Recently, I sailed from Portsmouth – and I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward it was.
It’s a smaller cruise port than Southampton, but that can actually make things easier and simpler.
Also, it is about 15 miles closer to home for me, and that is an added bonus!
Which Lines Sail From Portsmouth?
Smaller cruise ships sail from Portsmouth.
Well-known lines that have smaller ships, like Ambassador or Azamara, as well as luxury and boutique cruiselines like Regent Seven Seas and Viking, sail from Portsmouth.
It doesn’t have the same number of terminals as nearby Southampton, which is a larger and far more sprawling port.
I have only cruised twice from there, once on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlett Lady and recently on Fred.Olsen’s Borealis.
Some of the well-known lines regularly sailing from Portsmouth are:
- Aida
- Ambassador
- Azamara
- Virgin Voyages
- Fred. Olsen
- Saga
- Regent Seven Seas
- Ponant
- Viking
- Silversea
- Windstar
- Seabourn
From 2027, Virgin Voyages will no longer be sailing from Portsmouth. They are moving their ships to the Mediterranean and will be sailing from Athens and Barcelona instead.
Where is Portsmouth Cruise Port Located?
Portsmouth is an interesting maritime city on the south coast of England. It is about twenty miles from Southampton.
Portsmouth is the long-standing home of the British Navy.
The Royal Navy have been based in Portsmouth since at least 1194, when King Richard I granted it a royal charter and established a dockyard.
There is evidence that suggests maritime activity dates back to Roman times, and King Alfred is thought to have started shipbuilding there in the 9th century.
Lots of interesting history to be explored locally!
Transport links
Portsmouth is on the south coast, and the cruise terminal is around a mile from Portsmouth city centre.
It is a twenty-minute walk or a five-minute drive from the city centre.
By Car
- The M275 motorway runs right by the port.
- There is a long-stay multi-storey car park to park in.
- There is also a drop-off point outside the terminal building, and some 20-minute car parking bays.
- The postcode for sat nav is PO2 8SP.
By Train:
- Direct services to Portsmouth are available from London Waterloo, London Victoria, Brighton, Gatwick Airport, Southampton, Eastleigh and Cardiff.
- Get off at Portsmouth & Southsea train station. There is a taxi rank right outside.
- The port is a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk away from the train station.
By Coach:
- Direct services are available to and from London Victoria coach station.
- There is a stop right at the port.
- National Express are the coach operator.
By Bus:
- First Bus and Stagecoach both operate services that serve the port.
By Taxi:
- There is a taxi rank outside the main terminal.
Portsmouth International Port
Known as the Great Waterfront City, Portsmouth has been building a discerning reputation as a turnaround or calling cruise port, impressing visitors with its world-class attractions and welcoming back established cruise companies.
We not only boast an attractive waterfront but are known as the UK’s best connected port, where passengers can arrive with ultimate ease straight off the motorway.
The city is also perfectly located to reach London, which is 60 miles away, Heathrow and Gatwick 1 hour and 20 minutes from the port, even closer is Southampton airport 22 miles, which is only 23 minutes in the car.
My First Impressions of the Port
Portsmouth is a smaller port and easier to negotiate. It makes for a more stress-free experience.
It only has one main cruise terminal, so there is no chance of you arriving at the wrong one – as there is in Southampton!
Find out more about Southampton’s five terminals here.
Southampton Has 5 Cruise Terminals – Here’s How to Find Yours
Portsmouth cruise terminal is part of the wider dock complex, which also handles cargo ships and ferries.
Parking Options
I pre-booked the close multi-storey carpark when I sailed on Borealis recently.
We found it extremely easy, and it’s just a short walk to the terminal.
Some people were dropping off their luggage first by parking and unloading in the twenty-minute parking bays.
We just parked in the multi-storey car park and wheeled our own suitcases down.
The port strongly advises that you book your parking space in advance. Spaces can not be guaranteed on arrival at the port.
