https://my.pocruises.com/api-mc/mc-getCruiseSummary/v1

Easy and effortless short break escapes
Time to shake up the routine? Sampling a holiday with us has never been easier. Enjoy a three to five night city break, at any time of year. All departing from Southampton.

OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

Please correct the errors below and try again.

You’ll shortly receive an email from us to confirm your sign up. Please click on the link contained within this email to start hearing more from us. If you are unable to find this email in your inbox, please check your junk mailbox.

Find upcoming cruises and enjoy great last‑minute savings.

Feautred cruises

/content/dam/po/content-fragments/en_GB/parent/destinations/short-breaks-2026

/content/dam/po/content-fragments/en_GB/parent/destinations/short-breaks-2027

/content/dam/po/content-fragments/en_GB/parent/destinations/short-breaks-2028

2026

2027

2028

Yes, guests can take alcohol on a mini cruise from southampton.
What drinks can you take on P&amp;O Cruises short breaks?
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion, which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account.&nbsp;
Other alcohol types such as spirits are considered restricted items and guests are prohibited from bringing them on board when they first embark the ship.
*prices subject to change

Can I take alcohol on a Short Break cruise holiday?

Amsterdam is famous for its art galleries and museums (from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank house), beautiful canals, interesting architecture and lively nightlife. You’ll also find a deliciously innovative food scene and, in the spring, thousands upon thousands of tulips covering the city in a kaleidoscope of colours.

What is Amsterdam known for?

It’s always worth checking the local weather before you head off on a Short Break, but in the summer you’ll generally need to dress for the heat (think dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals – and don’t forget your swimming costume) while the winter usually calls for layers and thick coats.
During your days on board, you can dress in whatever you like. However, on all our ships, we have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For nights when the dress code is Evening Casual, you can bring out your best shirt, dress and smart, dark denim. For nights where the dress code is Black Tie, make sure you pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure you check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship. For those travelling on family-friendly ships, dress codes also don’t apply to children aged 17 and under.

What should I pack for a Short Break cruise holiday? 

The best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam depends on what you’d like out of your holiday. Do you prefer the sun or a winter chill? Do you want to see the Light Festival and wander Christmas markets? Or would you rather see the world’s largest flower garden (think miles of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) in bloom in the spring? How about cruising the canals in the heat of the summer sun, cocktail in hand? We visit Amsterdam almost year-round so that no matter your holiday style, you’ll find a Short Break cruise holiday to suit you.

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam?

The best time of year to go on a mini cruise to Bruges is up to you – what do you want from the weather? What activities do you fancy doing? We’ve got Short Break cruise holidays that visit Bruges (from Zeebrugge) almost year-round. If you’re dreaming of walking around a chilly Christmas market with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine) in hand, December is the month for you. Or, if you’d rather be a bit warmer as you cycle through the countryside or wander medieval streets, April or May might be a better choice. A visit in October will add autumnal magic to a stroll along the canals as the leaves fall around you.&nbsp;

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Bruges (from Zeebrugge)?

Summer brings warmth and sunshine to Amsterdam (with an average temperature of around 23°C) while winters are cold and bring a likely chance of snow. Amsterdam’s spring is fairly mild, heating up and drying out as it gets closer to summer, while autumn brings a good chance of rain as it cools down towards the end of the year.

What's the weather like in Amsterdam?

We tend to visit Hamburg in December on our Short Break holidays when it’s fairly frosty. Hamburg usually has highs of 5˚C and lows of 1˚C in December, with an average of 12 days of rain – but you might be lucky enough to be there when it snows.

What’s the weather like in Hamburg?

On our Short Break holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Bruges (from Zeebrugge) in Belgium
Cherbourg in France
Hamburg in Germany
Le Havre in France
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
St Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands

Which countries does P&O Cruises visit on Short Break cruise holidays?

On our mini cruise holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam
Bruges (from Zeebrugge)
Cherbourg
Hamburg
Le Havre
Rotterdam
St Peter Port, Guernsey

Which ports does P&O Cruises visit on mini cruise holidays?

Frequently asked questions

Destinations

It’s amazing how much you can do on a mini cruise to Amsterdam. Why not hop on a small riverboat (or hire a pedalo) and see one of Europe’s prettiest cities from its 165 waterways? You could jump off at the Heineken brewery to quench your thirst, head to the Van Gogh Museum or visit the Anne Frank House for a fascinating and humbling tour.

Set sail on a Zeebrugge mini cruise from the UK with tours to Bruges, and you’ll have the chance to explore a city that’s rich in flavours as well as sights. Look out for the orange and red cocoa bean motif to try treats from one of the Guild of Bruges of Chocolatiers, sip local beers at a cosy bar (there are over 1,000 types) or simply stroll through the medieval cobbled streets and soak up the enchanting atmosphere.

