Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship--1000x668.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36658" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship--1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship--800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship--768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship--1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Cruise-ship-.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Setting sail each year around the Med, the Canaries, the Baltic, the Norwegian fjords and North America, international cruises departing from Southampton head off to all kinds of international destinations. 



From spas to waterslides, theatres and more, onboard, cruise ships offer impressive entertainment and some of the best dining on and off the high seas.



Of course, Southampton isn’t the only south coast city to cruise from. Another jumping off point just along the water, Virgin Voyages, Fred Olsen and Viking now all depart from Portsmouth, too.



Stylish oversized sunglasses and capsule wardrobes at the ready. Here are a few of our top picks for a cruise adventure from one of our Hampshire ports in 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-head-for-the-med-on-iona">Head for the Med on Iona</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1158" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Barcelona.jpg" alt="Barcelona" class="wp-image-36662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Barcelona.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Barcelona-800x618.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Barcelona-1000x772.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Barcelona-768x593.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Amazing architecture in Barcelona</figcaption></figure>



Where to: Set sail from Southampton on a round-trip to Gibraltar, Cartagena, Barcelona, Cadiz and Lisbon.



Ship highlights: P&amp;O&#8217;s 2021 liner is big on&nbsp;aerial shows, full-scale theatre productions, live music, party nights and comedy.



Last minute getaway! <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/G504/G504">P&amp;O&#8217;s 12-night cruise on Iona</a> departs Southampton on 1 March 2025. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-a-city-break-in-hamburg-on-cunard-s-queen-anne">Take a city break in Hamburg on Cunard&#8217;s Queen Anne</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Hamburg.jpg" alt="Hamburg" class="wp-image-36663" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Hamburg.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Hamburg-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Hamburg-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Hamburg-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hamburg&#8217;s hochbahn train and Landugsbrücke clock tower</figcaption></figure>



Where to: A round trip to Hamburg, with its charming cobbled streets and canals.



Ship highlights: The second largest in the Cunard fleet, The Queen Anne&#8217;s 2024 ship has an elegant, vintage design and French Riviera-esque Pool Club. 



Quick flit: Cunard&#8217;s <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise/H510/H510" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-night cruise to Hamburg</a> on The Queen Anne departs Southampton on 27 April 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wonder-at-the-norwegian-fjords-on-the-independence-of-the-seas">Wonder at the Norwegian Fjords on the Independence of the Seas</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Norwegian-fijords.jpg" alt="Oldedalen, Olden, Norway, Norwegian fijords cruises Southampton" class="wp-image-36611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Norwegian-fijords.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Norwegian-fijords-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Norwegian-fijords-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Norwegian-fijords-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beautiful Norwegian Fjords in Olden</figcaption></figure>



Where to: Take a round trip from Southampton via Bruges/Zeebruge (Brussels), Skjolden in Belgium and Olden and Haugesund in Norway.



Ship highlights: One for families and the young at heart, Independence of the Seas has fun facilities like racing water slides, surf simulator and rock climbing wall, as well as a more grown-up Vitality Spa and Fitness Centre. 



A big adventure for the school holidays? Royal Caribbean&#8217;s <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/cruises/itinerary/7-night-norwegian-fjords-from-southampton-on-independence/ID07STH-3867081045?sail-date=2025-08-17&amp;currency=GBP&amp;country=GBR#step=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise</a> on Independence of the Seas departs Southampton on 17 August 2025. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enjoy-art-architecture-and-wine-country-on-virgin-s-scarlet-lady">Enjoy art, architecture and wine country on Virgin&#8217;s Scarlet Lady</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Amsterdam.jpg" alt="Amsterdam" class="wp-image-36668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Amsterdam.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Amsterdam-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Amsterdam-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Amsterdam-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The canals of Amsterdam</figcaption></figure>



Where to: this 7-night adventure departing from Portsmouth docks in Amsterdam for two days – ample time for exploring the cobbled, eclectic-facade lined streets. Then it heads on to Bruges, Belgium.&nbsp;



Ship highlights: With a loud and loving-it approach to decoration, the adults-only liner has &#8216;Rockstar&#8217; suites and plenty of fitness and wellbeing spaces.



Take to the water: Virgin Voyage&#8217;s <a href="https://www.virginvoyages.com/book/voyage-planner/pre-checkout?currencyCode=USD&amp;fromDate=2025-06-01&amp;homePorts=PME&amp;packageCode=7NAB2&amp;toDate=2026-04-30&amp;voyageId=SC2509057NAB2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7-night cruise onboard the Scarlet Lady</a> departs from Portsmouth on 5 September 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-fire-and-ice-adventures-before-dropping-anchor-in-new-york-onboard-the-majestic-princess">Have fire and ice adventures before dropping anchor in New York onboard the Majestic Princess </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Blue-Lagoon-Iceland.jpg" alt="Blue Lagoon Iceland" class="wp-image-36612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Blue-Lagoon-Iceland.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Blue-Lagoon-Iceland-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Blue-Lagoon-Iceland-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/02/Blue-Lagoon-Iceland-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Iceland&#8217;s amazing Blue Lagoon</figcaption></figure>



Where to: Stavanger, Haugesund and Skjolden/Sognefjord in Norway,&nbsp;Reykjavik in Iceland, Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada and New York.



Ship highlights: Dining on Princess Cruises is pretty top-notch, from the fresh pizza to fine-dining Chef&#8217;s Table. The glass-domed indoor pool and Hollywood bar area on Majestic Princess has all-weather relaxation and glam factor.



Book ahead: Princess Cruises&#8217; Majestic Princess <a href="https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=8628N">14-Day Fire &amp; Ice Explorer</a> departs Southampton on 19 September 2026.

Ahoy! 5 fantastic cruises departing Southampton in 2025/6

You may also like