list of british cruise lines

The Best UK Cruise Companies – Complete Comparison

If you are considering a cruise you may be considering a British cruise line.

British cruise lines are not only a great option for people from Britain but they’re also popular with Americans, Canadians, Australians, and anybody who wants to British experience onboard a cruise ship.

British cruise lines have a lot to offer that differs from American and other European cruise lines.

In this article, we will explore the best British cruise lines and learn a little about what it’s like to cruise with each.

Which Are The Best British Cruise Lines?

The most popular British cruise line is P&O cruises followed by Cunard Line. This is followed by Marella Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, and Saga Cruises. All provide a quintessentially British experience and are well-loved by many. 

There is a lot of variety between the British cruise lines. Some have large modern ships and some older.

Many hold onto the traditions of cruising such as dress codes and formal nights but you’ll also find a lot of variety within the British cruise line market.

You’ll find a wide variety of passenger ages onboard but the primary passenger nationality onboard all lines mentioned in this post is people from the UK.

Best British Cruise Line For First Time Cruisers: P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises are the largest and most popular cruise line in the UK. They are owned by Carnival and have six cruise ships in their fleet.

The oldest ship currently in the fleet is Aurora built in the year 2000 and the newest was launched this year.

All P&O ships have a union jack on the bow and you’ll find British touches throughout. There are Yorkshire puddings in the buffet, UK plug sockets in the cabins, and afternoon tea served with cakes and scones.

P&O cruise out of the UK year-round and usually have a number of ships in Southampton.

They do cruise further afield but they’re well known for their cruises from the UK and are popular with cruisers of all ages.

My Experience Cruising With With P&O Cruises

I’ve only been on one P&O cruise to date but have recently booked two more because I really enjoyed the first. The cruise which I took was a Norwegian Fjords cruise on board Britannia.

The cruise was brilliant. I loved the food, the service, the ship, and the entertainment onboard.

I was very impressed with the way that P&O cruises dealt with food intolerances and my cabin was one of my favorites.

I had the opportunity to do things like learn to cook with Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White which was a lot of fun!

How do P&O Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?

The atmosphere on board a P&O cruise is generally speaking more relaxed than you’d find on a big American cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line but P&O is one of the more lively British lines.

You won’t find go-kart tracks or flow riders but you will find ships with plenty of top deck space and a friendly atmosphere onboard.

The daily schedule also isn’t as busy as that that you’d find on American cruise lines but there is plenty to keep you busy if you want to be doing things throughout the day.

The food is designed to cater to British passengers so you’ll find British favorites onboard like Beef Wellington, Toad in the Hole, and Fish and Chips!

There is a lot of variety when it comes to food onboard with food from all over the world being served. I’ve cruised with 7 cruise lines to date and P&O cruises have some of the highest quality food in my experience.

Who Would Like a P&O Cruises Cruise?

P&O Cruises are great for families and cruisers of all ages. The atmosphere onboard is fairly relaxed and friendly.

A P&O cruise is great for somebody who wants to relax by the pool and enjoy high-quality food.

I’d strongly recommend a P&O cruise to first-time cruisers as P&O makes the whole process of cruising very easy.

Who Are Typical P&O Cruises Passengers?

On a P&O cruise, you’ll find a variety of passengers. On the older, smaller ships you’ll generally find an older crowd than on the newer bigger ships like Britannia and Iona.

The smaller older ships tend to provide a more traditional cruising experience and in 2019 Arcadia, Aurora and Oriana became adults only.

P&O do advertise heavily to the family market and often have discounted children’s rates. That said, you won’t find things like waterslides or rock-climbing walls on P&O ships.

The ship designs are fairly traditional but the ships do have kids clubs that cater to children of varying ages. The groups are split by age and children are able to attend the activities as they wish.

What is P&O Cruises Dining Like?

P&O Cruises offer both flexible and fixed dining which I love. We never had to wait for a table when I cruised on Britannia and the food was always of high quality.

I never found anybody who had any problem with any element of the food.

I ate in many of the specialty restaurants on board Britannia and found that all were very good. If you’re a fan of Indian visiting Sindu is a must.

The buffet was open late into the night and on some ships there are other places where you can grab food to go. The grab and go section by the pool was one of my favorite things about Britannia, it made it so easy to grab a snack as you sat by the pool.

Most cruise lines have a poolside grill that serves things like hot dogs and burgers but it was nice to have a different option such as a salad or a sandwich.

To find out more about the grab and go section and to learn what else you shouldn’t miss on the ship Britannia, check out this post:

P&O Britannia – 8 free ‘must do’ activities (MV Britannia)

Top tip: If you’re having breakfast in the buffet lookout for the bread rolls with icing on the top. They’re great! Probably not very nutritious and they are literally covered in sugar, but they’re very very yummy. 

On most P&O ships you’ll find a mixture of fixed and flexible dining. I usually always opt for flexible dining and you are still able to table share if you do want to do this. Equally, if you want a table for 2 or 3 that shouldn’t be a problem.

Can You Book a P&O Cruise From Outside The UK?

If you are from outside of the UK it can be difficult to book a P&O cruise. There are limited agents that are able to book P&O cruises and it’s usually easier to book directly with P&O.

Be aware though that if you do this you will have to organize your own flights, hotel, and transfers. One website which does allow Americans to book P&O cruises is VacationsToGo .

P&O cruises currently include gratuities in the cruise fare, all meals are included and your entertainment is too.  Drinks cost extra and there are specialty restaurants that cost extra if you’d like to try them too but they are not mandatory.

To learn more about gratuities, including how they also affect drinks and spa treatments, check out this post so that you don’t have any nasty surprises on your cruise:

Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers

I personally feel as though P&O cruises offer some of the best value for money. I recently booked a two-week cruise on board P&O’s Iona for £800 ($1000). Considering that the price includes gratuities, that’s incredible!

If you are interested in learning how to book a cruise for the best price, including where and where to book, consider enrolling in our How to Cruise For Less cruise course. You’ll learn everything that you need to know to save 60% on cruise prices and even more when onboard.

Best British Cruise Line For Traditional Cruisers: Cunard Line

Cunard Line is a British cruise line also owned by Carnival. They were founded 180 years ago and focus heavily on the traditional cruising market. Cunard currently has three ships in the fleet, one of which is the only remaining ocean liner.

Cunard cruises have strictly enforced formal nights, dress codes, and the best afternoon tea at sea (in my opinion).

A Cunard cruise is actually the reason why I started this website.

I took my first Cunard cruise and sat onboard thinking, why did nobody tell me that it would be like this? I had no idea about quite how strictly the dress codes were enforced or what a Cunard cruise would actually be like.

I did really enjoy it but it’s very important that anybody cruising with Cunard knows what to expect before the cruise as they’re much more traditional than the majority of other lines.

My Experience With Cunard

I have only been on one Cunard cruise to date but would love to cruise with them again. We cruised on the Queen Mary and I loved the elegant feel of the ship, the relaxed atmosphere, and the most amazing afternoon tea!

I was definitely the youngest person on the cruise by 20 or 30 years (apart from my younger brother) but that didn’t bother me.

I found the entertainment somewhat limited compared to cruising with other lines and I was not a huge fan of the enforced dress codes. That said, I had a great time and would definitely cruise with Cunard again.

I’d particularly like to cruise across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2. The Queen Mary is the only remaining ocean liner which in itself is very cool.

To learn what the difference is between a cruise ship and an ocean liner, including why ocean liners aren’t built anymore, check out this post:  Cruise Ships vs Ocean Liners: 5 Fundamental Differences.

My top tip to anybody cruising with Cunard would be to make sure that you are prepared for how strict the dress codes are. Informal nights on a Cunard cruise are more formal than formal nights on most other lines. Below you’ll find dress code examples from members of our Facebook group. 

Cunard Dress Code – (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)

How do Cunard Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?

The atmosphere on board a Cunard cruise is much more relaxed than that which you’d expect on most American cruise lines. The atmosphere is pretty quiet even within British cruise lines.

It isn’t uncommon for there to be gaps in the daily schedule and most events onboard are pretty relaxed.

You won’t find things like silent discos, flowriders or gameshow onboard that is for sure. You’re more likely to find lectures in the theatre, afternoon tea in the ballroom, and a quiz in the pub.

The decor onboard is very traditional and the ships are designed to be very elegant. Below are a few photos from my Cunard cruise onboard the Queen Victoria.

Who Would Like a Cunard Cruise?

A Cunard cruise would appeal to guests who enjoy traditional elements of cruising such as formal nights and dress codes.

Cunard cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy afternoon tea, relax in the conservatory, or learn to ballroom dance. There isn’t much nightlife on a Cunard cruise so the line would suit passengers who like to go to bed relatively early.

Given the cruise lines’ incredibly 180 year history the cruises would suit people interested in maritime history and those who appreciate classic cruise ship design.

The cruise line sails frequently from the UK and the Queen Mary 2 regularly completes transatlantic voyages to New York. Dogs are actually allowed on transatlantic Cunard cruises which makes it a very popular choice for passengers wishing to relocate their pets across the Atlantic.

Ed Sheeran actually recorded part of his Divide album on the Queen Mary 2 doing a transatlantic crossing.

What Are Cunard Cruise Line Passengers Like?

Cunard does tend to attract an older market. That said, if you are younger you won’t feel out of place on a Cunard cruise. I’ve cruised with Cunard in my 20s and enjoyed it very much.

It is usually the older market that enjoys the traditional dress codes and set dining times of Cunard.

The atmosphere onboard is quite quiet and you’ll find things like draughts and knitting on the daily schedule.

What is Cunard’s Dining Like?

All dining on Cunard cruises is fixed and we always found the quality to be very high. There is also a buffet and a pub onboard where you can have your meals if you’d like to.

My favorite part about my Cunard cruise in regards to dining was the fact that room service is free onboard! If you are taking a Cunard cruise make sure that you try it at some point.

To learn more about the included food options, check out this post:

Do Cunard Cruises Include Meals? Your Guide To What Is Included

Room service is a great option if you don’t want to take part in a formal night, to learn more about how to skip formal night (if you’d like to), check out this post:  You Can Skip Formal Nights on a Cruise: Here’s How

Best British Cruise Lines For Families: Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises are a British cruise line formerly known as Thomson. They currently have four cruise ships in their fleet, two were previously Royal Caribbean cruise ships and two previously belonged to Tui .

All ships have been very well looked after and renovated to a high standard.

Marella is one of my favorite cruise lines due to the relaxed lively atmosphere on board. Cruises with Marella are all-inclusive as standard but they still remain good value for money as the price isn’t too high.

Gratuities and alcoholic drinks are included in the cruise fare on all Marella cruises.

They are popular with families, young cruisers, and older cruisers alike. They are probably the most lively of the British cruise lines and I thought that the onboard entertainment was brilliant.

My Experience With Marella

I’ve been on two Marella cruises and both were fantastic.

The first was a two-week cruise onboard the Marella Discovery. She was formerly Splendour of The Seas for Royal Caribbean and the Royal Caribbean influence in her design is obvious.

I loved the ship, the entertainment, and the number of included food options onboard.

On the majority of cruises, your included food options are the main dining room, buffet, and possibly a poolside grill. With Marella, there were other included restaurant options too and all of the food was great.

The food definitely is geared towards British tastes but as I’m British that suited me perfectly.

The second cruise I took with Marella was a 90s themed cruise on board the Marella Explorer. This was my first themed cruise and we had SO much fun.

The cruise felt like a three day festival at sea with famous artists from the 90s playing concerts on the pool deck. The all-inclusive pricing structure made the whole cruising process very easy and I left the cruise without a single charge on my onboard account. Amazing!

How do Marella Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?

Marella are probably the most lively of the British cruise lines with the youngest average age. The daily schedule is relatively busy and I personally really enjoyed the entertainment onboard.

This does, of course, depend on the cruise, shorter cruises tend to have a younger passenger demographic but the majority of Marella cruises are popular with families and cruisers of all ages.

