United Kingdom Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call

166 ships from 32 cruise lines

United Kingdom cruises at a glance

Waterways Cruise lists 1,188 upcoming sailings on 166 ships from 32 cruise lines visiting United Kingdom, calling at 71 places. Cruises can start in Southampton, London, Dover, Leith, Portsmouth, Belfast and 2 more and end in Southampton, London, Dover, Leith, Portsmouth, Belfast and 2 more. Of 1,189 upcoming sailings, 434 start in the United Kingdom and 429 end there. More British Isles cruises.

Request exclusive rates Read the United Kingdom cruise port guide → Sailing data updated October 31, 2026

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Compare United Kingdom cruise lines

See every United Kingdom cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a compact, history-dense archipelago where a cruise can trace Roman walls, medieval castles, industrial cities, and wild coastlines. It rewards travelers who want substance over spectacle and honest storytelling. The main risk is crowds and heritage-tourism queues; the solution is small-group or private shore excursions, early entry, and a willingness to linger in less-famous towns. Because so many cruise lines visit the UK, the risk of feeling herded is real—so choose a smaller or premium ship, book private guides for the big sights, and walk when you can.

Typical routes

  • Ocean round-Britain and British Isles cruises
  • Small-ship coastal and island cruises

Ports overview

The UK is one of Europe's most varied cruise destinations. Ocean cruises circle Britain and Ireland, often starting from Southampton or Liverpool. Smaller ships reach the Hebrides, Orkney, and the west coast of Scotland. River cruising is limited compared to the Rhine or Danube, but the Thames and Caledonian Canal offer intimate alternatives.

Cruise season

April through October; May, June, and September are best for daylight and mild weather. The Caledonian Canal season runs from late April to mid-October.

Find your United Kingdom sailing

Upcoming sailings calling at United Kingdom, earliest departure first.

1,188 Sailings Found
Southampton, United Kingdom

22 Days One-Way from Southampton to Stockholm

Departs Southampton

Starts in United Kingdom. Also visits Norway, Denmark, Germany

Silver Spirit

Departs
June 27th 2028
Duration
21 nights
From
$13,600
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +12 more ports
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Copenhagen, Denmark

27 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Dover

Disembarks Dover

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Denmark, Sweden, Finland

Seabourn Quest

Departs
June 29th 2028
Duration
26 nights
From
$18,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +12 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Copenhagen, Denmark

41 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Dover

Disembarks Dover

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Denmark, Sweden, Finland

Seabourn Quest

Departs
June 29th 2028
Duration
40 nights
From
$27,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +21 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

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Helsinki, Finland

28 Days One-Way from Helsinki to Southampton

Disembarks Southampton

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Finland, Estonia, Sweden

Caribbean Princess

Departs
June 30th 2028
Duration
27 nights
From
$4,268
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +16 more ports
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Helsinki, Finland

36 Days One-Way from Helsinki to Southampton

Disembarks Southampton

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Finland, Estonia, Sweden

Caribbean Princess

Departs
June 30th 2028
Duration
35 nights
From
$5,451
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +22 more ports
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London-Tilbury, United Kingdom

13 Days One-Way from London-Tilbury to Belfast

Departs London Disembarks Belfast

Starts and ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Ireland

Viking Sky

Departs
June 30th 2028
Duration
12 nights
From
$8,299
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +7 more ports
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Copenhagen, Denmark

13 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Southampton

Disembarks Southampton

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Denmark, Norway

Seven Seas Voyager

Departs
July 1st 2028
Duration
12 nights
From
$28,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +3 more ports
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London-Tilbury, United Kingdom

13 Days One-Way from London-Tilbury to Belfast

Departs London Disembarks Belfast

Starts and ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Ireland

Viking Lyra

Departs
July 3rd 2028
Duration
12 nights
From
$8,299
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +7 more ports
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Dover, United Kingdom

13 Days One-Way from Dover to Reykjavik

Departs Dover

Starts in United Kingdom. Also visits Faroe Islands, Iceland

Seven Seas Prestige

Departs
July 4th 2028
Duration
12 nights
From
$35,398
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +4 more ports
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Stockholm, Sweden

15 Days One-Way from Stockholm to Southampton

Disembarks Southampton

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Sweden, Estonia, Finland

Oceania Vista

Departs
July 5th 2028
Duration
14 nights
From
$6,799
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +7 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Dublin, Ireland

35 Days One-Way from Dublin to Budapest

Port call

Visits United Kingdom. Also visits Ireland, Netherlands, Germany

Scenic Pearl

Departs
July 6th 2028
Duration
34 nights
From
$16,884
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +17 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Copenhagen, Denmark

21 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Southampton

Disembarks Southampton

Ends in United Kingdom. Also visits Denmark, Norway, Iceland

Caribbean Princess

Departs
July 7th 2028
Duration
20 nights
From
$3,142
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +10 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

Where United Kingdom cruises start and end

Embarkation ports (15)

Aberdeen (100) (cruises from) · Belfast (215) (cruises from) · City of London (40) (cruises from) · Dover (144) (cruises from) · Dundee (20) (cruises from) · Greenock (114) (cruises from) · Inverness (13) (cruises from) · Islay (3) (cruises from) · Kyle of Lochalsh (4) (cruises from) · Leith (256) (cruises from) · Liverpool (77) (cruises from) · London (117) (cruises from) · Portsmouth (86) (cruises from) · Southampton (476) (cruises from) · Troon

Disembarkation ports (15)

Aberdeen (100) · Belfast (215) · City of London (40) · Dover (144) · Dundee (20) · Greenock (114) · Inverness (13) · Kyle of Lochalsh (4) · Leith (256) · Liverpool (77) · London (117) · Oban (24) · Portsmouth (86) · Southampton (476) · Tilbury

166
Cruise ships
32
Cruise lines
71
Places ships visit
17
Embark / disembark places

Ships by type: 139 ocean 20 river 14 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.

Plan your United Kingdom cruise

United Kingdom cruise port guide

Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.

United Kingdom cruise port guide →

More British Isles cruises

Ireland · Jersey · Guernsey · Scotland

British Isles cruisesBritish Isles cruise ports

Frequently asked questions about United Kingdom cruises

How many places do cruises visit in United Kingdom?

71 United Kingdom places are visited by 166 ships from 32 cruise lines.

When is the best time to take a United Kingdom cruise?

April through October; May, June, and September are best for daylight and mild weather. The Caledonian Canal season runs from late April to mid-October.

Sources and further reading

Background on United Kingdom draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.

Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by , Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.

Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026

Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.

Cruise Disclosure

Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.

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