Which Southampton Cruise Terminal Is My Ship Leaving From?

Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port — more than 3 million cruise passengers in 2025, according to port operator ABP — 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 in the current port schedule at 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

Looking up your cruise line rather than your terminal? See which cruise line uses which terminal.

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). Cruise lines in the current port schedule: P&O Cruises, Cunard, AIDA Cruises and Princess Cruises. 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. Cruise lines in the current port schedule: P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises. 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. Cruise lines in the current port schedule: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line. 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. Cruise lines in the current port schedule: MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises and AIDA Cruises. 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 Cruise Terminal, at Berth 38/39 in the Eastern Docks (Dock Gate 4), next to Ocean Cruise Terminal. Cruise lines in the current port schedule: Cunard, AIDA Cruises and P&O Cruises. 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, coordinate the collection with you as you disembark and meet you at the designated private hire pickup area (name board on request), 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.

Related guides

• First time cruising from Southampton? A checklist
• Southampton cruise transfers for Americans
• Southampton marina & waterfront transfers