Schengen visa

This inquiry should be directed to the cruise line. I doubt if anybody here can give you a definitive answer on that.

Yes, by all means contact your cruise ship line to be sure. But...I think you're really asking about being allowed to enter the UK. Your visa is valid beginning 16 May, but you are planning to be in England (at least) one day before that, on 15 May. Correct?

If that's the case, I would not expect that UK immigrations officials would allow you to enter the country (because on the date of your arrival, you would not have a valid visa). Unless you have some other legal way of entering the UK on the date you show up...

Maybe I'm missing something...

Lot's of information missing, and unfortunately, since most people on here are US or Canadian, Schengen Visas are not something we deal with.

However, from what you are saying, the Schengen Visa may not be an issue, but do you need a Visa to enter the UK? What Nationality are you? And as others have said, the Cruise line may be the best source of info.

Check with your cruise line regarding the Schengen Visa. More than likely the your true entry into the Schengen Area is May 17th. As for the UK remember they are not a part of the Schengen Area, so you need to make sure you are covered there. What country issued your passport?

I have the UK visa already. So, visiting/staying in UK is not a concern. Just worried that there would be check-in issue on 15 May 2019 because a Schengen visa is valid from 16 May 2019. If the Spainish border control is at Bilbao (Spain), there would be no issue. We will arrive on 17 May 2019. But, if the border control co-exists in Southampton (like US Border Control in Montreal), it would be a concern. Hope it clarifies my question. Many thanks!

But you won't be entering the Schengen area until you land at someplace in a Schengen country (Spain, assuming that's your first stop after England), on the 17th, and your visa is valid that day (I would assume beginning at one second after midnight). So I think you would be fine.

Yes, check with your cruise line to be sure. But I think you will be OK.

Amy: you’ll be fine. The only “co-located” Schengen border crossings located outside the actual Schengen Area are at the Eurostar railway stations in the U.K. (so, principally London St Pancras but also Ebbsfleet and Ashford).

Otherwise, Schengen entry passport control takes place at the actual port of entry.

Thank you, Andrew! You have fully addressed my concern. Now, I can sit back, relax and pack. Many thanks!