Short cruises are cheaper, but are they right for you?
Editor's Note
Maybe you are a first-timer who has never cruised before who is looking to test the waters. Or maybe your boss won’t give you a whole week off, so you’re seeking a quick getaway. Do you desperately need a break, but your budget can’t handle a full-week cruise vacation? Short three- to five-night cruises are your ticket to fun times at sea.
These cruises don’t go particularly far – a three-night sailing from Miami will only get you to the Bahamas, not the Caribbean – but short cruises are a pleasant break from reality, with relaxing time on board plus access to sand and surf.
While short cruises are an attractive option for travelers short on time and money, these cruises are not for everyone. Here are some things to consider to determine whether a short cruise itinerary is right for you.
You like older ships
Cruise companies such as Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean tend not to put their latest and greatest ships on short cruise routes. If you want to try the racetrack on top of the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ships, for instance, you’ll have to book a full one-week cruise. The same goes if you have your heart set on riding the first rollercoaster at sea aboard Carnival’s new 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras, or the thrill slides on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships.
However, a big exception will occur in 2024 with the debut of Royal Caribbean's fifth Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas. It will predominantly sail three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral (near Orlando, Florida) and be the first of the line's supersized ships dedicated to short cruises.
Other exceptions to the older ship/short route tradition include Virgin Voyages, which sails its recently launched, sexy, adults-only 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady on four- and five-night cruises from Miami. Disney Cruise Line's 4,000-passenger Disney Wish has offered three- and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral since its debut in summer 2022.
You may also find a recently rehabbed ship, such as the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory). Radiance originally launched in 1998 but underwent a $200 million makeover in 2021, receiving new restaurants, bars and a water park. It sails short cruises from Long Beach, California.
Even if a ship has not received a recent makeover, it will give you an idea of how the cruise line operates in terms of food, service and entertainment — which is great for those who want to try a brand they have not yet experienced. 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.
You’re cruising on a budget
Short cruises can be an excellent budget getaway option. On any given week, cruise lines need twice as many people to fill a ship sailing a three-night itinerary followed by a four-night cruise than it does for a ship sailing one seven-night cruise. That is why you will often see discount offers for short cruises.
If you don’t mind staying in snug quarters without a view, you may be able to snag a fare for around $50 per person, per night (before taxes and fees). Since your cruise fare covers accommodations, food, nightlife and activities, your getaway at sea could be cheaper than a night on the town in New York or Miami.
Keep your eye out for price reductions. The best cruise deals for short cruises tend to be in late September and from before or after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s into the early winter.
The cheapest way to go is to cram four friends or family members into one inside cabin.
A short cruise may also allow you to book a fancy cruise ship suite and sample the high life without paying a fortune.
You’re not picky about your cruise destination
If your vision is focused on sitting under a palm tree with a rum drink in hand, you may care less about where your ship is going. Still, be aware that short cruises don’t tend to cover a lot of ground geographically.
The most common destination is the Bahamas, with a stop in Nassau and a visit to Key West or to the white sand beaches of a private island owned by the cruise line — such as Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay or Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.
On a five-night cruise from a Florida port, you might visit Cozumel and other ports in Mexico or Grand Turk and the Dominican Republic. You won’t hit St. Thomas and St. Maarten, popular stops on one-week sailings.
If you’re cruising from a California port, your three-night cruise destination will be Ensenada, Mexico, while Catalina Island may be included on four-night sailings. Five-night cruises will get you to Cabo San Lucas.
You might also consider short cruises to destinations that include either Bermuda or New England and Canada (up to Halifax) that leave from New York, as well as on cruises along the Pacific Coast between California and Vancouver, British Columbia.
You enjoy a party scene
Short cruises tend to attract groups of friends, solo travelers and lively couples of all ages looking to make the most of their time at sea with lots of late-night action. These are not necessarily quiet ship experiences.
The fact that you don’t have to pay a bundle for a drinks package (since the packages are priced by the day) adds to a party-hearty atmosphere. While not all cruisers will drink from dawn to dusk, you can be sure that some will.
Even if you’re not planning to stay up until the sun comes up, short cruises can have a livelier onboard atmosphere as passengers pack in as much fun as they can in a few days rather than pacing themselves. You won’t be disappointed by a sleepy bar scene or empty nightclub on these sailings.
You like to vacation with a younger crowd
Short cruises work well for cash-strapped millennials or college students on break. If you're in your 20s and 30s and worried about cruising with retirees, you can rest assured that you will likely run into people your age on these sailings. Short cruises between February and April are especially popular with the college spring break crowd.
You don't mind traveling with kids
Short cruises are also popular with families, including multigenerational groups. If you travel in summer or during a holiday period, expect lots of children on board.
Parents like these affordable cruises, particularly the long weekend getaways, because they don’t have to feel guilty pulling their kids out of school for more than a day or two. Age-specific kids and teens programs keep the young ones occupied while the adults hit the spa or casino or otherwise engage in grownup activities.
Tip: If you can’t stand being around kids on vacation, book your short cruise right after kids go back to school in September.
You want to combine your cruise with a land vacation
For some travelers, a big bonus of a short cruise is that it can easily be combined with a hotel stay for a land and sea vacation. For instance, you could spend a week with Mickey Mouse by combining a three-night Disney cruise from Port Canaveral with a few days at a Walt Disney World Resort.
Alternatively, you could explore New York then hop on a short cruise to Bermuda, or take a quick cruise to Mexico then spend a few nights in Los Angeles. In Europe, Celestyal Cruises has three- and four-night itineraries that you can easily combine with mainland exploration in Greece.
You’re happy sailing mass-market cruise ships
Short cruises are most common on mass-market ships (Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean) and premium lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages.
They are less common on fancier cruise lines. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's 298-passenger Evrima, for instance, sails only a few five-night cruises through 2024 in Europe and the Caribbean. Many luxury lines don't offer itineraries shorter than a week.
Adventure seekers have limited choices in short cruise itineraries, too. One option is Lindblad Expeditions' five-night Baja, Mexico cruises.
Bottom line
Short cruises are an affordable way to take a break from your daily routine, but they’re not for everyone. Before you book a three- to five-night cruise, make sure the ship and onboard ambience fit your travel style. If not, consider saving up vacation time and money to take a longer cruise you will truly enjoy.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- The ultimate cruise packing list
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.