Transfers

If you purchase a Princess airport-to-ship transfer, you’ll be met by a uniformed Princess representative at the embarkation port airport. For ease of identification by Princess representatives, please make sure your cruise luggage labels are attached to your luggage.

For domestic US flights, you’ll be met near the luggage claim area. For international flights, you’ll be met as you exit the secure customs area. Make sure you claim all your luggage prior to exiting the luggage claim area.

From the airport, you’ll be transferred to your ship or hotel. But if you haven’t purchase your air travel arrangements from Princess, you must provide us with flight details prior to purchase your transfer.

And if you require special assistance, be aware that lift-equipped transportation may not be available in your port of embarkation or disembarkation. Arrangements must be secured in advance to accommodate your needs.

For transfer arrangement details, please contact your travel agent, call 0344 338 8663 or visit Cruise Personalizer®.

Starting Your Journey

Getting to Southampton

By car
If you are joining your Princess ship in Southampton at the Mayflower or City Cruise Terminal you will need to follow the signs for ‘Western Docks’ which will start to appear as you approach Southampton on either the M27 or the M3. On arrival at Western Docks proceed to Dock Gate 10.

If you are joining your ship at the Ocean or QEII Cruise Terminal, follow signs for the Waterfront, to reach Dock Gate 4. If you will be using satellite navigation equipment, the Cruise Terminal postcodes are as follows:

Mayflower Cruise Terminal SO15 1HJ
City Cruise Terminal SO15 1AJ
QEII Cruise Terminal SO14 3GG
Ocean Cruise Terminal SO14 3QN

Southampton car parking
We have made special arrangements for long stay car parking at the Port of Southampton with check-in and vehicle reception at the Cruise Terminals. Upon arrival your vehicle will be checked in and you will be responsible for unloading your baggage, although porters will be on hand to assist. Your vehicle will be driven away by a careful and experienced driver and kept in secure storage until your cruise returns. At the end of your holiday, you will be able to collect your keys from the car park operator who will direct you to where your car is parked.

For details of prices and how to book, please contact
Cruise & Guest Services on 0345 071 3939, open 08:00-17:00 Monday to Friday, or at Cruise & Passenger Services.

Major credit cards are accepted. Please note car parking must be booked no later than 35 days prior to departure.

By rail
Southampton is easily accessible by rail with two stations: Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway. Both the Mayflower, City, Ocean and QEII Cruise Terminals are a short taxi ride from Southampton Central.

By coach
Cruise Connect is a coach transfer service that provides Princess Cruises guests with a simple journey to and from their cruise ship for selected roundtrip Southampton sailings (excluding British Isles) via over 50 collection and drop-off points throughout the UK. To book, please call 0344 338 8690 or visit Cruise Connect quoting your six-digit cruise booking reference.

Southampton is also easily accessible by coach with National Express. For further details, please contact National Express on 0871 781 8181 or visit their website.

All of the Cruise Terminals are a short taxi ride from the coach station.

Late arrival
If you should become delayed on your journey to Southampton and anticipate arriving at the Cruise Terminal after 15:30 hrs please contact our Ground Services staff for advice on:

Mayflower Cruise Terminal - 023 8065 6429
Ocean Cruise Terminal - 023 80717997
Queen Elizabeth II Terminal - 07917 520099
City Cruise Terminal - 07917 520099

Staying in Southampton

For a relaxed start to your cruise, why not travel to Southampton the day before you sail? Simply contact the hotel for further details or to make a booking.

The De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel ☆☆☆☆
West Quay Road, Southampton SO15 1AG
Tel 023 8063 3033
Fax 023 8063 3066

Botley Park Hotel ☆☆☆☆
Winchester Road, Botley Green,
Botley, Hampshire SO32 2UA
Tel 01489 780 888
Fax 01489 789 242

The Hilton - Southampton ☆☆☆☆
Bracken Place, Chilworth,
Southampton SO16 3RB
Tel 023 8070 2700
Fax 023 8076 7233

Holiday Inn - Southampton ☆☆☆
Herbert Walker Avenue,
Southampton SO15 1HJ
Tel 0871 942 9073
Fax 023 8033 2510

Holiday Inn - Eastleigh
Leigh Road, Eastleigh,
Hampshire SO50 9PG
Tel 0870 400 9075
Fax 023 8064 3945

Getting to Dover

By car
If you are joining your Princess ship in Dover you are advised to travel on the M20/A20 and the cruise terminal is clearly sign-posted on arrival. Further maps can be found on the Port of Dover website.

