Mediterranean Cruises 2028 from Southampton

Mediterranean Sailings from Southampton in 2028 — What’s On Offer

All departures leave from Southampton, which means no flight and no airport queue at the start of your holiday. Most of Britain can reach Southampton by road or rail, making these sailings genuinely accessible wherever you live. Sailings run across the year with durations from 8 to 40 nights — a median of 15 nights gives you a sense of what most itineraries look like. The majority are round trips back to Southampton, though a handful end in a foreign port, where a flight home will be needed; Cruise1st can book that flight, along with any hotels and transfers, as part of the same package. Prices start from £805 pp*.

Where Do These Cruises Go?

The Western Mediterranean leads the programme, followed closely by the broader Mediterranean — together they account for the great majority of what’s on sale. Beyond the Mediterranean, a small number of sailings reach into the fjords of Norway and one crosses the Atlantic. There are also a couple of coastal sailings around England for those who want a shorter no-fly break closer to home.

Southern Europe and the Western Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean is where demand is strongest for 2028. These itineraries typically take in the classic coastlines of southern Europe, calling at ports such as Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona and Trieste, and reaching as far as Istanbul on longer sailings. Durations vary widely, so whether you want a fortnight in the sun or a longer voyage taking in the eastern reaches of the sea, there is a sailing to suit. These are the itineraries that account for the widest choice of ships and cruise lines.

Further Afield — Norway and Transatlantic

If the Mediterranean is not your only interest, a small number of sailings from Southampton head north to Norway or make a transatlantic crossing. The transatlantic sailing is one-way, ending at Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) in Florida — worth knowing that Miami is about half an hour away, so a Florida trip can work from either port. Cruise1st can arrange your flight home from whichever airport suits you best.

Which Cruise Lines Sail the Mediterranean from Southampton in 2028?

P&O Cruises leads the choice for 2028, with the largest number of sailings and the widest spread of ships. Cunard Line follows with a strong programme of its own, offering a distinctly different — more formal, more occasion-led — style of cruising. MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises round out the choice, each with their own approach to the Med. A Cruise1st Package option is also available, bundling the cruise with extras into a single price. For a broader look at what each line offers in 2028, see our P&O 2028 cruises and Princess Cruises 2028 pages, or browse all cruises in 2028.

The Ships Sailing in 2028

Six ships are confirmed for these Mediterranean departures. Here is what each one is actually like to sail on.

Britannia — P&O Cruises

Named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015, Britannia is the most quintessentially British ship afloat and sails year-round from Southampton. Across 13 restaurants and cafés, menus come from Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and James Martin — so eating well is never an afterthought. For evenings, the Headliners Theatre with LED immersive technology and the Limelight Club cabaret give you two very different atmospheres to choose between. Check Britannia’s cabins and deck plans before you book.

Aurora — P&O Cruises

Aurora is a mid-sized, classic ship with a distinctly British character — one of the fleet’s most popular choices for a no-fuss European cruise. She sails straight from Southampton, making the start of the holiday as relaxed as the rest of it. View Aurora’s cabins and deck plans to find the right grade for your trip.

Aurora’s cabin grades, from inside to suite:

• Larger Inside Cabin OA (inside, 16 m²) — noticeably roomier than the standard inside cabins, with roughly 2 m² of extra floor space.
• Larger Sea View Cabin KB (outside, 16 m²) — natural light and a sea view without paying balcony prices.
• Deluxe Balcony Cabin EA (balcony, 23 m²) — your own outdoor space, noticeably larger than the entry-level balcony grade.
• Suite B1 (suite, 48 m², sleeps up to 3) — includes dedicated butler service throughout the voyage.

Arcadia — P&O Cruises

Arcadia offers a more intimate atmosphere than Britannia, with some features that stand out across the fleet. The Palladium is a three-tier theatre, Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill gives you a fine-dining option without formality, and an onboard hydrotherapy pool adds a restorative element to longer voyages. See the full range on Arcadia’s cabins and deck plans.