The ships are mostly from the 1990s so they aren’t the biggest or most exciting but that said they have been incredibly well renovated and I’ve been on much newer ships which felt much older.

The food and entertainment on board is geared towards a British audience and the majority of passengers on board are British. That said, if you are from elsewhere you’ll be welcomed on board!

What is Marella’s Dining Like?

The dining on a Marella cruise is completely freestyle and there are loads of options. On the Marella discovery, there were a number of free options including the main dining room, an Italian restaurant, a Pizza/Tapas restaurant, a Grab and go style restaurant, and a buffet.

Marella do have a formal night of sorts but the dress codes are quite relaxed. If you are a man it’s recommended that you wear a shirt with a collar, this could be a polo shirt.

For women as long as you are wearing a smart (ish) dress or trousers/top you’d be fine. I never saw anybody be turned away from the main dining room for not being adequately dressed.

Best Small Independent Cruise Line:  Fred Olsen Cruise Line

Fred Olsen are a relatively small independent cruise line. They currently have 4 cruise ships in their fleet all of which were built before the year 2000. Fred Olsen have recently purchased two more ships from Holland America.

The experience onboard a Fred Olsen cruise is fairly traditional and the onboard schedule is quite quiet.

Due to the smaller size of the Fred Olsen ships, they are able to visit ports that other larger ships can’t visit and they actually offer mystery cruises!

A mystery cruise is basically a cruise where you know the start, end and how long the cruise will take but don’t know any of the ports along the way.

I was recently interviewed on BBC radio after there were complaints from guests on a mystery cruise who didn’t like the ports that they visited on the cruise, safe to say I wasn’t really very sympathetic. If you book a mystery cruise you get a mystery!

To learn more about mystery cruises, including just how much of it is a mystery, check out this post:  What is a Mystery Cruise? (Cruise Guide and Examples).

How do Fred Olsen Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?

The experience on a Fred Olsen cruise is much quieter and more relaxed than that which you’d find on most American cruise lines.

The experience is geared towards British guests with the majority of passengers being from Britain. The Britishness of the cruise line is evident in the onboard food and entertainment.

Who Would Like a Fred Olsen Cruises Cruise?

A Fred Olsen cruise would suit a passenger who wanted a relaxing traditional cruise on small cruise ships. The typical passengers on a Fred Olsen cruise do tend to be older than some other lines.

Fred Olsen cruises would suit guests who are interested in visiting unique ports and are destination-focused.

Check out the Fred Olsen website here.

Best British Cruise Line For 50+ Cruisers: Saga Cruises

Saga are a 50+ cruise line that focuses on the luxury market. Saga cruises are more expensive than the other lines mention in this post but in my opinion, the cruises are well worth it.

You’ll find more included on a Saga cruise than most other cruise lines and I recently spent a few nights onboard the Spirit of Discovery. It was GORGEOUS!

You do have to be 50+ to cruise with Saga so I’ve got quite a while to wait. If you’re 40+ you’re able to cruise with somebody 50+.

My Experience With Saga

I was lucky enough to spend a few days on board the Spirit of Discovery prior to her naming ceremony in Dover, UK. I was blown away by the ship and I stayed in a ‘solo’ cabin which was HUGE and so beautiful.

It felt as though everything onboard had been really well thought out and the ship felt very luxurious. I’m not too sure what I expected from a Saga cruise but it definitely wasn’t anything as gorgeous as the ship actually was.

I visited the ship as part of a press cruise so the ship was busy late into the night and we had things like parties by the pool and drag queens in the theater! That isn’t to be expected on a usual Saga cruise which would be much more relaxed.

How do Saga Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?

The experience on a Saga cruise is much quieter than that which you’d find on the majority of American cruise lines.

The ship felt to me to be much more spacious than the likes of ships owned by lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line .

The experience of taking a Saga cruise is undeniably British. You’ll find UK plug sockets in the cabins, kettles, and even a photo of the queen onboard!

Who Would Cruise With Saga?

A Saga cruise would suit somebody who wants a touch of luxury when they cruise all while being surrounded by British comforts.

Saga passengers do have to be 50+ which does mean that the cruise line has an older than average age demographic and as a result, the onboard daily schedule and atmosphere aren’t as lively as that which you’d find on some other lines.

That said a Saga cruise is perfect for those who want to enjoy good food, great service, and beautiful ships.

To learn more about the cruise lines mentioned in this post and many others that haven’t been mentioned check out my complete recommended cruise lines page here: Recommended Cruise Lines, Full List.

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

Book a Cruise : Have a specific cruise you want to book or just need some help and inspiration? Get a cruise quote through us:  Cruise Quote Form. Not Sure What to Book? Learn everything you need to know to find and book the perfect cruise in my  How to Cruise For Less  cruise course Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance : You could be stranded abroad, lose your entire cruise fare, or be hit with MASSIVE medical bills if you don’t have cruise travel insurance. I use comparison websites to compare quotes:  Compare Quotes Here. Our full list of travel essentials can be found  here .

Enter your email address below:

• Need help? 1-888-751-7804 1-888-751-7804
• Let Us Call You CALL ME
• Drink Packages
• Flights by Celebrity℠
• Hotels by Celebrity
• Manage Reservation
• Shore Excursions
• Upgrade with MoveUp

• My Tier and Points
• Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Grand Cayman
• St. Maarten
• U.S Virgin Islands
• New England & Canada
• Pacific Coast
• Antarctic Ocean
• Panama Canal
• Transatlantic
• Transpacific
• Cruise Ports (+300)
• Mediterranean
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• All Inclusive
• Bucket List Cruises
• Cruise & Land Package
• Groups & Events
• New Cruises
• Popular Cruises
• Specialty Cruises
• Destination Highlights
• Group Excursions
• Private Journeys
• Shore Excursions Overview
• Small Group Discoveries

• 360° Virtual Tours
• Celebrity Apex
• Celebrity Ascent NEW
• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Constellation
• Celebrity Edge
• Celebrity Eclipse
• Celebrity Equinox
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Reflection
• Celebrity Silhouette
• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Xcel COMING SOON
• Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

• Celebrity Flora
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Xploration
• The Retreat
• Suite Life. Elevated.
• Iconic Suite
• Penthouse Suite
• Reflection Suite
• Royal Suite
• Signature Suite
• Celebrity Suite
• Aqua Sky Suite
• Horizon Suite
• Sunset Suite
• View All Suites
• Concierge Class
• Galapagos Accommodations
• Eat & Drink
• Entertainment
• Spa & Wellness

• Cruising 101
• Cruise Fare Options
• Cruise Tips
• First Time on a Cruise
• What is Included on a Cruise
• Future Cruise Vacations
• Accessible Cruising
• Captain's Club Rewards
• Cruise Insurance
• Flights by Celebrity
• Healthy at Sea
• Manage Cruise
• The Celebrity Store
• Travel Documents
• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises

• 75% Off 2nd Guest + Bonus Savings
• 3rd & 4th Guests Sail Free
• Galapagos 20% Savings + Free Flights
• Resident Rates
• Exciting Deals
• View All Offers
• All Included
• Cruise & Land Packages
• Dining Packages
• Photo Packages
• Wi-Fi Packages
• View All Packages
• Captain's Club Overview
• Join the Club
• Loyalty Exclusive Offers
• Tiers & Benefits
• Loyalty Status Match
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Card

Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $200.

British Isles Cruises

Explore the history, culture, and legends of the British Isles.

Tabs View Cruises

• View Cruises

Luxury Cruises to the British Isles

From legendary landscapes to a rich history, there’s so much to explore on British Isles cruises. Discover iconic sites like the White Cliffs of Dover and the mysterious wonders of Stonehenge. Follow in the footsteps of the Beatles in Liverpool. Journey to Dorset’s Corfe Castle, one of the country’s most picturesque ruins.

Shop for Waterford crystal in Ireland, and kiss the famous stone at Blarney Castle. In Scotland, learn the secrets of whisky, cruise the still waters of beautiful Loch Lomond, and explore the imposing Inveraray Castle. Wherever you visit on our European cruises to the British Isles, you’ll discover green, rolling landscapes, sleepy rural villages, dynamic cities, and layer upon layer of history. Whether your interest is music, medieval history, historic pubs, or fashion, you’ll find it here.

British Isles Cruise Highlights

Majestic castles.

Experience the storied history of the British Isles through the region’s famous castles. From Dover, travel to London and marvel at the 11th-century Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels. In Kent, see dreamy, 900-year-old Leeds Castle, where Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon lived. Edinburgh Castle is a must, perched imperiously on Castle Rock, while 15th-century Stirling Castle whisks you back to the time of the great Scottish kings and queens.

Pub Culture

Pubs are endemic to British culture, and every village has at least one, where you’ll find a bucolic garden, a roaring fire in the cooler months, a fine array of beers on tap, and often, gourmet “pub grub”. Chat with locals in Ireland over a pint of Guinness, or sip cider in the sunshine in leafy Dorset or Kent. Seek out pubs in London that date back to the 16th century, frequented by such luminaries as Dickens, Keats, and the highwayman Dick Turpin. You’ll always find a friendly welcome.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The British Isles are packed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both natural and man-made. The elegant city of Bath has one of the best-preserved Roman spas in the world, while Stonehenge dates back 5,000 years. From Belfast, explore Giant’s Causeway, a phenomenal natural wonder comprising thousands of basalt columns. In London, admire the blooms and exotic flora at Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens, or the gracious Palladian architecture of Maritime Greenwich, bisected by the 0° longitude meridian.

Featured British Isles Cruise Ports

Liverpool, england.

Liverpool is rich in maritime history and popular culture. If you’re a Beatles fan, you can visit the humble childhood homes of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. See Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, both of which inspired songs, and the Cavern Club, where it all began. Other Liverpool sights include the Three Graces, three iconic buildings on Pier Head, from where early emigrants to the United States departed. Visit the Cathedral, the largest in Britain, with soaring Gothic arches.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Dynamic Belfast, today a thriving, modern city, is famed as the epicenter of the “Troubles” that spanned three decades from the 1960s. Visit the Peace Wall that separates Catholic and Protestant areas, daubed with poignant murals, as well as the infamous Crumlin Road Gaol, operational until 1996 and believed to be haunted. Titanic followers shouldn’t miss the superb Titanic Belfast exhibit, which tells the story in multiple dimensions of the world’s most famous ship, which was built here.

Dover, England

Dover is the gateway to the historic towns, lush countryside, and natural attractions of southeast England. Visit the White Cliffs of Dover for dramatic landscapes, wartime history, and coastal vistas. Venture to Canterbury to explore Canterbury Cathedral, dating back 1,400 years, and explore moated Leeds Castle, once home to six medieval queens. Spend the day in nearby Tenterden, where you can ride a vintage railway and taste English wine. Or head to London, an easy day trip away.

British Isles Cruise Itineraries

Explore the British Isles on either Celebrity Silhouette, which sails out of the Dutch port of Rotterdam, or Celebrity Apex, which is based in Southampton all summer long. Cruises last from 11 to 13 nights, incorporating exciting ports in Iceland or circumnavigating Britain.

Itineraries

Why cruise to the british isles with celebrity cruises.

Cruise the British Isles with Celebrity and you’ll have a choice of convenient departure ports including Rotterdam, just an hour away from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Southampton, England, a seamless journey from London. You’ll be able to enjoy the comforts of a sophisticated, contemporary ship for your European adventure.

The revolutionized Celebrity Silhouette features stylish, modern design, impeccable service, and, like all our ships, menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. Gaze out at Britain’s towering cliffs and green coastlines from the al fresco Lawn Club Grill, or feast on French classics with a contemporary twist in Murano. On Celebrity Apex, head to the leafy, light-filled lounge, Eden, for cocktails and dinner, or have lunch in the sunshine at the Rooftop Garden. Sink into a sofa on the Magic Carpet, an al fresco lounge high above the water with uninterrupted sea views. Choose The Retreat for suite accommodation, access to a private sundeck and lounge, and a table in the chic restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat.

