Southampton port calls

[Underwatr]

We will be passing through Southampton on our way to and from Hamburg this summer. What are the typical times that I can get off the ship for the day and need to be back onboard? 

[princeton123211]

Ship usually docks very early in the morning-- alongside by 6:30am but sometimes can be earlier. As an in transit passenger you can usually disembark with the self help disembarkation group which is the first off. Ship usually departs at 4:30pm so would plan to be back on board by 3-3:30pm as it will take a bit longer than a usual port stop. 

[Underwatr]

Would there be any issues leaving the ship on our own schedule, or is it best to leave with self-help? 

 

Hertz opens at 9:00 so if I'm off before 8:00 I might have to entertain myself for an hour. Without other constraints we'd probably leave the ship between 8:45 and 9:00

[princeton123211]

Depending on how many people are going through self help you might end off at that time anyway but I think you could just sneak on through whenever you want. In transit passengers with no luggage are going to be the least of their concerns on a big morning. 

[Bigmike911]

You will likely have to clear UK Immigration getting off the ship. Last year when I did a tour of Southampton during the day there, we had to exit through an immigration queue. The UK is not a Schengen member and so passport formalities still exist going from the UK to Germany, and Vice Versa.

[Underwatr]

En route from the US to UK we still clear immigration mid-ocean with staff making the crossing, right?

 

Haven't figured out yet what our plans are on the westbound.

[princeton123211]

1 minute ago, Underwatr said:

En route from the US to UK we still clear immigration mid-ocean with staff making the crossing, right?

 

Haven't figured out yet what our plans are on the westbound.

US to UK you go through HM Customs during the cruise and you pretty much waltz off the ship precleared. Theres a little sad desk for a customs officer that I have never seen occupied. I'm sure they are keeping an eye on things from somewhere but you don't have to answer any questions. 

 

UK to US its a totally different game. 

[exlondoner]

It's immigration .(i.e. Passports) that is specifically checked  on route, though it's all part of Border Force.