12 Pros and Cons of Taking a Shorter Cruise

Is a Shorter Cruise Worth it

Sharing is caring!

If you’re looking for a quick getaway but are pressed for time or have budget constraints, a short cruise could be the perfect solution. Shorter cruises offer exciting activities, a fun atmosphere, and the opportunity to explore new destinations.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser looking to get a taste of cruising or an experienced cruiser looking for a quick vacation, shorter cruises certainly have their appeal

While shorter cruise vacations may be an enticing option for those on a tighter budget or limited by time, they are not for everyone. With that said, here are the advantages and disadvantages of booking a short cruise.

7 Reasons Why You Should Take a Short Cruise

MSC Seascape Infinity Pool

1. Affordable Vacation

One of the reasons shorter cruises are such an attractive vacation option is that they are affordable. Considering hotels can cost over $250 a night, a shorter cruise that includes your meals, activities, entertainment, and sleeping accommodations for as low as $300 for a 3-day cruise is an appealing option.

Whether you’re a young couple, a family with young children, or a budget-friendly traveler, shorter cruises certainly have their appeal. Sometimes, going on a short and cheap cruise is a great way to reset and get that much-needed vacation without breaking the bank.

2. Great For Celebrations

You’ll find a vibrant mix of celebrations on shorter cruises, from honeymooning couples to lively bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Planning a celebration on a cruise ship can be very pricey and inconvenient for those attending. However, a shorter cruise is much more affordable and requires less time commitment.

It’s hard to beat celebrating those special occasions with your loved ones on a cruise ship. From the amazing meals together to the evening entertainment, a short cruise vacation is the perfect way to create lifelong memories.

3. Younger Demographic

MSC Seascape Pirates Cove waterpark

Compared to longer cruise itineraries, shorter cruises have a younger demographic. On a short cruise, you’ll find many families travelling with young children, millennial cruisers looking for a party vibe, and cruisers who are young at heart!

Since shorter cruises attract a younger demographic, the ambiance onboard will be lively. This means fun activities on the lido deck during the day, and an active party scene in the evenings.

The young demographic is great for families travelling with young children. Typically, cruises that attract a younger demographic will have onboard activities like water slides, rock climbing walls, and ropes courses. With so many onboard activities, you’ll never have to worry about your children being board.

4. Easier to Plan

Shorter cruisers are much easier to plan than cruises with longer itineraries or land vacations. Typically, shorter cruises visit 1 to 2 cruise ports, which don’t require much planning.

If you’re cruising with a group, it’s much easier to coordinate dates when the trip is shorter. Furthermore, since it’s less of a time commitment, it allows for more flexibility.

Since the cruise is shorter, you can pack light,, making things much easier! In fact, most cruisers only pack a carry-on bag for shorter cruise itineraries.

Related: How to Plan a Perfect Group Cruise

5. Great for New Cruisers

It’s common for new cruisers to be unsure whether they will enjoy a cruise. Many new cruisers are unsure if they will get seasick, like the food, or enjoy the overall vibe of a cruise ship. However, a shorter cruise is the perfect way for rookie cruisers to get a taste of cruising.

By choosing a shorter cruise, beginners can dip their toes into the world of cruising without a significant financial commitment. This not only makes it a more affordable option but also provides a safety net in case they find that cruising is not for them.

6. Short Vacation

freedom of the seas older cruise ship

For many travelers, a short cruise vacation provides a quick escape from everyday life and is a great way to reset. When you book a shorter cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to visit 1-2 destinations in a short period of time, while spending the rest of your time onboard a cruise ship.

Last year, I took a 4-day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. Although I am used to the typical week-long cruise itineraries, I thought a shorter cruise was a great way to experience quick getaway and reset.

Furthermore, I had the chance to visit Nassau Bahamas and Perfect Day at Cococay, which provided a nice change of scenery. Having four days to explore a cruise ship and two different ports of call kept me busy and I was very satisfied with the experience.

7. Good Opportunity to Try Something New

A shorter cruise is a great opportunity to try something new. Whether you decide to book a shorter cruise and try a different cruise line or splurge on a suite, shorter cruises are a great way to sample new experiences.

For seasoned cruisers, booking a shorter voyage is a smart move. It’s a chance to test the waters without a significant financial commitment.

5 Reasons Why You May Want to Avoid a Short Cruise

1. Older Cruise Ships

cabin freedom of the seas older cruise ship

One drawback of planning a shorter cruise vacation is that many shorter itineraries are on older cruise ships.

