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CDC Issues Framework for Conditional Sailing Order Until November 2021

Robert McGillivray
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CDC Issues Framework for Conditional Sailing Order Until November 2021

The CDC has today announced that the No-Sail-Order will no longer be in effect from November 1, 2020. Instead, the CDC has announced a framework for a Conditional Sailing Order.

While the Industry anticipated the favorable decision, the move can still be described as surprising. Dr. Redfield, the Centres of disease control director, had stated last month he would prefer a No-Sail Order to be in effect until February at the least.

This decision comes after months of intense deliberations between the cruise lines, White House, and CDC. It will be a welcome message for the thousands of guests eagerly anticipating a return on board and the millions of people involved in the cruise industry.

New Conditional Order

A careful approach to resuming cruises is needed and the CDC and cruise lines will work on a phased-in return of operations. So yes, the No-Sail Order has ended.

  • The expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency,
  • The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or
  • November 1, 2021.

The CDC has detailed what will need to be done on the safe return of operations to make sure not just guests and crew remain safe but also those in local areas on land. In it’s new update the CDC stated:

The initial phases will consist of testing and additional safeguards for crew members. CDC will ensure cruise ship operators have adequate health and safety protections for crew members while these cruise ship operators build the laboratory capacity needed to test future passengers.

Subsequent phases will include simulated voyages to test cruise ship operators’ ability to mitigate COVID-19 risk, certification for ships that meet specific requirements, and a phased return to cruise ship passenger voyages in a manner that mitigates COVID-19 risk among passengers, crew members, and U.S. communities.

These phases are subject to change based on public health considerations and cruise ship operators’ demonstrated ability to mitigate COVID-19 risk. CDC will issue additional orders as needed that will be published in the Federal Register
and technical instructions that will be subsequently posted on CDC’s website.

Cruise Lines Pressure Pays Off

The cruise lines, amongst which Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, have been putting significant pressure on government officials and the CDC to allow sailing from U.S. ports as soon as possible.

This went as far as the White House when the cruise lines had a conference with Vice President Pence a few weeks ago.

No matter the circumstances, the cruise lines’ return will be a happy moment for thousands of guests as cruise bookings remain at the same level as last year for many lines and, in some cases, even higher. It looks like the public’s confidence in the cruise industry has been at a high level throughout the pandemic, as most cruises scheduled for the end of the year and beyond are sold out.

Not only will the guests be happy to see cruising return. Crew members from various companies have been at home for some time, some up to six or seven months. These will now finally be able to return to their workplaces.

Crew members in various nations have been called up to be ready on a moment’s notice—a show of confidence from the cruise lines in their efforts to convince the CDC.

What Will Cruising Be Like?

A return to cruising in the U.S. does not mean that everything is back to normal. The cruise lines have implemented extensive protocols and regulations which have, presumably, played a significant role in the decision from the CDC on the resumption of cruising.

Not only will the cruise lines be able to draw from the experience of cruising in Europe, but there is also the 74-step plan from the Healthy Sail Panel to implement.

Cruising in Europe has been reasonably successful for several months now. Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Hapag Lloyd, Seadream, TUI, and AIDA have all done cruises so far. These range from sea-escapes where the cruises consist of sea days only, to full-on port day voyages.

These voyages have been successful in avoiding any COVID outbreaks on-board by strictly implementing testing and sanitation protocols. Ships sailing from the U.S. will surely draw from this experience while also implementing the strict 74-steps the healthy sail panel recommends.

It remains to be seen what restrictions the CDC will require. However, it seems inevitable that the CDC will require additional measures on top of what the cruise lines have planned.

Past CDC No Sail Orders

The first No-Sail order was issued on March 14, 2020, which followed the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) voluntary suspension of operations. The CDC order was then extended for the first time on April 15, 2020, which was announced on April 9.

With no end to the global pandemic, the order was extended for the second time on July 16 through September 30, 2020. The finally on September 30 it was extended once again through October 31, 2020, which has lead to today’s announcement.

Photos Credit: EQRoy / mariakray / Shutterstock.com

Knut Kloster, Founder of Norwegian Cruise Line Dies Aged 91

Emrys Thakkar
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Knut Kloster, Founder of Norwegian Cruise Line Dies Aged 91

Knut Kloster, a legend in the cruise industry and who co-founded Norwegian Cruise Line has sadly died at the age of 91.

Cruise Line Founder Knut Kolster Dies

The cruise industry has lost one of its greats, Knus Kloster who passed away today at the age of 91. He co-founded Norwegian Cruise Line (then named Norwegian Caribbean Line) in 1966 along with Carnival Cruise Line founder Ted Arison.

Kolster was born in Oslo, Norway in 1929 and he joined his family business named Kloster Redri in 1959. The business was founded by his father Lauritz Kloster in 1924. Thanks to his partnership with Arison he launched a cruise line which has since become the third-largest in the world.

Kloster who was a visionary kicked off his new cruise line with the 8,666 gross ton Sunward which first sailed for Norwegian Caribbean Line on December 19, 1966, and offering short cruises out of Miami, Florida to the Bahamas.

Kloster helped grow the cruise line with even more vessels including MS Starward, MS Skyward, MS Southward, and MS Sunward II. He found that turning these ferry type ships to more cruise focused vessels would be good and eventually a more serious cruise business started growing.

Once Norway joined the fleet it put Kloster’s cruise line on the map as she was the largest cruise ship in the world at the time. He eventually stepped back from running the business but he had even bigger plans!

In 1983 development began ion the ultimate cruise ship! It was the World City Phoenix that was to be a mind-blowing 250,000 gross tons, just unprecedented in those days. The innovative cruise ship was to have a passenger capacity of 5,200, 1,850 crew members, and 2,600 cabins.

