Cruises from Southampton 2028

Where do Southampton 2028 sailings go?

Southampton is one of Europe’s great cruise departure points, and the 2028 programme from this port reaches an impressive spread of destinations. The biggest concentration of sailings heads into the British Isles, followed by a strong run of Norway itineraries, a significant block of transatlantic crossings, and further options into the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and well beyond. Durations run from short breaks through to grand voyages of several months, with a median sailing length of 12 nights — long enough to feel like a proper holiday, short enough to plan around a flight from Australia.

Which regions can I cruise to from Southampton in 2028?

The range is wider than many people expect. Below is the shape of what is sailing, starting with the regions that attract the most departures.

British Isles

More sailings from Southampton head into the British Isles than anywhere else — coastlines, harbours and islands that take on a different character entirely when you arrive by sea rather than by road. This is also the most accessible choice if you want the cruise itself to be the whole experience: you board at Southampton, sail around the British coast and return to the same port, with no flights at either end of the cruise itself. For travellers coming from Australia, it pairs naturally with a few nights in London either side. Our team can arrange those pre- and post-cruise nights, plus transfers between the airport and the port, as part of the same booking.

Norway

Norway represents the second largest slice of the 2028 programme out of Southampton. Sailings head north from the port into waters where the landscape changes dramatically as you go — deep inlets, dramatic cliffs and remote fishing villages that are simply not reachable any other way. Many of these are round-trip sailings returning to Southampton, which keeps the logistics clean. If you want to end the voyage somewhere other than where you started, there are one-way options too: a domestic flight from the disembarkation port connects you onward, and we can book that leg for you. See our full Mediterranean Cruises 2028 and Norway options together if you’re weighing up which direction suits you best.

Transatlantic crossings

A significant number of sailings from Southampton end in a different country — New York and Miami are among the disembarkation ports in the data. These are genuine point-to-point ocean crossings, and it’s worth being clear about what that means: you board in Southampton and disembark overseas, so you will need to arrange your return independently — or let us do it. We can book the onward or return flight, plus any nights you want at either end, so the whole trip is handled in one place. Transatlantic cruises suit travellers who want to combine Europe and North America in a single journey, or who simply want the experience of crossing the Atlantic properly. Note that Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) are about half an hour apart, so a Florida arrival is worth checking both ports for dates and prices.

Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Portugal

The western Mediterranean, the broader Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands and Portugal all feature in the 2028 programme. Together these offer a warmer, sunnier alternative to the northern itineraries, and they suit travellers who want a mix of port time and sea days. The Canary Islands sailings in particular tend to be mid-length round trips — a good fit if you want something more substantial than a short break but don’t want to be away for three weeks. Mediterranean cruises in 2028 draw a wide range of lines and ships, and our experts can walk you through which itinerary covers the ports that matter most to you.

Further afield

Beyond the main clusters, the 2028 Southampton programme stretches to South Africa and Japan, and there are round-the-world voyages for travellers who want to make the most of a single embarkation. These longer sailings — some running well over 100 nights — are a very different kind of trip, and they represent an efficient way for Australian travellers to see a large portion of the world from a single base. If a world voyage interests you, all 2028 cruises gives you the broadest view of what is available across all departure ports.

Which cruise lines sail from Southampton in 2028?

Six cruise lines have availability from Southampton in 2028, covering a wide range of styles and price points. Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line both feature alongside the two lines that dominate the programme:

• P&O Cruises — the largest presence on the programme, with a strong focus on British Isles and European itineraries from their home port.
• Cunard — close behind P&O in volume, and the natural choice for transatlantic crossings and world voyage segments, given their long history on the North Atlantic route. Explore the full Cunard 2027–2028 world cruise and season launch for the widest selection.
• Princess Cruises — a solid roster of sailings in 2028, with fare options ranging from a standard base fare through to the all-inclusive Princess Plus package. The full Princess Cruises 2028 programme is worth browsing if you want to compare their Southampton departures with other ports.
• Norwegian Cruise Line — a lively alternative, with fare tiers that can bundle drinks, dining and shore excursion credits. Their Norwegian Cruise Line Europe 2028 page covers the full picture.
• Explora Journeys — the luxury arm of a major maritime group, offering a more intimate and unhurried style of ocean travel.
• Celebrity Cruises — a premium line with a modern feel, well regarded for its culinary programme and contemporary ship design.