If you will be using satellite navigation equipment, the cruise terminal post code is: CT17 9DQ

Dover car parking
You are advised to book parking online from Port of Dover website. Parking places at peak season (June-August) cannot be guaranteed if they are not pre-booked.

Alternatively, Dover Port Parking offer a secure long or short term parking facility, with minibus transfers to and from the terminal.

To book please call 01304-211718 or visit the Dover Port Parking website.

By rail
Dover is easily accessible by rail. Trains from London leave from either Victoria Station or Charing Cross. From the station it is a short taxi ride to the docks.

By coach
Dover is also easily accessible by coach with National Express. For further details, please contact National Express on 0871 781 8181 or visit National Express.

Late Arrival
If you should become delayed on your journey to Dover and anticipate arriving at the cruise terminal after 16.00 please contact our Ground Services staff for advice on 01304 201201.

Getting to the airport

By car
Heathrow and Gatwick airports are well sign-posted for guests travelling by car. Heathrow airport lies of the M4 motorway and Gatwick airport lies of the M23 motorway. Glasgow airport lies 8 miles to the west of Glasgow city of Junction 28 of the M8 motorway. Manchester airport is situated 10 miles south of Manchester city centre of Junction 5 of the M56. Birmingham International airport is only 1 mile from Junction 6 of the M42. East Midlands airport is situated 1 mile from Junction 23A of the M1.
Cardiff International airport is located 10 miles from Junction 33 of the M4, and Doncaster Sheffield airport is easily accessible from several major motorways.

By rail
Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are accessible by train from central London. Manchester and Birmingham International airports are also well served by rail. Please check with National Rail Enquiries for train times.

The nearest train station to Glasgow airport is Paisley’s Gilmour Street station, just two miles from the guest terminal. Doncaster Sheffield airport is linked to Doncaster station with a regular shuttle service, and Cardiff International airport is linked to
Cardiff Central station with a regular shuttle service.

The nearest train stations for East Midlands airport are in Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham, Long Eaton and Leicester.

A combined bus and rail ticket is available for travel via Loughborough, Derby and Nottingham railway stations to the airport, which allows more convenient connections between bus and train.

By coach
All airports are easily accessible by coach with National Express. For further details please call 08705 808080 or visit National Express.

If you need to get from Heathrow to Gatwick airport or vice-versa, Princess Cruises can issue pre-paid coach tickets. These are available on request and will be sent with your ticket pack.

At the airport

Airport car parking
We have teamed up with a company called APH who can arrange airport car parking at all the airports we use (with the exception of Doncaster Sheffield). APH is one of the UK’s leading booking agencies for secure parking and offers a choice of different car parks at each airport. You can benefit from a 25% early booking discount (dependent on how far in advance you book) and a further 5% discount if you quote our reference PRC when you call. For details of prices and how to book, please call 0870 737 7671 or visit their website and advise APH that you are a Princess Cruises guest quoting the reference PRC. APH accept all major credit and debit cards. We would recommend reserving your car parking space early at all airports to avoid disappointment.

Airport check-in
Please refer to your flight confirmation for full details on which airport and terminal to go to for your flight. We recommend that you report to the check-in desk for your international flight no later than three hours before the departure time shown on your airline ticket. If you also have a domestic flight, the recommended check-in time is one hour before the departure time shown on the domestic ticket. The minimum connecting time between a domestic and international flight as advertised by the airlines is three hours. Please note that these times are subject to schedule change and you should check your airline tickets for the most up-to-date departure times.

You will have to present your airline ticket, passport and luggage to the airline staff at check-in and you will also be required to show your valid passport to a HM Immigration Officer. All non-British guests (except EU nationals) will have to complete a Government Embarkation Card (IS 29A) and these are available at the immigration desk.

