After a record-breaking year for the cruise sector at the Port of Southampton in 2024, 2025 is off to an impressive start in the first quarter.
With its industry-leading shore power facilities and established cruise hub status, the Port can accommodate cruise vessels year-round. In January, the Port bid farewell to a number of cruise lines as they set off on their World cruises or 35+-day itineraries and continued to welcome cruise line brands AIDA, P&O, MSC, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, among others. In March alone, the Port welcomed 18 cruise vessels and is preparing for its first 5-ship day of 2025 next month.
The Port also celebrated the arrival of its first brand-new cruise ship for 2025 – the Norwegian Aqua, choosing Southampton as a destination for her maiden voyage. During the visit, the ship was commissioned for shore power enabling her to achieve zero emissions when in Port. This Prima Plus-class ship can accommodate over 3,000 guests and features eye-catching attractions such as the Aqua Slide coaster, a hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Glow Court sports complex, and new dining experiences.
This positive start positions the Port well to showcase its capabilities, partnerships, and infrastructure at the Seatrade Cruise Global exhibition from April 7-10 in Miami. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event, and ABP Southampton is delighted to participate again alongside its port partners.
Rebekah Keeler, Cruise Strategy Manager at ABP, said, "2025 will be another fantastic year. We already have more ship calls planned, and the highest number of shore power connections confirmed. We continue to see growth in the global cruise sector, and Southampton is leading the way for the UK and Northern Europe. As a port city, Southampton has welcomed cruise liners since the 1800s, and we are proud to continue offering cruises from Southampton, maintaining our position on the cruise circuit."
Southampton boasts unparalleled sea, land, and air connectivity, making travel to and from the Port effortless. International airports connect Southampton to global passenger markets, while reliable road and rail networks provide easy access. Southampton is ideally situated for a variety of cruise itineraries, whether as a transit point or starting point for routes to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, or other distant destinations.