Which ships sail from Southampton in 2028?

Several well-known ships make up the bulk of the 2028 programme. Here is a closer look at the key vessels, starting with the newest addition to the fleet.

Queen Anne — Cunard (launched 2024)

Queen Anne is Cunard’s newest ship, having entered service in 2024, and she brings a fresh perspective to the line’s signature style. Art Deco elegance sits alongside modern touches throughout — the Carinthia Lounge offers cocktails with live music, and the grand Queens Room ballroom gives every sailing its ceremonial centrepiece. The Golden Lion pub, with menus overseen by Michelin-starred chef Michael Roux, delivers a properly British pub experience in the middle of the ocean. Cabin grades on Queen Anne range from the 13.7 m² Britannia Inside cabin (with a personal cabin steward available around the clock) through to the 133.8 m² Queens Grill Grand Suite — more than twice the size of the next suite category down. For the full picture on layouts and grades, see Queen Anne’s cabins and deck plans.

Arvia — P&O Cruises

One of the largest ships in the programme, Arvia is built around the idea that the ship itself is as much the destination as any port. The SkyDome — a glass roof that opens fully — means poolside evenings can turn into open-air concerts under the stars whatever the weather starts out like. Dining ranges from the casual Keel & Cow gastropub to the formal fine-dining experience at The Epicurean, so there is no single register for the whole voyage. Cabin grades on Arvia include:

• Larger Inside Cabin OA — 15 m², more floor space than the standard inside grades, sleeping 2
• Suite B4 — approximately 40 m², sleeping up to 4, with dramatically more living space than any balcony cabin
• Deluxe Balcony Cabin EA — 20 m², sleeping 2, with a private balcony for fresh air away from the shared decks
• Family Sea View Suite BA — 40.3 m², sleeping 2, with a private balcony available only at suite grade

Full layouts and cabin details are on the Arvia cabins and deck plans page.

Queen Mary 2 — Cunard

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s last true ocean liner, and transatlantic crossings aboard her are a fundamentally different experience from flying. The onboard Planetarium is the only one at sea in the world — lie back under the dome and watch the stars explained while the real ones pass overhead. White Star Service, ballroom dancing lessons and the Queens Room make QM2 a destination in her own right. Solo travellers should note the Britannia Solo cabin — a 16.5 m² outside cabin designed specifically for one person, with no single supplement. For couples, the Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite Q1 is a maisonette spanning over 200 m² across two levels — the most private address afloat. Browse Queen Mary 2’s cabins and deck plans to find the grade that suits you.

Queen Victoria — Cunard

Queen Victoria is Cunard’s most intimate ship — large enough to offer the full Cunard experience, but small enough that you won’t spend time getting your bearings. The Royal Court Theatre delivers West End-calibre shows across the voyage — vocalists, illusionists, aerial performers — while the Gala evening and white-gloved Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room carry on traditions that set Cunard apart from every other line sailing. Queen Victoria’s cabins and deck plans are worth reviewing if you are considering this ship.

Britannia — P&O Cruises

Britannia offers one of the most varied evening programmes afloat — cabaret at the Limelight Club, immersive LED theatre and the Crystal Room for a late night, all without stepping ashore. Three of Britain’s celebrated chefs have put their names to the menus on board, which puts Britannia well away from the cruise-buffet stereotype. For families, The Reef children’s club takes guests aged 2 to 17 and keeps them genuinely occupied, giving parents real time in the hydrotherapy spa. Check Britannia’s cabins and deck plans for grade options and layouts.

