2026 Programme              (Updated 14th November 2025) 

The programme of events for 2026 is shown below.

Saturday 25th April 2026 - Solent Cruise (12:00 - 18:00)

Our first Solent Cruise of 2026 will be held on 25th April on board Solent and Wightline Cruises fast catamaran Solent Cat or a similar vessel.

Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, the vessel’s extra speed should allow us to take in St Helen’s, the Nab anchorages, as well as Southampton and Fawley, plus Portsmouth (if time and access permits). The extra speed will also enable us to return to Southampton via the deepwater channel instead of the shallower North Channel. We may have the opportunity of seeing the cruise ships Iona and Sky Princess.

Please note that the trip’s rotation will depend upon the weather, tides, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control/VTS instructions, plus the shipping to be seen on the day.

The vessel has an open deck area, as well an enclosed saloon with comfortable seating and tables, toilets, and is an excellent platform for ship spotting and photography. The bar/cafe will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost throughout. However, participants are advised to bring a packed lunch.

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, tankers, cruise ships, down to tugs, coasters and ferries. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Bookings are currently being taken.

Photos from our April 2025 Solent Cruise.

YM CONTINUITY outward bound in Southampton Water.

SKY PRINCESS departing from Southampton.

LNG bunkering tanker CORAL METHANE outward bound.

ARTEMIS LEADER in the Eastern Docks, Southampton.

P&O's IONA departing from Southampton Harbour.

Photos by Chris Brooks.

Photos from our 2025 Rotterdam Cruise

Preserved tug FURIE in the New Waterway.

EVER GENIUS at Maasvlakte.

Crane ship SEAWAY ALFA LIFT outward bound from Maasvlakte 2.

IVER BRILLIANT overtaking us in the New Waterway.

Supply ship FS AQUARIUS passing us outward bound.

Photos by Chris Brooks.

Saturday 16th May 2026 - Rotterdam and Europoort Cruise (10:00 - 20:00)

For many the highlight of the TSS calendar is the day long Rotterdam and Europoort cruise on board the Nehalennia. We will depart from the Boompjeskade, Rotterdam, at 10.00 CEST returning at about 20.00.

Boompjeskade is on the northern side of the river Maas between the first two bridges spanning the river (Erasmusbrug and Willemsbrug). There are many hotels within 15-30 mins walking distance, or by tram or Metro, from the boat, while the Metro stations of Leuvehaven (serving the Spijkenisse/Centraal Station Line) and Beurs (serving Hoek van Holland/Vlaardingen) are also within easy walking distance.

This trip will cover similar areas as our previous Rotterdam boat trips, i.e. - Nieuwe Waterweg, Europoort, Caland Canal, Maasvlakte, Botlek and the Rotterdam dock system. However, the trip’s rotation will depend upon the weather, tides, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control/VTS instructions, plus the shipping to be seen on the day.

The vessel is in general public use, access is via a gangway and there are internal stairways linking various parts of the vessel, There is ample covered and open deck space on both passenger decks, with good access around both decks for photography, with comfortable seating and tables for dining and making notes, or just to enjoy the scenery over a cool drink.

Bookings are currently being taken.

For our second Solent Cruise of 2026 we will again join forces with the Southampton branch of the World Ship Society (WSS), so the trip will be open to members of both organisations.

This cruise will again be on board Solent and Wightline Cruises fast catamaran Solent Cat or a similar vessel.

Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, the vessel’s extra speed should allow us to take in St Helen’s, the Nab anchorages, as well as Southampton and Fawley, plus Portsmouth (if time and access permits). The extra speed will also enable us to return to Southampton via the deepwater channel instead of the shallower North Channel. We may have the opportunity of seeing the cruise ships Celebrity Apex, Iona and MSC Virtuosa.

Please note that the trip’s rotation will depend upon the weather, tides, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control/VTS instructions, plus the shipping to be seen on the day.

