The London Cruise Terminal sits in Essex — around twenty-five minutes from Basildon and under an hour from most of the county. The shortest cruise transfer we run, and the one where a chauffeur makes least sense to refuse.
— No. 01 · Tilbury Cruise Terminal
London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury is Essex's own cruise port, sitting on the north bank of the Thames a few miles east of Grays. For anyone living in the south of the county it is closer than most people's nearest railway station — and yet a surprising number of Essex passengers still drive to Southampton because that is where they assume cruises begin.
Travel in Style Essex operates private chauffeur transfers from any Essex address to the Tilbury terminal door. From Basildon the run is around twenty-five minutes on the A13 and A1089; from Chelmsford, Brentwood or Southend, comfortably under the hour. It is short enough that the fare is modest and long enough that doing it in your own car, then leaving that car in a port compound for a fortnight, makes very little sense.
The terminal itself is worth arriving at properly. The baggage hall is a listed art-deco building from the 1930s, and the landing stage has been the front door to Britain for generations of arrivals — the Empire Windrush docked here in 1948. It is a considerably more civilised place to begin a holiday than a multi-storey car park at the wrong end of the M3.
For a Tilbury sailing the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is usually the right choice. Cruise luggage is heavy and there is a lot of it; the V-Class carries seven passengers and a full set of cases without anyone travelling with a bag on their lap. For couples, the E-Class or S-Class is the quieter option.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class · Travel in Style Essex
Tilbury sits within Essex. For most of the south of the county it is the shortest port run available — often under half an hour.
A fortnight in a cruise port car park frequently costs more than the transfer itself, and your car sits exposed for the duration. A chauffeured return removes both.
Cases are loaded at your door and handed to the terminal porter. Between those two moments you are not required to carry anything.
Ships dock early as readily as they dock late. We track your arrival and adjust; waiting time is never charged.
— No. 02 · London Cruise Terminal
Tilbury is a compact, single-berth terminal with a direct road approach off the A1089. Drop-off is a short walk from the baggage hall, and the whole arrival is measured in minutes rather than the long shuttle-bus routine of the larger ports.
Around 25 minutes from Basildon via the A13 and A1089. Roughly 45 from Chelmsford, 50 from Brentwood, 45 from Southend-on-Sea.
London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury Docks. Direct approach from the A1089 with set-down close to the terminal entrance.
A listed art-deco terminal building and landing stage — a considerably better place to begin a voyage than an airport pier.
— No. 03 · How a Journey Unfolds
Your booking is confirmed in writing within the hour. We note your flight number, terminal, passenger count, and any particular requirements — luggage, accessibility, or a preference for a quieter cabin.
From the moment of confirmation, your flight is placed under continuous monitoring. Delays, gate changes, and early arrivals are absorbed without conversation — the schedule adjusts quietly.
The vehicle is cleaned, fuelled, and prepared personally. Refreshments are arranged. A confirmation message is sent when your chauffeur is en route.
For outbound journeys, the car arrives at your address ahead of schedule. Luggage is loaded. Your route has been planned — alternatives identified. There is nothing left to arrange.
For inbound journeys, your chauffeur is present in the arrivals hall from the moment your flight lands — name board in hand. Waiting time for delayed flights is included at no charge.
— No. 04 · Tariff
Tilbury is our shortest port transfer, and priced accordingly. Fares are quoted from your collection postcode — a brief call or enquiry is all it takes.
— What Is Included
Cruise luggage is not hand luggage. Cases are loaded, stowed and delivered to the porter at the terminal door — you carry nothing further than your own coat.
Collection is calculated from your boarding window, not from a guess. We build in margin for the crossing, the motorway and the terminal queue.
Ships dock early as often as they dock late. Your return is monitored, and waiting time on a delayed arrival is never charged.
— No. 05 · From Those Who Have Travelled With Us
"I booked as a 60th birthday treat for my husband — Thailand for Christmas and his birthday. I wanted him to arrive in style, and that is exactly what happened. Jamie loaded our bags, gave us a tour of all the facilities, and a gorgeous bottle of bubbly was on ice waiting for us. Chatty but not intrusive. Polite and funny. Very professional."
Marrianne Mason · Verified Facebook Review · January 2025
"Reliable, punctual and friendly service. We were going on a 40th birthday trip and all the little extras certainly made it even more memorable. Would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. First class service."
Kayleigh Smith · Verified Facebook Review · February 2025
— Southend Airport · Your Chauffeur
Travel in Style Essex is not a fleet operation. There is one chauffeur: Jamie Gifford, who founded the service in 2019 and has conducted every journey personally since. When you make an enquiry, you speak to Jamie. When you are collected, it is Jamie at the door.
He holds an advanced RoSPA driving qualification, a clean PCO licence, and a DBS certificate. He drives as he attends to everything else — with composure, without hurry, and with the particular care of someone who takes pride in his work.
"The standard I hold myself to is simple: I ask whether I would be comfortable if the people I most respect could see exactly what I was doing and why. The answer is always yes."
Jamie Gifford · Founder & Chauffeur
— No. 06 · Frequently Asked
— No. 07 · Other Ports & Airports
— Begin
Each engagement begins with a conversation. Reach us by telephone for an immediate response, or submit an enquiry and we will respond within the hour.