View All Cruises to the British Isles

You might also like.

Cruises from Southampton

Cruises from Rotterdam

Ireland Cruises

England Cruises

Scotland Cruises

Netherlands Cruises

Cruises to Ireland and Scotland

Last Minute Cruises from Southampton

Iceland Cruises

Norway Cruises

Breathtaking Medieval Castles in Europe to Visit

Europe With Kids: Family-Friendly Places To Go

Things to Do in Southampton

Best Beaches in the UK

Best Time to Visit England

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

Accessibility Links

12 of the best UK cruises

Discover destinations closer to home and avoid the airport queues with a uk cruise holiday.

A UK cruise provides a very different perspective of the place you call home. With no long journeys or baggage restrictions, it’s a hassle-free way to travel and cruises depart from a variety of ports around the country. On a week-long ocean cruise you’ll cover much greater distances and see more than you would on a land-based journey — with the added bonus of only having to pack and unpack once. Cruise companies provide a wide variety of sailings to different parts of the British Isles, including the Orkneys, Hebrides, Scilly and Channel Islands. Here are 12 of the best UK cruises to choose from.

Main photo: the harbour of Portree on the Isle of Skye (Alamy)

Best for sailing in style From the institution of afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters to dancing in the glamorous ballroom, savour everything Cunard is famous for on a four-night scenic cruise to Scotland without touching shore. Depart from Southampton aboard the luxury Queen Victoria, which hugs the coastline before entering the 18-mile Sound of Mull. Look out for golden eagles as you pass the landmark Rubha nan Gall lighthouse and Duart Castle perched on the clifftop.

• Best cruises from Southampton

2. Royal Caribbean

Best for short breaks If you fancy a weekend getaway at sea this two-night cruise to and from Southampton is the way to go. You’ll nip across the Channel to Le Havre where you can head to the beach, explore the MuMa museum of modern art or reach Paris in two hours. Or stay on board and enjoy the fun-filled Anthem of the Seas where the raft of exciting attractions include a skydiving simulator, dodgem cars and the North Star, the highest observation platform at sea.

Advertisement

3. MSC Cruises

Best for family fun Sail into one of the world’s biggest natural harbours at Cork on a four-night round-trip sailing from Southampton to Ireland on MSC Virtuosa, one of the biggest cruise ships in the MSC fleet. Cork’s maritime history, which includes the Titanic making its last stop before its ill-fated voyage, can be explored at the dramatic Queenstown Story at Cobh Heritage Centre. Next stop is the Isle of Portland, the southernmost point of Dorset with the 18-mile sweep of Chesil beach.

4. Princess Cruises

Best for number of ports Circumnavigate the whole of the UK on this 11-night itinerary that features nine ports of call including Dublin , Belfast , Glasgow , Edinburgh and Newcastle . Sailing to and from Southampton on Emerald Princess, you’ll also head across to the Channel Islands with a stop at Guernsey , where there’s a garden celebrating the life of its famous resident, Les Misérables author Victor Hugo. Before returning home the ship nips across to Le Havre with the chance for a day in Paris .

5. Oceania Cruises

Best for exploring islands Discover the mainland and more on this 20-night sailing from Southampton to Dublin aboard Oceania Sirena. Enjoy a taste of the Scottish Highlands on the Shetland Isles before cruising to the Orkneys to see the enigmatic standing stones of Stenness and 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae. After sailing around Ireland, with seven ports of call, Sirena crosses the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man where quirky transport options include the longest narrow-gauge steam railway in the British Isles.

6. Fred. Olsen

Best for wildlife spotting Representatives from the marine charity Orca will join this five-night sailing around Ireland aboard Borealis and they’ll keep a lookout to help maximise wildlife spotting opportunities; passengers can also learn about Orca and play a part in assisting with conservation work. The ship will cruise through the rugged landscapes of Lough Swilly and Tory Island, the most remote inhabited land in Ireland. The round-trip Liverpool sailing also brings the chance to see the dramatic Unesco-listed Giant’s Causeway near Belfast.

7. P&O Cruises

Best for off-the-beaten-track ports Showcasing a mix of famous sights and lesser-known destinations, this 14-night round-trip Southampton sailing is on the adults-only Arcadia. You’ll sail to Killybegs in Donegal, Ireland’s largest fishing port, and visit the factory of Donegal Carpets, whose rugs grace the White House and Buckingham Palace. Another fascinating stop is Holyhead, on the island of Anglesey off Wales, where you’ll soak up the views on a coastal walk or visit the Roman walls and 13th-century church.

8. Regent Seven Seas

Best for all-inclusive Sail the nation’s shorelines in ultimate comfort on this ten-night cruise from London to Belfast on Seven Seas Voyager, a line known for its luxury cruise holidays. Shore excursions, unlimited drinks, laundry service, wi-fi and tips are all included and the top suites come with butler service. Taking in England, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man, a Manx highlight is taking the Snaefell Mountain Railway to the summit. On fine days you can see six kingdoms; Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and — the locals say — heaven.

9. Noble Caledonia

Best for small-ship cruising Garden-lovers will be in their element on this six-night sailing along England’s south coast which also takes in the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly . The round-trip Portsmouth itinerary is on the intimate 100-passenger Hebridean Sky. On Guernsey you can visit the subtropical gardens at Sausmarez Manor and in Cornwall Caerhays Castle is home to the magnificent National Magnolia Collection. You’ll also venture to the renowned Abbey Gardens on Tresco where more than 20,000 species from over 80 countries thrive in the island’s warm microclimate.

noble-caledonia.co.uk

Best for adults With a focus on the history of the Celts, this 13-night round-trip Southampton cruise is aboard the line’s newest adult-only ship Spirit of Adventure. The itinerary explores the heritage of five of the six Celtic nations; Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and Cornwall. Elsewhere, the ship calls at culture-rich St Helier, the capital of Jersey , and the colourful first town of Portree on the Isle of Skye, plus vibrant Liverpool with a maritime history that can be explored in the waterfront museum.

travel.saga.co.uk

11. Ambassador Cruise Line

Best for value for money Head onboard the 1,400-passenger Ambience for an 11-night round-Britain cruise from Tilbury and you’ll sail to Scotland, Ireland, the Isles of Scilly and Guernsey in the Channel Islands before hopping over to France for a day in the pretty fishing port of Honfleur. Highlights include Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, where paintbox-coloured buildings line the main street.

ambassadorcruiseline.com

12. Hurtigruten

Best for expedition-style cruising Modern-day adventurers can follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs along the dramatic Jurassic coast and learn about the Callanish standing stones, described as Scotland’s Stonehenge, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, on this round-trip 14-night sailing from Dover. Other highlights on the cruise include isolated islands such as Rathlin Island, home to Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony. Passengers on the 528-passenger MS Maud sail with knowledgeable expedition team members that lead shore excursions and give in-depth talks on all the destinations.

hurtigruten.com

• Best Mediterranean cruises • The best Caribbean cruises

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here .

Related articles

Six of the best British Isles cruises

From cruises on ultra-luxury yachts to traditional ships, our picks of the best round-britain itineraries..

Editor’s note: After over a year of waiting, cruise lines are finally resuming operations with a mini-season of ex-UK itineraries around the British Isles being unveiled. You can see a list of 2021 coastal sailings and British Isles cruises here .

One of the great benefits of an ex–UK cruises – that is, a cruise that departs from a British port – is the ease in which you’re able to board. With no airport queues, no long waits in departure lounges or luggage restrictions, it’s just a case of getting to the port, unpacking and enjoying the holiday. Although some of these cruises head on epic voyages across the world, we’ve focused our attention on cruises that call at British ports, often with a stop or two in the Republic of Ireland.

Nigel Blanks, managing director of Saga Cruises, has recently suggested that, before restrictions on international cruises lift, the line will consider running itineraries around Britain “with and without ports of call” in 2020, “taking in sights such as the Jurassic coast-line, the puffins on Staffa and Giant’s Causeway to name but a few.”

With details of these types of cruises yet to be ironed out, we’ve picked six British Isles cruises for 2021 and 2022 – while Hurtigruten’s upcoming mini-cruises are also worth a mention .

This 14-night Springtime in the British Isles cruise  heads from Greenwich to Edinburgh on board the luxury expedition yacht  Crystal Endeavor , which carries just 200 guests and will be more often found exploring polar regions. Departing May 25, 2022, highlights include navigating the Isles of Scilly, the isolated St Kilda archipelago and exploring the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Shetlands – plus an overnight in Edinburgh. This being Crystal, it’s not cheap: prices start from £10,619pp for 14 nights in a deluxe suite with veranda with all meals and drinks, most excursions, port taxes and gratuities.

Another luxurious option,  this time on Silversea’s 294-guest  Silver Spirit . The ship departs from and returns to Tower Bridge, docking next to  HMS Belfast , making for an unforgettable beginning and end to the journey. As well as two overnights in London, the cruise takes in the pretty harbour town of St Peter Port, Guernsey; Fort William, flanked by the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, on one side and Loch Linnae on the other; as well as the Isle of Lunga, the largest island in the Treshnish archipelago, which lies west of the Isle of Mull. The cruise lasts 14 days and fares start from £6,930pp for a twin share room.

Targeting the traditional over 50s British cruise customer, Cruise & Maritime Voyages has made a name for itself by utilising ports across the country. While the overwhelming majority of ex-UK cruises depart from Southampton, CMV regularly sails from Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, Bristol, as well as its homeport in Tilbury. Its newest ship, Amy Johnson will sail from the Essex port on July 12, 2021 on a round-trip Grand British Isles Discovery calling at the likes of Lerwick in the Shetland Isles and Kirkwall in the Orkney Isles. The 10-night itinerary also includes a brief sojourn to France, with a stop at Honfleur. Prices start at £1,019pp for a superior twin inner room.

Occupying the same space in the market as Cruise & Maritime Voyages,   Fred Olsen Cruise Lines also makes fine use of Britain’s overlooked ports. Departing on July 29, 2021, this cruise on the 804-guest  Black Watch  heads from (and returns to) Liverpool , sailing out the city’s historic port. The cruise takes in Tarbert and Fort William, Scotland, where there is also a cruise of Loch Linnhe – as well as Stornoway, where there is scenic cruise by Bac Mòr, one of the Treshnish Isles, sometimes known as the Dutchman’s Cap. The cruise lasts five nights and fares start from £799pp for an inside cabin.

Hurtigruten tends to stay away from the word ‘cruise’; it’s true it offers something a little different to other options on this list. The operator started out delivering mail and transporting people across the west coast of Norway in the 1890s, but has since branched out to expedition voyages. On May 2, 2021, the 335-guest Spitsbergen  will depart from Greenock (Glasgow) , and take in the islands of Arran, Islay, Mull, St Kilda and more over 10 nights. The price is from £2,384pp for an inside cabin and includes drinks with lunch and dinner, selected excursions and wi-fi.

Regent Seven Seas has a British Isles cruise with a good focus on cities, as well as a trip to the Republic of Ireland. The 12-night roundtrip voyage on the incredibly luxurious Seven Seas Splendor departs from Southampton on May 20 2021 . The cruise calls at Edinburgh (New Haven), Kirkwall, Portree, Glasgow (Greenock), Liverpool, Dublin, Belfast, Holyhead, Waterford and Portland before returning to Southampton. Fare are from £8,859pp for a double suite with veranda and include all shore excursions, unlimited wi-fi throughout the ship, unlimited beverages, including fine wines and spirits, transfers between airport and ship, if needed, and free pre-paid gratuities.

Produced in collaboration with Clouded Hills , a new resource for holidays in the UK

Barbara Muckermann replaced as Silversea boss

NCL, Oceania & Regent place biggest ship order in company history

Iain Powell to join Hurtigruten

Anthony Daniels leaves Hurtigruten

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

Latest Update: List of All Cruise Lines Set to Cruise from the UK

• April 14, 2021

The United Kingdom is leading the way when it comes to cruise ships reentering service this spring and summer, with numerous lines planning ex-UK programs.

