Sunday, April 21, 2024

Why Short Cruises Are a Great Vacation Choice

short cruise ship

"The intimate ship size and staff attention make you feel as if you're the yacht owner." Here's a look at the major cruise lines and what short cruises they are offering in 2023. Other ports of call include the Bahamas, with stops in Nassau, Grand Bahama, and Bimini. MSC cruises also have options to embark on some Caribbean islands, such as Martinique and St. Maarten, traveling to some of the Southern and Eastern Caribbean islands.

Are Short Cruises Worth it? (Tried and Tested, Pros and Cons)

With your booking number in hand, complete the process online via the cruise line’s website. You’ll also need to input travel document details and credit card information. If you fail to do this in advance it could result in a lengthy process at embarkation or even denied boarding.

Visit Guest Services onboard the cruise ship at off-peak times

Others see them as being potential booze cruises, which may either be good or bad, depending on the way you look at it. Relax on powdery beaches and treat yourself to a private cabana at Chill Island, with uninterrupted views of the aquamarine sea. The fan-favorite cruise ship from New York, Liberty of the Seas, is home to some of the best cruise restaurants in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet. The best free activities and free things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay®, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. Chill out at your choice of six stretches of beach, each with its own vibe. Take a dip in the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, Oasis Lagoon®.

Everything You Need to Plan a Perfect Day at Cococay

Yet another giant Royal Caribbean ship is switching to short cruises - The Points Guy

Yet another giant Royal Caribbean ship is switching to short cruises.

Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Plus, older cruise ships tend to be smaller, so you won't suffer from perpetual FOMO when you don't have enough time to try every onboard activity and restaurant. The majority of large American cruise lines don’t do one-night cruises but some small British cruise lines like Fred Olsen or Ambassador. It’s important to remember that longer cruises may have more sea days than shorter cruises and it is actually possible to pick a cruise that includes more than one port per day. For a 3/5 night cruise, it is very easy to cruise with just a small bag, especially since shorter cruises often don’t have formal nights.

On Occasion, There Will be no Drinks Packages or Other Offers

You’ll learn to harvest and shuck your own oysters, ending with a tasting of this delicious delicacy. Maybe its work, cost or you just came back from a long trip and can’t get away for a while. Whatever your challenge is that’s stopping you from taking a vacation, we have a solution. If soaring on a virtual reality trampoline ride, zipping down waterslides and playing glow-in-the-dark laser tag sound like your kind of mini-getaway, then look no further than Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. The 3,114-passenger ship is fresh out of a March 2018 dry dock that welcomed a slew of innovative recreational attractions, as well as some of the restaurants and bars found on the line's newer ships.

short cruise ship

Even for a short getaway you could either spend hours online poring over the possibilities for flights, hotel and entertainment options – or simply save yourself the hassle a book a weekend cruise. Cruising can be the ideal low maintenance vacation option with everything laid out for you and organized. You get free meals, a plethora of fun activities and entertainment, and never have to worry about where to go or what to do next. There are tons of short cruise options sailing from popular ports in Florida, the East and West Coasts, and Texas, meaning there are choices no matter where you live. Even in Europe and Australia, there are some great two and three-day itineraries for a fun weekend away.

There were some new people on our dining table and we’d spend a lot of the time saying “it’s not usually like this “. If you’re used to American cruise lines and are considering a British line or an Italian line a short cruise can be a great way to get a taste of the major differences. Short cruises are a great way to explore new cruise ships and try out elements like food and entertainment however some things will be different.

Best Destinations for Short Cruises from North America

Celebrity Cruises is launching its first regular weekend itineraries in the Caribbean this month, and Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas will offer three-and-four-night sailings when it debuts in July. Fred Olsen does have small, old traditional ships so they may not provide the cruising experience that many are used to. If you book a cruise which is 3 nights, particularly if it’s over the weekend there is a chance that you’ll find many birthday parties and people celebrating onboard. Mariner of the Seas will sail four and five night cruises from Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Quantum of the Seas will sail a series of three to six night cruises to Mexico from Los Angeles. The ship will visit Ensenada and overnight in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

short cruise ship

A beach club finishing touch

I'm a new cruiser and tried a weekend cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships. It was filled with lots in a short amount ... - Royal Caribbean Blog

I'm a new cruiser and tried a weekend cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships. It was filled with lots in a short amount ....

