Portsmouth

England

Dive into emerald waterfalls and volcanic hot springs hidden within lush rainforests just minutes from the cruise port.

Currency British Pound Sterling (GBP)

Language English

Time Zone GMT (UTC+0)

Best Time to Visit May–Sep

Typical Duration 14 nights

Price Range $1,211–$9,990 per person

Port Type Departure & Port of Call

Tender Port No

Portsmouth is a historic naval port offering easy access to the English Channel and Northern European cruises, with iconic attractions like the HMS Victory and rich maritime heritage.

Cruises that visit Portsmouth

Build Your Day in Portsmouth

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM

Usually about 10 hours ashore

Embarkation port — worth arriving early

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Gunwharf Quays Lots of shops selling expensive items often at sale prices. Outlet mall · ★ 4.4 · 34k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Some interactive exhibits educational and fun. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 17k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Spinnaker Tower Great thing to do, we did build a teddy and it was amazing. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 10k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM

Cascades Shopping Centre Cascade opens up latest fashion trends , affordable shopping experience Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 9k Closed · Opens 8 AM

Royal Navy Museums: HMS Victory Not just a regular walk through a museum, but an interactive experience. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 8k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Mary Rose Museum Amazing exhibit with different artefacts and immersive experiences to enjoy. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 7k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Portchester Castle Entrance cost seems reasonable and it's an excellent visit for a few hours. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 5k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Port Solent - The Boardwalk Shopping Centre The shops are generally dog friendly, the eateries are mostly not, indoors. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 5k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Clarence Pier Really fun, good range of activities, clean and fresh! Amusement park · ★ 4.2 · 5k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Primark Friendly staff and many good quality clothes made from recycled materials! Clothing store · ★ 4.3 · 3k Closed · Opens 9 AM

The Still & West, Old Portsmouth A good selection of beers, and great service from the welcoming bar staff. Pub · ★ 4.4 · 3k Closed · Opens 11 AM

The Old Customs House, Gunwharf Quays A wide and varied drinks selection with great staff. Pub · ★ 4.2 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth The outside playground is huge and full of fun things for kids to do. Tourist attraction · ★ 3.7 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM

The D-Day Story Very interactive, accessible and great for sensory input. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Scarlet Tap Super friendly staff, delicious cocktails and great atmosphere. Pub · ★ 4.8 · 3k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Ocean Retail Park Lots of free parking space, and good variety of shops Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 2k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Royal Navy Museums: HMS Warrior Lots of decks to explore so works even on a rainy days. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 2k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Portsmouth International Port Stress free experience even with a party of 12 children and numerous adults. Ferry service · ★ 4.2 · 2k

The Briny Visited 11/6/25 Fantastic food, great Venue and lovely staff . Seafood · ★ 4.4 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Brewhouse & Kitchen - Portsmouth Always a nice experience, good beer, good food, great music! Pub · ★ 4.4 · 2k Closed · Opens 11:30 AM

The Bridge Shopping Centre Beautiful, spacious, airy.. many shops, loads of parking spaces! Shopping mall · ★ 4 · 2k Closed · Opens 8 AM

The Dockyard Pub Portsmouth Great atmosphere, amazing vibes and some of the best tasting drinks around! Pub · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 11 AM

Algarve's Grill Incredible food, delicious cocktail, brilliant service and fun atmosphere. Portuguese · ★ 4.7 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Brasserie Blanc Portsmouth We did the Virgin food experience here and it exceeded our expectations. French · ★ 4.6 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM

The Liquorist Portsmouth Brilliant drinks, staff and atmosphere, the DJ really made our night! Cocktail bar · ★ 4 · 2k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Rapscallions Southsea Great venue, great cocktails, great atmosphere, great service! Bar · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 4 PM

Go Rogue Amazing drinks, amazing vibes, Tegan served us give her a raise Bar · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 5 PM

Round Tower I visit often and always have an entertaining time. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Giggling Squid - Portsmouth The food and drinks were both top-notch, and the atmosphere was just right. Thai · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Farm Kitchen Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. Mediterranean · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 8 AM

