Rare badvector Posted April 25, 2020 #1 Share Posted April 25, 2020 Good evening all, Thinking about doing a TA in the future departing from Southampton, UK. For any cruisers that have flown in to do this in the past, a couple of quick questions. Did you fly into London or Southampton? If London, how did you get to the port? (Train/Transfer/etc) Did you stay a couple nights prior to departure and if so, any recommendations? (For either London or Southampton) Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 26, 2020 #2 Share Posted April 26, 2020 We did opposite direction but Fly into LHR or Gatwick Not many international flights to SOU 😉 We used a car service from Hotel in Southampton to LHR but if you are coming in a day or so early you could take the National express bus from LHR to Southampton bus terminal then a taxi to the hotel or walk depending on the location If staying in London prior there is a train from Central London to Southampton & again the National Express bus We stayed at Mercure Dolphin in Southampton https://all.accor.com/hotel/7876/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps We stayed in the units out back of the main hotel which were very nice We stayed in the Adonia suite Good location within walking distance to restaurants & the mall You could also ask on the British Isles forum under the ports of Call for other recommendations We loved Southampton & spent 3 days there would love to return to maybe go to Portsmouth or surrounding towns Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare badvector Posted April 26, 2020 Author #3 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Thank you for the information. We're debating flying in a week early and spending time in both London and Southampton. There are so many places we would like to visit we may just have to do it a couple of times. 🙂 Not sure what airfare will be like next year but if we went this year, it's currently only around $200 USD per person one way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 26, 2020 #4 Share Posted April 26, 2020 16 minutes ago, badvector said: Thank you for the information. We're debating flying in a week early and spending time in both London and Southampton. There are so many places we would like to visit we may just have to do it a couple of times. 🙂 Not sure what airfare will be like next year but if we went this year, it's currently only around $200 USD per person one way. $200 ?? I would grab it LOL I use this site to check routings & pricing then book with the airline https://matrix.itasoftware.com/ use the multi city tab You have plenty of time to plan if doing it next year If you have the time then spend several days in each city allow for the jet lag on arrival day Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted April 27, 2020 #5 Share Posted April 27, 2020 On 4/25/2020 at 4:39 PM, badvector said: Good evening all, Thinking about doing a TA in the future departing from Southampton, UK. For any cruisers that have flown in to do this in the past, a couple of quick questions. Did you fly into London or Southampton? If London, how did you get to the port? (Train/Transfer/etc) Did you stay a couple nights prior to departure and if so, any recommendations? (For either London or Southampton) Thanks in advance! Sailed from Southampton many times, but have never flown in and headed directly to the port. However, as per previous post you have multiple limo options and the National Express Bus. LHR does not have direct train service to Southampton. We usually stay in London a few days, staying in the vicinity of Waterloo Station, which is the departure station for Southampton. Have stayed at the Travelodge Waterloo, which is a couple of hundred yards from the Train & Tube Station. In Southampton, we normally use the Novotel, which is again a few hundred yards from Southampton Central Station. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTNORMANDIE Posted April 28, 2020 #6 Share Posted April 28, 2020 (edited) Gatwick would be the closest major airport. Easy connection to Southampton via the National Express bus service. There is a NE terminal inside the airport. The NE is a very enjoyable bus ride...excellent service. Then a short taxi ride at Southampton to the ship or hotel. Why would you want to stay in Southampton when there are so many interesting places to stay? You can stay in London and take the train to Southampton...less than 2 hours by rail from Waterloo. If you want to avoid the insanity of London you can stay on the South coast. We always spend a few days to unwind before sailing. We love staying in Brighton...wonderful hotels and lots to see and do...great fish and chips. The Southern Rail connects with all the major cities and towns along the coast and offers great service to Southampton. Less than 2 hours from Brighton to Southampton. Then a short taxi ride to the ship. Edited April 28, 2020 by CGTNORMANDIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 28, 2020 #7 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Some may like Southampton after London or in