The easiest cruise in Britain: drive or train to Southampton, walk aboard, and wake up in Norway. No airport, no luggage limits, no jet lag - and a week that costs less per night than most UK hotel breaks.
The route at a glance
Seven nights, roundtrip from Southampton, March to November. P&O's signature no-fly week is the Norwegian fjords circuit on Iona, Arvia or Britannia: two sea days crossing the North Sea in each direction, with Stavanger, Olden, Ålesund and Haugesund as the usual ports and slow scenic cruising through the Innvikfjorden, Nordfjord or Sognefjord between them. Alternative no-fly weeks run to France and Spain or the Channel ports, but the fjords week is the bestseller for a reason: it delivers the most dramatic scenery reachable without a flight.
Who this route suits
Best for UK travelers avoiding flying - for medical, environmental or simple-hassle reasons - for first-time cruisers testing the water, and for families in school holidays who want one straightforward week. Two sea days and four gentle ports suit most mobility levels, and everything is priced in pounds with no currency surprises. Less ideal for sun seekers (pack layers, not swimwear), for travelers who want more than four ports in a week, and for anyone based far from the south coast - though regional rail links make Southampton easier than most airports.
What it costs
Seven-night fjords weeks from Southampton list from £651 to £697 per person inside on spring 2027 dates, with school-holiday and summer weeks from £849 on ships like Britannia; balconies run from about £1,129, suites from £1,979. Drinks, specialty dining, excursions and tips are extra - budget £50-80 a day onboard for a comfortable spend. The fare comparison that matters is against a UK hotel week, and the cruise usually wins once food is counted.
The five-minute version
- Seven nights, roundtrip Southampton; March to November, no flight needed.
- Four fjords ports, two sea days, hours of scenic fjord cruising.
- Inside from £651-849, balcony from about £1,130.
- Extras: drinks, excursions, tips - budget £50-80 a day.
- Want longer in the fjords? The twelve-day Norwegian fjords route goes deeper north.