Last updated: July 30, 2026
Southampton has five cruise terminals — Ocean, Mayflower, QEII, City and Horizon — spread across two dock areas, and the one you’ll use depends on your specific sailing, not just your cruise line. Terminals are assigned per departure by the port operator, so the golden rule is to confirm yours on your cruise-line e-ticket or the free ABP MyPort app before you travel. This 2026 guide covers all five terminals: where each one is, its postcode for sat-nav, which lines commonly use it, parking, and exactly how to get there.
Key facts: Southampton cruise terminals
- How many: 5 terminals — Ocean & QEII (Eastern Docks), Mayflower, City & Horizon (Western Docks).
- Operator: all run by Associated British Ports (ABP).
- Which is mine: assigned per sailing — check your cruise-line e-ticket or the ABP MyPort app, not just your line.
- Closest station: Southampton Central (about 2 miles from Ocean; a short taxi from any terminal, roughly £8–£15).
- Arrive: within the check-in slot on your ticket — usually 2–3 hours before departure, and not hours early.
How many cruise terminals does Southampton have?
Southampton has five cruise terminals, all operated by Associated British Ports (ABP). Two sit in the Eastern Docks (Ocean and QEII) and three in the Western Docks (Mayflower, City and Horizon). Here’s every terminal at a glance, with its berth, dock area, postcode and the dock gate you enter by road:
| Terminal | Berth | Dock area | Sat-nav postcode | Dock gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | 46 | Eastern | SO14 3QN | Gate 4 |
| QEII Cruise Terminal | 38/39 | Eastern | SO14 3GG | Gate 4 |
| Mayflower Cruise Terminal | 106 | Western | SO15 1HJ | Gate 10 |
| City Cruise Terminal | 101 | Western | SO15 1BS | Gate 10 |
| Horizon Cruise Terminal | 102 | Western | SO15 1AW | Gate 10 |
Which Southampton cruise terminal will my ship use?
Terminals are assigned per sailing, not permanently fixed to a cruise line. ABP allocates each ship a berth for its departure date, and the same line can use different terminals on different dates — assignments can even change at short notice. So while the table below shows the terminals each major line commonly uses in 2026, you should always confirm your own departure on your cruise-line e-ticket or boarding documents, or the ABP MyPort app, which shows the live berth for your ship.
| Cruise line | Commonly uses |
|---|---|
| P&O Cruises | Ocean, Mayflower or QEII |
| Cunard | Ocean, QEII or Mayflower |
| Princess Cruises | QEII or Mayflower |
| Royal Caribbean | Horizon |
| MSC Cruises | Horizon or City |
| Celebrity Cruises | City |
Fred Olsen, Ambassador and other lines also sail from Southampton and are assigned terminals the same way. When you arrive in the city, large electronic road signs also display which ship is at which berth, so you can double-check on the day.
Where is each Southampton cruise terminal? (postcodes for sat-nav)
The terminals fall into two groups, entered by different dock gates. Use the exact terminal postcode above for sat-nav — a generic “Southampton docks” search can send you to the wrong gate.
Eastern Docks — Ocean & QEII (Dock Gate 4)
Ocean Cruise Terminal (SO14 3QN) and QEII Cruise Terminal (SO14 3GG) are in the Eastern Docks, entered via Dock Gate 4 off Town Quay, close to the city centre and the Isle of Wight ferries. Ocean is the flagship terminal often used by P&O and Cunard’s largest ships.
Western Docks — Mayflower, City & Horizon (Dock Gate 10)
Mayflower (SO15 1HJ), City (SO15 1BS) and Horizon (SO15 1AW) sit in the Western Docks, entered via Dock Gate 10 off the A33 (Western Esplanade). City and Horizon are the closest terminals to Southampton Central station — roughly a 15-minute walk, though a taxi is easier with luggage. Horizon is the newest terminal, opened in 2021.
How to get to Southampton cruise terminals
By train
The closest station is Southampton Central. There’s a taxi rank right outside the main exit, and drivers know all five terminals well — the fare is roughly £8–£15 and takes about 10 minutes to the Eastern Docks (Ocean/QEII). The Western Docks terminals (City, Horizon, Mayflower) are closer — City and Horizon are about a 15-minute walk, but a taxi is the easy choice with cases.
