Cruising the Med from the UK is a hassle-free holiday. Southampton offers a wide variety of interesting itineraries to choose from, and Med cruises from Southampton mean you can drive yourself to port or take a train to your ship without having to worry about figuring out the logistics or racking up extra expenses for flights and transfers.

If you’re nervous about flying or restricted by medical needs, Mediterranean cruises from the UK are the perfect way to experience an international holiday. Explore some of Europe’s top cities and iconic beach destinations with complete peace of mind.

Med Cruise Itineraries from Southampton

Med cruises from Southampton enjoy the same variety of ports accessed from other departure ports, as well as some less visited ports around Gibraltar and Cartagena. Cruises departing from the UK easily connect top Med destinations to the Canary Islands, which is a great way to introduce more variety into your cruise itinerary.

Cruising the Western Med from Southampton

Some of the very best cruises to the Western Med include overnight stays in port. This a convenient way to get all the benefits of a cruise and stay extension without having to fly anywhere.

We think it’s always worth skipping some of the included ship meals and heading out for a lovely dinner ashore. Overnights are also a fantastic way to double up on your sightseeing, creating two completely unique days for a more immersive experience.

Best of the Eastern Med from Southampton

Eastern Med cruises from Southampton are generally longer in length, giving you more time to really relax with some gentle downtime between ports. These cruises are as much about the ship as they are the destinations. Longer cruises are an ideal way to get to know some of the other guests and can feel more personal with the crew.

Cruising the Italian Med from Southampton

Italian cruises from the UK easily combine the best of Italy with popular ports in Spain such as Seville and Cartagena. P&O offers a superb selection of cruises to Italy from Southampton.

Relocation Med Cruises from Southampton

A few times a year cruise ships follow the changing seasons and reposition to a new region. Relocation cruises take advantage of some of the best cruise deals available and are often longer itineraries that visit off-the-beaten track ports as a once-off annual visit.

Cruise Lines Sailing from Southampton

There are several cruise lines sailing round-trip itineraries to the Med from Southampton namely Marella, P&O, Princess Cruises, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Fred.Olsen and Cunard. Other lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent and Silversea offer a few point-to-point relocation cruises a year, sailing from Southampton to Rome, Venice or Athens.

Like P&O, Princess Cruises offers a family friendly atmosphere complimented by all the luxury trimmings such as tranquil spa facilities and fine dining restaurants. Cunard is a luxurious line that fully embraces old-world cruising, offering three tiers of service to cater for those guests looking for exclusivity within the larger ship environment.

Marella is operated by TUI and offers an affordable all-inclusive cruising with simple, comfortable accommodation. Fred Olsen is a boutique cruise line with small ships, whilst Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are both family-focused cruise lines filled with an array of adventure activities well suited to kids and the young at heart.

Best Time of Year for a Med Cruise from Southampton

Roundtrip cruises to the Med from Southampton take advantage of the shoulder seasons from May to July, and again in October. These months strike the ideal balance between temperate weather and fewer crowds. Shoulder season cruises are ideal for retired folk with time to enjoy some of the longer Med cruise itineraries.

During the peak summer months from July to September, most Med cruises from Southampton also take in the Canary Islands when the weather is hot and the beaches balmy. These cruises combine the Med with an island-style holiday and coincide well with the school holidays. They’re ideal for younger couples and families travelling with children.

Some Med cruises to Southampton are also available in the winter months, such as 14 Night Spain & Portugal on P&O Cruises new ship Iona.

Med Cruise Deals from Southampton

Med cruises from Southampton are often very well priced, and usually include a few sea days to relax and enjoy the ship before heading into port. For added value, look out for cruises that also a drinks package upgrade such as MSC Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line.

Related: Cruises from Southampton