Unfortunately, the ship never got past the design stage due to being too complex for her time and a number of feasibility reasons.

Kloster has been involved in many projects over the years including the founding of Norwegian Cruise Line’s current private island of Great Stirrup Caye in the Bahamas. It was purchased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and in fact the first cruise line to have a private island, another one of Kloster’s innovative decisions.

He truly will be missed across the cruise industry and we thank him for making what the industry is today. Thanks to all the new ship features, ideas, creativity, and more. RIP.

Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock.com

Carnival Imagination Beached for Scrapping in Turkey

Emrys Thakkar
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Carnival Imagination Beached for Scrapping in Turkey

Carnival Imagination has become the third Carnival cruise ship to be beached in Turkey and will now be scrapped.

Third Carnival Cruise Ship Beached in Turkey

Carnival Imagination has been beached at the Aliaga ship breaking facility in Turkey and marking the end of life for the Fantasy-class cruise ship. The vessel was beached with limited crew onboard on Wednesday morning and is now sitting right next to the Carnival Fantasy.

The ship had spent the previous day anchored just off the coast to prepare for the beaching and the majority of the crew had already been transferred off. She had just completed her final journey from the Caribbean to Turkey.

Carnival Imagination has already been stripped of anything important when she was docked in Curacao in August. During that time it was rumored the ship was being scrapped and that was confirmed when the Cruise Ship Tracker showed her next destination as Izmir, Turkey which is where the scrapping takes place.

In the coming weeks and months, chunk by chunk the vessel will be scrapped and the materials recycled just like her sister ships. The work will begin from the bow and workers will make their way cutting the ship up.

Carnival Imagination has joined the Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Inspiration, the former Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Seas that are all already being scrapped at the facility. It’s a very sad view indeed for ships with so much history and memories.

This comes as the parent company Carnival Corporation just announced that five more cruise ships across its nine brands will be disposed of. This brings a total of 18 cruise ships that are being let go by the company, and some have already been offloaded, including the three Fantasy-class ships at Aliaga.

With the Fantasy-class vessels showing their age we could see further ships from the fleet be scrapped and all eyes are on the Carnival Fascination, currently rusting up in Cadiz, Spain. The company needs to offload vessels to lower expenditure and make cash to rise out these unprecedented times.

Also Read: 13 Things About the Carnival Imagination Cruise Ship

Carnival Imagination was made her debut in 1995 and before the suspension of operations, the vessel was operating on the U.S. west coast. She’s 70,367 gross tons with a guest capacity of over 2,000 at double occupancy along with 920 crew members.

Photo Credit: Benson Truong / Shutterstock.com

60+ Creative Homeschool Ideas About Cruises

Melissa Mayntz
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60+ Creative Homeschool Ideas About Cruises

A cruise may be the ultimate vacation, but cruises also make great lessons for learners of all ages. Whether you are planning an entire homeschool curriculum, need creative project ideas for a single class, or want to add some enrichment to an exciting getaway, there are great homeschool ideas for every grade level and subject material.

Cruise Lessons for Young Children

Even the very youngest cruisers can enjoy simple lessons that incorporate cruise ships and vacations. Cruise ships can be part of all sorts of basic learning and lessons, such as…

  • Practicing colors with cruise ship pictures and drawings
  • Letter learning and recognition on cruise ship hulls or signage
  • Counting pictures of cruise-related scenes
  • Coloring pages of cruise ships to improve hand and finger dexterity
  • Spelling words for cruise ships and ship-related terms
  • Handwriting practice copying cruise ship names and words
  • ABC lists of cruise vacation words and phrases
  • Reading picture books of cruise ships and related topics

Cruise Lessons for Older Students

As students get older and develop interests in different subject areas, cruise ships, vacations, and cruise-related travel can become part of any curriculum. Popular options for adding cruise learning into different lessons will vary based on each student’s interests, grade level, and aptitude, but can include a wide range of subject materials.

Arts

All the fine arts can be studied with relation to cruise vacations, including how music, dance, and other performances are part of cruises. Many cruise ships have art galleries to view, and different paintings, sculptures, and other art installations around each ship, including hull art, can be fascinating introductions to different art forms.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Crafts at Sea

Students can create their own sketches, paintings, sculptures, and other art forms related to cruise ships, including origami, craft projects, dramatic skits, and more.

Culinary Arts

Food is a delicious part of every cruise vacation, and cooking students can enjoy a wide range of different tastes on every sailing. Studying how different dishes are prepared at onboard cooking demonstrations or how ingredients are used creatively at different meals are great cooking lessons, or discovering different recipes from popular ports of call are other fun and tasty lessons.

Students could also learn how professional galleys are arranged, or how challenging it is to prepare massive food quantities for thousands of passengers. Food safety lessons can also be part of any cruise culinary studies.

Engineering

Cruise ships are an engineering marvel, and any student with an interest in engineering can learn a great deal from cruise ship structure and design. Students can also study a ship’s fuel systems and how airflow and ventilation are promoted through a ship.

How cruise ships steer into challenging ports or through canals can be intricate engineering problems, or students can create their own cruise ship deck plans or architectural diagrams to showcase their engineering creativity.

Geography

Geography is an easy subject to study with cruise ships. Maps of different itineraries and destinations can create a wide range of geography lessons, or students could study how ocean currents affect geography and cruise navigation.

Learning where crew members are from around the world can broaden geographic studies far beyond just one cruise ship or vacation. Students could also study the physical, political, and cultural geography of individual ports of call, or use ship locator websites to map voyages.

