Windsor, United Kingdom

Full Transcript

Intro

Hello and welcome back to the TSJ CruisePod - your journey beyond the waves.

I’m Thomas Sebastian Jensen, and today we’re reaching the final port of our Metropolis Tour 2026.

Our ship, the MSC Poesia, arrived in Southampton, one of the most important cruise ports in the United Kingdom and a city deeply connected to maritime history.

General Information About Southampton

Southampton is a historic port city on England’s south coast and has long played a key role in trade, migration, and ocean travel.

It is famously known as the departure port of the RMS Titanic in 1912, and this connection still shapes the city’s identity today.

Beyond its maritime past, Southampton also serves as a major gateway to southern England. Thanks to its location and transport links, it’s an ideal starting point for excursions to London, historic towns, and some of England’s most famous landmarks.

During our winter cruise in 2024 aboard the MSC Euribia, we had already explored Southampton on foot and visited the Titanic Museum.

So this time, instead of staying in the city, we decided to head inland for a royal experience.

Preparing for Our Excursion

For our final day ashore, we chose an excursion to Windsor, a town closely linked to the British monarchy.

Windsor lies on the banks of the River Thames, just west of London, and is best known as the home of Windsor Castle.

It is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and one of the official residences of the British royal family.

Because Windsor is located outside the immediate port area, the day started early. The bus journey took around one and a half hours, and before continuing inland, we also had to pass a visual UK immigration check. With passports in hand, we briefly met British border officers for a standard identity verification before resuming our journey.

Our Day in Windsor

Once we arrived in Windsor, we walked together toward the castle, which dominates the town skyline and is visible from far away.

From there, we had approximately four and a half hours of free time - more than enough to explore both the castle grounds and the town at our own pace.

We began our visit at Windsor Castle itself. Using an audio guide, we explored the vast complex step by step.

One of the most impressive stops was St George’s Chapel, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.

The chapel is the burial place of many British monarchs and, since 2022, also the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Standing inside, surrounded by centuries of history, was a deeply moving moment. Another highlight was Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, an extraordinary miniature palace built on a 1:12 scale.

It features working electricity, running water, a functioning sewing machine, and even a playable gramophone. The level of detail is astonishing and makes it easy to forget that you’re looking at a miniature rather than a real residence.

We then continued through the magnificent State Apartments. Richly decorated with paintings, historic furniture, and ornate ceilings, they offer fascinating insights into royal life and the long traditions of the British monarchy. Everything felt grand, ceremonial, and incredibly well preserved.

After finishing our castle visit, we spent some time exploring the town of Windsor itself.

With its charming streets, small shops, traditional pubs, and cafés, the town has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Naturally, we couldn’t leave England without enjoying a classic portion of Fish and Chips, which turned out to be the perfect casual ending to a very royal day.

Finally, we returned to the bus and made our way back to Southampton.

This excursion to Windsor marked a fitting and memorable conclusion to our Metropolis Tour.

Other Excursion Options

For guests choosing different experiences, Southampton offers a wide range of alternative excursions.

Many travelers opt for day trips to London, either as guided sightseeing tours or unguided transfers, allowing time to explore famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, museums, shopping streets, or parks at their own pace.

History lovers can follow the footsteps of the Titanic with a guided walking tour through Southampton, including key locations connected to the ship and a visit to the SeaCity Museum.

Another popular option is a visit to Stonehenge and Salisbury, combining one of the world’s most mysterious prehistoric monuments with a stop at Salisbury Cathedral, home to one of the best-preserved copies of the Magna Carta.

For those interested in elegant English cities, Bath offers Roman heritage, Georgian architecture, and a beautiful historic city center.

These excursions highlight how Southampton serves not just as a port, but as a gateway to some of England’s most iconic destinations.

Outro

With our visit to Windsor, we’ve reached the final port of call of the Metropolis Tour 2026.

But the journey is not over just yet.

In the next episode of the TSJ CruisePod, we’ll return to where it all began: Hamburg. We’ll look back at the city, the arrival, and how it feels to come full circle after traveling through several countries and cultures.

And after that, there’s one more episode waiting for you - a final look at life on board the MSC Poesia. From everyday routines to small moments at sea, that episode will focus on what it really feels like to live on a cruise ship during a city-focused journey like this one.

So stay with me a little longer, thank you for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode - right back where our journey began, beyond the waves.