September Cruises from Southampton

Cruising in September from Southampton

September is one of the most varied months for sailing from Southampton. Departures run throughout the month, covering everything from short breaks around the British coast to extended transatlantic crossings of up to 46 nights. The median sailing length is 11 nights — long enough to feel like a proper holiday, short enough to fit around other commitments. All sailings depart from Southampton, so you can drive or take the train straight to the terminal with no airport queue at either end.

A meaningful share of departures are one-way sailings, ending in ports such as New York, Lisbon, Miami, Quebec City or Hamburg. If your sailing ends abroad, you will need a flight home — our team can book that for you, along with any hotel nights either side and transfers, so the return leg is sorted from the start.

Where Do September Sailings from Southampton Go?

Round Britain and No-Fly Sailings

The largest group of departures stays close to home, covering English and United Kingdom waters as well as wider British Isles itineraries. These are genuinely no-fly holidays — board at Southampton and you could be sailing past rugged coastline the same evening. If you have never cruised the waters around Britain, September brings dramatic scenery and thinner crowds at the ports of call. Browse the full range of cruises around the British Isles if this style of sailing appeals.

Transatlantic Crossings

September is a strong month for transatlantic sailings, with a solid run of crossings departing from Southampton. These are proper ocean voyages rather than port-hopping itineraries — days at sea, time to read, dine well and genuinely unwind. Queen Mary 2 is the name most associated with the crossing, and for good reason: she is the world’s only ocean liner, purpose-built for the North Atlantic rather than adapted from a cruise ship design. If you are considering the transatlantic route, see the transatlantic cruises section for the broader picture across seasons.

Norway and the Fjords

Norway is well represented in September, with sailings taking in fjord scenery that is genuinely dramatic at this time of year. Norway cruises from Southampton suit anyone who wants the spectacle of the fjords without travelling far to embark. If you are drawn to an all-inclusive fare for this style of sailing, the all-inclusive Norwegian fjords cruises in 2027 page is a useful next step.

Southern Europe and the Mediterranean

A cluster of departures heads south towards the Western Mediterranean and Portugal, with a smaller number reaching the Canary Islands and the broader Mediterranean. These sailings suit anyone who wants warmth and varied ports without flying to join the ship. Shorter 7-night Mediterranean sailings are available if you are working with limited time.

Which Cruise Lines Sail from Southampton in September?

Six cruise lines have sailings from Southampton in September, covering a wide range of styles and price points:

• P&O Cruises — the largest group of departures, sailing from their home port with a British-friendly style on board.
• Cunard Line — close behind, with sailings that include the iconic transatlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 and sailings on the newer Queen Anne.
• Norwegian Cruise Line — a flexible, freestyle approach with several departures across the month.
• MSC Cruises — a strong family option with a variety of itineraries.
• Princess Cruises — a mid-range to premium choice with well-regarded fare packages.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises — the luxury end, with fully inclusive fares.

Ships Sailing from Southampton in September

Queen Mary 2 — Cunard

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s only true ocean liner — built for the North Atlantic, not converted from a cruise ship. That distinction matters on a long crossing: the hull handles open-ocean conditions differently, and the daily rhythm aboard reflects it. The ship carries the first planetarium at sea, ‘Illuminations’, which hosts stargazing presentations alongside cinema and lectures. Evenings bring nightly ballroom dancing in the Queens Room and West End-calibre productions in the Royal Court Theatre. There are 6 speciality restaurants on board, from casual to formal. See the full range of Queen Mary 2 cabins and deck plans before you choose.

• Britannia Inside cabin HB (atrium view): 14.8 m² — the only inside cabin with a view into QM2’s impressive atrium, brighter than a standard inside room.
• Britannia Solo cabin outside KB: 16.5 m², designed for solo travellers with no single supplement.
• Britannia Balcony cabin BU (covered loggia): 25 m² — a sheltered loggia rather than an open balcony, giving fresh air and sea views in any weather.
• Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite Q1: 208.9 m² across two storeys — the largest suite on board, with more than twice the space of any other Queens Grill suite.

Cunard offers several fare tiers. The flexible Cunard Fare includes priority for upgrades, a low 15% deposit, the ability to amend your booking before the balance due date, and complimentary shuttle buses at ports. If you prefer to pay in full upfront, the Saver Fare offers a lower price in exchange for a pre-allocated stateroom and reduced flexibility on cancellations.

Queen Anne — Cunard

Queen Anne joined the Cunard fleet in 2024, completing the four-Queens line-up with Art Deco interiors and Cunard’s signature British White Star Service. The Mareel Wellness Spa covers an entire upper deck and includes a Himalayan Salt Sauna, cold therapy room, hydrotherapy pool, and the glass-domed Pavilion pool venue. Dining runs to 15 restaurants including Sir Samuel’s steakhouse, Aji Wa Japanese dining, and the Golden Lion pub, which is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Michael Roux. Explore the Queen Anne cabins and deck plans to find the right grade for your trip.