Here’s the latest:

Disney Cruise Line Ship:  Disney Magic Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  1,750 Built:  1998 First Cruise: “Summer 2021” Homeport: Liverpool and Southampton Itinerary: “Staycation at Sea” Vaccination required? No

The Disney Magic will be based on the United Kingdom for the summer . The Disney Cruise Line vessel will offer two-, three- and four-night “staycation at sea sailings” from Liverpool and Southampton, exclusive to local residents.

Bookings are expected to open on April 19.

Celebrity Cruises Ship:  Celebrity Silhouette Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  2,894 Built:  2011 First Cruise: July 3, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary:  Portland, Inverness, Kirkwall, Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool Vaccination required? Yes

Celebrity Cruises is returning to the United Kingdom in July , with domestic sailings aboard the Celebrity Silhouette.

Saga Cruises Ship:  Spirit of Discovery Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  1,000 Built:  2019 First Cruise: June 27, 2021 Homeport:  Tilbury Itinerary:  British Islands, Scottish Highlands and the Norwegian Fjords Vaccination required? Yes

Ship:  Spirit of Adventure Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  1,000 Built:  2020 First Cruise: July 26, 2021 Homeport:  Tilbury Itinerary:  15 nights to Newcastle, Newhaven, Dundee, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Cruise St Kilda, Greenock, Belfast, Douglas, Holyhead, Bristol and Falmouth Vaccination required? Yes

Saga Cruises is offering a new summer 2021 United Kingdom program aboard its two ships, the Spirit of Adventure and the Spirit of Discovery.

Both ships will be based in Tilbury, offering cruises to the British Islands, the Scottish Highlands and even the Norwegian Fjords . The first cruise is scheduled on June 27 and will be exclusive to fully vaccinated guests.

MSC Cruises Ship:  MSC Virtuosa Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  4,888 Built: 2021 First Cruise: May 20, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary:  Series of short cruises followed by seven-night sailings visiting “UK’s favorite destinations” Vaccination required? No

MSC Cruises will also be offering special sailings in the United Kingdom this summer, using the new MSC Virtuosa.

The 2021-built vessel will offer a range of short breaks and week-long cruises around the British Isles starting on May 20.

Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests will be welcome, but the sailings are only available for UK residents.

Royal Caribbean International Ship:  Anthem of the Seas Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  4,100 Built:  2015 First Cruise: July 7, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary:  Short “Ocean Getaways” followed by longer cruises to the British Isles Vaccination required? Yes

Royal Caribbean International announced cruises in the United Kingdom for the summer .

The company will base the Anthem of the Seas in Southampton, offering short cruises to nowhere and longer voyages to the British Isles.

Royal Caribbean is also offering 999 free staterooms to emergency service professionals, as a way of recognizing their “tremendous effort” in facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

After cancelling its entire summer season in the United States , Virgin announced a new UK program for 2021.

Starting in August, the new Scarlet Lady will offer short cruises to nowhere from Portsmouth, in England .

Called Summer Soiree Series, the cruises will only be available for fully-vaccinated UK adults. 

P&O Cruises Ship:  Britannia Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  3,611 Built:  2015 First Cruise: June 27, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary:  Cruising around the UK coast   Vaccination required? Yes

Ship:  Iona Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  5,200 Built:  2020 First Cruise: August 7, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary: Cruising around the UK coast   Vaccination required? Yes

P&O Cruises announced its return into service will commence with a new program of sailings in the UK.

Sailing from Southampton, the company will offer ocean cruises around the UK coast, exclusive to local, fully-vaccinated residents. Two ships will be used initially, the flagship Britannia and the new Iona.

Cunard Line Ship:  Queen Elizabeth Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  2,092 Built:  2010 First Cruise: July 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary: British Isles Vaccination required? Yes

Cunard is also preparing a series of UK voyages for the summer. The Queen Elizabeth will cruise from the Port of Southampton, offering cruises around the British Islands .

Three different itineraries are available for UK residents, who need to be fully vaccinated before boarding.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ship: Borealis Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  1,320 Built:  1997 First Cruise: July 5, 2021 Homeport:  Liverpool Itinerary:  Scenic Cruising at the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly Vaccination required? TBD

Ship: Bolette Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  1,380 Built:  2000 First Cruise: August 16, 2021 Homeport:  Dover Itinerary: Scenic Cruising at the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly Vaccination required? TBD

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is returning to service with a new program of cruises around the British Isles for summer 2021.

With 11 sailings, the schedule includes departures from Dover and Liverpool, onboard the brand’s new vessels – Bolette and Borealis.

Both ships will offer scenic sailings taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly.

The company is yet to determine if COVID-19 vaccination will be required for guests

Viking Cruises Ship:  Viking Venus    Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  930 Built:  2021 First Cruise: May 22, 2021 Homeport:  Portsmouth Itinerary:  “England’s Scenic Shores” Vaccination required? Yes

Viking Cruises will launch service from the UK in May , with the new Viking Venus.

The luxury cruise line recently announced plans to offer special cruises along the coast of England, sailing from Portsmouth.

The new program is only available to UK residents and includes eight-night ocean itineraries called England’s Scenic Shores.

Ship:  Sky Princess Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  3,600 Built:  2019 First Cruise: August 30, 2021 Homeport:  Southampton Itinerary:  Scenic cruises and voyages with stops in UK ports-of-call including Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock Vaccination required? Yes

Princess Cruises has also revealed plans to sail in the UK later this summer . The Carnival-owned brand will offer series of short breaks and week-long sailings aboard MedallionClass ships, the Regal Princess and the Sky Princess.

Both vessels will offer scenic cruises and voyages with stops in UK ports-of-call including Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock, with itineraries ranging from three to seven nights. 

According to Princess, the trips will only be available for UK resident and COVID-19 vaccinated guests.

Marella Cruises Ship:  TBD Capacity (at 100% Occupancy):  TBD Built:  TBD First Cruise: Summer 2021 Homeport: TBD Itinerary:  UK Domestic Cruising Vaccination required? TBD

In a social media post , Marella Cruises announced it will join the long list of brands offering a United Kingdom-based domestic program this summer.

Additional details are not yet available but will be released soon.

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

British Isles Cruises and Cruisetours

Explore castles and countrysides on a uk and ireland cruise.

On a British Isles cruise, fairytales come to life as you explore storybook castles and enchanting countrysides. Admire the stained-glass windows of Glasgow Cathedral. Uncover the mysteries of Stonehenge in England, and ascend the Eiffel Tower in Paris. And legend has it, you'll get the gift of gab after visiting the Blarney Stone at Ireland's iconic castle. With Princess®, feel like royalty amidst noble landscapes.

British Isles Cruise & Cruisetour Options

British isles cruises to legendary lands and beyond.

Your British Isles cruise will take you to England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, France, Scotland and fabled lands beyond. Encounter age-old traditions during a performance from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Mosey down cobbled pathways in Dublin that tell tales of civilizations past. Or walk along Scotland’s famous Loch Ness, and keep your eyes peeled for mythical creatures that call these waters home.

Ring of Kerry Cruisetour 14 - 16 Nights

• 1 night Limerick
• 2 nights Killarney
• 1 night Cork
• Escorted by a Tour Director
• Then board your British Isles cruise
• Select sightseeing included
• Most meals included

Why Cruise the British Isles

Storied and Splendid

Castles are the emblem of these regions. Between the chandeliers and tapestries, step into luxury when you visit the British Isles. Cruise to Dublin and parade through the 13th-century halls of the city’s fortress. Experience the grandeur of Urquhart Castle, and search for legendary ghosts in Glamis Castle. Or visit Edinburgh Castle, where kings, queens and nobles once lived and medieval secrets continue to linger.

Melodies of Memories Past

As the birthplace of many music icons, the British Isles invite you to sing, dance and raise a glass to songs played around the globe. Visit Liverpool to walk in the footsteps of a beloved boyband, and head to a local pub to hear the boys at their best. Cruise the British Isles for an evening of Irish song and dance in Dublin, or watch the Edinburgh Military Tattoo assemble bands, bagpipes and drums for a soul-stirring show.

Globally Recognized, Historically Prominent

The British Isles are a mecca of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cruise from Southampton to Liverpool, and walk along the Royal Albert Dock, the first structure in Britain to be constructed without wood. Shop along Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. Or travel to Brú na Bóinne in Dublin and get up close to Europe’s largest collection of prehistoric megalithic art.

Raise a Glass to Adventure

In lands famous for their stouts and ales, pubs are the cornerstone of tradition. Cruise the British Isles and step into age-old establishments that are bustling with spirit. In Dublin, get a taste of true pub “craic” — an Irish term that equates to an atmosphere of fun, entertainment and good company. With festive music playing in the background, sip on world-famous beers that originated nearby while sharing a laugh with locals.

Natural Phenomena

Unexplainable yet undeniable.

Discern fact versus fiction on a British Isles cruise, where mysteries and mythologies abound. In Portland, learn about the 5,000-year-old stone circle that displays an advanced understanding of arithmetic and astrology. On itineraries that sail to Cork, search the sea for the Bioluminescence beams created by the region’s gleaming plankton. Or hunt for Invergordon’s legendary monster in the waters of Loch Ness.

Museums & Art Galleries

Ancient artifacts and acclaimed artwork.

No cruise to the British Isles is complete without a visit to Paris. See “Venus de Milo” and da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” or tour Notre Dame, a work of art in and of itself. Visit the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, where interactive galleries invite you to explore. Those departing from London can also stop by the Victoria and Albert Museum which houses over two million artifacts.

British Isles Excursions

Our award-winning shore excursions bring you up close to beautiful coasts, monuments and historical wonderlands. On a British Isles cruise, snap photos of Dublin’s iconic sites — like St. Stephen’s Green and Christ Church Cathedral — and taste a world-famous stout at the Guinness Storehouse. Or ride through quaint villages in Belfast on your way to Giant’s Causeway, and revel in the natural structures that surround you.

Learn more about British Isles shore excursions

Local Connections

When you cruise the British Isles, meet the diverse personalities that call these lands home. In Dublin, head to a countryside bed and breakfast where a local chef invites you to savor homemade scones and jam. Or set out on a day-long tour in Cork with your loved ones and visit the city’s most iconic sites. Stop by the 18th-century village of Kinsale, and then continue to Blarney Castle, where legends and landmarks await.

Learn more about Local Connections in the British Isles

More Ashore

Enjoy even more history and culture during your British Isles cruise with More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays. Visit several pubs during an evening tour, and hear stories from locals over a pint of local brew. Savor a traditional Scottish dinner in Edinburgh, and see the Royal Mile illuminated by street lamps and the evening light. Or explore Dublin by night, and indulge in Irish entertainment.

Scotland, Ireland & UK Cruise Ports of Call

Discover some of the world-renowned destinations that await you on a British Isles cruise with Princess.

Teeming with rural villages and vast countryside, Belfast is an explorer’s playground. Cruise to the British Isles and walk through the basalt formations of Giant’s Causeway. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens and observe the park’s Victorian heritage. Or experience true country living in the cottage of a breadmaker, where you can make fresh-baked goods to accompany your afternoon cup of tea.

View cruises with Belfast | View Belfast shore excursions

In a land where fable and fact blend to become folklore, Cork is a beacon of romance among Ireland’s iconic cities. On a British Isles cruise, see the city’s emerald terrains reflected in the lakes of Killarney National Park. Savor an Irish coffee in the 18th-century village of Blarney. Or enjoy a lunch on the hills of Cashel, with the Romanesque architecture of St. Patrick’s Rock as your backdrop.

View cruises with Cork | View Cork shore excursions

Experience the best of Irish hospitality on a British Isles cruise to Dublin. Stop by a pub and hear stories of the city from the people who call it home. Tour Trinity College, one of the world’s most famous universities. Or discover the secrets to brewing a stout at the Guinness Storehouse, and sip on a complimentary glass just a few hundred yards from where it’s made.

