Cruises from UK

If you live in the UK and are about to plan your next holiday, you should know about the benefits of taking a cruise from the United Kingdom.

Generally, when planning to take a cruise holiday, one must factor in the time and added expense of a flight to the departure port. Not true if you live in the UK.

When you take a short drive to one of the 10 ports available for your cruise you avoid the stress of flying and the hassle of airport security. Jump in the car and go straight to the car park facilities at the port. You can take as much luggage as you want, without worrying about them being overweight or those annoying baggage charges. Just be sure it will all fit in your cabin!

Cruising from the UK can be as simple as two-night cruises to Bruges or Amsterdam or they can cross the Atlantic to New York City. If you are looking for a Transatlantic or a Mediterranean cruise, be sure you do your research and find one with plenty of shipboard activities to occupy yourself until you reach your ports of call.

Let’s take a look at the ports of departure

• Dover – Dover is one of the best ports for your cruise departure. Cruise facilities are on the western docks of Dover, with two port terminals. Their facilities are some of the most modern in the UK. While in Dover before your cruise, take the opportunity to see a little of the area before you set sail. You can take a shuttle bus to see the town center and the historic Dover Castle perched above the White Cliffs. As you depart from Dover, you will have a magnificent view of those famous White Cliffs.
• Edinburgh – You can use the Port of Leith in Edinburgh as your departure point. Leith is located 3 miles from Edinburgh city center and is one of Scotland's largest ports. The waterfront area of Leith has been completely refurbished in recent years and it is now an exciting leisure and retail complex. The Royal Yacht, Britannia, is permanently berthed there. Scandinavia is the destination of many cruises that depart from Edinburgh’s Port of Leith, and are very popular. 
• Greenock – Ocean Terminal was officially opened 40 years ago as a specialist container terminal, but over the years last 20 years it has diversified to be one of Scotland’s best cruise facilities with natural deep water. Ocean Terminal is fast becoming an important cruise port, vital to Scottish tourism as a gateway for overseas visitors.

• Harwich – Harwich has been a major port for hundreds years and is now an embarkation point for many cruise holidays. It is also England’s main car ferry port serving the North Sea. The port of Harwich has much historical significance and there are guided tours you can take to see the sites while waiting to depart. Harwich has an enchanting lighthouse that is now a maritime museum and a Mayflower exhibition, since Harwich was the homeport for the Mayflower. Stories of the pilgrims readying for transport to America are depicted. Harwich also has Redoubt Fort, which was built as protection against Napoleon and his armies.
• Hull – The Port of Hull, mainly a foreign trading port is on the Humber River that empties into the North Sea. But Hull also has the only passenger port on this river. Hull offers cruise departures with Cruise and Maritime Voyages and daily ferry crossings to Rotterdam in the Netherlands or Helsinki, Finland. Hull also offers cruises that travel north along the coast to Yorkshire. There are even mini cruises from Hull to Belgium and the seaport of Bruges. 
• Liverpool – Not only does Liverpool have a port from which to embark on a cruise holiday but also it has become one of Europe’s popular stops for a city break. So why not arrive at you’re port-of-call a day early and see the sites of Liverpool. Cruises out of Liverpool may take you around the British Isles, or even to the Canary Islands. While in Liverpool, you can discover the roots of the Beatles or enjoy Liverpool’s cultural assets like museums, galleries, and theaters.
• Newcastle – The Port of Tyne is the departure point for many cruise itineraries. If you are heading to the Baltic or Scandinavia, sailing from here will save you almost a full day at sea versus departure from more southerly port cities. Newcastle also offers the newly refurbished waterfront, boasting plenty of restaurants and public art to keep you busy before your ship leaves.
• Portsmouth – Portsmouth offers many benefits as an embarkation point for cruises from the south of England. It is easily accessible by train and car. Fred Olsen Cruises now offer many cruises from this port. 
• Southampton – When looking to book a cruise from the UK, you should know that Southampton is the “Cruising Capital” of the UK, with most of the finest cruise lines sailing from there. Cruises from Southampton generally go to the Baltics, the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands. 
• Tilbury out of London – Many Londoners begin their cruise from the Port of Tilbury at the London Cruise Terminal. It is located at the head of the River Thames. It is London’s only deep water cruise facility. An added benefit of beginning a cruise from Tilbury is the fantastic view you will have of London and its sites as you head out to sea.

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