History

Cruise ships have played many important parts in history, including serving different roles in wartime or other emergencies. Studying that history can help students of all ages better appreciate cruise ships.

Other historical topics include how cruise ships have often carried mail and cargo, profiles of famous ships such as the Titanic and Lusitania, histories of cruise lines themselves, or the overall history of cruise travel and how cruises have changed over the decades.

Languages

Cruises have a language all their own, and students can improve their vocabularies by studying cruise-related words such as port, starboard, deck, galley, captain, tender, aft, bow, stern, wake, muster, and more.

Studying the different languages of crew members and different ports of call can also enhance students’ knowledge of languages and language learning. Learning how to say hello, good-bye, please, and thank you in different cruise languages is always a good lesson.

Literature

Cruise ships can be amazing settings for many books, plays, and poems for literature students. Students can also write their own stories or poems about ships, cruise travel, ports of call, or even the sea itself.

News stories can also be great for journalism students to learn more about cruising, or students could use the daily cruise newsletter to study how news and activities are shared with passengers or how print media is formatted. They can even make their own newsletters for family cruise fun!

Mathematics

Students can do a lot of calculating on a cruise ship, figuring out miles traveled, the passenger capacity onboard, how much food passengers may consume, and other fun facts.

Cruise ships are filled with geometric architecture that can be studied, and different currencies in different ports of call can be converted to better understand economics. Students could also practice financial literacy by calculating cruise vacation costs and budgeting for an oceangoing getaway.

Science

The science of cruise ships can involve everything from oceanic marine life, seabirds, and ecosystems to how hurricanes work to air purification processes onboard a cruise ship or the environmental impact of cruises on different marine ecosystems.

Astronomy studies can include ship navigation by stars, biology students may study how illnesses can spread on cruise ships and what can be done to keep crew members and passengers safe, and chemistry students could analyze seawater.

Social Studies

All types of social studies subjects – politics and government, religion, psychology, sociology, etc. – can be studied on cruises. Different cultures from different ports of call and crew members from around the world are all great subjects of study, and can foster greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion.

Laws at sea, governments of different ports of call, etiquette of different cultures, and current events involving ports and cruises are all great social studies topics for study.

Worth Reading: 15 Engaging Books to Read About Cruises

In addition to studying individual subjects as they relate to cruises, students of all ages can enjoy hands-on projects featuring cruise ships and cruise travel. These interactive projects can be part of an overall unit about cruises, or could be ideal options for subject fairs, such as a science fair, geography fair, or engineering showcase.

  • Create a boat out of commonplace materials and see how long it will float or how much weight it will hold while floating.
  • Create tanks with saltwater of different salinities, and determine how salty the water has to be to affect how a buoy or other object floats.
  • Cook an entire meal themed to a port of call, or create a formal night dining experience to share even if cruising isn’t possible.
  • Design a cruise ship, including deck plans, activity spaces, passenger cabins, and other features necessary for full operation.
  • Interview cruise ship crew members about their homes, cultures, and countries, compiling a report about how different cultures work together.
  • Plan and map a dream cruise vacation itinerary, calculating the distances between ports and how long the cruise would be sailing.
  • Create an advertising campaign for a cruise line, including ports of call, new ships, shore excursions, and other features of the company.

Cruise ships can be an amazing learning experience for all ages, no matter what subject areas are of the greatest interest to different students. No matter how many cruises you have taken, there is always something more to learn!

Former Holiday-Class Carnival Cruise Ship Put Up for Auction

Emrys Thakkar
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Former Holiday-Class Carnival Cruise Ship Put Up for Auction

A former Carnival cruise ship which was known as the Holiday has been put up for auction after Cruise & Maritime Voyages went out of business.

Cruise Ships Up For Auction

The first Holiday-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line has been put up for auction, along with four other vessels from the now bankrupt Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) based in the UK.

The Holiday, which was transferred by Carnival to Spanish-based Ibero Cruises in 2009, eventually ended up with CMV in 2015. Unfortunately, due to the global health crisis and the suspension of operations, the cruise line went into administration, a form of bankruptcy in the UK.

The vessel is recently known as MS Magellan and she’s currently up for auction by CW Kellock & Co. The bidding deadline for the 46,052-gross ton cruise ship is midday on Monday, October 19, 2020. Those who are interested can arrange an inspection at the Port of Tilbury where she’s currently located.

Magellan Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Andrew Balcombe / Shutterstock.com

Here is the full list of former CMV cruise ships that are up for auction:

  • Vasco Da Gama – Bid deadline: Midday Thursday 8th October 2020. GT: 55,877 / Passengers: 1636/ Cabins: 630 / Decks: 13 (10 pax)
  • Columbus – Bid deadline: Midday Monday 12th October 2020. GT: 63,786 / Passengers: 1817 / Cabins: 736 / Decks: 14 (11 pax)
  • Magellan – Bid deadline: Midday Monday 19th October 2020. GT: 46,052 / Passengers: 1860 / Cabins: 726 / Decks: 12 (9 pax)
  • Astor – Bid deadline: Midday Thursday 15th October 2020. GT: 20,704 / Passengers: 656 / Cabins: 295 / Decks: 9 (7 pax)
  • Marco Polo – Bid deadline: Midday Thursday 22nd October 2020. GT: 22,080 / Passengers: 906 / Cabins: 425 / Decks: 12 (8 pax)

All the ships are located at the Port of Tilbury except for the Marco Polo which is at Avonmouth, also in the UK. Anyone lucky enough to have the funds can buy themselves a cruise ship! The alternative is for the ships to be scrapped, which we’ve already seen with former Pullmantur and Carnival cruise ships at the Aliaga ship breaking facility in Turkey.

