On 25th April Southampton’s Mayflower Cruise Terminal reopened following a multimillion pound refurbishment that enables it to cater for some of the largest cruise vessels afloat, long into the future. The terminal, which handles a significant proportion of the city’s cruise turnaround calls, now features a remodelled open plan interior, with expanded security, check in and passenger reception areas.

It will provide passengers with an enhanced experience at the start and finish of their holiday. The increased number of cruise ships visiting Southampton, coupled with the rising capacity of new ships, means P&O Cruises, Cunard and other brands of the Carnival Group, are expecting passenger volume to increase by 25 per cent at Southampton over the next two years. P&O Cruises’ 116,017gt/2008 built Ventura was the first ship to call at the revamped facility on the opening day.