By car
From the M3 or M27, follow the A33 into Southampton and watch for the electronic port signs. Head for Dock Gate 4 for the Eastern Docks (Ocean, QEII) or Dock Gate 10 for the Western Docks (Mayflower, City, Horizon). Enter your specific terminal postcode, not a general dock address, so your sat-nav routes you to the correct gate.
From Heathrow, Gatwick or London
Southampton is about 75–90 minutes by road from Heathrow (roughly 75 miles). Your options are a National Express coach (from around £18, about 2 hours 10 minutes), a pre-booked private transfer (typically £150–£295 for the door-to-door certainty cruise passengers value), or the train, which is not direct — you’d go Heathrow to Paddington, across London to Waterloo, then Waterloo to Southampton Central. For a full breakdown of coach vs train vs taxi vs private transfer, see our airport transfer guides.
Parking at Southampton cruise terminals
Official cruise parking at the terminals is run mainly by CPS (Cruise & Passenger Services), which handles parking for P&O, Cunard and Princess. For longer cruises you can usually use valet parking — drop your car at the terminal and it’s parked for you, then returned on your return — while shorter sailings are typically self-park. Always pre-book, especially from July to September when spaces sell out, and check whether your cruise line uses CPS or a different provider. Off-site park-and-ride options with shuttle buses are also available and often cheaper.
How early should you arrive at Southampton cruise terminal?
Arrive within the check-in slot printed on your cruise ticket — usually 2 to 3 hours before departure. Cruise lines allocate staggered arrival times to manage queues, and several (including P&O) now enforce them, so turning up hours early often just means waiting in a holding area. Boarding typically opens around midday and closes 60–90 minutes before the ship sails. Aim to be at the terminal comfortably inside your window, allowing extra time in peak summer season when the docks are busiest.
Should you fly in the day before your cruise?
If you’re flying in from the US, Europe or anywhere international, yes — fly in the day before. Heathrow to Southampton is 75–90 minutes on a good day, but a flight delay or motorway traffic on embarkation morning can mean missing the ship, which is far more expensive than one hotel night. A day-before arrival lets you clear any travel hiccups, and staying in Southampton city centre keeps you close to the terminals and the station. Same-day connections work until they very obviously don’t — the safety margin is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
How many cruise terminals does Southampton have?
Five: Ocean and QEII in the Eastern Docks, and Mayflower, City and Horizon in the Western Docks. All are operated by Associated British Ports (ABP).
Which Southampton cruise terminal will my ship use?
It’s assigned per sailing rather than fixed to your cruise line, so check your cruise-line e-ticket or the ABP MyPort app for your exact departure. As a guide, P&O and Cunard commonly use Ocean, QEII or Mayflower; Princess uses QEII or Mayflower; Royal Caribbean uses Horizon; MSC uses Horizon or City; and Celebrity uses City.
What is the postcode for Southampton cruise terminal?
Each terminal has its own: Ocean SO14 3QN, QEII SO14 3GG, Mayflower SO15 1HJ, City SO15 1BS and Horizon SO15 1AW. Use your specific terminal’s postcode for sat-nav so you’re routed to the correct dock gate.
How do I get to Southampton cruise terminal from the station?
Southampton Central is the nearest station. Take a taxi from the rank outside — about £8–£15 and 10 minutes to the Eastern Docks. The City and Horizon terminals are around a 15-minute walk if you’re travelling light.
Is there parking at Southampton cruise terminals?
Yes. Official terminal parking is run mainly by CPS for P&O, Cunard and Princess, with valet parking for longer cruises and self-park for shorter ones. Book in advance, especially in the busy summer months, and check your cruise line’s provider.
How early should I arrive at Southampton cruise terminal?
Arrive within the check-in slot on your ticket, usually 2 to 3 hours before departure. Many lines enforce staggered arrival times, so arriving very early can mean waiting. Boarding usually closes 60 to 90 minutes before sailing.
Plan your cruise-day travel
- Heathrow to Southampton cruise port — coach, transfer, taxi and train compared
- Airport arrival time calculator — for your flight home after the cruise
- Best time to leave calculator — work back from a fixed departure time
- All airport and transfer guides
- Airport connection guides by hub
Terminal, berth and access details verified July 2026 against Associated British Ports (ABP Southampton) and cruise-line guidance. Terminal assignments are made per sailing and can change — always confirm your departure with your cruise line or the ABP MyPort app before travelling.
Reviewed by Muhammad Umar Khan
Founder and editor of TripBuffer. Reviewed against official airport, airline and transport-provider information. For our research standards, see the Editorial Policy.