Also Read: Which Cruise Ships are Being Scrapped or Sold Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The former CEO of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Christian Verhounig, recently completed the purchase of assets from the former cruise lines. Those assets included customer databases, computer systems, office items, and more. Verhounig is hoping to relaunch the cruise line at some point in the future. We might even see him snatch up some of the cruise ships too.

The Holiday was the very first new-build for Carnival Cruise Line. She was constructed in Denmark and entered service for the cruise line in 1985.

Also Read: The Former Carnival Cruise Ships: Where Are They Now?

Photo Credit: Mark Wolfe

17 IDEAL Hotels in Southampton Before or After Your Cruise

Gillian Birch
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17 IDEAL Hotels in Southampton Before or After Your Cruise

Southampton is by far the busiest passenger cruise port in the UK and it is served by many hotels in Southampton. Most people departing on a cruise choose to stay in one of the hotels in Southampton UK near the port, ready to check-in the following day without a problem.

Whether you are heading off on a Mediterranean, Transatlantic, Norwegian Fjords or Baltic cruise, or perhaps just hopping across to the Isle of Wight, we have selected some of the best hotels in Southampton conveniently close to the ferry and cruise terminals.

If you’re looking for hotels in Southampton with cruise parking and/or a shuttle, no problem. We have a selection for you to choose from.

We also provide a selection of hotels closest to Southampton cruise port, luxury hotels, budget hotels and hotels offering Cruise and Stay packages. Whatever accommodation you’re looking for, you’ll find it right here!

Where Should I Stay in Southampton before a Cruise?

Southampton is a busy city for business, cruises and tourists so it has hundreds of hotels and apartments offering accommodation. If you’re looking for a hotel in Southampton before departing on a cruise, it makes sense to stay close to the port and cruise terminals. You don’t want to get caught in traffic if you’re travelling to Southampton from London, for example, as it could jeopardize your cruise check-in.

There is no train or bus service to the cruise terminals so you either need to walk from your hotel or use a taxi or Uber to get there. Some hotels offer a shuttle service, usually as part of a package with cruise parking. However, all hotels will be happy to arrange a taxi for you. Expect to pay around £7-10 for the trip if you are staying in the city centre.

Helpful: London City Center and Heathrow to Southampton Transfer

There are lots of things to consider when booking hotels in Southampton UK near the port. Price, convenience, standard of luxury, options for Cruise and Stay Parking and the distance from the port can all influence your choice. It makes sense to choose a hotel with a shuttle service or one closer to the port for a shorter (cheaper!) taxi journey.

Know your Cruise Terminal Before Booking a Hotel

Bear in mind that there are four cruise terminals in Southampton port and they are widely spread apart. The Mayflower and City cruise terminals are closest to the city and are within reasonable walking distance (10-15 minutes) from hotels if you do not have too much luggage.

The hotels listed below show the distance from Mayflower Cruise Terminal, which is the part of the Western Docks, along with City Cruise Terminal. The closest hotels to City Terminal are Novotel, Ibis and Holiday Inn hotels. Ibis and Novotel are opposite Gate 10 entrance to the port and the Holiday Inn is outside Gate 8.

If you are cruising from Ocean or QE2 cruise terminals, some hotels around Ocean Village may be considerably closer than indicated. However, the Queen Elizabeth II cruise terminal is over ½ mile from the port entrance so you really need a taxi to take you right to the ship.

We’ve laid out all the facts to help you, so take your pick below.

Closest Hotels to Southampton Cruise Port

Ibis Southampton Centre Hotel

The Ibis Southampton is a modern budget hotel in central Southampton with 93 smart guest rooms. Guests have tea and coffee facilities and Wi-Fi. Opposite Gate 10 to the port and close to West Quay Shopping Centre, the hotel offers bar snacks and has a café. Some upper rooms have views of the cruise ships as they come and go from the port. 

  • Distance from port: 1.3 miles
  • Address: 9 West Quay Rd, Western Esplanade
  • Phone number: 023 8063 4463
  • Shuttle? No

Holiday Inn Southampton

Just a hop from the cruise port and opposite Gate 8 to the port, Holiday Inn Southampton offers modern refurbished bedrooms and mid-range prices. Make use of the pool, gym and lounge bar and upgrade to an oceanview room to get yourself into cruise mode before you depart!

  • Distance from port: 1.4 miles
  • Address: Herbert Walker Ave
  • Phone number: 0871 942 9073
  • Shuttle? Yes

Novotel

The Novotel is a reliable chain hotel opposite West Quay Shopping Centre and as close as you can get to the Mayflower Cruise Terminal (opposite Gate 10 port entrance). Rooms are spacious and comfortable and include Wi-Fi. This hotel also has a bar, indoor heated pool, gym, sauna and restaurant. Parking is £10 per night.

  • Distance from port: 1.3 miles
  • Address: 1 West Quay Road
  • Phone number: 023 8107 2800
  • Shuttle? No

Ennios Hotel

Ennios Boutique Hotel is a small hotel offering a personal service. Modern rooms have air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, mini bar and Wi-Fi. It is the closest hotel to Ocean Terminal (0.6 miles) and the shops at Ocean Village as well as being just 0.1 miles from the Town Walls and Medieval Merchant’s House attractions.

  • Distance from port: 2.3 miles (Mayflower terminal)
  • Address: Town Quay
  • Phone number: 023 8022 1159
  • Shuttle? No

Luxury Hotels near Southampton Port

Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa

This five-star luxury Southampton Harbour Hotel will get your cruise off to a great start. Just a short walk from Ocean Village Marina and 0.7 miles from Ocean Cruise Terminal, it has 119 sumptuous guest rooms, two restaurants, spa, pool and rooftop terrace for enjoying waterfront views.

