Majestic Princess - British Isles 12 Day Cruise - Embarkation - Southhampton, England

 July 9, 2026

We had our last breakfast at the hotel and finished the last-minute packing. Everything didn’t go perfectly on our pre-trip but mostly it was a success. We had “minded our last gap” and Greg navigated the Underground, trains, and busses with ease. 

We called an Uber to get to Southhampton and arrived before noon and check in was prompt and our cabin was ready. The only thing that was slow was the elite line for security, the regular line moved much quicker. This is our 58th cruise. (not all on Princess)

We met our cabin steward Jacinto. We went up for lunch and it was our first encounter with the “fustercluck” that was the buffet set up. Multiple stations with the same thing and as you went round and round it was impossible to find your table back. (labeled sides like A & B would help) The last time we used the Medallion (their version of a key card) you could order drinks anywhere on the ship. (like at the buffet or lounges) This time you ordered from a person and the only place you could use it was to order food or drink to your cabin. It never worked well as they could never find you, so I guess that is an improvement. It automatically unlocks your cabin door when you approach so that is nice. 

We explored the ship and got settled in our cabin. We didn't take many photos of the ship, but I have included them. Had dinner in the dining room and sat with some interesting people. (Oddly about a week later we were seated with the same 2 couples)

balcony cabin 

view of Southhampton from the balcony

atrium

sanctuary (now open to all)

map on the ship

indoor pool & spa area

party in the atrium on the last night

 

The show was vocalist James Doughty. As luck would have it, we had the same Cruise Director Andy that we had on the World Cruise in 2023. He was terrible then and not much better now. It was his first time doing a world cruise and he seemed like he was used to only doing 7 day Caribbean cruises as that’s all the bad jokes he had. He was quite intimidated by Cole who was the CD for the first segment and used to be a Princess dancer and people loved him. So, Andy went out of his way to put him down. He also put down many ports that he had never visited. Most CD’s try to sound positive about every place does not belittle them. He referred to the Suez Canal as being nothing to see but sand on one sand and sand on the other. He learned it actually was pretty interesting with monuments and armed guards in the towers and people on land etc.

 We had an early morning, so we turned in early. It was our first experience with being blinded by their automatic lights “for our safety”. Every time you got up the light under the nightstand turned on. (that wasn’t too bad) As you approached the bathroom a spotlight comes on (fine in the daytime) and I can tell you when it’s dark and suddenly you are blinded by the spotlight I can tell you if I had trade secrets I would have talked. No way to dim it or permanently stop it. Not a plus in our book. (just a few of the reasons we won’t rush back to Princess again)

 Tomorrow, we visit Portland, England.

Web Albums: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ikKobdXe5fVYVxVL7