Getting to your cruise from Yorkshire: a stress-free guide to the ports

Once you're on board, a cruise is one of the most relaxing holidays there is. Getting to the ship is another matter. Most cruises from the UK leave from the south coast, and from Leeds or Bradford that's a long drive with a lot of luggage: formal clothes, shoes, medicines and everything else for one or two weeks away.

The biggest worry for most people is missing the ship. Unlike a flight, there's rarely a later sailing to catch.

• Southampton: the UK's busiest cruise port, with several terminals. Check which one your ship uses, because they are in different parts of the docks.
• Dover: popular for shorter cruises to Northern Europe.
• Liverpool and Tilbury: some sailings leave from here and can be closer depending on your cruise.
• Newcastle and Hull: some sailings, mainly to Scandinavia and Northern Europe, leave from the north-east and east coast.

Your cruise line will give you a boarding or check-in window, usually several hours before the ship sails. Aim to arrive at the start of that window, not the end.

For Southampton, the journey from West Yorkshire can easily take four to five hours with a comfort break, and longer if there are delays on the M1 or M25. Many people choose an early-morning start. Others travel the day before and stay overnight near the port.

1. 1

   Train

   Usually involves changing trains, possibly crossing London, and then a taxi from the station to the terminal. Hard work with large cases.

2. 2

   Driving and port parking

   You'll need to book port parking and drive home after the cruise, often straight after an early disembarkation.

3. 3

   Cruise line coach

   Some lines offer coaches from certain towns. Departure points and times are fixed, and seats can sell out.

4. 4

   Private door-to-door transfer

   A driver collects you from home, loads your luggage, and drives you directly to your terminal. On your return, they can be waiting when you leave the ship.

• Keep passports, cruise documents, medicines and a change of clothes in a small bag that stays with you.
• Attach your cruise luggage labels before you leave home.
• Pack snacks, water and anything you need to stay comfortable on a long drive.
• Let your driver know if you need regular stops.

We offer cruise and port transfers with luggage help, and we plan your pick-up time around your sailing. Groups and families can travel together in a larger vehicle so everyone arrives at the same time.