (Eastern Docks)
- City, Horizon and Mayflower terminals (Western Docks)
Getting to town
Southampton is mostly an embarkation port. Check your terminal on your boarding documents.
Trains run from Southampton Central to London Waterloo; a taxi from the station to the terminal is about 5–15 minutes. Door-to-door transfers to central London take a bit over 2 hours.
Fares are as reported by the sources below and change often. Treat them as estimates.
Money & entry
Currency: British pound (£). Contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Entry: U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling, including on cruises that call at UK ports. It costs £20 on GOV.UK (beware look-alike sites charging more), lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, and since Feb 25, 2026 carriers must refuse boarding without one. Apply on GOV.UK or the official "UK ETA" app. (Checked Oct 2026.)
Top sights nearby
- Medieval city walls
- SeaCity Museum (Titanic story)
- Winchester or Stonehenge (pre/post cruise)
Beaches
- None worth a special trip
Safety & tips
- Get your UK ETA well before you fly.
- Pre-book taxis on turnaround days.
- Allow for weekend traffic from London.
Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before you sail.
⏰ Back to the ship on time
Embarking: follow your check-in window.
Ship time can differ from local time. Your ship won't wait for independent travelers.