View cruises with Dublin | View Dublin shore excursions

With centuries of cultural change, Edinburgh is home to a diverse landscape of design. Cruise the British Isles and follow the Royal Mile to the top of Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle sits overlooking the city below. Marvel at the expansive collection of artwork in the Royal Yacht Britannia, or shop for souvenirs on Princes Street while admiring the Georgian architecture of New Town.

View cruises with Edinburgh | View Edinburgh shore excursions

Once an industrial giant, Glasgow is brimming with treasure. When you cruise the British Isles, wander the halls of Inveraray Castle to see a collection of royal portraits. Watch a kaleidoscopic display in Glasgow Cathedral as the sun pours through the stained-glass windows. Or spend the day admiring armor, weaponry and global gems in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

View cruises with Glasgow | View Glasgow shore excursions

Orkney Islands

Orkney is home to some of the oldest Neolithic sites in Europe. On a British Isles cruise, history buffs can hear World War II stories at the Italian Chapel. Or travel along Scapa Flow for an even deeper look into the region’s history of naval travel and trade. For those seeking mysteries, uncover secrets of the Ring of Brodgar, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

View cruises with Orkney Islands | View Orkney Islands shore excursions

Paris & Normandy (Le Havre)

In a land that inspires love stories, reconnect with loved ones on a British Isles cruise to France. Dock in Le Havre and enjoy a breakfast crepe at a sidewalk cafe. Or embark on a day-long adventure in one of two directions. Visit Paris, where famous artwork awaits, or head to Normandy and see the D-Day beaches or the tidal island of Mont Saint Michel. From the painted portraits to the real-life scenery, revel in it all with Princess.

View cruises with Paris & Normandy | View Paris & Normandy shore excursions

Portland for Stonehenge

Used to build Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the stone extracted from Portland’s quarries has changed history. But there’s more to the city than it’s commodities. Cruise the British Isles to investigate the mysteries of Stonehenge, and learn about the grape-to-glass process at Langham Wine Estate. Or see hundreds of baby swans parading through the grounds of the 600-year-old Abbotsbury Swannery.

View cruises with Portland | View Portland shore excursions

#PrincessCruises Europe Connections

British isles cruise onboard experience.

Accommodations

Your home away from home.

Your stateroom is where you rest and recharge between adventures. That’s why every room is equipped with the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and our SLEEP program created by a board-certified sleep expert. From interior cabins to full suites, unwind in any of our staterooms, and enjoy peace of mind with the option of connected rooms for families of four or more traveling together.

Celebrations Galore

With our "Festivals of the World," immerse yourself in the traditions of the region even on board your British Isles cruise. At the Celtic Festival, compete in cultural trivia and learn to penny whistle. During Oktoberfest, adults can sample a collection of brews while kids can try their hand at pretzel making. Or relax during regional music performances and lectures from experts about the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Comforting and Classic

From fresh-baked biscuits to hearty pies, the British Isles are notorious for cooking up comforting favorites. On an British Isles cruise with Princess, indulge in a British Pub lunch with delicacies like Bangers & Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. Or enjoy a Sunday Roast at Crown Grill™ with roasted meat, potatoes and vegetables. Savor the comforts of home with specialty dining aboard every Princess ship.

Entertainment

Find your joy.

Embark on adventures by day, and indulge in entertainment by night. Watch Movies Under the Stars® at our 300-square-foot outdoor theater. Attend original productions from Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked . Or learn traditional moves, like Flamenco or Irish stepdance, and listen to popular music from the destinations on your itinerary. On a European cruise with Princess, the choice is yours.

Reset, Recharge, Relax

Your European cruise should be every bit as refreshing as it is inspiring. Unwind in the Sanctuary, a retreat just for adults, and relish in tranquility. Or book an appointment at the Lotus Spa®, named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™. Enjoy relaxing treatments — like facials, hot stone massages and detoxifying wraps — that will leave you recharged for upcoming adventures.

Vegas Hits the Seas

Experience the thrill of cards, dice, roulette and blackjack at the casino onboard our European cruises. Learn from experts — like our staff or perhaps other guests nearby — and put your skills to the test. More casual players can pull up a seat at the slot machines for the same adrenaline at their own speed. For an afternoon full of games, join fellow travelers for Bingo, or compete in scheduled group tournaments.

Ships Sailing British Isles Cruises

Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from small to large vessels. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at breathtaking shorelines passing by before enjoying international cuisine in one of our many eateries during your British Isles cruise.

Sky Princess®  | Island Princess®

European Cruise Articles

Read about storied attractions, charming history, diverse cultures and preparation advice for cruising Europe.

Explore Europe

Learn all about our exciting options to visit Europe from cruises to in-depth cruisetour vacations. 

The top ten things to do in Norway

Planning a holiday to Norway? Discover the best museums, restaurants, cafés, attractions and experiences in the Scandinavian country.

Must-do summertime activities in Scandinavia

Discover the best summer holiday activities in Scandinavia, including wild swimming in Stockholm and rooftop drinking in Oslo.

Five reasons to cruise from Southampton

Looking for a cruise vacation from Southampton? Set sail to Canada, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Florida and around the British Isles with Princess Cruises.

How to see Stockholm from a unique perspective

Ice bars, rooftop tours, meatballs and more – use our handy city guide to get a fresh view of Sweden’s brilliant capital.

Six places to see the Northern Lights in Norway

Hoping to see the Northern Lights in Norway? Discover the best places to try to catch a glimpse of Mother Nature's exceptional light show

See all Europe cruise articles and videos

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Learn more about transfers

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax.

Extend your Europe cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

View Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

You May Also Like

European Cruise Destinations

Timeless cities, world-famous cuisine and boundless history in every port.

Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Royal palaces, ancient art & celebrated history of Baltic ports.

Transatlantic Cruises

Step in Golden Age of Ocean travel on classic sailing to Europe.

Find Your Cruise

Cruise Type Expedition Cruise Ocean Cruise River Cruise

Destination Africa Alaska America Antarctica Arctic Circle Asia & Far East Atlantic Islands Australasia Baltic British Isles Canada Canary Islands Caribbean Central America Europe Greek Isles Hawaii Iberia Indian Ocean Mediterranean Middle East Nile Cruise Norwegian Fjords Pacific Panama Canal River Scandinavia South America South Pacific West US/Mexico

When May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 July 2026 August 2026 September 2026 October 2026 November 2026 December 2026 January 2027 February 2027 March 2027 April 2027 May 2027 June 2027 July 2027 August 2027 September 2027 October 2027 November 2027 December 2027 January 2028 February 2028 March 2028 April 2028 May 2028 June 2028 July 2028 August 2028 September 2028 October 2028 November 2028 December 2028 January 2029 February 2029 March 2029 April 2029

Cruise Line Abercrombie & Kent Expedition Cruises AmaWaterways Atlas Ocean Voyages Azamara Cruises Celebrity Cruises Celestyal Cruises Crystal Cruises Cunard Elixir Cruises Emerald Waterways Emerald Yacht Cruises Explora Journeys Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Holland America Line Hurtigruten Cruises Hurtigruten Expeditions Oceania Cruises P&O Cruises Paul Gauguin Cruises Ponant Cruises Princess Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises Riverside Luxury River Cruises Saga Cruises Scenic Ocean Cruises Scenic River Cruises Seabourn Cruises SeaDream Yacht Club Silversea Cruises Star Clippers Cruises Swan Hellenic Cruises Uniworld River Cruises Viking Cruises Windstar Cruises

Ship A&K L'Austral A&K Le Commandant Charcot Allura AmaBella AmaCello AmaCerto AmaDahlia AmaDara AmaDolce AmaDouro AmaKristina AmaLea AmaLilia AmaLucia AmaLyra AmaMagdalena AmaMagna AmaMelodia AmaMora AmaPrima AmaReina AmaSerena AmaSiena AmaSintra AmaSonata AmaStella AmaVerde AmaVida AmaViola Arcadia Aria Amazon Arvia Aurora Azamara Journey Azamara Onward Azamara Pursuit Azamara Quest Azura Balmoral Bolette Borealis Britannia Caribbean Princess Celebrity Apex Celebrity Ascent Celebrity Beyond Celebrity Constellation Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Equinox Celebrity Flora Celebrity Infinity Celebrity Millennium Celebrity Reflection Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Summit Celebrity Xcel Celebrity Xpedition Celebrity Xploration Celestyal Discovery Celestyal Journey Coral Princess Crown Princess Crystal Serenity Crystal Symphony Diamond Princess Discovery Princess Emerald Azzurra Emerald Dawn Emerald Destiny Emerald Harmony Emerald Kaia Emerald Liberte Emerald Luna Emerald Princess Emerald Radiance Emerald Sakara Emerald Sky Emerald Star Emerald Sun Enchanted Princess Eurodam Europa Europa 2 Explora I Explora II Ganges Voyager II Grand Princess HANSEATIC inspiration Insignia Iona Koningsdam Le Bellot Le Boreal Le Bougainville Le Champlain Le Commandant Charcot Le Dumont D'urville Le Jacques Cartier Le Laperouse Le Lyrial Le Paul Gauguin Le Ponant Le Soleal M/S Paul Gauguin Majestic Princess Marina Mekong Jewel MS Fram MS Fridtjof Nansen MS Kong Harald MS Maud MS Nordkapp MS Nordlys MS Nordnorge MS Nordstjernen MS Otto Sverdrup MS Polarlys MS Richard With MS Roald Amundsen MS Santa Cruz II MS Spitsbergen MS Trollfjord MS Vesteralen Nautica Nieuw Amsterdam Nieuw Statendam Noordam Oosterdam Queen Anne Queen Elizabeth Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria Regal Princess Regatta River Duchess River Empress River Princess River Queen River Tosca Riverside Mozart Riviera Royal Clipper Royal Princess Ruby Princess Ryndam S.S Beatrice S.S. Antoinette S.S. Bon Voyage S.S. Catherine S.S. Elisabeth S.S. Joie de Vivre S.S. La Venezia S.S. Maria Theresa S.S. Sao Gabriel S.S. Sphinx S.S. Victoria Sapphire Princess Scenic Amber Scenic Azure Scenic Crystal Scenic Diamond Scenic Eclipse Scenic Eclipse II Scenic Gem Scenic Jade Scenic Jasper Scenic Jewel Scenic Opal Scenic Pearl Scenic Ruby Scenic Sapphire Scenic Spirit Seabourn Encore Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Ovation Seabourn Pursuit Seabourn Quest Seabourn Sojourn Seabourn Venture SeaDream I SeaDream II Seven Seas Explorer Seven Seas Grandeur Seven Seas Mariner Seven Seas Navigator Seven Seas Splendor Seven Seas Voyager SH Diana SH Vega Silver Cloud Silver Dawn Silver Endeavour Silver Moon Silver Muse Silver Nova Silver Origin Silver Ray Silver Shadow Silver Spirit Silver Whisper Silver Wind Sirena Sky Princess Spirit of Adventure Spirit of Discovery Star Breeze Star Clipper Star Flyer Star Legend Star Pride Star Princess The Elysium Ventura Viking Hathor Viking Helgrim Viking Hemming Viking Jupiter Viking Mars Viking Octantis Viking Osfrid Viking Saturn Viking Sea Viking Sky Viking Star Viking Tir Viking Torgil Viking Vela Viking Venus Viking Vesta Vista Volendam Westerdam Wind Spirit Wind Star Wind Surf World Navigator World Traveller World Voyager Zaandam Zambezi Queen Zuiderdam

Duration 10 to 14 nights 15 nights or more 4 nights or less 4 to 7 nights 7 to 10 nights

Home Cruise Types Cruises from the UK

Cruises from the UK

Cruises from the UK have always been popular, especially with those looking for a way to avoid flying on their next holiday.  When searching for a cruise ship, UK travellers are guaranteed an equally easy departure. Now, with a more extensive choice of UK embarkation ports available, it’s never been easier to set sail from British shores.

