Cruise ship leaving Miami Beach

© Michel Verdure

Short waves

Taking a shorter cruise is a great vacation and cost-effective way to explore the open sea

by Lois Alter Mark

For those who have never been on a cruise before but have been curious about what it’s like, or have been looking for a short getaway but just don’t have the time or budget for a longer trip, consider taking a two- or three-night cruise. Short cruises regularly depart from convenient ports around the country and offer all the perks of a longer vacation with a wallet-friendly price tag. Best of all, you can still feel like you’ve had a nice, relaxing vacation. Here’s a look.

Testing the waters

A shorther cruise lets you experience everything that avid cruisers love, from all-you-can-eat buffets to world-class shows to endless views. You’ll see what it’s like to spend a carefree day at sea, taking advantage of the ship’s many amenities and activities. You’ll get a chance to wake up in a lovely new location without having to move your belongings. You’ll understand why, for cruisers, the journey is as important as the destination.

Inclusive savings

It only makes sense that a two- or three-night cruise will cost less than a seven-night cruise, but the savings go well beyond the price of the cruise itself. Because a cruise already includes your accommodations, meals and activities, it’s actually a budget-friendly way to travel—especially because it allows you to eat as much as you want. Plus, you’ll save because you don’t need to book costly flights to the actual destination.

Nearby ports

You may be surprised to learn that you can sail out of a wide variety of ports in the U.S., from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, to Los Angeles and San Diego—even Galveston, Texas (see “Growing Galveston”). Typically, East Coast cruises sail to the Caribbean, while cruises from the West Coast head to Mexico.

Sunny delights

Most shorter cruises focus on sunny destinations so you’ll truly feel like you’re on vacation. Surrounded by beautiful ocean views, you may dock in Cozumel or Ensenada, Mexico, or Nassau, Bahamas, where you can spend the day enjoying the local food, music and shops, or simply spread out on a lounge chair and take in the warm, tropical breeze. Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have their own islands and take care of everything to make your trip, well, a day at the beach.

Splurge options

For cruise lovers, a short cruise can be a good time to treat yourself to an upgrade. Always wanted to have a private balcony or see what it was like to stay in a suite? Now’s the time to try it since you’re paying for fewer nights. Love the spa? A cruise-long pass will also be less expensive during a short cruise. You can use the money you’re saving to book a specialty restaurant that may not be in your budget for a longer cruise.

In short, two- or three-night cruises are likely to make you want more.Whether you opt for longer itineraries or do more frequent short getaways, you’ll find yourself being drawn to the call of the sea.

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