Short cruises are the perfect quick getaway option – all the food, nightlife and activities, but in an abridged version. These two- to four-day sailings provide fun days at sea, lots of R&R and on most itineraries, also time on shore.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Maybe you’ve always wanted to try a cruise but are reluctant to commit to a full-week sailing. Perhaps you’re a time-strapped Millennial without many vacation days to burn. Or, just the opposite, you’ve piled up your PTO and need to use your days before you lose your days. Maybe you just need to get off the fast track for a few days.
Short cruises are the perfect quick getaway option – all the food, nightlife and activities, but in an abridged version. These two- to four-day sailings provide fun days at sea, lots of R&R and on most itineraries, also time on shore. First timers can try out a cruise to learn what it’s all about. Short cruises are ideal for people who like mini-vacations or want to check out a new experience. Best of all is the affordability factor: fares for three- and four-day sailings, for instance, start at under $150 per person.
A new survey of travel agents by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows 63% find short cruises popular among their customers. The top reasons given were:
- They are good for first-timer cruisers.
- They are good for time-strapped vacationers
- They are overall a good value.
The 427 CLIA agents who participated in the survey say prime candidates for short cruises are first-time cruisers, couples looking for a quick romantic getaway and friends cruising together.
The most appealing destinations for short itineraries: the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico, according to CLIA agents.
Short cruises are also easily combinable with land exploration. Explore Fort Lauderdale or hit South Beach then cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Or combine your favorite attractions at Walt Disney World Resort with fun times at sea during a quick cruise out of nearby Port Canaveral.
Here are some examples of short cruises available from CLIA member cruise lines:
Royal Caribbean International offers vacationers a wide selection of short cruises from four exciting Florida destinations. Year-round, vacationers can set sail every Monday and Friday on a three- and four-night Bahamas getaway aboard Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas from Miami and Port Canaveral. From November 2014 through April 2015, vacationers also can choose a four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Liberty of the Seas from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and aboard Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa.
Check out Italian-style cruising on MSC Cruises‘ MSC Divina, on a four-day Bahamas cruise from Miami. The line also does short cruises in Brazil and in Europe.
Experience Celebrity Cruises‘ “Modern Luxury” this winter on a four-day cruise on the Celebrity Constellation from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau and Key West.
Princess Cruises gives vacationers an opportunity to test the waters with three-day West Coast Getaway cruises from Los Angeles to Ensenada on the Golden Princess or Crown Princess. Four-day cruises also visit Santa Barbara or Catalina Island. Or go shipboard next September on a one-day Pacific Coastal cruise from Seattle to Vancouver on the Ruby Princess or Crown Princess. The Caribbean Princess also does four-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
Carnival Cruise Lines entices those in need of a quick vacation with three- or four-day Bahamas, Caribbean or Mexico cruises from Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston and Long Beach, Calif. The “Fun Ship” line also has short New England & Canada cruises from New York and sampler itineraries from other ports including Norfolk. For a quick romantic romp, book a two-day cruise on the Carnival Imagination from Long Beach in December or January.
Cunard‘s Queen Mary 2 is typically on transatlantic duty and longer itineraries. But you can spend Thanksgiving this year on a four-day short cruise embarking Southampton, UK on November 26. Ports of call are Le Havre, France and Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium.
Cruise on Holland America Line ships on short cruises including as the ships reposition to and from Alaska. A four-day Pacific Coastal cruise on the Westerdam in April takes you up the coast from San Diego to Vancouver. Or hop on the ship for a night as it repositions from Vancouver to Seattle. HAL’s Noordam, Zaandam and Statendam are among other ships with short, Pacific Coastal itineraries in spring and fall.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers three- and four-day cruises year-round from Miami to the Bahamas on Norwegian Sky, embarking on Fridays and Mondays. Or get onboard the action-packed Norwegian Breakaway on a two-day, quick-break cruise from New York in January or February.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
