Coming Home from a Southampton Cruise: Your Disembarkation Day Transfer

The last morning of a cruise is often the most rushed: an early alarm, a final breakfast and a queue to get off the ship. The good news is that the trip home from Southampton to Salisbury is a short one, at about 24 miles. Here's how to plan it so the end of your holiday is as relaxed as the start.

What time will you get off the ship?

Ships returning to Southampton usually arrive early in the morning. Disembarkation generally starts at around 7am, once the ship has been cleared, and passengers then leave in groups through the morning, with many off between about 8am and 10am. Your cruise line will give you an estimated time, usually in disembarkation information issued a day or two before the end of the cruise. That's the best guide for timing your pick-up.

Carrying your own bags, or using luggage tags?

If you carry all your own luggage off the ship, you can usually leave earlier. If your cases go out the night before with luggage tags, you'll be called by group and collect them in the terminal, which takes longer. Tell us which you're doing, and your estimated time, and we'll plan the pick-up around it.

We track your ship and allow time to get through

Just as we track flights, we monitor sailings and adjust your collection to your actual arrival. At cruise terminals we allow 60 minutes of complimentary waiting to cover disembarkation and collecting your bags, and standard parking charges at the pick-up point are included in that time. Waiting beyond that is £20 per hour, and we'll make that clear to you.

Which terminal?

Southampton has five cruise terminals across the Eastern and Western Docks, and your ship's terminal can change from one voyage to the next. Check your cruise documents and tell us the terminal name when you book. Our Southampton cruise terminal guide has more on finding the right one.

What it costs

Southampton Docks to Salisbury is a fixed £70 in a saloon for up to 4 passengers with 3 large cases, or £90 in a multiseater for up to 8. From Portsmouth it's £95 or £120, and from Dover £320 or £380. Book the trip to the ship and the trip home together and we take 10% off the return leg, so Southampton there and back is £133 in a saloon.

Cruise luggage needs space

A cruise usually means more luggage than a city break. If there's more than 3 large cases between up to 4 passengers, tell us when you book so we can arrange the SUV, the estate or a multiseater. Our luggage guide explains what fits where.

To book your cruise transfer, use the online quote or call or WhatsApp us on 07880 167302.