Help Getting From Birmingham To Southampton Please!

[chris301up]

Hi all. I am trying to book a cruise for myself and Wife for our 50th wedding anniversary in August. Travelling anytime from October onwards. Have found a cruise that she will like but this departs from Southampton and finding it difficult to find a way to get there from Birmingham. There is a company who provide this cruise, who are apparently based in Southampton area (won't mention name) who include coach transfer for what we require. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding transfers. My Wife struggles walking so we are looking to make it as easy as possible. Train could be the answer but hauling luggage and changing trains could present a major issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Aulanis]

Hi Welcome to cruise critic.

We have gone with  Eavesway travel once and it was excellent and

have booked with them again.  We book direct not through the ship.

 

Here is a link to the Princess/P&O  which might give an idea of prices

and pickup points.  They only do transfer for specific cruise lines and

you need to get the right one. I could give a more accurate reply if

you said which cruise.

https://www.eaveswaytravel.com/po-princess-timetables-2024

 

We have started to use them  due mainly to the Rail strikes.

There is another firm Intercruises but have not used them.

 

Train wise its not too difficult there is a Cross Country train that

goes from Manchester direct to Southampton  Via Birmingham

( I think it stops at New St  and the Airport one)

https://www.google.com/search?q=trains from Birmingham to Southampton April 4

WE used that a couple of times but   the times changed and the trains from Preston to Birmingham   didnt match well with the cross country train.

They seemed to have more luggage space than Avanti.

Edited February 20 by Aulanis

[Aulanis]

Just as a further thought/warning   the eavesway coaches have

most of the seats  up 4 or5 steps.   They only have 2 seats downstairs

and you would need to check if they are available before booking, if that would be a problem.  

[John Bull]

Hi, and welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Yes, it's a big website and it takes a while to get the hang of it - we've all been there, including technophobes like yours truly 😏

It looks like you've found your way to this forum - and it's well worth persevering because the different forums on Cruise Critic are a source of a wealth of information about cruise lines, aboard the ships, ports-of-call etc etc etc

 

Both P&O and Fred Olsen cruises provide coach travel to the cruise ports for most of their cruises from pick-up points around the UK. If there's a pick-up point reasonably close to you, that's got to be the easiest way. Friend or taxi to the pick-up point, coach drops you at the cruise terminal, coach driver loads & un-loads luggage, coaches have toilets & possibly a comfort stop at a motorway services, all very simple and easy

 

But cheapest is booking a National Express coach.  There's just the one suitable direct coach (9.15am from Birmingham coach station to Southampton coach station, arrives 12.35 ), £16.30 pp each way, then a short taxi hop to your cruise terminal. No panic to book it soonest, but don't leave it til late because it might book-out and that's the only direct coach that suits. Again, the driver loads & unloads your bags. Most (all?) Nat Express coaches have disability lifts  Again, a toilet on the coach.

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

 

Or there's an hourly direct train service from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central station. Suitably-timed trains at 10.03 or 11.03 , buy advance tickets about 2 months before your cruise at about £85 return pp. (There's talk of the Govt requiring train operators to simplify the minefield od train fares, but don't hold your breath.)

Again, a short hop from the station to your cruise terminal.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

------------------------------------------

 

To avoid pitfalls I suggest you stick to Brit cruise lines like P&O or Marella or Fred Olsen or Ambassador. Mebbe an American or Italian cruise line next time.

 

Can I suggest that you use a cruise-specialist travel agent (sorry, quoting travel agents' names here isn't permitted).

Use the web to figure what cruises interest you - but then contact the agents the old-fashioned way, by phone. So much better talking to an agent. Try two or three - get information and prices, then go back to the most helpful agent - if their price isn't the lowest, gently ask if they can match it or include freebies like a cabin upgrade. But for a cruise virgin the most helpful agent is worth their weight in gold, even if they're not the cheapest

 

Good luck

 

JB 🙂

 

 

. 

[ziggyuk]

Would National Express not do the trick, 3hr 20min with no changes and starting at £11.90PP for early booking for October?

[ziggyuk]

1 minute ago, John Bull said:

Hi, and welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Yes, it's a big website and it takes a while to get the hang of it - we've all been there, including technophobes like yours truly 😏

It looks like you've found your way to this forum - and it's well worth persevering because the different forums on Cruise Critic are a source of a wealth of information about cruise lines, aboard the ships, ports-of-call etc etc etc

 

Both P&O and Fred Olsen cruises provide coach travel to the cruise ports for most of their cruises from pick-up points around the UK. If there's a pick-up point reasonably close to you, that's got to be the easiest way. Friend or taxi to the pick-up point, coach drops you at the cruise terminal, coach driver loads & un-loads luggage, coaches have toilets & possibly a comfort stop at a motorway services, all very simple and easy

 

But cheapest is booking a National Express coach.  There's just the one suitable direct coach (9.15am from Birmingham coach station to Southampton coach station, arrives 12.35 ), £16.30 pp each way, then a short taxi hop to your cruise terminal. No panic to book it soonest, but don't leave it til late because it might book-out and that's the only direct coach that suits. Again, the driver loads & unloads your bags. Most (all?) Nat Express coaches have disability lifts  Again, a toilet on the coach.

