What is the time to return to the ship in Southhampton?

[Meri Oliveira]

I will be on board the MSC Euribia. It will stop in Southhampton. I want to visit London. Could anyone tell me what the last time it is to return to the ship?

[MBP&O2/O]

Probably an hour before the ship sails? Allow a couple of hour's travel each way ... to allow for hold ups and problems.

[John Bull]

Since this will be a berthed port-of-call, half-an-hour before advertised sailing time at the latest would be normal though folk tend to allow for longer.

 

Because of the distance your time in London will be quite limited.

 

Your ship will almost-certainly be at Horizon Cruise Terminal, but double-check that on https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

 

If you go to London by train.....

Horizon Cruise Terminal is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from Southampton Central station.

Take a train to London Waterloo station, there are 2 to 3 per hour, journey time is about 90 minutes.. Don't take a train to London Victoria station - they're less-frequent and take 2 1/2 hours 😮

You need to check at what time you are likely to be able to disembark, then from about 8 weeks out you can buy on-line cheap "advance" tickets - for return tickets that's £25 to £30 instead of £55. But those cheap advance tickets are only good for the train time that you've booked - miss that train and you'll have to pay the full walk-up fare for the next train.

For the return to Southampton aim to catch the second-to-last or even the third-to-last possible train, leaving at least one train to spare in case you are delayed heading back to Waterloo station.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/

 

Alternatively consider a  private or shared tour (check your cruise Roll-Call to see if anyone is looking for sharers) or ship-sponsored coach tour.

 

But don't even think about renting a car to drive the sights of London 😮

 

JB 🙂

[Meri Oliveira]

Dear Lee, thank you very much for all the explanations, you helped me a lot!

[nosapphire]

And - DO check for train strikes before purchasing an advance ticket.