Getting to the ShipUK cruise ports, plainly explained

For rail, coach, and anyone who cannot lift a case

Send your bags to the ship

Send the cases on ahead, and travel with a small bag. This page says how that works on the way to the ship and on the way home. Every fact links to the Fred. Olsen, Baggex or Ambassador page it came from.

We don't earn anything from Baggex; this is just useful information.

There and back

On the way there

Fred. Olsen recommends Baggex. They describe a door-to-door service that collects your luggage from home between 5 and 7 working days before the cruise and delivers it to your cabin.

Source: Fred. Olsen luggage handling FAQ.

Baggex’s FAQ says luggage is normally collected between 2 and 7 working days before departure. The homepage also says collection is typically 2 to 7 days in advance.

Source: Baggex FAQs; Baggex.

Baggex’s terms say the cases are delivered to the cruise line to be loaded onto the ship. The homepage says the luggage will be outside your cabin when you board.

Source: Baggex terms and conditions; Baggex.

Travel with a small bag. Baggex says valuables, passports, medication, jewellery, cash and important documents should stay with you. Cases you send must not contain hazardous materials, flammable liquids, explosives, illegal items, or anything your cruise line prohibits.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

On the way home

Fred. Olsen says Baggex collects the luggage from the cruise terminal afterwards. You need to identify your cases in the terminal and hand them to the Baggex representative. They are brought home between 5 and 7 working days later.

Source: Fred. Olsen luggage handling FAQ.

Baggex’s terms include collection from the cruise terminal after you leave the ship, and delivery home within about 1 to 7 working days. The FAQ says the return is normally within 1 to 7 working days, depending on where you live. The homepage describes the return as optional.

Source: Baggex terms and conditions; Baggex FAQs; Baggex.

The prices they publish

Each site publishes its own figures, and those figures differ. Use the price on the page where you book.

Prices checked on 14 November 2026.

Fred. Olsen

Their luggage-handling FAQ writes these as “from” prices.

  • from £45.00 per bag (one way)Southampton
  • from £65.00 per bag (one way)Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth

Newcastle in that list is the Port of Tyne. On this site it is Tyne (North Shields).

Source: Fred. Olsen luggage handling FAQ.

Baggex

The homepage says from £49.99 per bag. The terms say from £49.99 including VAT per item each way, and that each direction is charged on its own.

The FAQ lists these one-way amounts per bag:

  • £49.99Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Southampton & Portsmouth. One way, per bag.
  • £57.00Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth & Dover. One way, per bag.
  • £65.00Ambassador Cruise Line. Tilbury. One way, per bag.
  • £65.00Saga Cruises. Portsmouth & Dover. One way, per bag.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

Ports Baggex names

Baggex’s homepage says they currently operate at the seven terminals below. The FAQ on that page says the terminals they cover include, but are not limited to, Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth and London Tilbury. Tilbury on the terminal list is the Tilbury Cruise Terminal.

Source: Baggex; Baggex FAQs; Baggex terms and conditions.

Other cruise lines

Baggex’s own FAQ does list a one-way price for Ambassador Cruise Line from Tilbury, and for Saga Cruises from Portsmouth and Dover. That is Baggex’s price list. This guide does not treat it as a recommendation published by Ambassador or by Saga.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

What to pack, and what to leave

Fred. Olsen says multi-plug devices, including extension leads, power strips, cube adaptors and surge protectors, are not permitted on board. Single adaptor plugs are permitted when they are UKCA or CE marked. A single-inlet, single-outlet extension cord may be permitted only for personal medical equipment, such as a CPAP machine.

Source: Fred. Olsen prohibited items.

Baggex says each item should weigh no more than 23kg. Over that, they may add a handling charge or refuse the item. The terms also say each item must be safe for one person to lift, with wheels and handles, and made for carrying personal luggage. They list suitcases, holdalls, garment carriers, folding wheelchairs, walking aids, and mobility scooters if agreed beforehand. They do not take cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, hazardous goods, firearms, flammable substances, cash, passports, jewellery or valuable documents.

Source: Baggex FAQs; Baggex terms and conditions.

Ambassador’s own general information, for cruises sailing to and from the UK, says there is no limit on the number of bags, and that no single item should weigh more than 23kg (50lb). Suit carriers and open bags stay as hand luggage.

Source: Ambassador general information.

Mobility aids

Fred. Olsen’s 25kg limit is for taking a wheelchair or scooter off the ship. Ambassador sets 25kg for each part, and publishes further limits of its own.

Fred. Olsen’s mobility policy (updated 5 August 2026) says you cannot take a wheelchair or scooter weighing more than 25kg off the ship at any port, unless an air bridge is used to leave and board, or the device can be dismantled. Each part must weigh no more than 25kg, and you or someone travelling with you must take it apart and put it back together.

Source: Fred. Olsen mobility policy.

Ambassador’s mobility policy says each part of a mobility device must weigh no more than 25kg, in standard cabins and adapted cabins. A device taken onboard must weigh no more than 45kg in total, no wider than 75cm in an adapted cabin, and no wider than 55cm in a standard cabin. On a tender, a folding scooter that is carried in one piece and weighs less than 25kg may be taken where they can fit it in. A scooter with any part over 25kg, or one that comes apart into more than two parts, is not taken on the tender.

Source: Ambassador mobility policy.

Baggex says they carry folding wheelchairs and mobility scooters. They ask you to send the size and weight before booking if the item is large or heavy. For a mobility scooter they require written confirmation from the cruise line that the line is content for Baggex to deliver it.

Source: Baggex FAQs; Baggex terms and conditions.

How to book

Baggex recommends booking at least six weeks before departure, so they can confirm the collection. The terms say a later booking is accepted only if they still have space.

Source: Baggex FAQs; Baggex terms and conditions; Baggex.

Baggex says you can book on their website (the request-a-quote section), by email, or by phone. The booking answer on the FAQ gives the phone hours as Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

Fred. Olsen lists Baggex as open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and asks you to quote Fred. Olsen when you enquire. The footer on Baggex’s own pages says Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00.

Source: Fred. Olsen luggage handling FAQ; Baggex FAQs.

Baggex says collection and delivery are for the UK mainland. If you are travelling from somewhere else, they ask you to phone and ask.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

The FAQ says they collect from UK mainland postcodes except PA20, PA41–PA78, PH42–PH44, KA27–KA28, KW, LL21–LL78 and SY11–SY25. If yours is on that list, phone them about availability.

Source: Baggex FAQs.

BGX Logistics Ltd, trading as Baggex

20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU

01473 807200 · baggexops@bgxl.co.uk

Baggex websiteFred. Olsen’s luggage FAQ

The company name is on the Baggex terms. The address, phone and email are on the Baggex FAQ and the Fred. Olsen luggage FAQ.

We don't earn anything from Baggex; this is just useful information.