Last updated: 26 October 2026 · By Steve Joury, cargo trip advisor at CargoHolidays
Cruises without flying start and end at a UK port, so you drive or take the train to the ship and sail straight out. Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle and other ports offer everything from three-night breaks to round-the-world voyages. Here’s how to choose – and when a cargo ship is the better option.
Key facts at a glance
Cruises without flying – often called “no-fly cruises” – begin and end at a home port, so there’s no airport, no baggage limits and no jet lag. You simply arrive at the terminal by car, coach or train, check in and sail. For many British travellers, especially families and older passengers, it’s the easiest way to take a holiday abroad.
The UK has one of the best choices of no-fly cruising in the world, thanks to big cruise lines basing ships in Southampton all year.
| Port | Typical itineraries |
|---|---|
| Southampton | Fjords, Canaries, Med, Baltic, transatlantic, world cruises |
| Dover | Northern Europe, fjords, Baltic, Canaries |
| Portsmouth | Shorter European cruises, Atlantic islands |
| London (Tilbury) | Northern Europe, Iceland, Canaries |
| Liverpool | British Isles, Ireland, Iceland, Norway |
| Newcastle | Norway, Baltic, Iceland |
| Rosyth / Greenock / Belfast | Selected Scottish and Irish departures |
Schedules vary by season, so check the latest programmes before planning.
The classic short no-fly cruise: dramatic fjords, waterfalls and small towns. Summer brings midnight sun; autumn and winter offer a chance of the northern lights further north.
Winter sun without a flight, usually with a stop in Spain or Portugal and a day or two crossing the Bay of Biscay.
Spain, Italy, Greece and beyond, sailing round via Gibraltar.
Short sea routes linking great cities, with plenty of time ashore.
A transatlantic liner sails from Southampton to New York, and world cruises take three months or more. See our transatlantic cruise from the UK guide.
| No-fly cruise | Freighter voyage | |
|---|---|---|
| Passengers | Hundreds to thousands | Up to 12 |
| Departure | UK port, fixed date | Usually continental port, flexible date |
| Entertainment | Shows, pools, restaurants | Books, sea views, bridge visits |
| Best for | Families, fixed holidays, short breaks | Quiet ocean crossings, slow travel |
| Doctor on board | Yes | No |
If you want a calm, authentic crossing with a handful of passengers, read shipping lines that take passengers and cargo ship travel cost.
Some river cruise companies offer no-fly packages where you travel to the ship by Eurostar or coach, then cruise the Rhine, Moselle, Seine or Danube. It’s a good option if you’d like a slower European trip without an airport. Check the travel arrangements carefully, as rail connections are sometimes only offered on selected dates.
Yes. Many cruises leave from UK ports such as Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Tilbury, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Popular itineraries include the Norwegian fjords, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Baltic, British Isles and transatlantic crossings.
Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise port.
You save on flights, but prices depend on the itinerary, season and cabin.
A cargo ship voyage, carrying up to 12 passengers, is the main alternative.
Want something quieter than a cruise?
Sail with just a handful of passengers on a working cargo ship. Tell us where you’d like to go.
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