lieu of the busy city We enjoyed it You can catch the train to Portsmouth/ Winchester or Isle of Wight different strokes 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare badvector Posted April 29, 2020 Author #8 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Thanks everyone for all of the info so far. LHT28 pretty much nailed it. We would like to visit the busy city for a couple of days but would like to get back in the relaxed mode prior to jumping on a ship. Personally, I've always been a fan of finding local restaurants, artists and musicians that are hidden in smaller communities that rival what's found in larger cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 30, 2020 #9 Share Posted April 30, 2020 17 hours ago, badvector said: Thanks everyone for all of the info so far. LHT28 pretty much nailed it. We would like to visit the busy city for a couple of days but would like to get back in the relaxed mode prior to jumping on a ship. Personally, I've always been a fan of finding local restaurants, artists and musicians that are hidden in smaller communities that rival what's found in larger cities. In Southampton you can be busy or laid back We liked the location near the High St for restaurants pubs where you interact with the locals Do some research on the areas & see what works for you I would love to spend more time there Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco Posted May 23, 2020 #10 Share Posted May 23, 2020 We were supposed to come home TA July 24th. Sailing was canx. We opted for the 125% credit rather than a refund and this will be next year's trip. But we opted for Cunard's air. Had we been able to go this year, their cost was $161. JFK/London. For any of the T/A's we've on repo sailings, we've NEVER been able to get a price better than what the cruise line offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancer Bob Posted June 7, 2020 #11 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Assuming you're flying from DTW or ORD, you'll probably have a better choice of flights to LHR than LGW, nothing to SOU. I'd definitely want to head for London several days early, then a day or two early to Southampton. The National Express bus station in Southampton is near the rail station. I'm more of an Ibis Budget person, it's next to the Novotel, there are several other good choices close to the High street. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spunks Posted June 7, 2020 #12 Share Posted June 7, 2020 We have always flown into LHR....never been through Gatwick so I cannot speak to it. We usually gone straight to Southampton. We always just take the National Express which is cheap and very easy. Southampton has great pub food( in the pubs of course) and a lively market situation with food and musicians. There is also a very large Mall.....both by the port. Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancer Bob Posted June 7, 2020 #13 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Also, you may have to carry your luggage upstairs and over rough pavement depending on your exact route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stag Posted August 20, 2020 #14 Share Posted August 20, 2020 On 4/25/2020 at 8:48 PM, LHT28 said: . We stayed at Mercure Dolphin in Southampton https://all.accor.com/hotel/7876/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps We stayed in the units out back of the main hotel which were very nice We stayed in the Adonia suite Good location within walking distance to restaurants & the mall You could also ask on the British Isles forum under the ports of Call for other recommendations We loved Southampton & spent 3 days there would love to return to maybe go to Portsmouth or surrounding towns Enjoy Several years ago, we stayed at Mercure Dolphin in Southampton. When we entered the room, We found: We got a room facing the street. It was noisy at night. I would not go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted August 20, 2020 #15 Share Posted August 20, 2020 2 minutes ago, stag said: Several years ago, we stayed at Mercure Dolphin in Southampton. When we entered the room, We found: We got a room facing the street. It was noisy at night. I would not go back. We were not in the main hotel but our unit was in the row units out back It was Easter weekend but we did not have any issues with noise I was surprised because the bathroom window looked right onto the parking area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted October 13, 2020 #16 Share Posted October 13, 2020 I should book just one day in Southampton as it reduces virtually all last day transport curtailments worries. If you "miss the boat" on a TA it cannot be rectified. To be close to the port Leonardos Grand Harbour Hotel Southampton or Holiday Inn Herbert Walker Avenue are two worth thinking about. If you like Hilton Hotels the Hampshire Cricket Ground The Hilton Ageas Bowl is excellent particularly if you get a balcony overlooking the pitch. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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