For those guests with connecting flights within the USA, you will need to check in your luggage for your connecting flight at the first port of entry into the USA, at the relevant airline check-in desk. Please also take note of the airline instructions given to you onboard the aircraft with regard to this. You will also need to clear immigration upon your arrival at the first port of entry into the USA.

Guests and their luggage are carried by the airline subject to the terms and conditions of contract on their air ticket. Under the terms of the contracts with the airlines the right is reserved to operate a substitute aircraft should the nominated type not be available.

Airline seat assignment
Although we are happy to note your seat assignment requests, Princess Cruises cannot confirm any of these in advance. We therefore recommend early check-in on the day of departure.

Security
In the interest of your own security your attention is drawn to the following points:
• If you have been given a present or other articles by anyone with the request that you take it with you on your flight you should inform an airline representative, police or customs official immediately.
• Do not accept such presents or articles from anyone after checking in for your flight.
• Do not leave your luggage unattended at anytime.
• In accordance with international policy there will be a physical check of hand luggage by security personnel prior to boarding the aircraft.
• You may be asked to produce electrical items for inspection by the airline representatives or security staff at the airport.

UK Customs information
If you need help or assistance with UK customs information, please contact HM Customs and Excise National Advice Service available on 0845 010 9000 from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday or their local number as shown in your telephone directory. Alternatively you can visit their website.

Flights

Flights

Princess offers a variety of flight options to purchase with your cruise, depending on your chosen itinerary and personal preferences. If you book your cruise more than 320 days before the return date of your cruise holiday, you will be offered a set price for your flights and we will confirm the flight details around 10 months before your departure. If you book your cruise within 320 days before the return date, our innovative Plane Sailing programme is designed to seamlessly coordinate your air travel with your cruise itinerary.

Plane Sailing

Within 320 days of your cruise return date, our Plane Sailing programme allows you to review up-to-the-minute flight schedules, with competitive, real-time Princess airfare pricing and inventory for only those flights that complement your cruise. Plus, you'll find a host of other exciting benefits:

Competitive airfare pricing – See real-time airline availability from multiple carriers at competitive Princess rates in a side-by-side layout for easy comparison.
Holiday Package Protection – If you book your flights with Princess you’ll have peace of mind that your cruise holiday package (including your flights) is protected by our Air Travel Operators License (number 6294). Further, in the event of an airline delay or cancellation, we will do all we reasonably can to ensure that you can continue your holiday with minimal disruption. In particular, if a delay or cancellation means that you miss your cruise embarkation, we will work with our airline partners to seek to re-arrange your travel arrangements to enable you to embark at the next appropriate port.
Immediate flight confirmations – Your preferred airline, route and flight times will be confirmed at the time of the flight booking.

Princess Cruises’ Plane Sailing programme offers two distinct pricing options, each with specific features and benefits depending on your travel needs:

Flexible Fares

Flexible fares are designed for those guests who have less certainty in their travel plans and want the freedom to cancel their flight arrangements easily. These fares are typically higher than Restricted fares, but include the following added benefits:

Flight payment is due on the date of the final cruise payment – not at the time of the flight booking.
Flight charges are fully refundable until 54 days prior to departure.
There are no fees for flight changes made until 54 days prior to departure. Guests will only pay any additional costs if they change to a more expensive flight, which will constitute the creation of a new flight. The new flight will be priced at the newly booked fare, which can be higher or lower than the original fare booked. Fees up to the value of the ticket may be charged within 54 days of departure.

Restricted Fares

Our Restricted fares will typically be lower than our Flexible fares, with the following terms:

Cancellation charges up to the full cost of the flights apply from the moment the flight booking is made.
Payment is due immediately upon time of flight booking by credit or debit card.

Policy	Flexible Fare	Restricted Fare
Pre-Plane Sailing	Air add-on available as early as 18 months before sailing	N/A
Using Plane Sailing Tool	From 320 days up to 4 days before departure air available via tool	From 320 days up to 4 days before departure air available via tool
Selection of preferred airline, flights and travel date	No charge	No charge
Confirmation of airline and flight schedules	At time of booking unless outside of 320 days	At time of booking unless outside of 320 days
Airfare	Competitive and updated in real-time based on current airline inventory	Competitive and updated in real-time based on current airline inventory
Cancellation	No fee up to 54 days prior to departure. Fees apply within 54 days	Cancellation fees may be up to the full value of the ticket
Payment Due	Same date as cruise final payment date. Paid with final balance	Immediately at time of air booking with credit card
Flight Disruption Coverage	Peace of mind that your cruise holiday package is covered and in the event of disruption we will work to assist you	Peace of mind that your cruise holiday package is covered and in the event of disruption we will work to assist you
Changes to Air Reservation	No fee up to 54 days prior to departure, guests will only pay for additional flight costs. Fees apply within 54 days	Cancellation fees may be up to the full value of the ticket

Learn more about the Princess Plane Sailing program.