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en

 

Or there's an hourly direct train service from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central station. Suitably-timed trains at 10.03 or 11.03 , buy advance tickets about 2 months before your cruise at about £85 return pp. (There's talk of the Govt requiring train operators to simplify the minefield od train fares, but don't hold your breath.)

Again, a short hop from the station to your cruise terminal.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

------------------------------------------

 

To avoid pitfalls I suggest you stick to Brit cruise lines like P&O or Marella or Fred Olsen or Ambassador. Mebbe an American or Italian cruise line next time.

 

Can I suggest that you use a cruise-specialist travel agent (sorry, quoting travel agents' names here isn't permitted).

Use the web to figure what cruises interest you - but then contact the agents the old-fashioned way, by phone. So much better talking to an agent. Try two or three - get information and prices, then go back to the most helpful agent - if their price isn't the lowest, gently ask if they can match it or include freebies like a cabin upgrade. But for a cruise virgin the most helpful agent is worth their weight in gold, even if they're not the cheapest

 

Good luck

 

JB 🙂

 

 

. 

 

Sorry, I duplicated what you said about National Express, we must have been typing at the same time.

[momofmeg]

4 hours ago, chris301up said:

Sorry. I don't know how to. It's just took me nearly an hour to post my previous question. Its quite complicated for us olds

I take it you live in the UK. Well, I don't, so it should be harder for me.  I know we once took a train from London to Dover when we spent a few days in the UK before the cruise. The last cruise we took the cruise line sponsored coach (bus) transportation from the airport. We had flown in the day before and stayed near the airport so that was simpler. That was Dover too, but I would think it would be similar. We saw other cruisers at the airport that same day that were leaving from Southampton. I have no idea though if the cruise line would offer it from the Brimingham airport. I see it is a 2-hour drive so they may would, as Dover was that far from Heathrow   Have you thought of getting a family member to drive you since your wife has mobility issues. That would be the easiest on her.

[MBP&O2/O]

I looked at trains from Northumberland .....everyone needed a change at Birmingham  from whence it was a straight single no change journey.

[Island2Dweller]

There is an hourly train (CrossCountry service) that runs from Manchester to Southampton.  It calls at Wolverhampton, New Street and International on the way, not sure which of those stations will be most convenient for you. 

No changes required.

[DarrenM]

As you said Birmingham to Southampton, there are many direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Southampton Central. Easily the best way to travel with disabilities. Staff at the stations are very helpful. Its a 2..5 hour journey.

 

Its no more than a 10 minute taxi ride from Southampton Central to the cruise terminal.

 

Even 1st Class train tickets are only £100 each.

[chris301up]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your kind advice. The company I have now decided to book with provide coach service from Birmingham to Southampton direct to the ship. The train was not an option for us and is not direct service apparently? We would have to change at least once. I think we should be sorted now? Thanks again

[John Bull]

9 hours ago, chris301up said:

Hi everyone. Thank you for your kind advice. The company I have now decided to book with provide coach service from Birmingham to Southampton direct to the ship. The train was not an option for us and is not direct service apparently? We would have to change at least once. I think we should be sorted now? Thanks again

 

Yes, taking the train from Rowley Regis involves a couple of train changes and takes about 3 1/2 hrs.

But if you take a taxi for the 8 - 10 miles to Birmingham New Street the hourly train services from there are direct and an hour quicker.

 

But the coach to the ship is easy - and because everyone on the coach is taking that cruise it's like your holiday starts from the moment you board it. 

 

Have a great cruise

 

JB 🙂

[momofmeg]

On 2/21/2024 at 10:39 AM, chris301up said:

Hi everyone. Thank you for your kind advice. The company I have now decided to book with provide coach service from Birmingham to Southampton direct to the ship. The train was not an option for us and is not direct service apparently? We would have to change at least once. I think we should be sorted now? Thanks again

 I am glad you found something that works for your wife. The train would be harder. I liked they had a luggage rack for our luggage, but we took our luggage on and off. The cruise line coach services do that for you so would be much better for you since I am sure you would have the burden of moving the luggage on and off the train. Happy 50th BTW!

[Aulanis]

Hi  @chris301up you seem to be following this thread rather than the other so

hope this finds you.

 

Having got transport to the ship sorted if you post which cruise you are on

we may be able to point you to  a "Roll Call" thread where, if it is well supported,

you might get some useful tips on the places you visit.

[chris301up]

12 minutes ago, Aulanis said:

Hi  @chris301up you seem to be following this thread rather than the other so

hope this finds you.

 

Having got transport to the ship sorted if you post which cruise you are on

we may be able to point you to  a "Roll Call" thread where, if it is well supported,

you might get some useful tips on the places you visit.

Hi. I didn't think you were allowed to mention any company names etc?

[Host Hattie]

Just now, chris301up said:

Hi. I didn't think you were allowed to mention any company names etc?

The rule applies to travel agent names.

[chris301up]

Not sure if the name is a travel agent. Booked through internet for P & O cruises

[Host Hattie]

I have merged your two threads. P&O are a cruise line, it's fine to mention them.