Arcadia’s cabin grades, from inside to suite:

• Inside Cabin OA (inside, 19 m²) — 2 m² more floor space than the standard inside grades; a meaningful difference on a longer voyage.
• Sea View Cabin LB (outside, 17 m²) — natural daylight and an unobstructed sea view through the window.
• Deluxe Balcony Cabin EA (balcony, 24 m²) — private outdoor space for fresh air and sea views without sharing the public decks.
• Suite B1 (suite, 56 m²) — dedicated butler service included; the most attentive experience on the ship.

Ventura — P&O Cruises

Ventura is a larger P&O ship with a lively, social atmosphere — well suited to those who want plenty of activity options alongside the Mediterranean sailing itself. You can board at Southampton and be at sea the same afternoon. Check Ventura’s cabins and deck plans when you’re comparing grades.

Queen Elizabeth — Cunard

Queen Elizabeth carries the Cunard hallmarks in every detail: art deco design throughout, glittering chandeliers, sweeping staircases and a grand lobby that evokes the golden age of ocean travel. The Royal Court Theatre stages West End-calibre productions, while Gala evenings in the Queens Room ballroom feature live orchestral dancing. Dining is tiered across Britannia, Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill, with Cunard’s famous white-gloved afternoon tea served daily — the kind of ritual that turns a sea day into an event. See the full range of options on Queen Elizabeth’s cabins and deck plans.

Queen Elizabeth’s cabin grades, from inside to suite:

• Britannia Inside Cabin GB (inside, 19.2 m²) — around 5 m² more spacious than the standard inside cabins; a notable step up in comfort.
• Britannia Ocean-view Cabin EB (outside, 18.3 m²) — natural daylight and sea views through the cabin window, which inside guests do not have.
• Britannia Club Balcony Cabin A1 (balcony, 24 m²) — your own private balcony with sea views, not available to inside or ocean-view guests in the Britannia category.
• Queens Grill Grand Suite Q1 (suite, 127.7 m²) — an exceptionally large private balcony of approximately 90 m², ideal for two with uninterrupted sea views.

Queen Victoria — Cunard

Queen Victoria holds a record that is easy to overlook: her Royal Court Theatre is the first at sea to feature private boxes, making every West End-calibre production feel like a proper night at the theatre. The ballroom — the largest at sea — hosts Cunard’s Gala evenings with a live orchestra. Tiered dining across Britannia, Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill rounds out what is the most traditional class-dining experience afloat. Browse Queen Victoria’s cabins and deck plans for the full grade breakdown.

Queen Mary 2 — Cunard

Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship and the world’s only dedicated ocean liner in regular service. She carries the same tiered dining and formal occasion tradition as her fleet-mates, but at a scale that is in a category of its own. She appears in the transatlantic sailing, making her the natural choice if you want to arrive in style at Fort Lauderdale. See Queen Mary 2’s cabins and deck plans for full grade detail.

MSC Meraviglia — MSC Cruises

MSC Meraviglia’s most distinctive feature is the Galleria Meraviglia — a 96-metre LED sky promenade running through the heart of the ship, lined with boutiques, restaurants and nightly entertainment. The Polar Aquapark, a full-sized bowling alley and Formula 1 simulators mean there is always something to do, whatever the weather or the hour. The MSC Yacht Club offers a ship-within-a-ship experience for those who want a quieter, more private atmosphere. Check MSC Meraviglia’s cabins and deck plans for grade and pricing detail.

Sky Princess — Princess Cruises

Sky Princess brings the Princess Cruises experience to the Mediterranean programme for 2028. If you are considering Princess for the Med, it is worth knowing that Princess also has a strong 2028 programme across other regions — see our Princess Japan and Southeast Asia 2027–2028 sailings if you are weighing up alternatives. Browse Sky Princess’s cabins and deck plans to compare grades.

Celebrity Beyond — Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Beyond represents Celebrity Cruises. For a fuller picture of what Celebrity has planned from Southampton in 2028, the dedicated Celebrity 2028 cruises from Southampton page covers the full range. See Celebrity Beyond’s cabins and deck plans for cabin and grade information.

