Short and sweet: How to get the most out of your short cruise

If you can’t afford to fork out thousands of pounds for a two-week cruise, consider a three to six-night voyage instead.

Most cruise lines offer short, sharp itineraries, helping you cut costs while still being able to experience unforgettable destinations and innovative cruise ships.

More nights on board means more destinations and more time to experience a ship.

But carving out time for a two-week voyage around the Med isn’t always easy when you have deadlines and school term dates to consider – so a whistle-stop three-night voyage may be the perfect option for some.

Still unconvinced about taking a short break? If you’re wondering whether a three-day sail is worth it, consider the experiences you’ll have on board.

Cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean’s 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas or NCL’s 4,004-passenger Norwegian Bliss are designed to keep guests entertained every minute of the day – so even on a three, four or five-night cruise you can scuba dive in the pool or whizz round a racetrack in an electric go-kart.

10 ways to take advantage of a short cruise

Speak to a travel agent

The font of all knowledge when it comes to travel is much closer than you think.

Your local travel agent should be your first point of call when booking a cruise, as it’s likely they have sailed the same itinerary or been on the ship you’re due to embark.

They can recommend restaurants, entertainment, excursions and shoreside activities, and they’re just a phone call away if you need a helping hand while you’re on your cruise.

Research your destination

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to cruising is boarding under-prepared, not knowing what you’ve got in store.

Once you’ve selected your itinerary, list each stop and start researching.

What are the top attractions? Where can you interact with locals? How do you find the perfect photo spot?

Doing groundwork at home will take the pressure off researching and planning while on board.

Pre-plan your excursions

On a short cruise, you won’t have as many opportunities to sample a destination’s sights, scents and sensations as you would on a longer itinerary.

To avoid disappointment, it’s crucial that you book your excursions well in advance, so you’re guaranteed a spot on a specific tour – as most will reach capacity by the time you set sail.

Planning will also help you know what you’re doing on a given day, allowing you to organise the rest of your time around your excursion.

Research your vessel

Turning up on the first day of your cruise and not knowing exactly what’s on offer and where things are is a recipe for disaster.

You’ll end up spending most of your first day working out where everything is, and before you know it, you’ll only have a few days left.

Read up on your cruise ship well before you arrive and get to grips with its layout to ensure a smooth passage once you embark.

Meet your cruise director

To make the most of a short sailing, once on board your first point of call should be the cruise director, as they know more about your ship and how best to experience it than anyone else.

Every ship has a cruise director or someone with a similar title whose job is to give guests information about the vessel, where it’s going and what’s on offer.

They can also help with booking meals in the speciality restaurants, as well as excursions, classes and entertainment venues.

Book activities onboard the ship

Most ships offer a range of onboard entertainment options – usually too many to pack into a three-night cruise.

Be sure to book slots for the things you really want to do – whether that’s visiting the cinema, waterpark, go-kart track or barber.

On larger ocean vessels, you’ll struggle to try everything they have on board, so be prepared to make sacrifices.

Stick to a schedule

It’s easy to get distracted while exploring a big cruise ship. Round every corner you’ll find something new or unexpected – a brewery or robot bartender, perhaps.

On a short cruise, planning and sticking to a schedule is crucial if you want to make the most of your time.

That said, don’t get bogged down in timetables – one of the beauties of cruising is not knowing what you might discover next.

Try different restaurants for each meal

One of the best ways to experience a cruise is by sampling the sumptuous delights of each restaurant.

Many lines, especially smaller ones, tailor their menus to fit the destinations you’re sailing to, so what better way to get the most bang for your buck?

Book a different restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, particularly on sea days, so you can try an array of dishes and stroll around different parts of the ship.

Get off the ship

This one is a no-brainer.

When the ship is in port, disembark and explore. The night before you’re due to dock, prioritise what you want to see and plot your route to make sure you hit the must-see sights.

As well as your cruise director, onboard excursion teams can provide advice on attractions and prices.

Interact with locals

Most short cruise itineraries will take you to places you may never visit again, so when you’re meandering around a new destination, duck into bars, restaurants and shops away from the main streets.

Try to buy items from independent businesses and engage with the locals – that way you’ll enjoy a more authentic holiday experience, and you’ll be giving back to the community.