The Alchemist Portsmouth excellent service, good atmosphere, lots of food and drinks to choose from. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Royal Navy Museums: Portsmouth ... class museum, with so many fascinating and learning activities. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery This FREE museaun has varied galleries including interactive for children. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM

H&M Wide range of clothes and prices are fair. Clothing store · ★ 4.1 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Portsmouth Natural History Museum A small museum tucked away in a corner of Canoe Park with a butterfly house! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Portsmouth Cathedral Free to visit and easy to stop into while exploring the city. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Exploria It's great for kids and lots of activities to burn off their energy. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM

The Rocka Restaurant Drinks were great, food was amazing and the interior was beautiful! Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Ottoman Kitchen Portsmouth Great atmosphere, diligent service and the food was outstanding. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Ugly Bird Asia Grill Incredible food, awesome vibe and really attentive staff! Chinese · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 4 PM

River Island Very classy, quality products and lovely friendly staff. Clothing store · ★ 3.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Smoke and Mirrors Fabulous food, wonderful cocktails and the service was excellent. Restaurant · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 PM

Sip & Solve Great fun, great staff, delicious themed cocktails. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 12 PM

Quiz Clothing Clean and tidy store with reasonably priced quality womens clothing. Women's clothing store · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

The Portsmouth Ghost Walk Exciting and well worth the price which was so reasonable. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k

The Rooftop Top night, great live music and great cocktails 🕺🏼🎶🍹 Cocktail bar · ★ 4 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Portsmouth is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Portsmouth

About Portsmouth

Portsmouth stands as a vibrant cruise destination in Northern Europe, welcoming five major cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, and Silversea. While primarily a port of call rather than an embarkation point, Portsmouth offers passengers convenient access to 38 upcoming cruises, with most voyages spanning 14 nights to exciting destinations like Barcelona, Bergen, Cartagena, Málaga, and Zeebrugge. The port enjoys peak popularity during spring and early autumn months, from March through May and again in August and September.

Stepping ashore in Portsmouth, cruise passengers discover a historic maritime city steeped in naval heritage. The waterfront itself captivates visitors with iconic attractions and excellent shopping, while the charming city center lies just a short walk away, offering everything from traditional pubs to contemporary dining. Whether you're seeking a few hours of exploration or a full day of discovery, Portsmouth delivers the perfect blend of history, culture, and modern amenities that make it a memorable cruise port experience.

Historic Naval Heritage Comes Alive

Explore Portsmouth's legendary maritime past at the Historic Dockyard, home to HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson's flagship from the Battle of Trafalgar. Walk the same decks where history was made, tour the Mary Rose Tudor warship, and immerse yourself in 500 years of naval excellence just steps from your ship.

Fresh Seafood at the Waterfront

Savor authentic British seafood at waterfront restaurants in Old Portsmouth, where local catches feature prominently on menus. Enjoy traditional fish and chips, fresh oysters, and locally-caught sea bass while watching the Solent waters where your ship arrived, experiencing Portsmouth's authentic maritime food culture.

Stunning Coastal Walks and Views

Stroll along the scenic Southsea seafront promenade, featuring Victorian charm, pebble beaches, and panoramic views across the Solent. The peaceful waterfront walk offers perfect photo opportunities and a refreshing escape, with the iconic Southsea Castle and pier providing quintessential English seaside atmosphere.

Quirky Independent Shops and Markets

Discover unique treasures in Portsmouth's eclectic Old Town, where narrow cobbled streets hide independent boutiques, vintage shops, and local artisan stores. Browse handcrafted goods and British souvenirs unavailable elsewhere, supporting local merchants in this charming historic quarter near the waterfront.

Spinnaker Tower's Thrilling Perspective

Ascend the iconic Spinnaker Tower for breathtaking 360-degree views of Portsmouth, the Solent, and the Isle of Wight. This striking modern landmark offers a thrilling contrast to the city's historic attractions, with interactive exhibits and a glass floor for the adventurous.