What Fare Types Are Available?

The fares on offer vary by cruise line, and knowing what each tier includes helps you compare like for like rather than just comparing headline prices.

Cunard

Cunard offers flexible fares — available on any sailing whenever you book — that include benefits such as your choice of stateroom, priority for upgrades, a low deposit of 15%, the flexibility to amend your booking up to the balance due date, and complimentary shuttle buses at ports. A Saver fare is also available, offering a lower price in exchange for a pre-allocated stateroom and full payment on booking; amendments and cancellations are not permitted on Saver bookings. Fare bundles also exist pairing the cruise with on-board credit and drinks, coach travel or car parking at Southampton, depending on what suits your journey.

Princess Cruises

Princess operates a tiered structure. The Standard fare covers the cruise itself, with drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation and dining upgrades available to add on. The Plus package builds those in from the start — 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to a daily limit, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs and reserved theatre seating. Last-minute and tactical fares appear periodically for those with flexibility on timing.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity offers a cruise-only rate for those who want to build their own extras, a value tier with classic drinks and basic Wi-Fi included, and The Retreat — an all-inclusive suite experience with premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service.

Can I Get a Discount on a Mediterranean Cruise from Southampton in 2028?

Some sailings carry a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade. Discounts reach up to 26% on one departure, though that is the ceiling — most reduced sailings are closer to 6% off. It is worth checking individual sailings rather than assuming a page-wide sale. Cruise1st’s expert team can tell you which departures currently carry the best reduction for the grade you want.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a 2028 Mediterranean Cruise?

The 2028 Mediterranean sailings from Southampton are already on sale, and the most popular ships and cabin grades tend to fill earliest. Booking ahead gives you the widest choice of stateroom — suite and balcony grades on ships like Queen Elizabeth and Arcadia go first. If you have a firm travel window in mind, it is worth reserving early even if you are not yet certain about every detail; many fares allow amendments up to the balance due date. If you prefer to wait, last-minute and saver-style fares do appear, but choice of cabin grade narrows considerably.

How to Book Your 2028 Mediterranean Cruise from Southampton

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, rated 4.5/5 from over 7,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Our team books these itineraries regularly and can help you compare ships, grades and fare tiers in plain language — not just point you at a list. We are ABTA and ATOL bonded, so your money is protected from the moment you pay your deposit.

Because every sailing here departs from Southampton, you do not need a flight at the start of your holiday. You can drive to the port, take the train, or let us arrange transfers as part of your booking. For one-way sailings ending at a foreign port — including the transatlantic crossing that ends at Fort Lauderdale — we can book your flight home alongside the cruise, together with any hotels and transfers you need, as a single Cruise1st Package.

Our Mediterranean cruises from Southampton hub covers the full year-round programme if you are open on timing. For a broader look at what is departing from the port across all destinations in 2028, the cruises from Southampton page is a useful starting point. And if you are still deciding on the year, 2027 cruises from Southampton carries a large programme for the year before.

What If 2028 Mediterranean Is Not Quite Right?

If you want the Mediterranean but are open to flying to join the ship, our Mediterranean 2028 fly-cruise page opens up a much wider choice of embarkation ports. For those who want the no-fly benefit from Southampton but are open to a different destination, Norway 2028 cruises from Southampton covers the fjord programme, and transatlantic 2028 sailings with P&O Cruises is the page to see if the Atlantic crossing appeals.

If Cunard’s style is the draw, their 2028 world cruise with Cunard is a very different proposition in terms of length and itinerary. For a festive departure, 2028 Christmas cruises and Christmas cruises from Southampton are worth a look. Prefer to explore 2027 first? P&O cruises from Southampton in 2027 and world cruises from Southampton in 2027 both have strong programmes, as do Princess cruises from Southampton in 2027 and Norwegian fjords cruises from Southampton in 2027.

*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.