Southampton port is the UK's most popular and busiest ports for British cruisers and is also a major driver for the economy of the region. And The port also sees a substantial amount of cargo in excess 42,000,000 tonnes pass through its docks which equates to approximately 7 percent of the UK's entire seaborne trade. With a deep-water natural harbour, a double tide, coupled with a up to date vessel traffic control system ensures that Southampton can handle the world's larges commercial vessels and cruise industry super liners. Its no surprise that Southampton is heralded as a capital for the UK cruise liners, with additional cruise lines utilising Southampton yearly

There is a list of ships arriving or departing from Southampton, potential cruisers can search online to look at information, this list also indicates a berth with other information pertaining to the vessel.

For security reasons, and as there is a very rapid turn round between the last departing passengers and the first embarkation of new passengers, there are no public tours of the cruise ships. However, many of the cruise lines who sail from Southampton arrange organised ship visits from time to time and it's worth contacting them if you are keen to visit a ship before you commit to booking a cruise holiday.

recently renovated at a cost of £10 million, to accommodate the largest ship cruising out of the UK the Independence of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has committed to a 7 year contract in return for priority use of this terminal.

Situated the other side to the City Terminal is the Mayflower Terminal. This is predominantly used by P&O cruises and Princess.

Again this is a new cruise terminal and is contracted to Carnival. The brands which include P&O, Princess and Cunard have exclusive use for this terminal. This is a particularly handy during the summer months when many of their ships are home ported and the port becomes increasingly busy.

This cruise terminal again has been recently been renovated and is used by Cunard Cruises. Back in October the new Queen Elizabeth was christened here.

There is ample parking at the port for all of the terminals however it is not particaurly cheap and you will not get any discounts through your agent. To book parking you need to book through AB ports. However there are numerous hotels in Southampton where you can come down the night before and leave your car there for the duration. The nearest two the port are the 5* De Vere hotel and the 3* Holiday Inn.

Southampton rail train station is approximately 2 miles from all of the ports. It is very quick and easy to jump into a taxi which will cost you around £6 each way.

Southampton has its own airport where low cost carriers such as Flybe fly in there. This is advantageous for people coming in from Ireland and other northern parts of the UK. The airport is approx 12 miles outside the cruise port. To get to the port you will need to jump into a taxi which will cost around £22 each way.