Cruise clients looking to avoid crowded airports, baggage restrictions, cramped aircraft cabins and even jet lag can now explore the world by setting sail from ports in the UK.

Long gone are the days when a cruise started at a busy airport. Today’s no-fly options include voyages to admire the Statue of Liberty, swim with pigs in the Bahamas, or walk the golden dunes of the Namibian desert.

Boasting world-class facilities, a myriad cruise lines to choose from, and none of the endless queues, baggage restrictions and security nightmares, cruising from a UK port is the stress-free way to travel.

Southampton

MSC Virtuosa at Horizon Cruise Terminal, Southampton. Image: MSC Cruises

Dover

Set against the iconic White Cliffs, Dover is the UK’s second-largest port dealing with more than 200,000 passengers a year at its two terminals.

Hurtigruten and Saga Cruises use Dover as its primary port for voyages to Northern Europe and the Arctic, while Carnival, Fred Olsen, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Oceania and Holland America sail to the Caribbean, Canary Islands, and Northern Europe.

We suggest: An 18-night No-Fly Classical Italy & Western Australia with Saga on Spirit of Discovery departing Dover on June 4, 2023, starts from £4,795pp for a balcony cabin, all-inclusive. 

Make an entrance at Dover cruise terminal… Image: Rebecca Barnes

London Tilbury

While London Tilbury port isn’t actually in the capital – it’s at the head of the River Thames in Thurrock, Essex – more than 100,000 passengers pass through the terminal’s listed building each year, with Ambassador Cruise Line, Saga, Oceania, Ponant, NCL, Viking, Azamara, and Windstar sailing out of the historic port which is also known as London Cruise Terminal.

Destinations include Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canaries, Central and South America and the Panama Canal.

We suggest: A 120-night Grand Round World Cruise on Ambassador Cruise Lines’ Ambience departing London Tilbury on January 6, 2024, and calling at 35 ports; from £7999pp for an inside cabin.

Hot tubs on Ambience. Image: Ambassador Cruise Line

Liverpool

Steeped in culture and history – well, this is the city that gave us the Beatles – The Three Graces dominate the Unesco World Heritage waterfront view at Liverpool’s Pier Head where passengers disembark downtown.

Since opening in 2007 the port has welcomed 700 ships, one million passengers and boosted the local economy by £72 million.

P&O Cruises, Viking, Ponant, Cunard, Ambassador and Fred Olsen sail from here to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canaries, Norway, Iceland, Northern Africa, Canada, and the Arctic.

We suggest: A 10-night Whales, Waterfalls and Geysers of Iceland cruise with Fred Olsen on Borealis departing Liverpool on June 16, 2023 starts from £1,399pp for an interior cabin.

The Three Graces, Liverpool. Image: Pixabay

Newcastle

Capable of handling up to 2,000 passengers at a time, the Port of Tyne guarantees travellers a North East welcome as they head to the sun in the Canaries or in search of the Northern Lights in Norway. The port saw 11,000+ turnaround passengers in 2022.

Fred Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Line sail from Newcastle to Northern Europe, the Arctic, and the Mediterranean.

We suggest: A 12-night Arctic Voyage to North Cape and Land of the Midnight Sun on Ambassador Cruise Lines’ Ambition departing Newcastle on June 17, 2023; from £879 pp for an inside cabin.

Newcastle Upon Tyne. Image: Ryan Booth/Unsplash

Portsmouth

Home to the famous historic dockyard, with Admiral Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, and Mary Rose museum, Portsmouth has just as much to offer travellers as its busier neighbour, Southampton.

With direct trains to just five minutes’ from the port and parking within strolling distance of the terminal, Portsmouth deserves its moniker of the UK’s ‘best connected’ port.

Saga, Noble Caledonia, Aurora Expeditions, Silversea, Swan Hellenic, Sea Cloud and Oceania, sail to destinations including the Caribbean, Fjords, The Arctic, and Mediterranean.

We suggest: A 14-day Northern Europe and the British Isles cruise on Silversea Silver Endeavour on May 4, 2024, starts from £8,050pp all-inclusive for a classic veranda suite.

Stay warm in the Observation Lounge on Silver Endeavour, sailing from Portsmouth in 2023. Image: Silversea

Greenock, Scotland

Originally established as a herring fishing port, Greenock has seen a 25 per cent growth since last year, with 150,000 passengers expected to pass through the port in 2023.

Close to the town’s rail station with frequent trains to Glasgow, Greenock – officially known as Clydeport – has boosted the Scottish economy with its new £19.2 million cruise ship visitor centre where passengers are greeted by bagpipers.

Hebridean Islands Cruises homeports from here, sailing to Europe as well as the Scottish islands. Clients can also set sail on Hurtigruten and Ponant.

We suggest: A four-night Secrets of Argyll round trip cruise on Hebridean Princess departing Greenock on November 7, 2023 starts at £1, 810pp.

The River Clyde. Image: Alistair McIntyre/ Pixabay