Christmas Cruises From Southampton — Festive Cruises at Sea

Why a Christmas Cruise from Southampton Makes Sense

Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise port, and at Christmas it fills with sailings that suit almost every kind of traveller — from a short Christmas break of just a few nights to longer voyages heading to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic or even setting off on a world cruise. Durations run from 2 nights to over 100 nights, with a median of around 12 nights, so whether you want to be back for the new year or away for the whole winter, there is a sailing that fits. Most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail, which means no airport queues, no hold luggage limits and no early-morning departures — you travel on your own terms and step straight onto the ship.

Which Lines Sail at Christmas from Southampton?

The range of cruise lines departing Southampton over Christmas is wider than most people expect. Cunard leads the field with the largest number of sailings, followed closely by P&O Cruises. MSC Cruises adds its own distinctive style to the mix, and Princess Cruises rounds out the choice for those who want a more contemporary American-style experience. Cruise1st Packages also appear in the results — these are cruise-plus-extras bundles that fold flights, hotels and transfers into a single price, useful if you want everything arranged in one go.

Prices start from £198 pp* — with discounts of up to 33% on one departure from its previously listed cabin-grade price, though most reduced sailings come in around 6% off. It pays to search across lines rather than settling on one before you have compared.

Where Do Christmas Sailings from Southampton Go?

The most popular direction by a clear margin is round-Britain and coastal English sailings — short, no-fly breaks that let you experience the Christmas atmosphere on the water without going far. Beyond the British coast, the Canary Islands are the most popular warm-weather destination, offering a reliable mild climate and a mix of ports across the archipelago. The Canary Islands work well as a Christmas escape for those who want a little winter sun without a long passage.

Transatlantic Crossings

A significant number of Christmas sailings are one-way transatlantic crossings, and it is important to say so plainly: if your sailing ends in New York, Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Rio de Janeiro or another overseas port, you will need a flight home. Fort Lauderdale and Miami are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can conveniently sail into either — worth checking both when you search. Cruise1st can arrange the return flight, hotels either side and any transfers, so the whole trip sits on one booking rather than several.

The Caribbean and Beyond

A smaller share of sailings head further south into the Caribbean, with some ending in Barbados or Port Canaveral. There are also world cruise departures that set off over Christmas and call at ports across multiple continents — ideal if you want a longer voyage that carries you well into the new year. World cruises from Southampton have their own dedicated page if that is the direction you are heading.

Norway and the Mediterranean

A handful of sailings head north to Norway — a striking choice at Christmas, with the chance of seeing the northern lights. Alternatively, the Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean offer warmer options, and Portugal and North Africa also feature among the destinations reachable over the festive period.

The Ships: What You Will Actually Find on Board

Several of Britain’s most recognisable ships sail from Southampton at Christmas. Here is what sets the key ones apart.

Queen Anne — Cunard’s Newest Ship

Queen Anne joined the Cunard fleet in 2024, completing the four-Queens line-up with Art Deco interiors and the White Star Service Cunard is known for. The Mareel Wellness Spa takes up an entire upper deck — think a Himalayan Salt Sauna, cold therapy room, hydrotherapy pool, and a glass-domed Pavilion pool venue. There are 15 restaurants on board, including Sir Samuel’s steakhouse, Aji Wa Japanese dining and the Golden Lion pub, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Michael Roux. If you are considering a cabin on Queen Anne, the Queen Anne cabins and deck plans are worth a look before you book.

Queen Anne Cabin Grades

• Britannia Inside (IA) — 13.7 m²: A dedicated cabin steward available 24 hours, with daily turndown service.
• Britannia Deluxe Ocean-view (EA) — 21.9 m²: Around 3 m² more living space than a standard ocean-view, with a separate seating area.
• Britannia Club Balcony (A1) — 21.9 m²: Comes with exclusive access to the Britannia Club Restaurant for a more intimate dining experience.
• Queens Grill Grand Suite (Q1) — 133.8 m²: The largest suite category on board — more than twice the size of the Master Suite.

Queen Victoria — The Grand Ballroom Ship

Queen Victoria is home to the largest ballroom at sea, where Cunard’s famous Gala evenings play out to a live orchestra alongside white-gloved afternoon tea. The Royal Court Theatre is the first theatre at sea to feature private boxes, hosting West End-calibre productions nightly. Dining is arranged on Cunard’s traditional class system across Britannia, Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill restaurants — the most structured dining hierarchy afloat. For cabin choices, the Queen Victoria cabins and deck plans page has the full picture.

Queen Victoria Cabin Grades

• Britannia Deluxe Inside (GB) — 19.2 m²: Midships position on Deck 1 with minimal ship movement — a practical choice for longer crossings.
• Britannia Ocean-view (EB) — 18.3 m²: Around 3 m² more living space than standard ocean-view grades, noticeably more comfortable on longer passages.
• Britannia Club Balcony (A2) — 24 m²: Exclusively on Deck 8, the highest deck position among Britannia Club Balcony cabins.
• Queens Grill Grand Suite (Q1) — 122.5 m²: Two separate rooms plus a private dining room and spacious lounge — considerably more generous than any other suite in this category.

Queen Mary 2 — The Ocean Liner

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s only ocean liner — purpose-built for the North Atlantic crossing rather than converted from a cruise ship, which makes a real difference to how she handles the passage. She carries the first planetarium at sea: Illuminations hosts stargazing shows alongside cinema screenings, concerts and lectures. Six speciality restaurants, the Royal Court Theatre, and nightly ballroom dancing in the Queens Room complete the picture. Queen Mary 2 sailings to New York from Southampton have their own page if that crossing is what you are after. For cabin detail, see the Queen Mary 2 cabins and deck plans.