Many of the world’s best cruise lines offer voyages from the UK and sail to destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Adriatic, Caribbean, North America, Canary Islands and cruises of the British Isles . You can also embark on an unforgettable World Cruise from the UK with cruise lines including Cunard , P&O Cruises and Fred Olsen .

Benefits of cruising from the UK

Choosing a cruise that departs from the UK has many benefits. Not only are they perfect for those who wish to avoid flying, but they also mean you can avoid the hassle of baggage and waiting for airport transfers. So instead, you arrive at your UK port, wave goodbye to your bags and let your holiday begin!

Another benefit of booking a no-fly cruise holiday is that there are no restrictions when it comes to the weight of your luggage. Technically, you can take as much as you can comfortably fit in your cabin, stateroom or suite.

Cruises from the UK 2024/25

There are many fantastic cruises from the UK available in 2024 and 2025. For a classic cruise experience, head to the Mediterranean and enjoy blissful sunshine, incredible architecture and picturesque ports of call. Alternatively, head across the North Sea to Scandinavia and the Baltic and immerse yourself in the history of cities like St Petersburg or go in search of the awe-inspiring Northern Lights .

Longer cruises from the UK are also possible in 2024 and 2025. Take your pick from iconic transatlantic crossings aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 , or venture south to the blue seas and swaying palms of the Caribbean with P&O Cruises. You can even book a cruise from the UK that visits Australia or Asia as part of a world cruise sector.

Last-minute Cruises from the UK

At The Cruise Line, we understand that it’s not always possible to book your cruise holidays months in advance. So, if you’re looking for a late deal, we offer a range of last-minute cruises from the UK with a variety of operators. Booking a last-minute cruise can be a great way to take advantage of discounted fares – plus you’ll never have to worry about scrambling to find flights that fit your holiday plans.

UK Cruise Ports

If you are interested in cruising from the UK but would like to depart from a specific part of the country, please choose one of the following options to find your perfect no-fly cruise holiday:

• Cruises from Southampton
• Cruises from Dover
• Cruises from London
• Cruises from Liverpool

Book your no-fly cruise with us today

For more information on cruises that depart from the UK, please call one of our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 . Alternatively, please browse a selection of our no-fly cruise offers below.

Search Filters

Departure Date: Earliest to Latest Departure Date: Latest to Earliest Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Duration: Low to High Duration: High to Low

Searching for cruises

Date flexibility +\- 1 Week +\- 2 Weeks +\- 3 Weeks +\- 4 Weeks +\- 5 Weeks +\- 6 Weeks

Reset Filters

Request a Brochure

Enter your details below or call us on 0800 008 6677

Enquire Now

Privacy overview.

• CruiseMapper
• Themed Cruises

UK Cruise Ports List

Here is the list of big UK cruise ports of departure. Reading it is a must if you're planning a cruise from UK ports only. Share your time with us to find out what are the major UK cruise ship ports and what are their regular best "clients".

UK Cruise Ports

The Southampton cruise port (in England, the largest city in Hampshire, located 75 mi (120 km) southeast of London ) is the largest UK cruise port, with the best UK cruise lines ships sailing from there. Ship cruise deals from Southampton generally pertain to itineraries in the Baltic Sea, like the so-called "Baltic Capitals Tours" to Scandinavia and Russia, UK Fjords cruises to Norway, Mediterranean Sea cruises, trips to the Canary Islands.

Most of the Transatlantic crossings also start here - the regular crossings by the Cunard's Queen Mary cruise liner to New York, also 3-4 sailings per year by some of the P&O ships (to Canada and Caribbean), and several relocation cruises in Fall (usually to Florida). The list with best Around the World cruise ships from Southampton includes all P&O world cruise liners and the Cunard ships. Port Southampton is operated by ABP-Associated British Ports (abports.co.uk).

Port Dover (England)

Dover cruise port is the second largest in the UK (2 passengers terminals, over 200,000 passengers a year), with modern facilities located on the western docks. Terminal 1 is the old Marine Railway Station, the new Terminal 2 is farther down the pier. As a pre-cruise option, you can take the shuttle bus to see the city center or the Dover Castle above the "White Cliffs of Dover". For more info - doverport.co.uk (port's website) and cityofdover.com (official city website).

Port Leith (Edinburgh Scotland)

The Edinburg cruise port is the Port of Leith (located three miles from the city center) and one of the largest in Scotland. The majority of UK cruise ships from Dover sail to Scandinavia and Northern Europe (to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Germany), smaller lines offer tours of the British Isles with one-way and round-trip cruises from Scotland to Ireland and England.

Port Greenock (Glasgow Scotland)

The Greenock (port of Glasgow) is the old Greenock's Ocean Terminal (a container ship terminal, operated by Clydeport). Nowadays, the Greenock port is one of the best cruise ports of call in Scotland, constantly increasing the number of passenger ships calling on it. The port of Greenock is visited mostly by big UK cruise lines ships, like those of Cunard, P&O, and Princess, with over 40 passenger ships booked to call there per year. The list with famous small UK cruise companies with ships visiting Greenock includes Fred Olsen and Hebridean.

Port Harwich (England)

The Harwich cruise ship port (Essex) is England's main car-cruise-ferry port for the North Sea. Harwich (located 70 mi (130 km) northeast of London ) is also a historical place, famous with its lighthouse (now a maritime museum) and the Redoubt Fort. Cruise lines ships from Harwich - mostly from the fleets of Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Holland America lines.

Port Hull (England)

The Hull cruise port is the only one on the Humber River, offering mostly short and mini cruises from the UK to Holland (Amsterdam, Rotterdam), to Finland (Helsinki) or to Belgium (Bruges).

Port Liverpool (England)

The Liverpool cruise port (located close to the Pier Head) is also one of the best Europe cruise ports of call for short UK city cruise breaks. The majority of departures from Liverpool offer Around Britain cruise tours of British Isles, UK cruise travel deals to the Canaries, Transatlantic crossings. The Liverpool cruise port offers disembarkation right downtown - a unique feature, common only to few other places in the world. Liverpool highlights - the Beatles, numerous museums and art galleries, and year-round cultural events. For more travel info - VisitLiverpool.com

Portsmouth and Newcastle (Port of Tyne) England

The Newcastle cruise port ( Port of Tyne ) is the only passenger ship port between Harwich and Leith. Itineraries - Baltic Sea cruises to Scandinavia.

Port Portsmouth (England, the 2nd largest city in Hampshire, located 19 mi (30 km) southeast of Southampton) handles ferries , cruise liners, and cargo ships. This embarkation/disembarkation point is easily accessible by train and car (the Southampton airport is close to it). The cruise terminal is located 1 mile north of the city. The list of UK cruise lines leaving from Portsmouth includes Fred Olsen, Voyages of Discovery, Hapag Lloyd, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions. City highlights - the Historic Dockyard (the oldest dry dock still in use), museums (like D-Day and Royal Marines), the Southsea Castle, an Aquarium, the Portsmouth Cathedral, the Portchester Castle.

Port Tilbury-London (England)

The London-Tilbury cruise port (England, Essex, Thurrock) is a modern purpose-built deep-water port and the cruise port of London. London Cruise Terminal (at the head of the River Thames) serves passengers and big cruise liners from all over the world. The Tilbury cruise departures offer mostly Northern European (Baltic Sea) destinations. The very presence of the name London here is sufficient to mark the Tilbury port as one of the most preferable UK ports of departure. Tilbury also handles ferries , bulk cargo ships, cars-container ships as one of the UK's 3 major container ports.

UK Cruise Lines

Get to know what are the UK cruise companies selling deals from the UK, accepting the UK's £, serving the ceremonial Afternoon Tea, and employing staff that speaks the (proper) British English. This survey (integrated with our cruise companies list ) also shows a list of ships operating predominantly on the UK cruising market.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line ( line review ) is based in Purfleet-on-Thames (Essex England), with principal homeport being Tilbury-London.

Note: At this link you can read about the 2020-bankrupted CMV-Cruise & Maritime Voyages . CMV was an independent company specializing in brokering charters of cruise ships, also offering a range of management and operational services to charterers and owners, as well as to other important players in the global cruising industry. CMV's homeports were Leith-Edinburgh, Avonmouth-Bristol, Greenock-Glasgow, Hull, Harwich, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tilbury. CMV carried thousands of passengers and 95% of its customers rated the experience either good or excellent.

Cunard Line

Cunard Line ( line review ) is among the world's most famous ocean liners. It is recognized in ocean travel with British heritage and as part of Carnival Corporation . Carnival also owns AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line. These member lines have a commitment to value and quality, thus offering cruises that attract different budgets and lifestyles and sail to the world's most thrilling destinations.

Fred Olsen Line

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (founded in 1848, line review ) is part of the Fred. Olsen Group, UK-based, Norwegian-owned, with four cruise ships. The headquarters of the company are in Ipswich, Suffolk- United Kingdom. In 1848 the three Olsen brothers bought their first ships, thus beginning an international shipping company. The company is 5th generation of Olsen’s, operating various companies within cruise shipping trade, as well as aviation, shipbuilding, offshore industries. The group has business interests in estate management, luxury hotel sector, property development.

Thomson UK/Marella Cruises

Thomson / Marella Cruises ( line review ) UK-based TUI brand company, part of TUI Travel PLC) originally was named "Thomson Tour Operations" (founded 1965) part of Thomson Travel Group. Thomson UK headquarters are in Luton, England. Thomson Travel Group was acquired by Preussag AG in 2000- a transportation and industrial conglomerate. In 2002, Preussag was received its new name- TUI AG, and Thomson Travel was renamed TUI UK. Thomson Holidays, Thomson Lakes and Thomson Ski, together with Britannia Airways are members/brands/subsidiaries of the new group, which is part of TUI Travel PLC.

P&O Cruises ( line review ) the UK and Australia are separate lines and different brand names). The company is fully owned by Carnival Corporation & plc .

Swan Hellenic

Swan Hellenic is a British cruise line which is specialized in tours of cultural or historical interest. The company is targeting the upper end of the cruising market. Swan Hellenic headquarters are in Burgess Hill, United Kingdom. In 1950s Swan travel agency organized a tour for interested in Greece antiquities visitors. Thus was developed a full cruises program, featuring well-known writers, academics, clergymen, as guest lecturers on board ship or onsite.

Big-ship brands with roundtrip departures from the UK are RCI-Royal Caribbean, NCL Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, MSC.

By annual passenger traffic (statistical data 2019), the Caribbean's top-10 largest airports are:

• Luis Munoz Marin Airport/aka Isla Verde ( San Juan Puerto Rico ) with ~9,5 million pax
• Punta Cana Airport ( Punta Cana Dominican Republic / La Romana ) with ~7,2 million pax
• Jose Marti Airport ( Havana Cuba ) with 5,7+ million pax
• Sangster Airport ( Montego Bay Jamaica ) with ~4,8 million pax
• Lynden Pindling Airport ( Nassau Bahamas ) with ~4,1 million pax
• Las Americas Airport ( Santo Domingo Dominicana ) with ~4 million pax
• Piarco Airport ( Port-of-Spain Trinidad ) with 2,8+ million pax
• Queen Beatrix Airport ( Oranjestad Aruba ) with 2,5+ million pax
• Pointe-a-Pitre Airport ( Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe ) with ~2,5 million pax
• Grantley Adams Airport ( Bridgetown Barbados ) with ~2,3 million pax

This explains why these port cities are used as seasonal turnaround ports for homeporting (roundtrip itineraries) by many major cruise companies with ship deployments in the Caribbean. The UK-based brands operate with fly-cruise deals mainly with roundtrip flights from Southampton to Barbados and Guadeloupe.

