Ocean Cruise Terminal, Southampton: postcode, dock gate and transfers
- ✓ TfL-licensed operator · licence 11588
- ✓ Fixed price per car, luggage included
- ✓ Flights tracked · 60 min free airport waiting
- ✓ Driver details sent before you travel
- ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours
The Ocean Cruise Terminal is at Berth 46/47 in the Eastern Docks. Put SO14 3QN in the satnav and use Dock Gate 4. Private transfers from Heathrow start at £146 per car, and from central London at £176.
SO14 3QN
Then follow the port signs for Berth 46/47.
Dock Gate 4
Eastern Docks.
46/47
Shown on your e-ticket as the berth or terminal.
Cunard
Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess.
Where the Ocean Cruise Terminal is
The Ocean Cruise Terminal is at the Eastern Docks, a short drive from the old town and Ocean Village. You enter through Dock Gate 4, off Canute Road and Platform Road. Of the five terminals it is the quickest to reach from the M3 and M27, so it is also the shortest drive from Heathrow.
QEII Cruise Terminal shares the same dock gate, so check the terminal name on your e-ticket as well as the gate.
Terminal allocations change from sailing to sailing. Always go by the terminal and dock gate printed on your cruise documents, and follow the port signs once you are near the docks.
Fixed fares to the Ocean Cruise Terminal
| Route | Saloon (up to 4) | MPV (up to 6) | Road distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | £146 | £161 | 65 miles | about 75–95 minutes |
| Gatwick | £193 | £208 | 90 miles | about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Central London | £176 | £191 | 81 miles | around 2 hours |
One-way fares per vehicle, luggage included, from our booking engine. The same fare applies in either direction. A return booked together is charged at 1.8 times the single fare. Weekday rush hours, Friday, weekend mornings and Christmas dates carry a surcharge, which the booking page shows before you pay.
Price your transfer Or call +44 20 8888 9988.
Which cruise lines sail from Ocean Cruise Terminal?
It is most often used by Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess. Lines do move between terminals, especially on busy days when several ships are in, so the terminal on your ticket is the one that counts.
Transfer guides by cruise line: P&O Cruises, Cunard, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity.
Drop-off, luggage and parking
Your driver takes you through Dock Gate 4 to the terminal drop-off, where porters take the large cases and tag them for the ship. You keep your hand luggage, passports and any medication with you.
If you drive yourself, parking here is CPS valet parking for P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess passengers. Our Southampton cruise parking guide compares the prices with the cost of a transfer.
Arrive at the check-in time on your e-ticket rather than early, because terminals stagger arrivals to keep queues short. See what time to arrive and the embarkation day guide.
Going home from the Ocean Cruise Terminal
On disembarkation day your driver tracks the ship and waits at the terminal pick-up area, so you are not paying for a car while the port clears the ship. Most people are in the car between 08:00 and 10:15, depending on their luggage tag.
Return guides: Southampton cruise terminal to Heathrow, to Gatwick and to London.
Ocean Terminal transfers in winter and on festive sailings
Ocean Terminal sits at Berth 46/47 in the Eastern Docks, reached through Dock Gate 4, and it does not go quiet just because summer has ended. Queen Mary 2 makes regular transatlantic crossings from Southampton, and Cunard, P&O and Princess passengers use the terminal across the year. Winter travellers tend to arrive with more luggage and less daylight, so the drop-off needs to be quick, sheltered and close to the door.
From the M3 or M27 the approach runs through the city towards the Eastern Docks, and motorway fog is the main winter variable. Our drivers allow for it, and on return mornings they follow the ship's progress, since storms in the Channel or out in the Atlantic can shift a berthing time. Six in the morning is the normal berthing time, but the car is timed to the ship, not the clock.
- Kerbside drop at Ocean Terminal rather than a walk from a car park
- A saloon for two large cases or an MPV for four, useful for a transatlantic wardrobe
- Ship tracking for Queen Mary 2 arrivals after a winter crossing
For journeys between the docks and the capital outside cruise days, see our year-round Southampton to London chauffeur route.
Questions
What is the postcode for the Ocean Cruise Terminal?
Use SO14 3QN and follow the signs for Berth 46/47. Check the postcode printed on your cruise e-ticket, as allocations can change.
Which dock gate is the Ocean Cruise Terminal?
Dock Gate 4, in the Eastern Docks.
Which cruise lines use the Ocean Cruise Terminal?
It is most often used by Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess. Your e-ticket confirms the terminal for your sailing.
How much is a transfer from Heathrow to the Ocean Cruise Terminal?
From £146 one way for a saloon (up to 4 people), per vehicle with luggage included. From central London it is from £176, and from Gatwick from £193.
Where do I park at the Ocean Cruise Terminal?
Parking here is CPS valet parking for P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess passengers. Off-site park and ride operators are cheaper but add a shuttle.
Do you run Ocean Terminal transfers for Queen Mary 2's winter transatlantic crossings?
Yes. Queen Mary 2 crosses to New York regularly, and winter departures and arrivals are part of our normal work. We plan the pickup from your boarding time, allow for darker and foggier mornings, and recommend an MPV if you are travelling with formal evening wear and plenty of cases for the crossing.
How do you track a ship due into Ocean Terminal after rough winter weather?
We monitor the vessel against its scheduled arrival throughout the morning, and if heavy weather has slowed it, the collection is pushed back to match, so you are not waiting outside Ocean Terminal in the cold. The driver will be ready when you come through with your bags.
More Southampton cruise guides
- QEII Cruise Terminal guide
- City Cruise Terminal guide
- Horizon Cruise Terminal guide
- Mayflower Cruise Terminal guide
- All five Southampton cruise terminals
- Southampton cruise parking: CPS vs ABParking
- What time to arrive at the terminal
Southampton cruise terminals: QEII Cruise Terminal, City Cruise Terminal, Horizon Cruise Terminal, Mayflower Cruise Terminal, All terminal postcodes.
Parking at the Ocean Terminal
Driving yourself? Compare the port car parks, valet services and off-site options for the Ocean Terminal in our Southampton cruise terminal parking guide, with current prices by terminal. For a door-to-ship car instead, see every area we cover.