If you have already booked a cruise, login to Cruise Personalizer to learn more about Princess Plane Sailing.

If you have not booked a cruise yet, search for cruises and airfare.

Terms and conditions for all flights booked through Plane Sailing:

Fares and availability are not guaranteed until the flight booking is confirmed. Tickets are non-transferable. Fares are per person, and include all flight taxes and fees with the exception of locally payable airport taxes. Fares may not include baggage fees for some low cost carriers or some US domestic flights which may vary. Please contact your airline for further details. Tickets are no longer valid after the flight departure time and cannot be refunded, exchanged or transferred to another flight. Failure to check in for your flight will result in your flight booking being cancelled (this includes your return flight if applicable). All flights will be issued with e-tickets. Reconfirming flights is the customer's responsibility; please contact your airline for confirmation of your return flight times. With both restricted and flexible fares, any changes to flights (e.g. different dates) and name changes will require cancellation and rebooking of flights. Changes and cancellations will incur cancellation charges up to the full cost of the ticket, per ticket. For restricted fares cancellation charges will apply from the time of making the booking. For flexible fares, tickets are fully refundable up to 54 days prior to departure, and cancellation charges will only apply to changes and cancellations made 54 days or less from departure, however the original fare and schedule may no longer be available and a new reservation will be made at the current available price. If the current available price exceeds the original fare, the customer must pay the additional charge, even if this occurs more than 54 days from departure.

British Airways

Fly in style with British Airways.

Flight Guidelines for Non Princess Flight Guests

Princess Cruises has established the following air flight guidelines for guests who choose to purchase air from a source other than Princess. Please select the port(s) of embarkation and/or disembarkation from the list below to view the air flight guidelines.

The times listed below are subject to change.

Shuttle Services

In ports where the main town or point of interest is relatively close to the cruise terminal, a shuttle service may be provided, using a local carrier. These shuttle services will run throughout the day on a rolling service, to and from the ship.

Details on whether we are able to provide shuttle services, how to obtain a ticket (if required) and how much Princess charges for this service (if applicable) is only available once onboard. We regret that no information regarding shuttles can be offered prior to the cruise departing.

Details of any available shuttle services will be available in the Princess Patter, our onboard newspaper, which is delivered to your cabin each evening and is a comprehensive summary of the next day’s activities.

Where the cruise terminal is some distance from the main town or point of interest, Princess will provide details of local travel links in the Princess Patter, including train and bus information, where available. Local Taxis are regularly available at the port entrance. Passengers managing their own activities in port must ensure that they arrive back to the ship in plenty of time for sailaway, information regarding Sailaway times will be provided in the Princess Patter.

Alternatively passengers may prefer to book an “On Your Own” shore excursion which will transfer you to the main town or point of interest, and collect you again at a pre-arranged time. Shore excursions are available to book approximately 120 days prior to travel and can be pre-booked via the Cruise Personalizer®.

En-route Contact Numbers

If you need to contact Princess whilst travelling, you can reach Princess Cruises UK on 0344 338 8663.

If you should become delayed on your journey to Southampton and anticipate arriving at the Cruise Terminal after 15:30 hrs (Mayflower Cruise Terminal, Ocean Cruise Terminal, Queen Elizabeth II Terminal or City Cruise Terminal), please contact our Ground Services staff for advice by calling +447715182038 or +447909226603.

You can also reach Customer Assistance from the US or Canada by calling 1 800 545 0008, or from outside of the UK, US and Canada by calling +1 661 284 4410.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Cruise FAQ

Onboard FAQ

Post-Cruise FAQ

Cruisetours FAQ

Common Questions and Topics