Jump to content

Southampton Cruise Port


sallyport555
 Share

Recommended Posts

I'm flying into Heathrow a few days prior to Royal Caribbean cruise so I can see London. Does anyone know how to get from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Port? I can't make heads or tails out of the train/bus/tube maps. What about taking a private taxi/shuttle? Also does anyone know which of the 4 Southampton Cruise Ports Royal Caribbean sails from? Thanks for any input.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

there are many many many different ways to get there. You say from Heathrow but you are visiting London for a few days. Are you staying at one of the Heathrow hotels or in London it'self?

 

If at Heathrow then the National Express coach service is easiest and usually the cheapest. Or there is the bus to Reading station and then a train.

 

If staying in London it'self then National Express from Victoria coach station, or train from Waterloo (1h15m) or from Victoria station (2h)

 

If you have lots of luggage then you might want to look at a private car service.

 

If you can give more details about where your hotel is, amount of luggage etc then we can add more detail on best options.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm flying into Heathrow a few days prior to Royal Caribbean cruise so I can see London. Does anyone know how to get from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Port? I can't make heads or tails out of the train/bus/tube maps. What about taking a private taxi/shuttle? Also does anyone know which of the 4 Southampton Cruise Ports Royal Caribbean sails from? Thanks for any input.

 

Royal Caribbean usually use City terminal (berth 101).

if it is this year you should be able to find out check out on http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp.

if its next year you may have to wait until Feb/March 2012 before the listing is available.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm flying into Heathrow a few days prior to Royal Caribbean cruise so I can see London. Does anyone know how to get from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Port? I can't make heads or tails out of the train/bus/tube maps. What about taking a private taxi/shuttle? Also does anyone know which of the 4 Southampton Cruise Ports Royal Caribbean sails from? Thanks for any input.

 

Don't book a hotel near Heathrow, its a bland hotelland with little of interest & you'll end up pulling your hair out. It's also about 15 crowded miles to central London, no fun commuting each day.:eek:

Heathrow hotels are for overniters.

 

You've got a number of options for getting to central London - the Heathrow Express, tube, coach, car, and as SwissDave's post the location of your central London hotel is a factor in which is best.

 

Southampton is about 70 miles from central London.

Public transport options are the train from Waterloo station (near the London Eye) or coach from Victoria (near Buckingham Palace)

 

Trains

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

from London Waterloo (code WAT) to Southampton central (code SOU)

2 to 3 trains per hour, journey time about 1hr 20 mins, cost about £32 pp

No need to pre-book.

 

You can get bucket-price tickets on some of these trains for around £4 :) by booking through

http://uk.megabus.com/default.aspx

These are available on only a few of the trains, about one every two hours and none on sundays.

You must pre-book, tickets are unrefundable & can only be used for the train that you've booked. Bookings are available from about 8 weeks out.

These are separate Megatrain carriages on regular trains, but are the same good standard.

A bargain if they fit your schedule.

 

You can also take the train from Victoria station but there are complications. Post again for advice if your hotel is in Victoria.

 

Coach

There are two competingcoach companies offering London Victoria to Southampton

http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/index.cfm

This is the country's leading coach company, the service is Victoria coach station to Southampton coach station (ignore "cruise terminal" option), journey time 2 hours, cost about £16, often "funfares" at £1

http://www.greyhounduk.com/

Offer an identical service, similar fares & bucket-price offers. Service is from street bus stop in Victoria to Southampton Town Quay

 

RCI normally sail out of City Cruise Terminal, berth 101, but all four terminals are a £5 to £7 taxi hop from train or coach stations or Town Quay

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/

and click on port information for cruise ship schedule or maps header for locations

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Royal Caribbean usually use City terminal (berth 101).

if it is this year you should be able to find out check out on http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp.

if its next year you may have to wait until Feb/March 2012 before the listing is available.

 

Royal Caribbean have a dedicated terminal in City Terminal, berth 101, so I'm sure it's that berth for the cruise, unless we have one of those rare instances where there are two RCI ships in that day.

 

As Karen said though, best to check sometime next March or so.

 

ScrozUK

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to everyone for the info. Sorry I wasn't more specific. We are staying at the Jurys Inn in Heathrow as we get in late afternoon. Will have one day and plan to use the tube into London for one worldwind day then back to the hotel. So I need info on getting from Jurys Inn Heathrow to the cruise port the next morning - the day the ship sails. The cruise leaves Feb 2 2012. There are three adults traveling and expect to have 3 suitcases and 2 carryon backpacks.

Edited by sallyport555
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the great info! What a help!:)

 

What pier does Princess usually use?

 

Thanks!