The decor, activities, and cabins may feel outdated when you’re on an older cruise ship. During my four-day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, I noticed a lot of wear and tear around the ship, and the cabins were outdated despite the ship having been refurbished in the last few years.

There’s nothing wrong with going on an older cruise ship. However, it’s important to understand that many parts of the ship may feel outdated.

If you prefer the look of a new cruise ship with modern decor, you won’t enjoy cruising on an older ship. In reality, newer cruise ships often have 7-day itineraries since this is the most popular itinerary among cruisers.

However, in recent years, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages have released brand-new cruise ships specializing in shorter itineraries. These new ships are ideal for cruisers looking to go on a short vacation while still sailing on a modern cruise ship.

2. Underwhelming Itineraries

If you’re an experienced cruiser, you may feel underwhelmed by the ports of call on shorter cruise itineraries. Typically, shorter cruises will stop once or twice during the voyage, and they usually stop in Nassau, Bahamas, and the cruise line’s private island.

For new cruisers, these stops may be fun and exciting. However, these stops may not be exciting for seasoned cruisers, as chances are they’ve already explored these ports of call.

3. You May Not Experience Everything

Things to Do on a Cruise Sea Day

One of the downsides of going on a shorter cruise is that you may not have the chance to experience everything. If you’re on a cruise ship with plenty of activities and entertainment options, the reality is that it will be hard to do everything in such a short period of time.

Furthermore, since it’s a shorter cruise there will be longer lines for activities like the water slides since everyone is trying to do them before the end of the cruise. Whereas during a 7-day cruise itinerary there is more time to experience the onboard activities leading to shorter wait times.

During the 4-day cruise I took on Freedom of the Seas, there were some activities that I didn’t have time to experience. For instance, the surf simulator always had a long line and it was often closed when we were in port.

If you’ve booked a shorter cruise, it’s a good idea to plan which activities you’d like to do ahead of time. This way, you can make the most of your time onboard the cruise ship.

4. Limited Sea Days

Something that many new cruisers may not realize is that sea days are one of the best parts of cruising. During a day at sea, you can do whatever you want. Whether it’s sleeping in, relaxing by the pool, or participating in poolside activities, sea days give cruise passengers the ultimate sense of freedom.

If you’re on a 4-day cruise that stops in 2 ports of call, you’ll only get one full day at sea. This is because embarkation day is often hectic, and it can be hard to enjoy the full day since you’ll have to do your muster drill and unpack your clothing.

If you’re someone that prefers more sea days and a slower paced cruise, then you’ll prefer a longer cruise itinerary.

Related: 20 Do’s and Don’ts for Sea Days on a Cruise

5. Party Vibe

MSC Seascape White Party

Although the party vibe is great for those looking to have a fun and exciting cruise, it can also affect those looking for a laid-back and relaxing vacation. If you prefer a slower, relaxing way to travel, you may enjoy a longer cruise itinerary.

One reality of taking a shorter cruise is that it attracts many people looking for a “booze cruise” atmosphere. This means that many cruise passengers will drink a lot, leading to a noisy and rowdy crowd.

Furthermore, since there are many families with young kids, it can be hard to truly relax when you’re lying by the pool. The mix of kids playing in the pool, people drinking, and partying is not the ideal environment for unwinding and relaxing.

pros & cons of short cruise
Please PIN to save to your travel Pinterest board

Are Short Cruises Worth it?

A short cruise is worth it for travelers looking for a quick and affordable vacation. Short cruises offer many of the benefits of a longer cruise while being condensed into a few days. However, the limited days at sea, older cruise ships, and party vibe may not be for everyone.

If you’re debating whether a shorter is for you, it comes down to personal preference. Shorter cruises are ideal for people looking for a fun and short getaway.

Those who prefer a slower-paced and calmer vacation may find shorter cruises are not their cup of tea.

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 Now just $17!

Related & Popular Posts:

Final Thoughts on Pros and Cons of Taking a Shorter Cruise

Shorter cruises have several pros and cons that are worth evaluating before booking your next vacation. If you’re still debating on whether or not a shorter cruise is for you, it comes down to personal preference.

Have you ever gone on a shorter cruise? Please let me know your tips and questions in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

Ethan

If you enjoy this post please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please feel free to share on Facebook or Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer has been cruising with his family since he was four years old and has been on more than 30 cruises. As a frequent traveler, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like from a young person’s perspective. Ethan also writes about men’s fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com.

Follow:
Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.