Why Cruising from the UK is so easy!!!

Hi all its that time again, Blog time, I was struggling this week to find something new and then I remembered after talking with one of my regular customers why I like to sail from Southampton and the Uk in general, So I thought why not share….

I did my first ever cruise from Southampton back in 2001, the maiden voyage of Golden Princess. I also got to experience Braemar back then just after her refit wow talk about chalk and cheese. From an extremely large ship to a little beauty (got to love Fred Olsen). I then had to wait until the 15th April 2015 to go on board a ship again, this time on Anthems launch.

The real beauty is sailing from the UK and this is why…

1st has to be for me NO flying, I do not have a fear of flying, but if you have ever suffered from creepy leg syndrome you will know why I hate it so much. It is not just that though,  I do not like the whole airport experience, When you board at Southampton it is so easy, check in and you are on the ship starting your holiday sometimes within 20 minutes of arriving at the port. I can park up the car and have a pina colada in my hand within 1 hour which is amazing.

2nd, has to be the luggage situation, let’s face it we need lots of clothes on a cruise (or I seem too!). My husband is not much better, I swear he takes more shoes than me! I love the fact that I can take the kitchen sink if I want too. I think for my last cruise of 10 days we had 5 suitcases between us. If you are flying its more than lightly 20kg – 23kg for most airlines and I am afraid just not enough. No hassle with liquids either at the port. You can carry them on, no risk of spillage on all your beautifully packed clothes. Except were alcohol is concerned always check about how much you can take when you board.

The Fjords from Southampton

Maderia from Southampton

Antwerp from Tilbury

3rd, More and more cruises itineraries are now leaving from the UK, you can go to Norway, Northern Europe, Iceland, The Mediterranean, Canaries, Canada, New York, The Baltics and the Caribbean to name but a few. Not forgetting those wonderful world cruises.

4th, we are beginning to get a lot more options from the UK, Newcastle, Exeter, Tilbury, Bristol, Liverpool to name a few. With more cruise lines too, Celebrity has 2 ships out of Southampton this year, Royal has 2 ships (not forgetting they are bringing back Anthem) P and O have now got the New Iona starting from 2020, Cruise and Maritime, Thomson, Fred Olsen and even MSC.

5th for disabled passengers this is so much easier than having all the stress at the airport. My mum will only sail from the UK for that very reason.

Lastly, the atmosphere in Southampton when the ship’s launch is amazing, there are always people on shore to see you off.

I must admit, I have been to the fjords twice, the Canaries once and northern Europe a few times, but not the Mediterranean or the Baltics from Southampton, they are in my sites though.  I am however biting the bullet and doing a transatlantic (just one flight involved) on Britannia later this year and I am so excited.

so till next time here are some cruises that go from Southampton and other UK ports to tempt you….

cruises from UK ports

and check out our news page for all the new ships launching from Southampton this year……

Maiden voyages from Southampton