  • Distance from port: 2.4 miles (Mayflower terminal)
  • Address: 5 Maritime Walk, Ocean Village
  • Phone number: 023 8110 3456
  • Shuttle? No

Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour Hotel

Relax at the Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour Hotel before setting sail on your cruise. Overlooking the waterfront, this grand four star hotel has a leisure centre with indoor pool, sauna, gym and Rena Spa along with a bar and grill. Free Wi-Fi and parking (fee). 

  • Distance from port: 1.7 miles
  • Address: 5 West Quay Road
  • Phone number: 023 8063 3033
  • Shuttle? No

Hotels with Shuttle to Southampton Cruise Port

Doubletree by Hilton Southampton

Convenient for the M3, M27, Southampton Airport and city centre, Doubletree by Hilton is a top choice for those looking for hotels in Southampton with Cruise and Stay packages. Your stay starts with a complimentary chocolate chip cookie as you check in. Upgraded deluxe rooms include bathrobes, slippers, welcome snacks and extended checkout times. There’s a bar, restaurant, gardens and restaurant. Check out the cruise package with parking options for the best deals.

  • Distance from port: 4.8 miles
  • Address: Bracken Place, Chilworth, Southampton
  • Phone number: 02380 702700
  • Shuttle? Y

Holiday Inn Eastleigh

Just off M3 Junction M13, the Holiday Inn Eastleigh has 129 rooms including family rooms all with Wi-Fi for staying in touch. The Health Club has a 15m long pool, gym, sauna and steam room along with massages and beauty treatments. There’s a bar, lounge and restaurant and Park and Cruise packages include one night’s accommodation, breakfast, parking and transport to and from the cruise port.

  • Distance from port: 6.5 miles
  • Address: Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Southampton
  • Phone number: 0871 942 9075
  • Shuttle? Yes

Careys Manor Hotel

Nestled in the countryside within the New Forest National Park, Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa is the ultimate luxury retreat with 77 bedrooms, restaurant, spa and more. Book a Cruise and Stay package which includes overnight accommodation, an award-winning New Forest breakfast for two, parking and chauffeur transport to the cruise terminal from just £249.

  • Distance from port: 12.1 miles
  • Address: Lyndhurst Rd, Brockenhurst
  • Phone number: 01590 624467
  • Shuttle? Yes (Chauffeur transport with Cruise and Stay packages)

Budget Hotels near Southampton Cruise Port

Hunters Lodge BnB

Hunters Lodge Bed and Breakfast is a welcoming private hotel with free Wi-Fi, bar and guest lounge. The price includes a tasty cooked breakfast before you head off to the cruise port (taxi required). This charming mid-range BnB has excellent reviews and is one of the top BnBs in Southampton.

  • Distance from port:  1.6 miles
  • Address: 25 Languard Rd
  • Phone number: 023 8022 7919
  • Shuttle? No

Travelodge Southampton

The three star Travelodge is centrally located and offers clean comfortable rooms with “bare bones” amenities. Rooms have flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi (fee) and a buffet breakfast is available in the onsite restaurant. Parking is available nearby for an additional fee.

  • Distance from port: 1.8 miles
  • Address: Castle Way, Southampton
  • Phone number: 0871  559 1869
  • Shuttle? No

Premier Inn Southampton West Quay

Southampton Premier Inn West Quay is a modern purpose-built hotel close to the High Street shops and restaurants. Rooms include luxury Hypnos beds, tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, Freeview TV and a desk. Look forward to a full English breakfast at the Thyme Restaurant before hopping in a taxi to the cruise port. 

  • Distance from port: 1.7 miles
  • Address: 96 Harbour Parade West Quay
  • Phone number: 0333 321 9233
  • Shuttle? No

Premier Inn Southampton City Centre

If you want a well-priced hotel in Southampton city centre, this three star Premier Inn on New Road is the best pick. Close to East Park it is within walking distance of the City Art Gallery and several shopping centres. Spacious ensuite rooms have free Wi-Fi and rates include a free breakfast.

  • Distance from port: 1.8 miles
  • Address: 6 New Road, Southampton
  • Phone number: 0333 321 9006
  • Shuttle? No

City Centre Hotels Near Southampton Port

The Pig-in-the-Wall

The Pig-in-the-Wall is a quirky four star boutique hotel in Southampton’s oldest districts within the medieval walls of the city. The Georgian property includes a well-known deli/bar and has just 12 bedrooms, all individually decorated and furnished. Due to its central location close to the Maritime Museum and Guildhall, parking is an additional daily fee.

  • Distance from port: 1.6 miles
  • Address: 8 Western Esplanade
  • Phone number: 0345 225 9494
  • Shuttle? No

Mercure Dolphin Hotel

The Mercure Dolphin Hotel is in the heart of Southampton City Centre and one of the closest hotels to the cruise terminals. It is the oldest hotel in the city, dating back over 500 years. This gorgeous hotel is in a Grade II listed building oozing charm from its huge bay windows and original Stables Rooms with old beams. Close to shops, restaurants and nightlife. 

  • Distance from port: 1.6 miles
  • Address: 34-35 High St, Southampton
  • Phone number: 023 8038 6460
  • Shuttle? No

Jurys Inn

The smart contemporary façade at Jurys Inn sets the tone for a comfortable stay at this four star city centre hotel at a surprisingly competitive price. It has 270 air-conditioned rooms with flatscreen TV, work desk and tea/coffee facilities. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, business and conference facilities, 24-hour front desk and a colourful lounge/bar with snack menu for guests along with Costa Coffee Bar. Most attractions are within walking distance including West Quay Shopping Centre and Southampton Railway Station.