Britannia — P&O Cruises

Britannia is one of P&O’s flagship ships, sailing from Southampton throughout September. P&O’s home-port advantage means you can board without a flight, and the British atmosphere on board — from the cuisine to the entertainment — suits anyone who wants familiarity alongside the novelty of being at sea. Check the Britannia cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

Aurora — P&O Cruises

Aurora is a mid-sized, classic ship with a distinctly British character. Smaller than Britannia, she feels more intimate, and her itineraries from Southampton tend to suit those who want to explore coastal England and European waters at a measured pace. See the Aurora cabins and deck plans for a full breakdown.

MSC Meraviglia — MSC Cruises

MSC Meraviglia is built around its Galleria, a 96-metre LED sky promenade that runs through the heart of the ship — boutiques, restaurants and nightly entertainment all radiate from it. The Polar Aquapark, a full-sized bowling alley and Formula 1 simulators keep families busy across age groups, while the MSC Yacht Club offers a ship-within-a-ship experience for those who want something quieter. Exclusive Carousel Productions shows are performed only on Meraviglia and Bellissima. Cabin choices on MSC Meraviglia range widely:

• Inside cabin Bella: 16 m² — flexible configuration for up to 4 guests including sofa beds.
• Super Family cabin Plus with sea view FPO: 48 m² with 3 separate bathrooms — fits up to 9 people.
• Maisonette Suite D3: 82 m² across two levels, with a private whirlpool.
• MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite: 82 m² maisonette spanning two decks — more than 3 times the size of standard cabins.

Full layout details are on the MSC Meraviglia cabins and deck plans page.

Sky Princess — Princess Cruises

Sky Princess sails for Princess Cruises in September. Princess offers several fare tiers worth comparing: the Standard fare covers the cruise itself, while the Princess Plus fare adds 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to $15 per drink (15 per day), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs and reserved theatre seating. It is worth checking which tier is included in the headline price before you book. See the Sky Princess cabins and deck plans for cabin options.

Norwegian Star — Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Star sails for Norwegian Cruise Line in September. NCL’s freestyle approach means no fixed dining times and a relaxed daily structure. Their NCLATSEA fare tier bundles a speciality dining package, a premium beverage package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits — useful to compare against the base fare if you plan to dine in the speciality restaurants. See the Norwegian Star cabins and deck plans for the layout.

Freedom of the Seas — Royal Caribbean

Freedom of the Seas sails for Royal Caribbean with a broad range of on-board activities including a 3D cinema, an open-air cinema screen, and an ice-skating rink with nightly shows. The Tropics bar serves exotic drinks in a relaxed setting. Cabins cover a wide range:

• Large Inside cabin with promenade view 1Q: 31.6 m² — more than twice the size of a standard inside cabin.
• Ocean-view cabin Extra Spacious 1K: 27.2 m² — around 10 m² more than a standard sea-view cabin.
• Balcony cabin 1B: 19.2 m² with a private balcony for direct sea views.
• Royal Suite RS: 130.1 m² — the largest suite on board.

Full cabin details are on the Freedom of the Seas cabins and deck plans page.

What Are the Benefits of September Cruises from Southampton?

Sailing from Southampton in September has several practical advantages. No flight is needed — you can drive to the terminal or take the train from almost anywhere in Britain, which removes a layer of cost, stress and travel time from the start of your holiday. For short sailings, that alone can make the trip feel genuinely easy.

September also brings a wide choice of itinerary length. Whether you want a 3-night mini cruise from Southampton as a taster or a multi-week voyage across the Atlantic, departures this month accommodate both. Fares across these sailings include some with discounts of up to 42% off that cabin’s previous price on that sailing — though that figure applies to a single departure, with most discounted sailings reduced by around 10%. It is always worth checking the fare history on the sailing you are considering.

Around 18 sailings are all-inclusive, which can simplify budgeting considerably, particularly on longer voyages where drinks and dining costs would otherwise add up. Our team can talk you through which fare tiers and inclusions suit your travel style before you commit — that is exactly the kind of guidance a specialist offers that a cruise line’s own website typically does not.

Make It a Full Holiday

Every sailing here departs from Southampton, but if you are travelling from further afield or your sailing ends in another country, we can put the whole trip together. Cruise1st Packages can include flights, hotels before or after the cruise, transfers and insurance — arranged as a bundle or built to your own specification. For one-way sailings ending in ports like New York or Lisbon, we sort the return leg so it is not something you have to piece together yourself.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 7,000 reviews, Cruise1st is ABTA and ATOL protected. Browse all cruises from Southampton for the broader picture, or explore all September 2027 cruises if you are open on departure port.

Looking Beyond September?

If September does not quite work, the sailing season from Southampton extends well into autumn. October cruises from Southampton follow on directly, with a similar range of destinations. The broader October cruises page covers departures from other UK ports too. For a wider autumn view, the autumn cruises section covers the full season.

If you are specifically looking at MSC sailings in September, the MSC Virtuosa September 2027 cruises page covers that line in detail. P&O fans may also find the P&O cruises from Southampton hub useful for a broader look at that line’s programme. For deals across the month, cheap cruises in September pulls together reduced-fare options.

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.