Port of Southampton to Host Seven Maiden Calls in 2023.

The Port of Southampton is set to host seven maiden calls in 2023 after it hailed 2022 a “successful and significant” year.

This year, the port is due to welcome 492 cruise calls and will host maiden calls from a further seven cruise ships, including new builds MSC Explora 1 and Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova.

In 2022, the port saw 600 cruise days and eight plaque and key ceremonies for Azamara Onward, Celebrity Beyond, Silver Moon, Norwegian Prima, Aida Perla, Aida Cosma, Enchanted Princess and P&O Cruises’ Arvia.


Continuing its work to promote air quality initiatives, in spring the port switched shore power on at two of its five terminals – Horizon and Mayflower – and since then has supported 15 ships to plug in a total of 42 times for zero emissions at berth.

Rebekah Keeler, head of the cruise at Associated British Ports, said: “We’re proud to provide award-winning cruise operational support year-round to the world’s biggest and smallest cruise ships.


“Supported by our port-based cruise services providers, we look forward to another successful year in 2023.”

Oasis of the Seas in Southampton

Oasis of the Seas in Southampton

Oasis of the Seas has now finished having her refit and finally came into the port of Southampton earlier today. It was a big deal to have the world’s largest cruise ship (joint with her sister Allure) stop off at the UK’s port. Many visitors made their way to Southampton just to get a glimpse of just how larger Oasis is.

If you were not lucky enough to see Oasis of the Seas in Southampton, there are pictures over on the Daily Echo, as well as a video of her entering the port below. This was such a big occasion and so we had tug boats spraying water, as well as helicopters circling her as she manoeuvred into City Cruise Terminal.

Oasis of the Seas video 1

This is the first time that Oasis of the Seas has visited the UK, and so took a lot of skill to get such a large ship into port, although the experience of the Captain and pilots made certain everything went smoothly.

Many cruise lovers made the trip down to Southampton in order to see just how magnificent this giant of a cruise ship is.

She is due to set sail again later tonight, once the more than 6,000 passengers have boarded. Once she leaves port, the destination will be Fort Lauderale, Florida, calling at Vigo, Spain along the way.

 Oasis of the seas in Southampton

Oasis of the Seas Video 2