Posted: Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

There are a number of options for short cruisers, with the Caribbean being a popular choice for cruise lines sailing out of the United States. We’re keen on cruises that sail to Ensenada or Mazatlan, which offer a more traditional and laidback experience than party destinations like Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. These itineraries also tend to include stops in other ports along the Pacific coast, such as Catalina Island, San Diego and even Victoria, B.C. If your idea of the perfect mini-getaway involves more time wandering around charming downtowns, then a short cruise to the Mexican Riviera might be your perfect fit. These itineraries can get a bit rowdy, though, so choosing the right ports is key. Since short cruises are, by definition, less expensive, they can also be a good time to splurge.

The cruises will visit Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s insanely popular private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean revealed this week that its next new mega cruise ship will sail short weekend cruises (along with 4-day sailings too), and it's a major deviation from the cruise line's traditional plan. Weekend cruises have a different feel than longer sailings but the goal remains the same - to pack in as much fun as possible, just within a shorter period of time. Will a 3 day cruise be the perfect stress-busting short vacation or will its short length leave you wanting more? Check out our insightful cruise tips to make the most of the limited time and optimize your experience aboard. There comes a time when we all need to escape the usual routine for a refreshing change of scenery.

With Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is flipping its script and starting off with short cruises immediately. There are regular stories in the news of cruisers unaware they racked up huge cell phone roaming charges by not turning on airplane mode. While there are (relatively expensive) Wi-Fi plans to purchase onboard, make your long weekend cruise a digital detox zone and simply enjoy the moment.

Short cruises, however, are the impulse-buy of the vacation world – and they’re great value for money. During your day in Nassau, snorkel over one of the island’s stunning reefs, where you may spot sea turtles gliding beneath you. Learn how to scuba dive with an expert instructor or, if you’re more experienced, head out to the breathtaking Rainbow Reef for an unforgettable dive. Take advantage of this itinerary’s full day at sea and explore all of the fun venues and non-stop entertainment available on board. Dine at one of our specialty restaurants with menus crafted by a Michelin-standard chef. On a four-night Bahamas cruise with Celebrity, you’ll see the best of Bimini and the vibrant capital of Nassau.

For example, No. 4 Lindblad moved up four spots this year, posting a better score for 2021 than 2020. Its vessels will go to Alaska and Iceland this year, and this summer should also see the inaugural cruise of the brand-new National Geographic Endurance, a 126-guest expedition ship that will sail the polar regions. There are also some West Coast options, including sailings between Seattle and Vancouver. Ensenada is another frequent stop for cruises sailing in the Pacific. Other international options include Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.

For this reason, the price of a 14-night cruise is usually a little cheaper than two 7-night cruises. I have enjoyed the majority of the short cruises that I’ve taken and there are definite benefits to short cruises – but there are a few things that you definitely need to be aware of. Explorer of the Seas will sail four and five night cruises to the Caribbean and The Bahamas. The first part of Royal Caribbean's strategy is to start off Utopia of the Seas with 3- and 4-night cruises so it's an attractive option for first-time cruisers.

If you just can’t stand to wait in line, consider splurging on priority boarding. There are a limited number of priority boarding places on each cruise and it has to be pre-booked. For anything likely to be extremely popular, save it for a day when cruise ships are in port, when it will be much quieter as the crowds head ashore on excursions.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Hyatt House Tempe Phoenix University, Tempe Updated 2024 Prices

Table Of Content Hyatt House Tempe/Phoenix/University Stay in the know Does Hyatt House Tempe Phoenix University have a restaurant on site? ...