• UK and Ireland
• Northern Europe
• Western Mediterranean and Atlantic
• Eastern Mediterranean
• North America
• South America
• Australasia
• South Pacific
• Middle East
• Panama Canal
• Adults-Only Cruises
• All-inclusive Cruising
• Boutique Cruising
• Classic Cruising
• Cruise from the UK
• Expedition Cruising
• Family Cruises
• Fly Cruising
• Luxury Cruising
• Mini Cruises
• Ocean Cruising
• River Cruises
• Small Ship and Yacht Cruising
• Solo Cruising
• Ultra-Luxury Cruising
• World Cruises
• Ambassador Cruise Line
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Emerald Cruises
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
• Marella Cruises

MSC Cruises

• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises

P&O Cruises

Princess cruises.

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• Saga Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Viking - Ocean Cruises
• Virgin Voyages
• Amadeus River Cruises
• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• CroisiEurope
• Hurtigruten
• Riviera Travel
• TUI river cruises
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Top 10 Ocean Cruise Deals
• Top 10 Luxury Cruise Deals
• Top 10 River Cruise Deals
• Top 20 Cruise Deals
• Cruise Package Deals
• Partner Deals & Offers
• Offers & Deals
• Competitions
• Fashion and lifestyle
• Culture and history
• Entertainment
• Recommendation
• Ship Reviews
• Food & Drink
• River Cruising
• First cruise advice
• Heroes & Villains
• Captain Profiles
• Godmother Profiles
• Our Opinion
• Ship Visits
• Ship Launches

Which cruise lines sail from Great Britain?

Author: Niamh Payne

Published on: 24 March 2023

Updated on: 24 March 2023

Having to book a flight just to get onto a cruise can be exhausting, costly and oftentimes not worth the hassle. So, why not avoid all that bother and simply leave from closer to home?

Since the pandemic first hit in 2020, British ports have slowly been building themselves back up. Many have seen an increase in their ship circulation over the last 12 months, not to mention an influx of cruise passengers.

As a result, numerous cruise lines have returned to their popular itineraries and now offer voyages departing from Great Britain. Popular choices include P&O Cruises , Cunard and MSC Cruises , only to name a few.

A large number of cruises will sail from the country's most popular ports, including the Port of Southampton and the Port of Dover . In 2022, Southampton’s port won the Best Port Award at the Wave Awards for the second year in a row, as well as received its tenth win for the Best UK Departure Port in the Cruise Critic UK Editor’s Pick Awards. Being one of the biggest ports in the UK, even considered the “cruise capital” of the UK, the Port of Southampton sees many ships come through, in particular cruise ships. Last year proved to be a very successful year for them with 489 ships and over 1,800,000 passengers passing through.

The port hopes to continue this triumphant streak this year, estimating that it will welcome around two million passengers.

With Covid restrictions on travel virtually nonexistent at this point, cruise bookings for 2023 are selling out faster than it has in recent years, making this moment the prime time to reserve your upcoming journey.

To help, here is a list of some of the cruise lines that sail from Southampton with a few of their offered destinations for the upcoming few months.

P&O Cruises is offering a wide selection of destinations to choose from for this year and 2024, all round trips from Southampton.

The cruise line’s fleet will have two new additions, Iona and the freshly named Arvia, its two largest ships, that will all sail out of the port sometime in the upcoming months.

A few of the major destinations included are the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and Europe.

There are still many openings available for countries like Spain, Portugal, Amsterdam and France.

Voyages to the United States, Canada and the Caribbean are also scheduled for the end of the year, and a few select voyages to Guernsey are open for 2024.

If you’re planning on visiting the United States and Canada, then Cunard, which is based in Southampton, is the perfect place to book your next trip.

Compared to other cruise lines, Cunard offers a large selection of roundtrips and New York-bound voyages, all leaving from Southampton.

If the bustling streets of New York City and the valleys, lakes and mountain ranges of Canada aren’t really your speed, Cunard also has many journeys from Southampton to Northern Europe, Iceland, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords and the Caribbean.

In 2024 Cunard will also be offering long trips from Southampton to Hong Kong, Sydney, Auckland, Rio De Janeiro and San Francisco, as well as a full world voyage lasting 108 nights.

Cunard even has a few themed cruises leaving from Southampton and disembarking in New York, such as a seven-night ballet-themed cruise in which passengers can enjoy performances by dancers from English National Ballet, and a Literature Festival at Sea voyage.

Depending on what you’re looking for, whether that be a short or long trip, Cunard has a range of voyages of all lengths, from as short as two nights to as long as 63 nights.

Princess Cruises will be taking passengers from Southampton to countries throughout Europe, a few such destinations being Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Belgium.

The cruise line is also offering voyages a bit closer to home in Ireland, Scotland, Liverpool and Wiltshire to see Stonehenge.

Its longer cruises to destinations in Australia, such as Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane, which typically last for around 50 days, leave from Dover, rather than Southampton.

MSC Cruises offers voyages to countries all over the world, from Korea, to Brazil, to Mozambique.

Though most of its cruises depart from other countries, MSC Cruises has a selection of Northern European journeys that depart from the UK, or, more specifically, from Southampton.

From the Port of Southampton, passengers can go around Northern Europe and discover places like France, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, exploring cities like Paris, Helsinki, Stockholm, Bruges, or Hamburg.

These voyages range from one night to 27 nights.

Royal Caribbean

Similarly to MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean also has cruises departing from all over the world, with some leaving from Southampton.

There are not as many options as say, Cunard or P&O, but Royal Caribbean still has a diverse selection of journeys to France, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Norwegian Fjords and New York.

Enjoy some of these shorter cruises, which all range between 7-14 nights, Royal Caribbean not having any longer transatlantic or world voyages leaving from Southampton.

Regent Seven Seas

Though a bit pricier than some of the other cruise lines on this list, guests that book with Regent Seven Seas will be able to choose from destinations like Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Bruges, Barcelona, and various other cities in Europe.

The cruise line also has a unique collection of themed cruises from Southampton.

One such cruise takes passengers around some of the historical battle sights from World War II, like Dunkirk, while also allowing them to explore cities like Paris and Cherbourg.

Another one titled Vikings and Viceroys makes stops in various cities throughout Ireland, Scotland and Norway, allowing passengers to observe the history of these areas.

Other cruise lines that are worth checking out and currently have voyages leaving from the UK include:

• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Lush Islands In Spring

• 14 nights, departs on the 31 Mar 2024
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Splendor
• Miami, Florida , , + 12 more

Asian Wonders & Arabian Delights

• 20 nights, departs on the 05 Apr 2024
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Navigator
• Laem Chabang, Laem Chabang, Ko Samui, + 18 more

North Pacific Passage

• 18 nights, departs on the 13 Apr 2024
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Explorer
• Tokyo, Hitachinaka, Miyako, Iwate, + 16 more

Whale Watching Expedition

• 7 nights, departs on the 01 May 2024
• Vancouver, British Columbia, , Ketchikan, Alaska, + 5 more

Ocean Air & Spanish Flair

• 14 nights, departs on the 10 Apr 2024
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Grandeur
• New York, New York, , Kings Wharf, + 12 more

Cruise Lines

For detailed information about any cruise line, click the line's logo or the "more" link for that line below.

Ship Ratings Key

Alphabetical List of Cruise Lines

Cruise lines.

You may also browse by cruise line type .

• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Azamara Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Cruise West
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Festiva Sailing Vacations
• Holland America Line (HAL)
• Imperial Travel
• Island Cruises
• Majestic America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
• Oceania Cruises
• P & O Cruises
• P & O Cruises Australia
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Royal Caribbean (RCL)
• Sea Cloud Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Star Clippers
• Star Cruises
• Steps of Paul Cruises
• Swan Hellenic Cruises
• Thomson Cruises
• Uniworld River Cruise Collection
• Viking River Cruises
• Voyages of Discovery (fka Discovery World Cruises)
• Windstar Cruises

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

All Things Cruise is dedicated to the joy of travel. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises.

We would love to have you subscribe for travel updates, news and great offers directly from the cruise lines!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

All 16 Princess Cruises Ships, From Newest to Oldest

Here’s everything you need to know about the Princess Cruises fleet.

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Sailors of all ages love Princess Cruises for its quality, service, value, and serene style of cruising.  What’s more, the 2023 T+L World’s Best Award-winning mega-ship line   — which is also a WBA Hall of Fame Honoree — tends to steer clear of splashy entertainment (for example, you won’t find go-karts, water slides, or ziplines on board most ships) in favor of more refined activities. Discovery at SEA programming is a standout offering: In partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet, guests can partake in nature-centric onboard activities and shore excursions. Most Princess ships boast a majestic atrium modeled after an Italian piazza, and it’s here where you’ll find some of the best drinking, dining, and shopping venues on board. 

According to travel advisor and cruise specialist Jennaca Boose of Marvelous Mouse Travels , Princess’ fleet of 15 ships — 16 if you count the upcoming Sun Princess , which will make its long-anticipated debut this year — is family-friendly, and each vessel is “equipped to entertain all ages;” however, some cater towards specific age demographics better than others. For example, she says, travelers sailing with younger children will especially love Royal Princess and Regal Princess , which “have even more to offer” beyond the kids club, such as “outdoor play areas with jungle gyms and a separate teen space with a hot tub.” Meanwhile, says Boose, cruisers craving an intimate onboard experience may consider sailing aboard Coral Princess or Island Princess , which are two of the line’s smaller ships. 

Finally, it’s also worth noting that the line ​​offers dozens, if not hundreds, of itineraries across the globe, including Alaska, Mexico, Japan, the Mediterranean, and many more. “Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or an immersive cultural itinerary,” says Boose, “Princess has a ship for you.” Without further ado, keep scrolling for a breakdown of each ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to help you narrow down which vessels would be best for you. 

Related: 21 Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts

Sun Princess

Inaugural Year: 2024

Ship Class: Sphere

Ship Capacity: 4,300 guests

The inaugural ship in Princess' new Sphere class, Sun Princess is the line's largest — and flashiest — vessel to date. Set to sail the Mediterranean and Caribbean, this 20-deck mega-ship is sure to make waves following its early 2024 debut. The Park19 family zone will offer nine fun-filled activities, including the Sea Breeze (the first Rollglider at sea), The Lookout (an open-air observation deck), and Coastal Climb (a climbing structure for adventure enthusiasts of all ages). There’s also a two-deck arena, the multi-level Dome entertainment space, and the brand-new Spellbound, a Victorian-themed bar where guests can watch magicians while sipping theatrical cocktails.

Discovery Princess

Inaugural Year: 2022

Ship Class: Royal

Ship Capacity: 3,660 guests

For an elegant onboard experience complete with world-class specialty dining that’ll entice any gourmand, spectacular live entertainment in the lavish Princess Theater, and the largest balconies at sea (spanning over 1,000 square feet) found in one of the ship’s splurge-worthy Sky Suites, look no further than Princess’ final Royal-class ship. Spend sea days soaking up the sun — and the ocean views — by the infinity Wake View Pool.

Enchanted Princess

Inaugural Year: 2021

The elegant Enchanted Princess is a haven for relaxation-seekers with four sparkling pools (including the infinity-edge Wake View Pool), 10 hot tubs, and a serene spa offering Asian-inspired treatments. For the ultimate splurge, reserve one of the sprawling Sky Suites, best known for their expansive balconies offering 270-degree sea views. Other honorable mentions include the Sanctuary, Discovery at SEA, movie screenings under the stars, and the SeaWalk, a 60-foot-long glass-enclosed hallway with floor-to-ceiling ocean vistas.

Sky Princess

Inaugural Year: 2019

The snazzy Sky Princess made its grand debut in 2019; fast-forward five years later, and the ship has retained its allure. The three-story atrium is the beating heart of the ship, dotted with shops, bars, and restaurants galore. Check out Chef’s Table Lumiere, or try your luck at the casino for the ultimate splurge. Finally, for the best ocean views, book one of the Sky Suites.