The vessel has an open deck area, as well an enclosed saloon with comfortable seating and tables, toilets, and is an excellent platform for ship spotting and photography. The bar/cafe will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost throughout. However, participants are advised to bring a packed lunch.

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, tankers, cruise ships, down to tugs, coasters and ferries. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Final details to be confirmed.

Photos from our July 2025 Solent Cruise.

Tanker LADY GUIA in St Helen's Anchorage.

The VLCC COBALT NOVA outward bound in the Solent...

...followed by the containership MAERSK PUELO.

CELEBRITY APEX was the first of three cruise ships seen departing.

Vehicle carrier SILVER SUN catching the evening sun at the end of our cruise.

Photos by Chris Brooks.

Photos from our September 2025 Solent Cruise.

Heavy lift ship CAROLINE berthed in the Eastern Docks on the River Itchen.

BAGSHOT was one of four tankers photographed in St. Helen's Anchorage.

K Line's NIAGARA HIGHWAY outward bound in the Solent.

P&O's ARCADIA bound for Lisbon.

Containership EVRIDIKI G departing from Southampton.

Photos by Chris Brooks.

Our final Solent Cruise of 2026 will be held on 5th September on board Solent and Wightline Cruises fast catamaran Solent Cat or a similar vessel.

Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, the vessel’s extra speed should allow us to take in St Helen’s, the Nab anchorages, as well as Southampton and Fawley, plus Portsmouth (if time and access permits). The extra speed will also enable us to return to Southampton via the deepwater channel instead of the shallower North Channel. We may have the opportunity of seeing the cruise ships Iona, Queen Mary 2, MSC Virtuosa and Ventura.

Please note that the trip’s rotation will depend upon the weather, tides, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control/VTS instructions, plus the shipping to be seen on the day.

The vessel has an open deck area, as well an enclosed saloon with comfortable seating and tables, toilets, and is an excellent platform for ship spotting and photography. The bar/cafe will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost throughout. However, participants are advised to bring a packed lunch.

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, tankers, cruise ships, down to tugs, coasters and ferries. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Final details to be confirmed.

Saturday 19th September 2026 and Sunday 20th September 2026 - Rotterdam Cruises (10:00 - 17:00)

With our partner River Cruise Rotterdam, we have arranged two 7-hour cruises around various parts of the extensive Rotterdam port complex aboard their tour boat Nehalennia (or similar vessel), which will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. We will depart from the Boompjeskade at 10.00 CEST each day returning at about 17.00.

Boompjeskade is on the northern side of the river Maas between the first two bridges spanning the river (Erasmusbrug and Willemsbrug). There are many hotels within 15-30 mins walking distance, or by tram or Metro, from the boat, while the Metro stations of Leuvehaven (serving the Spijkenisse/Centraal Station Line) and Beurs (serving Hoek van Holland/Vlaardingen) are also within easy walking distance.

Saturday 19th September - This trip will cover the Rotterdam City dock complex and hopefully, as far as the upriver shipyards.

Sunday 20th September - This trip will cover Nieuwe Waterweg, Europoort, Caland Canal and Maasvlakte.

However, for both trip’s the rotation will depend upon the weather, tides, the discretion of the Captain and Port Control/VTS instructions, plus the shipping to be seen on the day.

The vessels are in general public use, access is via a gangway and there are internal stairways linking various parts of the vessels. There is ample covered and open deck space on both passenger decks, with good access around both decks for photography, with comfortable seating and tables for dining and making notes, or just to enjoy the scenery over a cool drink.

Bookings are currently being taken.

Photos from our 2025 Rotterdam Cruise

JSP SAMSO berthed on the river at Vlaardingen.

BALDER outward bound from the Caland Canal.

Chinese bitumen / asphalt tanker TAI HUA WAN in the Caland Canal.

Tanker GINGA LIGER berthed in Botlek Harbour.

Bulk carrier ANGELE N moored in Wallhaven.

Photos by Chris Brooks.