2021 Programme              (Updated 4th February 2021) 

The provisional programme of events for 2021 is shown below.

Please note that all events in the 2021 programme are subject to change and possible cancellation due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Saturday 24th April 2021 - AGM and Solent Cruise

This year we will return to Southampton for the AGM on board the Blue Funnel vessel Ocean Scene. In contrast to past AGMs we will have a full Solent cruise including Portsmouth and Southampton Harbour. The AGM will take place during our journey across the Solent from Southampton to Portsmouth when shipping is usually quiet.

A light lunch will be served instead of the usual three course meal. The cruise will cover Southampton Docks, Fawley, Hamble and Portsmouth Harbour and will provide the opportunity to see all types of vessels from the largest container ships, vehicle carriers, cargo ships and cruise ships in Southampton and a variety of tankers at Fawley and Hamble to naval ships and ferries in Portsmouth. The route of the cruise will depend upon the tides and weather on the day, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control instructions on the day.

Saturday 15th May 2021 - Ocean Liner Society Ship Show

The TSS will have a table at the Ocean Liner Society Ship Show (10:00 to 16:00)

The show will be held at the same venue : Southampton Masonic Hall at the City Centre location of Albion Place SO14 2DD.

TSS Committee members will be on hand to answer questions, so come along and have a chat with us.

Date to be advised - South West Ship Show

The TSS will have a table at the South West Ship Show.

Owing to the success of the 2019 show, it is hoped the 2021 show will be extended across two halls. It is hoped it will be held at the same venue : BAWA Social Club, 589, Southmead Road, Filton, BRISTOL, BS34 7RG.

TSS Committee members will be on hand to answer questions, so come along and have a chat with us.

Saturday 5th June 2021 - River Thames Sailing Barge Trip

We are hoping to organise a trip on the River Thames, on the sailing barge Will (Built in 1925 as the Will Everard of F.T.Everard.)

More information will become available shortly

Photos from our June 2019 Solent Cruise.

UASC's SALAHUDDIN inbound in Southampton water for the container terminal.

CHEM NEW ORLEANS arriving at Fawley with the tug APEX.

CHRISTINE berthed in the River Itchen.

SWAMI loading scrap at Princes Wharf.

AZURA departing for Warnemunde.

Photos by Chris Brooks

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, down to tugs and coasters as well as warships. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. This trip will depart from Town Quay in Southampton, on board Solent and Wightline Cruises vessel Ali Cat. This cruise will cover Southampton, Portsmouth and the Solent, including St. Helen's Anchorage (weather and tides permitting). The trip will last for six hours.

Ali Cat has an open deck area as well as large enclosed saloon with toilets, and is an excellent platform for photography. The bar will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost. The cruise will cover Southampton Docks, Fawley and Hamble, Portsmouth Harbour, St Helen's Anchorage and the Solent and will provide the opportunity to see all types of vessels from the largest container ships and cruise ships in Southampton, a variety of tankers at Fawley and Hamble, Naval vessels and ferries at Portsmouth and any vessels anchored in St. Helen's anchorage. The rotation will depend upon the tides and weather on the day, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control instructions.

Wednesday 14th or 21st July 2021 - River Orwell Sailing Barge Trip

We are planning a 4 hour trip on the sailing barge Thistle, embarking at Harwich and covering Ipswich and Felixstowe ports.

More information will be made available when plans have been finalised.

Saturday 7th August 2021 (12:00 to 17:00) - Summer Social at Dover

Once again we have decided to return to the Dover Marina Hotel located on the seafront at Dover, but this time for a Summer Social.

Please come along and meet old friends, or treat your partner, friends or family to an afternoon in the company of those with similar interests. On a clear day the hotel commands uninterrupted views of the main shipping channel across to the French coast, and nestling under the historic White Cliffs, the hotel fronts onto Dover's regal promenade.

The afternoon's events will include time for a chat with old friends before a three course lunch in the Chartwell Suite, followed by coffee. Bar facilities are available at cost. An after dinner presentation of shipping interest will be given.

Sunday 8th August 2021 - French Day Trip

The day after our Summer Social at Dover a day trip to Calais and Dunkerque is being planned.

More information will be made available when plans have been finalised.

21st or 28th August - Benelux Trip

We are looking at the possibility of organising a four or five night visit to Holland and Belgium including :

- A full day Rotterdam / Europoort Cruise (see below).

- A visit to the Nordzee Kanal (Amsterdam / Ijmuiden).

- A visit to either Antwerp or northern Dutch ports.

More information will become available when further planning has been completed.

Date to be confirmed Rotterdam, Europoort & Maasvlakte Cruise

The full day Rotterdam / Europoort / Maasvlakte cruise will take place and will be available to book as a separate day trip or as part of the Benelux trip (see above).

The Rotterdam / Europoort / Maasvlakte cruise is always one of the highlights of the year for many people where it is possible to observe and photograph all types of ships in the Rotterdam, Europoort and Maasvlakte port complexes.

Further information will will become available when further planning has been completed.

Photos from our June 2019 Rotterdam / Europoort Cruise.

MUNICH MAERSK departing from Maasvlakte 2.

Bulker SOFIA in Botlek.

MERCS JAFFNA moored in Waalhaven.

Greek tug Christos XXII in Lekhaven.

The new dredger VOX AMALIA in the shipyards at Wiltonhaven.

Photos by Roger Hammond.

Photos from our July 2019 Solent Cruise.

THE WORLD anchored in the Solent off Cowes.

HAMBURG BRIDGE in the Solent bound for Southampton.

The ro-ro ARROW in St. Helens anchorage.

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in Portsmouth.

P&O's ARCADIA departing from Southampton.

Photos by Chris Brooks.

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, down to tugs and coasters as well as warships. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. This trip will depart from Town Quay in Southampton, on board Solent and Wightline Cruises vessel Ali Cat. This cruise will cover Southampton, Portsmouth and the Solent, including St. Helen's Anchorage (weather and tides permitting). The trip will last for six hours.

Ali Cat has an open deck area as well as large enclosed saloon with toilets, and is an excellent platform for photography. The bar will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost. The cruise will cover Southampton Docks, Fawley and Hamble, Portsmouth Harbour, St Helen's Anchorage and the Solent and will provide the opportunity to see all types of vessels from the largest container ships and cruise ships in Southampton, a variety of tankers at Fawley and Hamble, Naval vessels and ferries at Portsmouth and any vessels anchored in St. Helen's anchorage. The rotation will depend upon the tides and weather on the day, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control instructions.