  • Distance from port: 2.0 miles
  • Address: 1 Charlotte Place, Southampton
  • Phone number: 023 8037 1111
  • Shuttle? No

Room2Southampton

Room2Southampton is one of the most popular hotels in Southampton with spacious air-conditioned rooms that include a mezzanine study area. This Hometel offers spacious rooms with kitchenette, refrigerator and microwave as well as a flatsceen TV and Wi-Fi. There’s an onsite bar, lounge and fitness room making it ideal for longer stays.

  • Distance from port: 2.0 miles
  • Address: 1-8 Queens Terrace
  • Phone number: 023 8057 2222
  • Shuttle? No

Southampton Hotels FAQ

What’s the cheapest hotel near the port of Southampton?

Prices start at just £30 per room per night at the three star Travelodge in Southampton. Just 1.8 miles from Southampton cruise terminals this budget hotel offers clean comfortable rooms with bare bones amenities. Rooms have flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi (fee) and a buffet breakfast is available in the onsite restaurant. Parking is available for an additional fee.

Which hotel is best for getting to the Southampton cruise terminal?

Doubletree by Hilton Southampton is the best hotel for getting to the cruise terminal. Although it is almost 5 miles from the port, cruisers can book a Stay and Cruise package that includes transfers to and from the port along with free parking. 

How to get from Heathrow to Southampton?

London Heathrow Airport is 63 miles from Southampton cruise terminals. There is no direct rail link from Heathrow to Southampton so you will need to arrange transport directly with your cruise line or hire a car and drive yourself. Alternatively you can book private transfers, use a bus/coach service such as National Express or book a private car, taxi or Uber.

Photo Credit: Sharad Raval / Shutterstock.com

The Essential Guide to All Southampton Cruise Terminals

Gillian Birch
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The Essential Guide to All Southampton Cruise Terminals

Southampton cruise terminals have been part of cruising history for over 180 years. Long before air travel, anyone wanting to cross the Atlantic did so on some of the world’s most famous ships, including the RMS Queen Mary, QE2 and the ill-fated Titanic.

Today, Southampton remains the largest passenger cruise port in the UK with a fleet of cruise ships regularly departing down Southampton Water on the first stage of their worldwide voyages.

While most cruise ships depart from Southampton the same day that they arrive (after all, time is money for cruise ships!), some visiting ships drop into Southampton as a port of call and may berth overnight.

If you’re departing from one of the four terminals, we have all the information you need to know before you go. Check out the location, facilities and directions about each cruise terminal so your cruise departure from Southampton will be “plain sailing!”

Southampton Cruise Terminals: An Overview

Port Southampton is managed by the Southampton Port Authority. It has four cruise terminals and each has one or more berths. When busy, the Fruit Shed (Berth 104) is used as a temporary measure. The cruise port handles over 500 ships calls and accommodates more than 2 million cruise passengers in additional to serving another 3 million passengers heading to and from the Isle of Wight.

Southampton cruise terminals are arranged around the point of land at the confluence of the River Itchen and the River Test. They then become known as Southampton Water, which flows into the Solent about 5 miles further south.

The Eastern Docks area on the banks of the River Itchen includes the Ocean Cruise Terminal and QE II Cruise Terminal.

The Western Docks facing the River Test include the City Cruise Terminal and the Mayflower Cruise Terminal.

Port Southampton dock facilities for cruisers include car parking (short-term and long-term) and toilets. There is a taxi rank at each terminal.  If you have booked direct bus transfers to and from the cruise ship with your cruise line, these buses will be allowed to pick you up and/or drop you off right next to the ship’s terminal building. Taxis also have access inside the port’s secure area.

Cruise ships generally arrive and depart from the berth or cruise terminal allocated to their cruise line. However, in exceptionally busy times, or when work has to be scheduled, cruise ships can be diverted to another berth by the Port Authority. Check out your cruise paperwork so that you know exactly which terminal to head for on arrival.

Southampton Port is spread over a huge area so you don’t want to be dropped off at the wrong terminal. Ascertaining the correct cruise terminal in Southampton also helps you find the best cruise parking that is closest to your ship’s berth.

Queen Elizabeth Cruise Terminal (Eastern Docks)

The full address of Queen Elizabeth Cruise Terminal is:

Berth 38/39, Dock Gate 4, Southampton, SO14 3GG

Opened in 1966, this terminal occupies Berths 38 and 39 near the Grain Terminal and is part of the Eastern Docks area. It has been modernised in 2003 and again in 2016. Entry is via Gate 4, like Ocean Terminal users, but the road continues for almost 1km (over half a mile) before reaching the docks and cruise terminal at the end of the peninsula.

The terminal does not have public telephones or ATMs but there are full facilities in the Arrivals Lounge once you have checked in.  Cruisers can pick up hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks from Ceanos Snack Bar which operates in the Arrivals Lounge and the First Floor Departures Lounge when ships are in dock.

There is comfortable seating, toilets, vending machines offering a limited range of drinks and snacks as well as a magazine stand offering a range of complimentary magazines and local maps.

The closest hotel to the QE Cruise Terminal is the Ennios Hotel, a former warehouse. There is long-term and short-term cruise parking close to this terminal.

Ships expecting to depart from this cruise terminal in 2020 include the following:

  • Cunard Queen Mary 2
  • Cunard Queen Victoria
  • Fred Olsen Balmoral
  • P&O Arcadia
  • Celebrity Silhouette

Ocean Cruise Terminal (Eastern Docks)

The full address of Ocean Cruise Terminal is:

Berth 46-49, Dock Gate 4, Cunard Road, Southampton, SO14 3QN

Opened in 2009 and recently upgraded, Ocean Cruise Terminal is generally listed as Berth 46. It is part of the Eastern Docks in Southampton Port. It is the closest terminal to the town and entry is via Dock Gate 4.