Other ships in the programme include Aurora, Ventura, Norwegian Star, Celebrity Beyond and EXPLORA IV. Each brings its own style and itinerary mix — our cruise experts can help you match the right ship to the right sailing.

What fare options are available?

Fare structures vary by cruise line, and understanding what is included upfront can make a significant difference to the total cost of the holiday.

Cunard

Cunard offers several fare types on their 2028 sailings from Southampton. The flexible Cunard Fare gives you choice of stateroom number, priority for upgrades, a low 15% deposit, the ability to amend your booking up to the balance due date, and complimentary shuttle buses at ports — it is available on all sailings regardless of when you book. At the other end, the Saver fare offers the lowest possible price in exchange for a pre-allocated stateroom and full payment at booking; it suits travellers who are happy to be flexible on cabin placement and won’t need to change their plans. Fare bundles that include on-board credit, drinks, coach transfers or car parking at Southampton are also available — worth comparing if you are driving to the port or want drinks pre-paid. See the full Cunard 2027–2028 season launch for the latest release of itineraries.

Princess Cruises

Princess offers a base Standard fare that covers the cruise itself, with the Princess Plus package available to add on. Princess Plus includes 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to the set limit per day, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus prints, and reserved theatre seating — a meaningful bundle if you would use those inclusions. Fare types such as last-minute and tactical offers also appear in the Princess programme, so it is worth checking both. The Princess Cruises 2028 page covers their full year.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian’s base fare covers the cruise without extras. Their mid-tier bundle adds a beverage package, a dining package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits per port — a strong package for travellers who plan to eat at speciality restaurants and take organised excursions. A premium version extends the inclusions further. Fare types such as these can shift the value equation significantly, and our experts can run the numbers for your specific sailing. Browse Norwegian Cruise Line Europe 2028 for their full European programme.

Are there discounts on Southampton 2028 sailings?

A number of sailings carry a reduced fare compared to what was previously listed for that cabin grade. Discounts of up to 10% are available on select departures, though that maximum applies to a handful of sailings; the more typical reduction across discounted sailings is around 6%. If a reduced fare matters to you, our experts can identify which specific departures currently carry a discount and whether the cabin grade available at that price suits your needs. Fare types such as last-minute and early-release offers also appear across the programme — worth asking about when you call.

Making it a complete holiday

Every sailing departs from Southampton in the United Kingdom, which means the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip for anyone travelling from Australia. CruiseAway can build the whole journey — not just the cruise. Through our DreamAway Packages, we can add return flights, hotels before and after the cruise, transfers between the airport and the port, tours, and insurance, all as one booking. You deal with one team and pay one total rather than stitching together separate bookings across multiple providers. Our cruise experts are also there to help you choose the cabin grade and fare inclusions that suit your circumstances — which fare tier makes sense, whether a balcony is worth the step up on this particular itinerary, and which ship fits the kind of holiday you want.

If you are considering a one-way itinerary that ends in New York, Reykjavik or another overseas port, we can arrange the return flight and any nights you want at the disembarkation city, so you are not left to organise the return leg alone. The same applies if you want a night or two in London before you board — we handle it all.

Not quite right? Other years and departure ports

If 2028 from Southampton is close but not quite what you are after, there are a few natural alternatives worth exploring.

• Sailing a year earlier: cruises from Southampton in 2027 carry a similar programme with more near-term availability.
• An earlier Southampton season: Southampton 2026 sailings may suit if you want to book further out at today’s prices.
• The broader 2028 picture: all 2028 cruises spans every departure port and line, useful if you are open on where you embark.
• Mediterranean in 2028: Mediterranean Cruises 2028 focuses on that region across all departure ports.
• All-inclusive options: all-inclusive cruises in 2028 filters by fare type if drinks and dining included is the priority.
• Cunard world voyages: the Cunard 2028–2029 world voyage programme covers their longest itineraries in detail.
• Princess in 2028: Princess Cruises 2027–2028 season launch gives the full picture of their release.

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.