As 2025 draws to a close, the UK’s leading cruise ports—Portsmouth, Southampton, and London (Tilbury)—will host an unprecedented wave of debut itineraries. Between September and December 2025, travellers will have the chance to embark on voyages never before offered from British shores. From luxurious adult-only escapes to Arctic explorations and Baltic cultural tours, this new season underscores the UK’s growing prominence in the global cruise market.
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady to Debut from Portsmouth
Virgin Voyages will launch two new itineraries aboard its striking Scarlet Lady, both departing from Portsmouth:
- 7-Night Round-Trip to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge & Bordeaux – Departing 5 September 2025, this journey will sail to Amsterdam (via IJmuiden), Zeebrugge in Belgium, and Le Verdon, the gateway to France’s Bordeaux wine region, before returning to Portsmouth.
- 13-Night One-Way Cultural Voyage to Barcelona – Departing 12 September 2025, this itinerary will head to La Coruña, Lisbon, Casablanca, Málaga, and Ibiza, finishing in the vibrant city of Barcelona.
Both routes are one-off sailings, marking Virgin Voyages’ bold expansion into UK-based seasonal cruising.
Norwegian Star’s Southampton Adventures
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star will also introduce two distinctive itineraries from Southampton:
- 12-Night Arctic Norway Expedition – Departing 10 October 2025, this round-trip journey offers dramatic scenery and rich cultural encounters in Tromsø, Alta, Kristiansund, Bergen, and Haugesund.
- 9-Night One-Way Europe & Iberia Adventure – Leaving on 22 October 2025, this voyage will visit Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, Le Havre, Le Verdon, Bilbao, La Coruña, and Vigo, before concluding in Lisbon.
These sailings offer passengers the choice between Arctic wonder or southern European warmth, all starting from UK shores.
Borealis Brings a Baltic Winter Fairytale
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will present an enchanting seasonal itinerary aboard the Borealis. Departing Portsmouth on 8 December 2025, the 14-night “Fairytale Castles & Old Towns of the Baltic” cruise will visit Warnemünde in Germany, stay overnight in Tallinn, and call at Helsinki and Turku in Finland, Riga in Latvia, and Copenhagen in Denmark. Passengers will enjoy a blend of festive markets, medieval old towns, and grand European architecture, set against a crisp winter backdrop.
Ambassador Ambience Explores Iberia & France
Ambassador Cruise Line will send its flagship, the Ambience, from London (Tilbury) on 20 September 2025 for a 14-night “France, Portugal & Spain Adventure.” This round-trip will visit La Coruña, Portimão, Cádiz, Lisbon, Leixões (Porto), Le Verdon, and Cherbourg. The itinerary blends Iberian sunshine with French coastal elegance, offering diverse landscapes and cultures in one voyage.
Why These Sailings Stand Out
Diverse Experiences – From Virgin Voyages’ chic adult-only style to Norwegian Star’s Arctic exploration, Borealis’ Baltic cultural deep-dive, and Ambience’s Iberian-French charm, the itineraries appeal to a wide variety of travellers.
Convenience of UK Departures – With sailings leaving from Portsmouth, Southampton, and Tilbury, British travellers can embark without the need for long-haul flights.
First-Time Offerings – These itineraries are entirely new to the UK cruise calendar, promising exclusive experiences for early bookers.
Port Profiles
- Portsmouth – An emerging cruise hub combining modern facilities with historic maritime heritage. Scarlet Lady and Borealis departures make it a key late-2025 player.
- Southampton – A well-established international cruise gateway, perfectly positioned for both northern and southern European voyages.
- London (Tilbury) – A convenient departure point for travellers from Greater London and the South East, now hosting Ambience’s French-Iberian adventure.
Travel Tips for 2025 Cruise Season
Booking early will be essential for these unique departures, as they are not part of recurring schedules. Travellers should consider seasonal conditions—October Arctic sailings may offer chances to view the Northern Lights, while September and early autumn voyages promise milder climates in southern Europe. Winter Baltic cruises will be cooler but bring atmospheric Christmas markets and festive traditions.
A Landmark Season for UK Cruising
From September through December 2025, UK travellers will have access to some of the most diverse cruise options in years. Whether it’s sipping wine in Bordeaux, chasing the aurora in Norway, wandering cobbled streets in Tallinn, or basking in Lisbon’s golden light, these itineraries offer authentic, memorable, and entirely fresh experiences—all without leaving British shores for embarkation.
For seasoned cruise lovers and first-time passengers alike, late-2025 is shaping up to be a golden moment to set sail from the UK.
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