The Battle of the European Cruise Ports
Traditionally Southampton has been the main port for UK cruisers and has been the main port in Europe for English-speaking ships. Home to the world’s most famous cruise line Cunard and the quintessentially British P&O Cruises.
Barcelona is now making an impact on Southampton’s crown, with low cost airlines growth, fly cruises have become more popular and cruises to the Med are attracting some of the world’s top cruise ships.
With Mark Hughes and cruising being the main links between the cities, would comparing ports be like comparing their great football clubs, or more akin to comparing Matt Le Tissier with André Iniesta?
Port v Port
Barcelona and Southampton offer two very different options as cruise terminals. Cruises from Southampton offer easy access, cruise only holidays. Okay so parking can be a pain, but it’s much easier than having to worry about the luggage restrictions of flying. Instead of spending your morning in an airport lounge you can stroll straight onto your ship in time for lunch.
Cruises from Barcelona are an ideal way of enjoying a variety of Med Cruises. You can add a few nights in one of Europe’s finest cities and there are itineraries from 7 to 11 nights on a variety of ships.
The two ports are really quite different. Barcelona is similar to its football club. The capital of Catalonia is full of culture, vibrancy and flair. Steeped in history and enjoying a diverse and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Southampton is a city full of history and legend, but no longer lives up to its former glory days. Plus it rains more in Southampton!
Ships Ahoy
The two destinations boast a superb variety of ships, from some of the largest at sea to six star über liners.
Southampton is the home of British cruising and throughout the year you can choose from the luxurious Cunard Fleet, such as the much awaited Queen Elizabeth, P&O’s full selection of stunning ships, including their newest and largest ships the Ventura and Azura, and the traditional and smaller understated Fred. Olsen ships. There is also the glitz and glamour of one of the largest ships to be based in Europe, the Independence of the Seas, the American-style luxury of the Celebrity Eclipse and two of Princess’ favourites the Crown Princess and Grand Princess. Throw in the high-end, ultimate luxury of Regent Seven Seas Voyager and the Italian-style, more causal fun of the MSC Opera and you have something for everyone.
Barcelona in return offers a selections of some of the finest four & five star ships to grace the European seas. Sister ship of the Independence, Liberty of the Seas and NCL’s latest offering, the Norwegian Epic are the other two of Europe’s three largest ships. The much anticipated Celebrity flagship Celebrity Solstice and Holland America’s newest luxury liner, the Nieuw Amsterdam are top of the 5 star luxury list. The Ruby Princess offers a more understated answer to American-style cruising and Disney Magic is perfect for families. For a real Med feel MSC’s top ships the MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia are both cruising from Barcelona. And to top it all off the two six star, all-inclusive, and rather elegant ships that are the icing on the cake are Silver Seas’ Silver Wind and the Regent Seven Seas Mariner.
The Winner Is…
To sum up the cruise ships on offer Southampton has a great selection of British-style ships, and can offer more variety in destinations, with the Med, the Canaries, the Baltics and Transatlantic all regular offerings. The port is easier to get to for most of us and accounts for the vast majority of British cruisers.
Barcelona on the other hand offers more ships with American and Italian-style glamour, some of the newest ships to escape the Caribbean and fantastic year round weather. To top it off they also have a better football team, that even Le Tissier would struggle to get in!
British elegance, a variety of destinations and the lack of need for flights definitely has its benefits, but a few days of Catalan culture, a trip to the Camp Nou and the wonderful weather of the Med definitely sways me. Only problem now is which ship to choose!
For people like myself who would love to go to the Monaco GP finding a centrally located hotel of a luxury standard on race day is near impossible. The idea of jumping on a four day cruise that arrives first thing Sunday morning and leaves on Monday afternoon on a 5* luxury ship for a fraction of the cost of a 5* hotel in Monte Carlo does appeal.
The only problem is that this cruise deal doesn’t start until next season as this year is looking like a cracker. The Red Bulls are flying but having a few issues, Ferrari aren’t far behind and have two talented drivers with former champ Alonso and there eternal unofficial number two of Massa, and not forgetting the Battle of Britain at McClaren with two British champs, the smooth driving defending champ of Button vs the prodigal son of Hamilton. Let just hope the 2011 race looks as exciting as next month’s encounter.
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