 

Southampton VTS cruise ships schedule shows Grand Princess at Pier 106 which is the Mayflower terminal.

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp

 

You would normally be better asking your questions on the British Isles forum here:-

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

 

 

This is the UK forum which says "Welcome to all UK Cruisers to the forum where you can ask questions related to cruising from the UK, or on UK based ships."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to everyone for the info. Sorry I wasn't more specific. We are staying at the Jurys Inn in Heathrow as we get in late afternoon. Will have one day and plan to use the tube into London for one worldwind day then back to the hotel. So I need info on getting from Jurys Inn Heathrow to the cruise port the next morning - the day the ship sails. The cruise leaves Feb 2 2012. There are three adults traveling and expect to have 3 suitcases and 2 carryon backpacks.

 

OK, for a one-day trip into central London (and even the previous evening as well), without luggage its very easy from Hatton Cross tube station, close to your hotel. No changes needed. Get off somewhere around Piccadilly Circus.

For getting around central London's main sights in one day, IMHO the ho-ho bus is your best bet, either

http://www.theoriginaltour.com/

or

http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/london/custompage.aspx?id=london_sightseeing_tour&gclid=

 

 

You're heading to Southampton from Heathrow on a wednesday. You have the choice of (use the links in my first post)

 

National Express coach.

You'll need to get yourself to either Heathrow central bus station or T4 or T5.

T4 is closest.

Journey time to Southampton coach station 2 hours, cost about £16.60 pp (no fun-fares on this route). Don't select "cruise terminal", its a dead end.

Pre-booking very strongly advised. Limited choice, the 09.45 would be your best bet, the 11.45 the latest.

Theoretical luggage limit of 2 cases at 44lb, plus hand luggage, per person. Not strictly enforced.

 

A 10-15 min walk on level ground from coach station to City Cruise Terminal, or about £5 for a taxi

 

Greyhound coaches don't operate a route from Heathrow.

 

Most folk would recommend coach rather than train for this journey.

 

Train

It's a little complicated since there's no Southampton trains from Heathrow, so it involves a Railair bus to a nearby rail station.

This operates from Heathrow central bus station, so you take a free shuttle from T4.

Stick to the hourly service (on the hour from Heathrow central bus station) which takes you via Woking rail station & is cheaper (£17.50 combined Railair bus/train ticket), quicker (about 2 hours total) & easier than the other train options.

No need to pre-book, no luggage limitations that would concern you.

 

A 15-20 min walk on level ground from Southampton central station to City Cruise Terminal, or about £6 for a taxi

 

It's now just a week or two too soon to see the timetable for your day, so choose a random wednesday in january for the detail.

 

Private transfer

www.smithsforairports.com and www.westquaycars.com are most commonly recommended on this forum, they're based near Southampton & cheaper than most airport-based services. But there are dozens of options. Cost around £90 the car. Beware of hidden charges such as credit card fees, but since its a hotel pickup theres no complications with parking/waiting charges. A standard-size estate car should cope, but quote your numbers & luggage when seeking a price.

From hotel to ship in about 90 minutes.

 

It'll be cold in February, probably with overnight frost.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the great info! What a help!:)

 

What pier does Princess usually use?

 

Thanks!

 

As Ray's answer Princess use Mayflower Terminal, or increasingly nowadays the new Ocean Terminal.

Almost certainly one of these two.

Neither is sensibly walkable with luggage, but only a £5 to £7 taxi ride from any city centre hotel or coach or train stations.

 

JB :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Southampton VTS cruise ships schedule shows Grand Princess at Pier 106 which is the Mayflower terminal.

 

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp

 

You would normally be better asking your questions on the British Isles forum here:-

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

 

 

This is the UK forum which says "Welcome to all UK Cruisers to the forum where you can ask questions related to cruising from the UK, or on UK based ships."

Got the hint. Sorry!:o

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You might consider a private transfer from your hotel to the ship. Although the cost is more, it is an easier day and you won't have so much time standing out in the cold. There are various transport services and several are advertised on the port of Southhampton's web site. We arranged for ours through our favorite one stop shopping that is membership only. Our executive membership gave us some additional perks and a great hotel package with extras.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 years later...
I'm flying into Heathrow a few days prior to Royal Caribbean cruise so I can see London. Does anyone know how to get from Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Port? I can't make heads or tails out of the train/bus/tube maps. What about taking a private taxi/shuttle? Also does anyone know which of the 4 Southampton Cruise Ports Royal Caribbean sails from? Thanks for any input.

 

 

 

Private car service is Smithsforairport who are excellent and trustworthy. Also our driver Jeff is a great conversationalist...a pleasant companion from London to Southampton.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...