Ocean is one of the most modern terminals in Southampton Port and one of the busiest.  It has excellent facilities for those waiting to check-in and depart on a cruise with a large reception area, magazine stand and seating for around 1000 cruisers. It is fully accessible for disabled passengers. Large glass windows allow you to watch the ship being loaded with provisions and luggage.

The terminal has a takeaway Ceanos coffee shop and fully licensed bar in the Departure Lounge on cruise days which offers hot food, hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.

There is also an area with vending machines and a water cooler. Priority seating is in a separate area and P&O Peninsular Club members can also use this area while waiting to board.

This Southampton cruise terminal also has a passenger services desk, cruise parking and Wi-Fi but no phones or ATMs. The nearest cash machine is in Tesco Express at Ocean Village about 10-15 minutes’ walk away. If you are looking for a hotel close to Ocean Terminal, the Ennios Hotel is in a converted former warehouse nearby. 

Ships expecting to depart from this cruise terminal in 2020 include the following:

  • P&O Britannia
  • Cunard Queen Mary 2
  • Aida Cruises AIDAsol
  • Princess Cruises Crown Princess
  • P&O Iona
  • Cunard Queen Victoria
  • Carnival Ventura

City Cruise Terminal (Western Docks)

The full address of City Cruise Terminal is:

Berth 101, Western Docks, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ

City Cruise Terminal is a modern terminal designed to accommodate larger cruise ships. It was opened in 2003 and upgraded in 2015. It is located at Berth 101in the Western Docks area of Port Southampton.

It is the closest terminal to the railway and coach stations and it is possible to walk the distance if you have light luggage, taking about 10-15 minutes. Entry is via Gates 8, 10 and 20, but gate 10 is the most well-used.

The closest hotels to City Terminal are Novotel, Ibis and Holiday Inn in the city. Ibis and Novotel are opposite Gate 10 and the Holiday Inn is outside Gate 8.

Cruisers can pick up hot and cold drinks, hot food, sandwiches and snacks from Ceanos Snack Bar which operates in the Departures Lounge. It also operates a licensed bar and has a separate kiosk when ships are in dock.

The Arrivals Lounge has seating, toilets, vending machines for drinks and snacks and a magazine stand. There is cruise parking close by and the Mayflower Park offers close views of the ships at berth.

Ships expecting to depart from this busy Southampton cruise terminal in 2020 include the following:

  • Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
  • Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas
  • Saga Cruises Spirit of Adventure
  • Saga Cruises Spirit of Discovery

Mayflower Cruise Terminal (Western Docks)

The full address of Mayflower Cruise Terminal is:

Berth 106, Dock Gate 10, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ

The Mayflower Cruise Terminal opened in 1960 and was modernised in 2003 and 2015. It occupies Berth 106 and is over a mile from hotels, railway and bus stations so you will need a taxi or local transport to the berth about a mile away. Entry is via Dock Gates 8, 10 and 20 with most traffic using Gate 10. Just opposite this gate you will find the Novotel and Ibis hotels with Holiday Inn near Gate 8.

Cruisers can pick up hot and cold drinks, hot food, beer, wine, spirits, sandwiches and snacks from Ceanos Snack Bar which operates in the Departures Lounge when ships are in dock. There is a seating area with toilets and a magazine stand. The Arrivals Lounge has seating, toilets, vending machines and a magazine stand when ships are docked. There is short and long-term cruise parking close to the terminal.

Ships expecting to depart from this cruise terminal in 2020 include the following:

  • Cunard Queen Victoria
  • Cunard Queen Elizabeth
  • Cunard Queen Mary 2
  • Carnival Aurora
  • Carnival Azura
  • Carnival Ventura
  • Carnival Arcadia
  • Saga Cruises Spirit of Adventure (one date)

Getting to Southampton Cruise Terminals

Southampton cruise terminals are very easy to access from nearby road and rail links.

By train, coach and bus:

Your public transport will end at the railway or coach station in Southampton city centre and you will need to use a taxi or Uber to reach the cruise terminals about 2 miles away. Fares are around £10 one way. 

By car:

Follow the M3 southbound and follow signs merging onto M27 west. Exit at J3 and follow signs for Southampton Docks which will take you along the M271 and A33 (first exit) dual carriageway to the Dock Gates.

On arrival at Southampton Docks, electronic signs list each cruise ship that is currently in port and which cruise terminal they are at.

Remember to pre-book cruise parking to get the best rates and be sure of a space when you arrive. These companies are either a short walk from the cruise terminals or offer a complimentary shuttle bus to take you and your luggage to and from the ship.

From the airport:

The nearest airport is Southampton International Airport which serve UK and European destinations. Long-haul flights arrive in Heathrow and Gatwick but they are 70 miles and 90 miles away respectively.

You will need to arrange transport between the airport and Southampton cruise terminals. This can be arranged directly with your cruise line. You can book private transfers, use a bus/coach service such as National Express or book a private car, taxi or Uber.

Trains run directly from Gatwick to Southampton station every hour but there is no rail link from Heathrow.

Current Contracts with Cruise Lines

In 2016, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) signed a £5.5 million deal with Southampton Port. This secured Berth 101 as the official UK cruise departure point for all RCI cruises until 2023. It secured 15,000 cruise related jobs and over £1 billion in associated economic business for the area.

