The beautiful streets of Southampton, England.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
Photo © Aaron Saunders
Located alongside the River Test, just a ninety-minute drive from London's Heathrow Airport lies the beautiful port city of Southampton, England. Famous as the embarkation port of the RMS Titanic, Southampton has a long tradition of seafaring that continues to this day. Each year, Southampton plays host to the most cruise ship calls in the United Kingdom and offers cruises year-round onboard Cunard, P&O and even Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.
P&O's Artemis sailing down the River Test.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
The Medieval Merchant's House, built in 1290.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
While much of historic Southampton was bombed during the second world war, many examples of the city's historic splendor remain. The city's historic Bargate, some of which dates back to 1180AD, still stands - ironically not far from the very new, very modern West Quay Shopping Centre. Other notable landmarks include a Medieval Merchant's House built in 1290 that remains in a remarkable state of preservation, and a large section of the medieval wall that used to encircle the city.
Southampton's Medieval wall. West Quay Shopping in the distance.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
In fact, old and new Southampton seem to blend seamlessly together, a city that manages to retain its historic past while remaining modern and vibrant.
This unique combination makes Southampton one of our favorite European ports of embarkation.
Currency and Language: The Pound Sterling (£) is the official currency throughout Great Britain. The Euro (€) may be accepted at more touristy locations, but it is always better to pay in pounds.
How to Get There: from Heathrow, the two easiest options for transportation to the city are via the National Express coach service or by hiring a private car service. In the past, we've used Woodford Chauffeur Cars and have found them to be worth every penny, particularly after a long transatlantic flight. The trip takes roughly 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Where to Stay: While there are many hotels in the outlying areas around the city, two hotels are particularly well suited to the city's historic district and its cruise terminals. The DeVere Grand Harbour is located on West Quay Road directly across from the waterfront, and within sight of the city's multiple cruise terminals. The hotel is one of the most distinctive buildings on the waterfront, thanks to its triangular glass "atrium" overtop of the hotel's main bar and restaurant. Located just around the corner from the DeVere is the Holiday Inn Southampton. Slightly more economically priced than the DeVere, the Holiday Inn Southampton is still within easy walking distance of the city's main attractions.
The DeVere Grand Harbour, Southampton.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
The Cruise Terminals: Southampton has four main cruise berths: Berth 38/39, Berth 101, Berth 106, and the new Berth 46 Ocean Terminal. All are located in roughly the same area, and while each terminal lies within walking distance of both the DeVere and the Holiday Inn, we wouldn't recommend it unless you have minimal luggage or are up for a bit of a hike.
To determine which berth your ship will be docking at, have a look at the Port of Southampton's Cruise Ship Schedule.
To learn more about the city of Southampton, be sure to take a trip on over to the Visit Southampton website.
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