Harwich Cruise Port: Sailings, Terminal and Getting There

Harwich International Port has just one terminal, sitting on Parkeston Quay about 70 miles from London, with the A120, A12 and its own railway station delivering you right to the door. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines sails round trip from here to the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic and round Britain, and the old town’s worth a wander before you go.

Which cruise lines sail from Harwich

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is the main operator sailing from Harwich, running round trip departures all year, including sailings to Ireland. It also runs shorter mini cruises from Harwich, two to four nights, which cost less than the longer sailings and suit a short break rather than a full fortnight away.

You’ll sometimes see Ambassador Cruise Line listed against Harwich sailings too, but its real UK homes are Tilbury and Newcastle, so have a look at cruises from the Port of Tilbury if that fits your dates better. Fred Olsen’s autumn and winter brochure, for what it’s worth, is mostly Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Dover, so even its main operator doesn’t always sail from Harwich.

Harwich has always been a modest cruise port. Even in the height of summer, a ship usually calls only every other day at its busiest, and Harwich International Port’s own history records just 12 cruise ship visits in its quietest year since sailings began. So it’s worth checking sailings directly with the cruise line before you book, rather than trusting a single listing site.

For other UK embarkation points, have a look at this overview of cruise options from UK ports, or check Fred Olsen’s current sailings directly for the latest Harwich departures.

Harwich cruise terminal: check-in and facilities

Harwich cruise terminal has a pre-boarding lounge that seats 300 and a café right next to it for a coffee while you wait. Someone will help with your luggage from the drop-off point all the way through to check-in, so you’re not hauling bags across the car park yourself.

Inside you’ll find free Wi-Fi, a tourist information point, currency exchange, cash machines, vending machines and a photo booth. It’s fairly basic as terminals go, but it’s air-conditioned, there’s room to spread out, and a handful of shops sit alongside the café.

Disabled access has clearly been thought through: lifts run from the car park, there are disabled toilets both before and after check-in, wheelchairs and valet parking are on offer, and staff help with priority boarding. Baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets are provided too.

Getting to Harwich International Port by road and rail

The A120 and A12 connect easily to the London airports, and the direct train from Harwich International railway station into central London takes about an hour.

If you’re driving, head straight to the terminal to drop off passengers and luggage before you park.

Parking at Harwich International Port

Parking at Harwich International Port is charged on a sliding scale: short stops cost little, and the price climbs the longer the car sits there. The long-stay daily rate for cruise passengers quoted elsewhere runs noticeably higher than the port’s general short-stay tariff, so confirm the current price directly with the port when you book.

The cruise car park runs on number-plate recognition, so there’s no ticket to lose, and you pay at a machine rather than a barrier on the way in. Follow the signs to the designated car park, not the terminal itself; a free bus covers the five-minute hop to the terminal from there.

Where to stay near Harwich cruise port

Staying in Harwich itself the night before makes sense if you’ve got an early check-in, since the town has hotels within walking distance of the terminal rather than you needing to trek in from somewhere bigger. The same spots work just as well for a night after you get off the ship, if you’re not heading straight home.

• Fryatt Hotel & Bar, on Garland Road, is about a one-minute walk from the port, so it’s your closest bet for an early morning check-in.
• Pier Hotel takes up two refurbished historic buildings on the quayside next to the foot ferry, with the terminal under 10 minutes away by car.
• Alma Inn & Dining Rooms sits right next to the Pier Hotel, about a five-minute drive from the terminal, and it’s pet-friendly, handy if you’re bringing the dog along for an early sailing.

Luggage storage at Harwich cruise port

Luggage storage at Harwich cruise terminal isn’t officially confirmed, though short-term storage at the terminal does get mentioned here and there. What is certain: neither Harwich International station nor Harwich Town station offers left-luggage.

If you’re off the ship early with a flight later in the day, or arriving the night before with bags to drop, book luggage storage near the terminal before you travel rather than hoping you’ll find something on the day.

Where to eat near Harwich cruise port

The best place to eat near Harwich cruise port is around Ha’penny Pier, a short walk from the terminal, where fish and chips by the water is practically the law.

• Fish and chips – the classic order here, eaten on a bench overlooking the harbour at Ha’penny Pier.
• Fresh seafood – sold from a kiosk right on the pier, good for a quick bite on your way between the ship and the old town.
• Tea, coffee and cake – from a café near the foot ferry, a good stop once you’ve watched the ferry come and go.
• Bakery provisions – on the High Street, from one of the town’s two traditional bakers, handy for picking up something to take back on board.

Best photo spots in Harwich

The best photo spots in Harwich sit in the old town rather than at the port itself, starting with Ha’penny Pier.

• Ha’penny Pier – one of the only working wooden piers left in the UK, its distinctive L-shape gives you wide views over the harbour and the River Stour; get there early morning to watch the day’s catch come in.
• Dovercourt Bay – a stretch of golden sand with views over the North Sea and Felixstowe Point, where the High and Low lighthouses once guided ships in before they were decommissioned.
• Redoubt Fort – a restored fort with sea views and a collection of weaponry on display.

What to wear in Harwich: outfit ideas for a port day

What to wear in Harwich comes down to how much walking you’ve got planned, since the old town’s streets are cobbled and Dovercourt beach is stony rather than sandy underfoot.

• Flat, sturdy shoes beat sandals on the cobbles and on the beach; comfortable walking shoes are worth packing if you’re covering the old town and the pier on foot.
• A windproof layer earns its keep on the walk towards the Alma Inn, where the coast path is exposed and breezy.
• Bare feet or thin sandals aren’t much fun on Dovercourt beach, given how stony the ground is.

For more ideas, have a look at these casual cruise outfit ideas for women and cruise outfit ideas for men.

Harwich cruise port FAQs

Where do cruise ships dock at Harwich?

Cruise ships dock at Harwich International Port’s single berth on Parkeston Quay, on the River Stour’s south bank about a mile upstream from Harwich town.

Which cruise lines sail from Harwich?

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is the main operator sailing from Harwich, with Ambassador Cruise Line occasionally listed too, though its main home ports are Tilbury and Newcastle. Check current sailings directly, since the line-up shifts by season.

Are there cheap cruises from Harwich?

The most affordable option from Harwich is usually a short mini cruise, two to four nights around the UK and Ireland, which costs less than the longer Fjords or Baltic itineraries from the same port.

Is there a Norwegian Fjords cruise from Harwich?

Norwegian Fjords cruises from Harwich run as round trips with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, sitting alongside its Baltic and British Isles itineraries as one of the longer sailings from this port.

Are there river cruises from Harwich?

River cruises don’t depart from Harwich; Fred Olsen’s river cruise sailings are fly-cruise packages based in continental Europe rather than round trips from this port.

How much does parking cost at Harwich cruise terminal?

Parking charges at Harwich cruise terminal rise on a sliding scale with length of stay, and the long-stay rate for cruise passengers quoted elsewhere isn’t consistent, so confirm the current price when you book.

Can I store luggage at Harwich cruise terminal?

Luggage storage at Harwich cruise terminal isn’t officially confirmed, and neither Harwich railway station offers left-luggage, so book storage near the port in advance if you need it.

How far is Stansted Airport from Harwich cruise terminal?

Stansted Airport is Harwich’s nearest airport, about 50 miles away, while Heathrow and Gatwick both take over two hours to reach by road.

Is Harwich the same port as Felixstowe or Tilbury?

Harwich is a separate, smaller port on the Essex coast. Felixstowe sits across the estuary, and the Port of Tilbury is a different embarkation point further down the Thames.