Future Developments for Southampton Cruise Terminals

Southampton cruise terminals received a £7 million government grant to install shoreside power connectivity for cruise ships while they are in port. This power system (known in the trade as cold ironing) allows cruise ships to plug into the power grid and operate all their onboard operations without having to run their diesel or gas turbine engines.

It is a much cleaner and more efficient system, significantly reducing pollution and improving the eco-friendly operations of each cruise ship.

Southampton Cruise Terminal FAQs:

What’s the most popular cruise terminal in Southampton?

The busiest cruise terminal in Southampton Port is City Terminal. It has 50 service decks to check-in cruisers quickly and efficiently as part of the security and embarkation process.

This terminal is also equipped to handle some of the largest cruise ships visiting Southampton. Ocean Terminal is also busy, depending on which cruise ships are arriving and departing.

What cruise lines depart from Southampton?

Port Southampton is the home port to the following cruise lines:

P&O Cruises – Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Silhouette
Cunard – Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and the Transatlantic liner Queen Mary 2
Princess Cruises – Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess
Royal Caribbean – Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas

It is also used by many other major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC, Fred Olsen, Crystal Cruises, Azamara, AIDA, Saga and Silversea and as a port of call.

How many cruise terminals are in Southampton?

Southampton has 4 cruise terminals:

Queen Elizabeth II at Berths 38 and 39
Mayflower Terminal at Berth 106
City Terminal at Berth 101, and the newest
Ocean Terminal at Berth 46

Main Photo Credit: VIIIPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Carnival Inspiration Beached for Scrapping in Turkey

Emrys Thakkar
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Carnival Inspiration Beached for Scrapping in Turkey

The Fantasy-class cruise ship has been beached ready for scrapping at the ship-breaking facility in Aliaga, Turkey.

Carnival Inspiration Beached

The Carnival Inspiration has joined three other cruise ships by being beached at the ship-breaking facility in Aliaga, Turkey. The ship was beached today after being anchored just off the coast for more than one day.

The ship has been squeezed in between sister ship Carnival Fantasy which was beached last week and the former Sovereign of the Seas which was beached on July 23. The former Monarch of the Seas is also seen beached which occurred on July 22. All the ships are being dismantled after being sold by their cruise operators.

Cruise Hive readers can watch video footage of the moment the Carnival Inspiration was beached below:

Carnival Inspiration has now reached the end and workers will soon begin cutting off large chunks of the ship. Carnival has already detailed plans so that the ship can be recycled in a safe way. Specialist Specialists EGE CELIK and SIMSEKLER will be dismantling the two Carnival ships and a recycling plan has been put in place.

In the coming weeks and months, Carnival Inspiration will no longer look like a ship and will soon be hard to believe that once thousands of passengers were enjoying a fun-filled vacation on her.

The ship has already been stripped of all her valuable and important items when she was docked at the Brion Wharf in Willemstad, Curacao in the first half of July. From there the ship sailed across the Atlantic directly to Turkey which has ended in today’s beaching.

It’s likely the remaining crew members had left before the vessel was beached with only a handful of staff onboard to oversee the ship being beached safely. A crane will be lowed onto the ship so the captain and other essential crew can leave.

Related: 11 Ways You Can Enjoy a Carnival Inspiration Cruise

Carnival Inspiration was not the oldest in the fleet and entered service in 1996. The Fantasy-class ship has a gross tonnage of 70,367 and a guest capacity of over 2,000 at double occupancy along with 920 crew members.

Photo By: Unknown

Two Retired Carnival Cruise Ship Recycling and Dismantling Details

Emrys Thakkar
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Two Retired Carnival Cruise Ship Recycling and Dismantling Details

Carnival has announced details on Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration dismantling and recycling in Turkey.

Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration Recycling Details

Carnival has announced an agreement so that two of its retired Fantasy-class cruise ships can be dismantled and recycled responsibly. Specialists EGE CELIK and SIMSEKLER will take apart the two vessels at the ship-breaking facility in Aliaga, Turkey.

Carnival Corp has been working with Bellona Foundation which a lead partner in the NGO Shipbreaking Platform and SEA2Cradle to come up with an approach to safely and sustainably recycle both cruise ships.

Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation, said:

“Our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the communities we visit and our crew.”

“That commitment extends to our cruise ships, starting from the moment a ship becomes part of our fleet and continuing all the way through to its retirement. In addition to limiting our vessels’ impact on the environment throughout their service time in our fleet, recycling our retired ships following the European Ship Recycling Regulation ensures we are applying the highest global standards and contributing to a sustainable cruise industry.”

The recycling companies will formulate a Ship Recycle Plan for each vessel – Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration – that goes beyond what is required by consulting with Carnival Corporation’s advisor Sea2Cradle to ensure optimal compliance with key national and international environmental standards.

Each plan will include a complete inventory of hazardous and regulated materials and the procedures planned for safely removing and processing the materials in an environmentally friendly way. Once these materials are safely removed and processed, the companies will begin dismantling each ship.

Ships will be stripped of machinery, electronic equipment, glass, wood and other materials that can be directly upcycled for reuse in new ships, used in ship repair or repurposed for other applications. Steel and metal scraps will be salvaged and recycled for direct use or be sent to the mill for producing other products and goods.

Working on behalf of Carnival Corporation and as an added assurance, Sea2Cradle will supervise ship dismantling and recycling at the demolition yards throughout the entire process to ensure the highest health, safety and environmental standards are maintained.

Sea2Cradle estimates that a significant percentage of the ship materials from both vessels will be reused, reclaimed or recycled.

Cruise Hive has already posted on the Carnival Fantasy recently being beached at Aliaga and as we write this, the Carnival Inspiration is just off the coast and will also soon be beached. Both ships have been sold for scrap due to the health crisis and the impact on the cruise industry.

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