Southampton Pre-Cruise Shopping

We are on a Princess ship departing Southampton, and would like to purchase some wine to carry on for the cruise. (We are allowed to carry on 2 bottles).

Is there a store close to the cruise terminal?

Can we walk there in 15 minutes or less?

Thanks!

Which terminal are you departing from? And where will you be beforehand? Eg arriving at the station or staying overnight in a hotel?

My suggestion would be the Marks and Spencer's food hall in the store in the West Quay Mall, good range and usually quick to check out. And there is a bureau de change in the store offering good exchange rates if you haven't already bought your currency.

There is also an ASDA a little further along the road http://www.bing.com/mapspreview?rtp=~pos.50.905955_-1.407247_Asda%20Southampton

http://storelocator.asda.com/store/southampton

Nearest for Mayflower cruise terminal (berth 105/6) would be Majestic Wines. A 20 minute walk. On Western Esplanade opposite the rail station, & not far from the coach station.

For Ocean terminal (berth 46) I guess the Tesco Express (small grocery store) at Ocean Way in Ocean Village, 10 - 15 minutes.

One Princess sailing is from QE2 terminal (berth 38/39). It's deep in the docks & unsuitable for walking.

There's also the Asda store (easiest entrance is via the multi-storey carpark opposite the coach station) and the Marks & Spencer store in West Quay Mall mentioned in previous posts.

All on this walking route - ignore the total walking time, check the time in the details of the relevant segment

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/50.9056386,-1.4294464/Western+Esplanade,+Southampton+SO15+1QJ,+UK/National+Express,+Harbour+Parade,+Southampton/Marks+%26+Spencer,+Harbour+Parade,+Southampton/50.8934906,-1.4004244/50.8964857,-1.3930962/@50.8980457,-1.4217358,2539m/data=!3m2!1e3!5s0x487476b6dee4f329:0x277c83692c05220!4m23!4m22!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x487476b826bd556b:0x61e117af0219220!2m2!1d-1.4135727!2d50.9067682!1m5!1m1!1s0x487476b09927bebd:0x1398739ab30734f5!2m2!1d-1.4089214!2d50.906099!1m5!1m1!1s0x487476b75aa53f2b:0x5f7be3d9dcf9c6e1!2m2!1d-1.4074328!2d50.9029542!1m0!1m0!3e2

Lots of other options if you're travelling to Southampton independently.

But if you're on a ship's transfer coach they go direct to the cruise terminal. If that's from central London, buy there. If from an airport, some airport terminals have a shop just after customs - not duty-free but often a few wines. Otherwise just hope you have enough time after check-in at the cruise terminal.

If you don't know your cruise terminal check out the ship schedule at

http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/live_information/shipping_movements_and_cruise_ship_schedule/cruise_ship_schedule/

JB :)

Are spending the night pre cruise in Southampton as that will effect things a bit. I have done very well at the ASDA store described above however in August I noticed that there was a c-store in the Premier Inn-Harbour Parade that carried wine....or at least as I recall....maybe JB who knows all and sees all could confirm this.

We'll be taking the ship's transfer from Heathrow the morning of the cruise.

Thanks so much for all of the advice. We'll check out the airport stores as our first option, and then see if we can get out and do a little shopping while at the port.

Especially thanks John Bull. I was able to find out we are berthed at 46 from your link, so we will head for the Tesco Express.

We'll be taking the ship's transfer from Heathrow the morning of the cruise.

 

Thanks so much for all of the advice. We'll check out the airport stores as our first option, and then see if we can get out and do a little shopping while at the port.

 

Especially thanks John Bull. I was able to find out we are berthed at 46 from your link, so we will head for the Tesco Express.

No worries.

Its a neighbourhood grocery store but it will have a reasonable selection of wines.

Walk out the port gate where your transfer coach entered (gate 4).

Outside the gate turn right.

In 200 yards walk over the rail crossing & continue

In another 200 yards, at the second traffic lights, big "Ocean Village" sign on your right.

The Tesco Express is just inside, on your left.

(or you might be able to blag your coach driver to drop you at Ocean Village when he leaves ;))

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Cunard+Rd,+Southampton+SO14+3QN,+UK/50.8967172,-1.3933778/@50.8959108,-1.397603,317m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x487476cc83b5247b:0x9abc3934a36fa0fb!2m2!1d-1.4001368!2d50.8943747!1m0!3e2

There's no restriction on walking in or out of the port, though if you look suspicious :p you may be approached by gate security to check that you have reason to be there.

JB :)

If you are landing at Heathrow, look out for branches of Marks And Spencer Simply Food after you exit security in arrivals. You can quickly pick up your two bottles of wine before boarding your transfer to Southampton, and save yourself rushing around at the port.

If you have room, slip a strong folding bag in the front of your carry on. UK stores now have to charge for carrier bags, only a few pence, but the bags are flimsy and you won't want to risk dropping or breaking the bottles en route.

That is a great suggestion about bringing a wine carrier bag. Thanks!

Also thanks for the detailed instructions to the store in case we don't get what we want at the airport. Thanks again John Bull!

Silly as it might sound, you could have a pair of socks handy - one for each bottle - to minimize them bumping in to each other and possibly breaking.

Silly as it might sound, you could have a pair of socks handy - one for each bottle - to minimize them bumping in to each other and possibly breaking.

This is a great idea!

Southampton cruise security is done by the port they don't care about booze.

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Southampton cruise security is done by the port they don't care about booze.

That is great to know!