Pre-cruise night at the Voco Southampton, then sail

The Voco Southampton (formerly the Holiday Inn Southampton) is on Herbert Walker Avenue, next to the Western Docks. The position puts it within walking distance of three Southampton cruise terminals. This page covers the pre-cruise stay pattern.

Why this hotel for a pre-cruise night

The Voco is positioned at a similar walking distance to the Western Docks terminals as the Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour. The hotel category is mid-range (3-star), the on-site parking is available, and the cruise-day handover is short.

Distances:

• City Cruise Terminal: about 0.5 miles.
• Mayflower Cruise Terminal: about 0.8 miles.
• Horizon Cruise Terminal: about 0.7 miles.

For Ocean or QEII Terminal sailings, the hotel is further (about 1.5 to 2 miles). Still workable but a taxi makes more sense than a walk.

Which cruise lines benefit most

The Voco's Western Docks position makes it suitable for:

• P&O sailings from Mayflower or City.
• Cunard sailings from Mayflower (QM2).
• MSC sailings from Horizon (Virtuosa).
• Royal Caribbean sailings from City (Anthem of the Seas).
• Celebrity sailings from City.

The arrival

The hotel is on Herbert Walker Avenue, accessed from the M27 via M271 to A33. From M27 J3, the drive is about 10 minutes in normal traffic.

Hotel guest parking is on the property.

The evening

The hotel restaurant is the convenient option. Restaurant options nearby:

• The Westquay shopping centre is a short walk and has multiple restaurants.
• The Marina-area restaurants are a 10 to 15 minute walk.
• Older parts of Southampton's Old Town have independent restaurants.

For a relaxed pre-cruise dinner, the hotel restaurant or a Westquay restaurant covers it.

Cruise morning

A typical pattern:

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out by 11:00 am.
• Drive the short distance to the cruise terminal.
• Hand the car to us at the cruise terminal short-stay car park.
• Walk to check-in.

The drive from the Voco to City or Horizon Terminal is 5 to 10 minutes; to Mayflower, similar.

Cruise day timing

Standard 90-minute arrival applies. From the Voco, leaving at about 2:00 pm for a 4:00 pm sail-away gives comfortable margin.

Taxi cost from the hotel

If you prefer to leave the car at our compound the night before:

• £6 to £10 to any Western Docks terminal.
• £12 to £15 to Ocean or QEII Terminal.

What does not work

The Voco does not allow long-stay parking. The on-site parking is for guests during their hotel stay only.

Booking

For cruise parking, the quote returns the flat price. The Voco Park & Stay page covers the standard pattern.