Which Southampton Cruise Terminal Is My Ship Leaving From?

Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port, and it has five active cruise terminals spread across the Eastern and Western Docks. If you're sailing soon, the most common question we hear is simply: which terminal do I go to?

This guide breaks them all down — the cruise lines that typically use each, the exact postcode and dock gate, and how to get there. But first, the single most important rule:

Always check your cruise e-ticket or booking confirmation for the terminal. Cruise lines are not tied to one terminal. The same ship can sail from different terminals on different dates depending on the port's schedule. The lists below are a helpful guide — your ticket is the source of truth.

The five Southampton cruise terminals at a glance

Terminal	Location	Postcode	Typically used by
Ocean	Berth 46/47, Dock Gate 4, Eastern Docks	SO14 3QN	Cunard, P&O, Princess
Mayflower	Dock Gate 10, Western Docks	SO15 1HQ	MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian, Holland America
City	Western Docks	SO15 1HJ	Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney
Horizon	Berth 102, Dock Gate 10, Western Docks	SO15 1AW	MSC, Norwegian (newest terminal, 2021)
QEII	Berth 38/39, Dock Gate 4, Eastern Docks	SO14 3GG	Cunard (and overflow sailings)

Horizon is not the same as QEII. They're often confused, but Horizon is a separate, newer terminal (opened 2021) in the Western Docks, while QEII is an older terminal in the Eastern Docks. Check your ticket carefully — they're on opposite sides of the port.

Ocean Cruise Terminal (SO14 3QN)

One of the busiest embarkation points in the UK, in the Eastern Docks at Berth 46/47 (Dock Gate 4). It's the regular home of Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, plus many P&O and Princess Cruises sailings. Drop-off is right at the terminal forecourt.

→ Ocean Cruise Terminal transfers & details

Mayflower Cruise Terminal (SO15 1HQ)

In the Western Docks at Dock Gate 10. Mayflower is a primary turnaround terminal for MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America. It's the closest Southampton terminal to the M271 motorway exit, so it's a quick run from Romsey, Eastleigh and the M27 corridor.

→ Mayflower Cruise Terminal transfers & details

City Cruise Terminal (SO15 1HJ)

A flexible large-ship terminal in the Western Docks. You'll often find Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean (Anthem of the Seas, Independence of the Seas), Norwegian and Disney Cruise Line here. Access is via the docks, so a driver who knows the gate on the day saves time.

→ City Cruise Terminal transfers & details

Horizon Cruise Terminal (SO15 1AW)

Southampton's newest cruise terminal, opened in 2021 at Berth 102 in the Western Docks (West Bay Road), reached via Dock Gate 10. It was built with shore power and rooftop solar, and developed with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, which are its main operators. Note: Horizon is not the QEII terminal — they're separate facilities on opposite sides of the port.

→ Horizon Cruise Terminal transfers & details

QEII Cruise Terminal (SO14 3GG)

The older QEII Terminal, at Berth 38/39 in the Eastern Docks (Dock Gate 4), next to Ocean Terminal. It handles Cunard sailings and overflow turnarounds when Ocean is at capacity. If your ticket says "QEII", head here — not to Horizon in the Western Docks.

Book a fixed-price transfer to your terminal →

Eastern Docks or Western Docks?

It helps to know which side of the port you're heading to:

• Eastern Docks (Dock Gate 4) — Ocean and QEII (SO14 postcodes). Closer to the city centre and Ocean Village.
• Western Docks (Dock Gates 8 & 10) — City, Mayflower and Horizon (SO15 postcodes). Closer to the M271/M27.

Your driver will take you to the correct dock gate for your sailing — but having the terminal name from your e-ticket ready makes everything smoother.

Getting to your terminal

However you're arriving in Southampton, the terminal transfer is the easy part:

• From home or a hotel — a pre-booked, fixed-price cruise transfer drops you right at the terminal forecourt with help for your luggage. See every terminal on our Southampton cruise transfers hub.
• Flying in first? We track your flight and drive you straight from the airport to the ship — see airport transfers for Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and more.
• Disembarking? We monitor your ship's arrival and meet you at the terminal exit with a name board, ready for the journey home or on to the airport.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at the terminal? Most cruise lines assign a check-in window (often 11:00–14:00). Aim to arrive within your slot — too early means waiting outside, too late risks a stressful rush. Your booking specifies the recommended time.

Can my ship change terminals after I book? Yes — occasionally. Always re-check your e-ticket in the days before you sail, as the port can reassign a sailing to a different terminal.

Do all the terminals have drop-off at the door? Yes. Every Southampton cruise terminal has a forecourt drop-off where porters can take luggage from the kerb. Your driver brings you to the right terminal building.