Majestic Princess

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Inaugural Year: 2017

Ship Capacity: 3,560 guests

This Royal-class ship was initially designed for cruises from Shanghai, which means passengers can expect Chinese-inspired decor along with the fantastic specialty restaurant, Harmony, which features mouthwatering Asian menu items like wok-fried lobster, spring rolls, and more. Also unique to Majestic Princess is the adults-only Hollywood Pool Club, a perfect spot for grown-ups looking to soak in style. Meanwhile, don’t miss the dazzling casino and incredible SeaWalk, where panoramic ocean views await.

Regal Princess

Inaugural Year: 2014

This 2014 mega-ship definitely delivers in terms of onboard attractions. A few fan favorites include movies under the stars (best enjoyed with popcorn and candy in hand, of course), original productions, an outdoor musical fountain show, and Princess Live!, where passengers will find interactive culinary shows along with late-night comedy and game shows that can be viewed in-person or from the comfort of one’s stateroom. Last but not least, don’t forget to snap a selfie on the SeaWalk.

Royal Princess

Inaugural Year: 2013

Prepare to receive the royal treatment (pun intended) aboard the 3,560-passenger Royal Princess . The ship’s dazzling common spaces, including the grand atrium and the SeaWalk, are sure to impress design lovers, while the drinking and dining options, including the extravagant Chef’s Table Lumiere — available only on Royal-class ships — will delight culinary connoisseurs of all ages. 

Ruby Princess

Inaugural Year: 2008

Ship Class: Crown

Ship Capacity: 3,080 guests

Entertainment options abound on the 19-deck Ruby Princess , from movies under the stars and basketball to golfing and (hopefully) winning big at the casino. While party-going cruisers can dance ‘til the wee hours of the night at Skywalkers, serenity-seeking travelers may choose to hit the sack early before waking up to enjoy the spa or The Sanctuary.

Emerald Princess

Inaugural Year: 2007

Last refurbished in 2019, Emerald Princess features something for families of all ages, including  reimagined Camp Discovery youth and teen centers and the serene Sanctuary, a kid-free slice of paradise in the middle of the sea. Passengers can also perfect their swing at the putting course, enjoy poolside movie screenings, unwind at one of several swanky bars and lounges, including the Speakeasy Cigar Lounge, hit the spa, or dance the night away at the onboard club. In summary, it’s pretty much impossible to be bored on this ship.

Crown Princess

Inaugural Year: 2006

Despite its 3,000-plus passenger capacity , Crown Princess never feels super crowded thanks to abundant onboard amenities and activities. Highlights include three main dining rooms, a three-story atrium, and, of course, ample activities and programming, which run the gamut from basketball courts and pajama movie nights for kids to karaoke and an onboard nightclub.

Diamond Princess

Inaugural Year: 2004

Ship Class: Grand

Ship Capacity: 2,670 guests 

Best known for its Asia itineraries, Diamond Princess is sure to wow cruisers of all ages with its unique onboard features. Wellness-seekers need not miss the Izumi Japanese Bath, where guests can enjoy a traditional Japanese bathing experience coupled with breathtaking ocean views. There’s also the adults-only Sanctuary sun deck, Broadway-caliber entertainment, ample restaurants (including five main dining rooms), a nightclub, and so much more.

Caribbean Princess

Ship Capacity: 3,140 guests

This massive 18-deck ship was last refurbished in 2019 to bring it up to par with the line’s latest vessels. The European-inspired piazza , boasting street performers, eclectic boutiques, restaurants and bars, and a striking spiral staircase, is the beating heart of the ship. Plus, as part of the line’s partnership with Discovery, guests can enjoy nature-filled activities and lectures.

Sapphire Princess

Ship Capacity: 2,670 guests

Those craving a traditional cruising experience need not look further than the 20-year-old Sapphire Princess . With an onboard nightclub, five main dining rooms (plus many other bars and lounges, including a cigar lounge), this 2,670-passenger ship is among the line’s buzziest. After dancing the night away, adults can spend the day relaxing at The Sanctuary, while families will surely appreciate the dedicated spaces for kids, tweens, and teens.

Island Princess

Inaugural Year: 2003

Ship Class: Coral

Ship Capacity: 2,200 guests

Island Princess was purposefully built to sail through the Panama Canal. This 2,200-guest, 20-plus-year-old ship offers a more refined onboard experience compared to the line’s newer, flashier vessels. Sea days are well spent at the spa, in swimming pools, or sipping cocktails in the massive atriums; come nighttime, watch movies under the stars (a Princess staple) or catch live musical performances before hitting the sack — and getting ready to do it all again the following day.

Coral Princess

Ship Capacity: 2,000 guests 

Coral Princess is Princess’ smallest ship; however, there is still plenty to see, do, and experience on board. Guests can make themselves right at home in the piazza-style grand atrium, where prime people-watching awaits. For some R&R, grown-ups can head to the tranquil, adults-only Sanctuary while the kids are at play at the children’s centers.

Grand Princess

Inaugural Year: 1998

Ship Capacity: 2,600 guests

Princess’ oldest ship underwent a major renovation back in 2019, adding fan-favorite restaurants like Alfredo's Pizzeria, Salty Dog Grill, and Coffee & Cones. Catch a Broadway-style show, relax at The Sanctuary, or partake in nature-centric activities as part of the line’s Discovery at SEA programming.

Related Articles

5 Americans held in Turks and Caicos for having ammunition as U.S. lawmakers fail to secure their release

U.S. lawmakers traveled to Turks and Caicos this week to push for the return of five American citizens detained on ammunition possession charges, but failed to facilitate their release.

The Americans were arrested in the last five months under a strict law in Turks and Caicos that prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition and carries a mandatory 12-year sentence.

One American, Michael Lee Evans, was jailed in December; Bryan Hagerich was arrested in February; and two Americans, Ryan Watson and Tyler Scott Wenrich, have been detained since April. The latest arrest occurred on May 13 when Sharitta Grier was jailed.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said a group of lawmakers "went in respectful" and "with an open mind looking to find common ground" during a meeting Monday with the Turks and Caicos government.

"Unfortunately, despite our willingness to work with Turks and Caicos officials to get our constituents home, we were not able to find a path forward today," Mullin said Monday in a statement on X. "At this point, well-intentioned American citizens are facing a dozen years in prison all for unknowingly having one or two bullets in their luggage."

Watson, 40, of Oklahoma, traveled to the islands with his wife, Valerie Watson, and two friends to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. The trip came to a screeching halt when airport staff found hunting ammunition in a carry-on case belonging to the couple.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," he told  NBC Boston . "I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there.'"

The couple was arrested but the charges were dropped against Valerie Watson. She later returned home to Oklahoma City.

Airport security also found ammunition in Hagerich's luggage as he tried to board a flight with his family out of Turks and Caicos. Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Wenrich, 31, of Virginia, was arrested after two 9 mm rounds were found in his bag after he tried to reboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship following a beach excursion, NBC Boston reported.

He told the news station that he had used the bag to go to the shooting range with friends and checked the bag before his trip.

"It was just a complete oversight on me, TSA and the port security," he said. "Three groups missed that ammunition."

Grier, 45, of Florida, said the ordeal has been a "nightmare." She told NBC Boston that she took a trip to the islands for Mother's Day weekend with her daughters.

Grier was arrested after security at the Howard Hamilton Airport in Providenciales found two bullets in her luggage, according to the station.

"It   was an honest mistake, it fell up under the bottom of the flap in my carry-on," she said. "There was no way possible that I could see it because it’s a flap in the bottom. They took the bottom of the flap out the bag. That’s where the two rounds was, in the bottom of that flap. So, it’s no way that I would of knew or seen them in there."

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas had warned travelers in September that authorities in Turks and Caicos strictly enforce laws related to firearms and ammunition.

Violators "are subject to TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures" and the embassy "will not be able to secure your release from custody," it said.

Mullin said the islands' law has "unintended consequences."

"We will stay at the table through this process until the issue is resolved," he said in his statement.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined the lawmakers on the trip and said they had a chance to meet with the detained Americans.

"These people did not set out to break the law," he said in a statement. "They are people who made a mistake and now face substantial time in prison because of it. As we articulated to TCI officials, I urge the court to be lenient when addressing this case."

Fetterman said he left the meetings "optimistic that we can get this resolved."

Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., said the lawmakers had a "diplomatic" discussion with Turks and Caicos government officials.

"I reiterated that with Turks and Caicos’ economy being 65 percent based on tourism, and with 80 percent of that coming from the United States, it is in their interest to ensure justice prevails," Brecheen said in a post on X .

"We were emphatic that it would be unfathomable for five Americans, including Oklahoma’s own Ryan Watson, to face 12 years in prison for accidentally leaving a handful of shells in their luggage," he continued.

Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., said in a post on X he is "very concerned" about the consequences the Americans face.

The governor’s office of Turks and Caicos said in a news release that “per the constitutional separation of the executive and judicial branches” Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick cannot intervene or comment on pending legal cases.

But the court can find that there are "exceptional circumstances" where a judge could "impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum," the office said.

If the Americans are sentenced, Brecheen said the U.S. must "respond appropriately, using every economic tool in our toolbox."

Evans, 72, of Texas, pleaded guilty to possessing seven 9 mm rounds of ammunition, according to authorities, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18.

Wenrich and Watson also have a court hearing in June, police said. Grier's hearing is scheduled for July.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

5 Most Popular Cruise Lines in the U.S.

C ruise lines are like chain restaurants: Each one has a signature personality and vibe that caters to different kinds of people. But there is no denying that some cruise lines enjoy more popularity than others.

Which ones, exactly? This is what a recent study sought to answer. Gathering the monthly volume of Google searches for each of the most famous cruise lines, we can see which lines are on people's minds the most.

These are the five most popular cruise lines in the U.S.

5. Princess Cruises

Headquarters: Santa Clarita, California

Average monthly searches: 177.01

*Ranking is based on a 2023 study by Cruise Mummy .

Bottom Line: Princess Cruises

Starting out as the fifth most popular cruise line, Princess Cruises has developed a reputation for its high-quality food and entertainment. Expect menus created by respected chefs and productions worthy of Broadway.

All in all, it's not the most affordable cruise line, but the extras you pay are definitely reflected in the overall quality of the experience and staff friendliness.

4. Norwegian Cruise Line

Headquarters: Miami, Florida

Average monthly searches: 240.43

Bottom Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Also known for its food, Norwegian stands out because it rebuffs the chaos of buffets. Instead, it has a dine-when-you-want policy that makes for a much better experience for everyone.

The cruise line is also known for amenities like onboard waterparks and fun, themed parties.

3. Disney Cruises

Headquarters: Celebration, Florida

Average monthly searches: 301.18

Bottom Line: Disney Cruises

If you have kids (or are a Disney adult), there's no better line for you than Disney Cruises. While you'll pay a bit more for many of the same amenities that other lines offer, you'll also get to have some themed fun. Whether it's food shaped like Mickey Mouse or character sightings, you get to experience the magic of Disney at sea.

We're not at all surprised that this line landed in third place.

2. Carnival Cruises

Average monthly searches: 669.77 

Bottom Line: Carnival Cruises

Like its name suggests, Carnival offers an unforgettable party atmosphere that people absolutely love. Well, at least those who enjoy sharing space with thousands of other passengers do so. If you're looking for raucous fun, stand-up comedy, water slides and shows, you won't be disappointed.

While Carnival does cater more to a younger party crowd, ships also have family-friendly facilities, including kids' clubs in which children can enjoy activities while their parents relax.

1. Royal Caribbean

Average monthly searches: 868.77

Bottom Line: Royal Caribbean

Drumroll, please! Americans are Googling Royal Caribbean more than any other cruise line. They might be won over by its over-the-top personality. Some ships include things like wave-surfing simulators, ziplines (yes, really), rock-climbing walls and onboard gardens.

Expect ships to be absolutely gigantic and to have so many activities that you'll definitely not get to do it all — but, hey, that's just an excuse to book another cruise!