Are you considering taking your first cruise soon? Or are you a veteran of the sea eager to book your next trip?
If so to either question, you’ve probably already started to consider how long you’re going to want to spend at sea and how much of your annual leave you plan on taking off. The beautiful thing about cruises is that their length can generally be compared to a piece of string – adventure-hungry travellers can choose from weeks-long intercontinental excursions to 3-day cruises that allow for a condensed nautical experience.
However, there is some debate among the cruising community on whether the short cruises are really worth your time. This piece will expand on the attractions and drawbacks of taking a 3-day cruise, so you can decide how to prep your sea legs for the next holiday season.
The appeal of 3-day cruises
There are plenty of reasons that you might want to embark on a 3-day mini cruise, such as:
Getting a quick getaway
Sometimes, you just need to get away from work. But, this doesn’t have to mean burning a week’s worth of your holiday allowance every time you take some time off.
In fact, some studies indicate that shorter, more regular breaks can even be more restorative and energising than the longer trips away. If you’re eager to recharge the batteries and love the sea, 3-day cruises could be perfect for you.
A low-commitment taste for the sea
If you’re not a cruise regular, then that little 3-day mini cruise from Southampton port could be the perfect, cheaper way to dip your toes into the sea life. Cruises can be a joyous experience, however, they’re simply not for everyone.
By only committing to three days, you can get a more accurate idea of whether a trip on a ship is the right choice for you. If not, you can still make the most of the experience, knowing that it was just a short, wallet-friendly adventure.
The drawbacks of 3-day cruises
While 3-day cruises can be a quick, low-commitment choice for holidaymakers, they’re not always going to suit everyone. Reasons to avoid 3-day cruises include:
Limited port time & locations
One of the major appeals of cruises is the ability to see a variety of places in one trip, ideally with plenty of port time at each stop.
With just three days for the whole cruise, passengers will usually only get to see one or two ports. And if the trip begins a flight away from home, there might be a lot of effort put in for a trip that finishes before it seems to really begin.
Less time (for more) on board
Similarly, some people choose cruises for the relaxation of being catered to onboard. Travellers who very much enjoy the comfort of the ship might find the limitations of being onboard and docking within 3 days a little bit stressful. It’s also worth noting that the shorter trips, while cheaper, often work out a worse pay-per-day rate, meaning the minimised onboard experience costs more per day.
So, are 3-day cruises worth it? That entirely depends on your travelling predisposition! For those who want to try out cruising for cheaper or simply need a quick break, a 3-day cruise might be perfect.
If you like to pack in as much excitement as possible into your holidays, then something longer will better suit you. Either way, make sure to book with a reputable provider for the best experience possible. And here are some ideas for 4 city weekend getaways, too.