Iceland Cruises from Southampton

What Makes an Iceland Cruise from Southampton Worth It?

Iceland sits close enough to the British Isles that a sailing from Southampton can reach it in a matter of days, yet the scenery — black-sand coastlines, geothermal activity and the chance to see the Northern Lights at sea — feels genuinely remote. All 62 sailings here depart from Southampton, which means no flight out, no airport transfer and no early-morning check-in. Drive, take the train, or let us arrange a hotel the night before and a transfer to the terminal.

Where Do Iceland Cruises from Southampton Go?

These sailings cover a broad sweep of the North Atlantic and beyond. The three main directions are worth understanding before you choose:

Norway and the Arctic

The largest share of sailings combines Iceland with Norway — the fjords, the Norwegian coast and, on some itineraries, the Arctic circle. These routes suit anyone who wants to pack dramatic scenery into a single voyage. Durations typically run around a fortnight, giving enough time ashore at each port of call. If the Northern Lights are your priority, Northern Lights cruises in 2027 narrow the search further.

Round Britain and the British Isles

A good number of sailings pair Iceland with ports around the British Isles and the wider United Kingdom. These work well as a first foray into longer voyages — no flying required at either end — and the variety of scenery en route is considerable. Browse cruises around the British Isles if you want to explore closer to home first.

Transatlantic Crossings

A substantial portion of sailings are transatlantic itineraries that call at Iceland on the way across the Atlantic. These are almost entirely one-way: most end in New York, with a smaller number finishing in Boston or Quebec City. If your sailing ends abroad, you will need a flight home — Cruise1st can book that alongside hotels, transfers and any pre- or post-cruise nights you want, so nothing is left to sort separately.

Are Most Sailings Round Trip or One Way?

This is important to know before you book. Of the sailings, 14 are round trips returning to Southampton, while 32 are one-way voyages ending at a different port — most commonly Reykjavik. One-way itineraries give you more time at sea in a single direction, but do require a return flight or onward travel. Our team will build that into your booking so you are not left with a loose end.

Which Cruise Lines Sail to Iceland from Southampton?

Six lines operate these sailings, covering a wide range of styles and price points. Here is a quick guide to who is sailing:

• Explora Journeys — the luxury ocean-lifestyle brand with the most sailings. Fares can include flights, private transfers and hotel stays as part of a fully packaged journey, making them well suited to a transatlantic itinerary with Iceland included.
• Norwegian Cruise Line — equally prolific on this route, with flexible fare options ranging from a bare cruise fare to packages bundling drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits. Two ships operate these sailings: Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Prima.
• Princess Cruises — sailing aboard Caribbean Princess, Princess offers Standard and Plus fare tiers. The Plus package adds casual dining, beverages, Wi-Fi and pre-paid crew appreciation, which takes the guesswork out of onboard budgeting. Princess Cruises 2027 sailings from Southampton cover Iceland among other northern destinations.
• P&O Cruises — a familiar choice for British travellers, with sailings aboard Arcadia and Aurora. Both ships depart from Southampton and suit those who prefer a traditional British cruise experience.
• Oceania Cruises — smaller ships, destination-focused itineraries and a reputation for culinary excellence. A strong option if the ports matter as much as the ship.
• Cunard — sailing aboard the Queen Mary 2, Cunard brings its signature white-glove Atlantic crossing to this route. The QM2 is purpose-built for ocean crossings, making her the natural choice for a transatlantic itinerary that includes Iceland.

What Are the Ships Like?

Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Getaway is known for its oceanfront promenade — The Waterfront — which gives you open-air dining and bars with unobstructed sea views. The Illusionarium dinner-show venue combines dining with a theatrical experience, and the Savour restaurant offers a more relaxed sit-down alternative. The ship carries a wide range of cabin grades; see the Norwegian Getaway cabins and deck plans for the full picture. Standout grades include:

• Family Inside I4 — 12.5 m², sleeps 4, with fold-out extra beds for families
• Family Ocean-view O4 — 15 m², sleeps 5, positioned on a lower deck for minimal motion
• Club Balcony Suite with Stern Panorama M1 — 47.7 m², sleeps 2, with a private balcony overlooking the ship’s wake (only 2 available)
• The Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suite — 86.6 m², sleeps 4, with a wraparound balcony of around 19 m²

Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Prima is NCL’s flagship for cabin space — the cabins here are the largest in Norwegian’s history. Spectacular outdoor spaces set her apart on deck, and she operates a varied range of itineraries including Northern Europe. The Norwegian Prima cabins and deck plans show the full selection. Grades available include:

• Family Inside — 14.9 m², sleeps 4, with 2 convertible singles and 2 Pullman beds
• Sea-view O2 — 27.3 m², sleeps 2 — the most spacious ocean-view grade on the ship
• Suite with Large Aft Balcony SH — 59 m², sleeps 4, with a 34 m² private balcony — nearly double the outdoor space of a standard balcony
• The Haven Premier Owner’s Suite H2 — 195.1 m², sleeps 8, with a private hot tub — the largest suite in The Haven

Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess carries nearly 900 balcony staterooms and uses MedallionClass wristband technology, which means drinks and service can be ordered and delivered anywhere on board. The Crown Grill steakhouse and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria are the headline dining venues, and The Sanctuary adults-only retreat on the top deck is the place to go for a quieter day at sea. See the Caribbean Princess cabins and deck plans for stateroom options.

Arcadia and Aurora

P&O’s two ships on this route both sail from Southampton and cater primarily to adult passengers. Arcadia features The Palladium, a 3-tier theatre, Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill restaurant and an onboard hydrotherapy pool. For cabin and deck detail on each, see the Arcadia cabins and deck plans and the Aurora cabins and deck plans.

How Much Does an Iceland Cruise from Southampton Cost?

Prices start at £1,423 pp* for these sailings, with voyages ranging from 7 to 64 nights and a median length of 14 nights. More than half the sailings carry some form of discount — up to 20% off the price previously listed for that cabin grade on a given departure, though that maximum applies to a single sailing; most reduced fares are around 4% off. Prices vary considerably by cruise line, ship, cabin grade and whether you choose a bare cruise fare or an inclusive package. Our advisers can walk you through the options and help you find the right balance.

What Is Included in the Fare?

What your fare covers depends on the line and the tier you choose. As a guide:

• Norwegian Cruise Line — the base fare covers the cruise only. The NCLATSEA and NCLATSEAPLUS tiers add drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits for guests 1 and 2.
• Princess Cruises — the Standard fare is a cruise-only price. The Plus package adds 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, digital photos and reserved theatre seating.
• Explora Journeys — depending on the fare type, inclusions can extend to international return flights, private transfers and hotel stays, making it a fully packaged journey from door to door.

If you are unsure which tier suits you, our advisers can compare the real cost of adding packages separately versus booking an inclusive fare — and with Cruise1st Packages, we can bundle flights, hotels, transfers and insurance around any sailing.

Shore Excursions and What to Do Ashore

Iceland rewards time ashore. Most itineraries call at Reykjavik, which serves as a base for excursions to geysers, waterfalls and geothermal pools in the surrounding countryside. Ports along the Norwegian coast offer fjord walks, wildlife watching and, in the right season, the Northern Lights. On a transatlantic crossing, ports across the route give a varied mix of city visits and natural scenery. We can arrange shore tours as part of your booking, so you are not left searching for options when you arrive.

Which Cruise Line Should I Choose?

The right choice depends on what you want from the experience. For a classic British feel with no flight required at either end of a round trip, P&O Cruises aboard Arcadia or Aurora is hard to beat. For flexible fare structures and strong onboard variety, Norwegian Cruise Line gives you the most choice of ship and package combination — and the cabin sizes on Norwegian Prima are genuinely generous. For something at the luxury end, Explora Journeys leads by volume and offers fares that include the whole journey from home airport to ship. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the natural fit for a transatlantic crossing with a classic ocean-liner atmosphere.

As one of the UK’s leading specialists for cruises from Southampton, Cruise1st holds expert knowledge across all six lines. Our advisers can compare itineraries, cabin grades, fare inclusions and total costs — and put your whole holiday, including any return flight, hotel or transfer, on a single booking. Browse all Iceland cruises or explore the wider range of cruises available from Cruise1st to see what else is sailing.

If you are weighing up dates, Iceland cruises in 2027 and Iceland cruises in 2026 cover the full range of departure options beyond Southampton. For Iceland cruises departing from across the UK, see Iceland cruises from the UK. And if a last-minute departure suits your plans, check last-minute cruises from Southampton for any sailings with availability closer to departure.

*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.