Queen Mary 2 Cabin Grades

• Britannia Inside with Atrium View (HB) — 14.8 m²: The only inside cabin with a view of the ship’s atrium — brighter and more open than a standard inside.
• Britannia Solo Outside (KB) — 16.5 m²: Designed exclusively for solo travellers with no single supplement.
• Britannia Balcony Covered Loggia (BU) — 25 m²: A sheltered loggia rather than an open balcony, giving fresh air and sea views in all weather — particularly useful on a winter Atlantic crossing.
• Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite (Q1) — 208.9 m²: A two-storey maisonette suite offering over 200 m² of private living space — more than twice any other Queens Grill Suite on board.

MSC Virtuosa — MSC’s Flagship

Built in 2021, MSC Virtuosa is the Meraviglia-Plus flagship, and it carries one genuinely novel feature: Rob, the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender at sea. Beyond the gimmick, there are 7 speciality restaurants including Indochine French-Vietnamese fusion, Butcher’s Cut steakhouse and 2 Kaito Japanese venues, plus the Savannah Aquapark, a 1,168 m² LED Galleria and the exclusive MSC Yacht Club for those who want a ship-within-a-ship experience. Starlink internet runs throughout. See the MSC Virtuosa cabins and deck plans for the full cabin breakdown.

MSC Preziosa

Preziosa is defined by the detail in its public spaces — Swarovski crystal staircases and a cobbled Italian piazza set the tone. For those who want activity, Vertigo is one of the longest waterslides at sea, and there is also a 4D cinema, an F1 simulator, a Platinum Theatre and a bowling alley. The MSC Yacht Club delivers butler service, a private pool deck and exclusive dining for those who want to step away from the main ship. The MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans show you exactly what each grade includes.

Ventura — P&O’s Southampton Regular

Ventura has sailed from Southampton since 2008 and was christened by Dame Helen Mirren. Over 60% of its cabins have balconies — a high proportion for a ship of this size — and the dining line-up includes The Glass House by Olly Smith, Sindhu’s British-Indian fusion and The Epicurean. The Arena Theatre runs West End-style shows nightly, with Havana as the late-night option and 9 bars for variety throughout the evening. Ventura cabins and deck plans are available if you want to compare grades.

What Does a Cunard Christmas Fare Include?

Cunard offers several fare types on its Christmas sailings. The flexible Cunard Fare gives you choice of stateroom number, priority for upgrades, a low 15% deposit, the ability to amend your booking up to the balance due date, and complimentary shuttle buses at ports. Fare types such as a car-parking inclusion, a coach travel option and drinks packages are available, so the right combination depends on how you are travelling to Southampton. If you are looking for the lowest possible price and happy to pay in full at booking with a pre-allocated stateroom, a Saver fare delivers that — though it comes with a 100% cancellation fee, so it suits those who are certain of their plans.

Princess Cruises offers its Plus package on many sailings, which covers 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to a daily limit, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid gratuities, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. A Standard fare is also available as a base cruise-only price, with packages added on separately.

All-Inclusive Christmas Cruises from Southampton

If you prefer everything settled before you board, a number of sailings over Christmas are available on all-inclusive fares. These vary by line and fare tier, but typically cover drinks, gratuities and sometimes Wi-Fi in one upfront price. Browse all-inclusive Southampton 2026 Christmas cruises or all-inclusive Southampton 2027 Christmas cruises to see what is available across both departure windows. For a broader look at the festive period, Christmas and New Year 2027 all-inclusive cruises covers sailings beyond Southampton too.

Short Christmas Cruises from Southampton

Not everyone wants a fortnight at sea over Christmas. A Christmas mini cruise from Southampton can be as short as 2 nights — enough to have a proper celebration on the water and be home well before the new year. These shorter sailings tend to stay closer to home, often calling along the English coast, and they are a good option if you are travelling as a group with different schedules to work around. If you specifically want a 3-night break, 3-day mini cruises from Southampton are listed separately.

Getting to Southampton — and Booking the Whole Trip

Southampton is straightforward to reach from most of Britain. The train from London takes around an hour, and there are direct services from many other cities. If you are driving, the port has parking facilities, and Cruise1st can arrange parking as part of your booking. For those who prefer not to drive on the day, a transfer from your home or nearest station can be added — again, as part of the same booking rather than a separate arrangement.

For sailings that end overseas — transatlantic crossings to New York, sailings finishing in Barbados, or world cruise legs — you will need a flight home. Cruise1st can book that flight, any hotels you need either side, and all transfers, bundling them with your cruise so everything is confirmed in one place. Cruise1st Packages are built exactly for this: cruise plus flights, hotels and transfers at one price.

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, our team gives you expert advice on which line and ship suits your travel style, which cabin grade makes sense for the length of the voyage, and which fare tier actually saves you money. You can reach us by phone before you book — and that conversation costs nothing. Cruise1st is part of a wider cruises search that covers departures from ports across the UK, so if Southampton does not suit your dates, the full range of UK departures is there as well. We are ABTA and ATOL protected, and rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews.

Christmas 2026 or 2027 — Which Window Suits You?

Sailings departing from Southampton over Christmas cover both the 2026 and 2027 festive windows. If you want to plan ahead for next year, Christmas cruises in 2027 has the broader picture. For the coming festive season, Christmas 2026 cruises is the place to start. Christmas cruises from the UK covers sailings from other British ports if you are open to departing from somewhere other than Southampton. You can also browse Christmas cruise deals or check P&O Christmas cruises if P&O is the line you have in mind.

For those who want the widest possible choice from Southampton beyond Christmas, all 2027 cruises from Southampton and the full Southampton departure listing are both worth a look when you are ready to plan further ahead.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.