Book parking at the multi-storey carpark here: portsmouth.apcoa.co.uk
Arrival and Check-In Process
Embarkation was simple and quick, but we had been given a late embarkation slot of 5.30 pm. Others who had embarked earlier encountered small queues.
Borealis’s embarkation had been delayed as she was in dry dock before this sailing.
Although we followed instructions and arrived at the amended boarding time, I think many others arrived at their original time, which may have contributed to delays at the terminal.
The signage was good, the staff were friendly, and security was very efficient.
Once you are through the terminal, you will be taken to your ship by a short bus transfer.
The port is a working dock that also handles ferries and cargo ships, so they don’t want people just walking through it!
We didn’t have to wait for the bus, everything went like clockwork.
We were onboard Borealis only five or ten minutes after first entering the terminal.
Accessibility & Facilities
Portsmouth is a modern cruise terminal with up-to-date facilities.
If you need any assistance at Portsmouth International Port, they suggest contacting your cruise company to make the necessary arrangements before you travel.
You can also just advise a member of staff at the port when checking in, but if they know you’re coming and need help, there will probably be fewer delays.
Toilet facilities for people with disabilities are available throughout the port.
A special minibus service is available to help wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility, along with their companions, board the ship.
The port car park has designated spaces for people with disabilities and/or reduced mobility, and there are additional bays adjacent to the main terminal building. You should request these at the time of booking.
An accessible toilet with ceiling-tracking hoist, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, and a peninsular toilet are located on the ground floor of the terminal building.
It is accessible by radar key. A spare radar key for anyone who requires access is available at the security desk.
Portsmouth International Port have joined the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.
Wearing the Sunflower Lanyard discreetly indicates to port staff that you have a hidden disability and would like additional support.
Staff are specially trained to recognise these identifiers and ask you what additional help would make your journey through the terminal and security better.
What’s Nearby?
Portsmouth is a really interesting city with centuries of maritime history.
The Historic Dockyard is well worth a visit if you have time to stay in Portsmouth before or after your cruise.
Find out more about that here:
The Best Places In The UK To Visit If You Are Interested In Ship History
You can also go up the Iconic Spinnaker Tower or do some light shopping at Gunwharf Quays.
The Pros of Sailing From Portsmouth:
- Smaller crowds make for a more relaxed boarding experience.
- Quick parking and boarding at the port.
- There is easy access from London and the south.
- It’s a modern, growing terminal with improvements ongoing.
Things to Be Aware Of:
- The port is of a limited size.
- Mega ships like the largest MSC, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean vessels won’t dock there.
- There are fewer food and retail options inside compared to Southampton.
- Southampton docks are large and sprawling, with shops and food outlets close by.
- A short taxi ride or a twenty-minute walk is needed from the nearest station.
- But that is just the same at Southampton. And there is no chance you’ll end up at the wrong terminal.
Find out about Southampton’s five different terminals here. You don’t want to end up at the wrong one – they are quite far apart:
Southampton Has 5 Cruise Terminals – Here’s How to Find Yours
I thought Portsmouth was a lovely place to sail from.
Portsmouth cruise terminal is new and modern, and the sailaway is more interesting to me than Southampton. Much as I like Southampton, I have sailed from there many, many times.
Unfortunately, when I sailed on Fred Olsen’s Borealis, it was dark before I even boarded, and when I woke up on disembarkation day, we had already docked.
I would love to sail out in daylight again sometime soon!
Considering a Fred Olsen cruise, just like this one? I’d highly recommend it! 🏆🩷
Check out the itineraries here (affiliate) 😋✈️
Have a closer look at that cruise I took from Portsmouth here:
Before You Go
If you are not from the UK, but have a chance to explore before embarking on your cruise, you might want to try some of these quirky things first:
5 Quirky Things Every Visitor Should Do in the UK (You Won’t Find These In The Guidebooks!)
Find out about destinations it is easy to sail to from the UK here:
6 Fantastic Destinations You Must Visit By Cruise Ship From The UK (No Flying!)
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