There’s more to France than amazing food! Cherbourg has a wealth of stunning spots you can see during your Short Break, including the beautiful Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Place Napoléon, opposite the statue of the famous leader. The Museum of Liberation offers fascinating WWII insights and stunning views across the harbour. But be sure to make time for the city’s best-loved delicacies too: creamy cheeses and sumptuous local wines.

With its busy port, nicknamed Germany's ‘Gateway to the world’, Hamburg is a city of maritime spirit and beautiful canal-side architecture. Whether you want to marvel at landmarks such as the Baroque St Michaelis Church, pay homage at the Kaiserkeller club – where The Beatles cut their teeth – or simply stroll around and enjoy the sights, there are so many things to do on a mini cruise to Hamburg.

Outdoor portrait of a cute little girl looking on a beautiful canal in Amsterdam

Treat yourselves and the family to a short break cruise holiday during the school holidays. With breaks over all half-terms and summer holidays on either Arvia or Ventura, the choice is yours!

No flights, no hassle. Simply head to the port and the ship will be ready and waiting to welcome you on board. When a hassle-free holiday is at the top of your wish list, it makes sense to choose a Short Break with us.

Our mini cruises are big on adventure. With a choice of destinations such as Amsterdam, Zeebrugge with tours to Bruges, and Hamburg, you can visit up to three exciting places. Some holidays even include a night in port, so you can enjoy the local nightlife.

As soon as you step aboard, your adventure begins. Go for lunch, grab a drink, hit the spa or explore the decks as you sail away. There’s no wasting time at airports – you’re on holiday right from the start of your mini cruise from Southampton.

With so many Short Break cruises to choose from throughout the year, you can pick your perfect itinerary. Whether you want to get away for three, four or five nights, visiting up to three places, you’ll find a short cruise that’s just right for you.&nbsp;

Whether your ideal break involves foodie experiences, sightseeing, discovering local culture or relaxing at a spa, you can do as much or as little as you like on our short cruises from Southampton.&nbsp;

Delicious dining round the clock, show-stopping entertainment, premium accommodation, pools, a gym, activities, film screenings and more. It’s amazing how much the price of your Short Break includes.

Shore experiences

Explore ashore our favourite mini cruise ports

Christmas market at the Hamburg Rathaus Markt - Hamburg, Germany, 2015

With evening and overnight stays in port, you can make the most of wherever you are

Sign up to hear from us

There are refreshments available at the Southampton cruise terminal and plenty of seating to make you comfortable.

Are there refreshments available at the Southampton cruise terminal?

Depending on which cruise you choose, you usually have at least one day at sea before you get to the first port. That means you have at least a full day at sea to get used to your ship and have as much fun as you can squeeze in.

How long does it take to get from Southampton to the first destination? 

Southampton welcomes more than four million visitors each year and is easily accessible from major UK cities by rail, road and air. It’s entirely up to you. You might prefer to drive and park at or near the cruise terminal. Parking at the terminal needs to be pre-booked. Alternatively, why not hop on a coach or train and let someone else do the driving while you relax. And if you live further away, you could always fly into Southampton airport and grab a taxi to the terminal.

What are the transfer options to get to Southampton docks?

There are no size limits for liquid toiletries on P&amp;O Cruises holidays from Southampton. This means you can bring all of your favourite full size toiletries. We allow guests to bring 1 litre of wine or champagne, per person, on board.

What is the liquid allowance on a P&O Cruises holiday departing from Southampton? 

Great news! You’ll be pleased to know that Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona and Ventura sail from Southampton to wonderful destinations all over the world. So take your pick of our Southampton cruises and set sail.

Which ships sail from Southampton docks?

Get to know us

https://www.pocruises.com/frequently-asked-questions

https://www.pocruises.com/request-a-brochure

Support

https://www.pocruises.com/manage-my-booking

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/promotion-terms-and-conditions

https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations

https://www.pocruises.com/new-to-cruising/whats-included

Useful links

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/privacy/cookies

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy

https://www.pocruises.com/company-information

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/consumer-protection

https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/safety-and-security

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions

Footer Bottom

Stay connected

sm-Facebook

sm-Instagram

sm-Youtube

sm-Pinterest

AbtaLogo

AtolLogo

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-details

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-preferences

https://www.pocruises.com/login/pay-balance

https://www.pocruises.com/my-account/brochures/request-a-brochure

Avatar menu

On board

Discover cruising

Help

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/cruise-deals

Short Break cruise holidays

Some of our Short Break cruises

Looking for a last-minute city break?

6 reasons to choose a Short Break cruise holiday

It’s so easy

Amazing destinations

Getting there is half the fun

Lots of options available

Find your perfect balance

So much is included

Where can I visit on a Short Break cruise?

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Zeebrugge (tours to Bruges), Belgium

Cherbourg, France

Hamburg, Germany

School holiday short breaks

Soak up the local nightlife

Explore ashore our favourite mini cruise ports