The Best Long Weekend Cruises To Take

It's tempting to think of a cruise as an epic ocean escape, but you don't need a long trip to have a great adventure. You can explore the white beaches of The Bahamas, the ancient Tulum Ruins in Mexico or the sky-blue waters of the Eastern Caribbean during holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Read on to explore the best destinations for long weekend cruises the whole family can enjoy.

Key Takeaways: Long Weekend Cruises

● Long weekend cruises let you explore destinations like Mexico, The Bahamas and the Caribbean in just 2–5 days.

● Whether it’s Memorial Day, Labor Day or any long weekend, these cruises offer options for families, couples and solo travelers.

● Short itineraries make packing easier, schedules simpler and travel less hectic — giving you more time to relax.

● Leaving from nearby ports, booking early or choosing less-crowded sailings can help you get the most out of your weekend escape.

● If you’re ready to find your next getaway, explore long weekend cruises from Royal Caribbean.

1. Cruises To the Caribbean and Mexico

Mexico

In just a few days, you can cruise to Mexico and:

● Explore the world-famous beach resort of Cancun.

● Discover colorful Cozumel.

● Traipse through the ancient Tulum Ruins.

● Venture inland into the jungles or underground into the cenote swimming holes of the Yucatán. 

Mexico is close to many U.S. cruise ports, such as Galveston, which makes it an ideal choice for shorter cruise itineraries.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas is another excellent choice, and the most convenient option if you plan to cruise from Florida. The wide variety of ports within the islands makes this a perfect destination for a Memorial Day weekend cruise. Calling at Nassau allows you to explore the vibrant capital of The Bahamas, while wilder adventures await in Bimini, Paradise Island and beyond. Further sweetening the deal is Perfect Day at CocoCay, where the kids can brave the largest wave pool in the Caribbean while you hang out at the swim-up bar. You can also try a taste of VIP life at Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island.

The Western Caribbean

One of the best last-minute tips for weekend cruises is to select ports like Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica, which are far enough from the mainland to be less crowded than closer options. Other popular cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean include:

● San Juan.

● Punta Cana.

● The Dominican Republic.

You can also head to the port of Labadee in Haiti, with the world's longest over-water zip line.

The Eastern Caribbean

Alternatively, if you can stretch your Labor Day weekend cruise beyond just a few nights, you might venture deep into the Eastern Caribbean. Dock at ports within and beyond the U.S. and British Virgin Islands to:

● Discover some of the most exotic jewels of the tropical Atlantic.

● Sink your toes into the golden sand of Pinney's Beach on St. Kitts and Nevis.

● Hike above the sea in Cabrits National Park in Dominica.

● Marvel at contrasting cultures on the Dutch-French island of Saint Martin. 

If you head farther north to Bermuda, enjoy azure waters and pink beaches that are warmed year-round by the jet stream.

2. Memorial Day Weekend Cruises

Many of the best Memorial Day weekend cruise destinations are interchangeable with places you might go over the Labor Day holiday. Memorial Day activities for the whole family, such as letting loose at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, are just as enticing in late May as they are in early September. On the other hand, there are a few important advantages if you’re able to cruise during the Memorial Day holiday, no matter who you're traveling with or where you sail from. 

Getaways for Couples

If you're looking for Memorial Day weekend getaways for couples, remember schools tend to be out during May. So, while family-friendly destinations such as the Bahamas and Mexico may be crowded, you can consider a few alternatives: 

● Discover romantic escapes to St. Kitts and Nevis or even Bermuda for more availability.

● Have a private moment at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos — one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

● Extend your weekend cruise to include Thursday or Tuesday for less crowded moments.

Cruises for Families

At the same time, Memorial Day weekend cruises are still great for families, especially if you start shopping now. After determining how many days you can cruise and where you want to depart from, you can immediately begin browsing Memorial Day cruises. For instance, if you live in Atlanta, you can fly or drive your family to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami and take a 2- or 3-night cruise to a family-friendly private island in The Bahamas.

Adventurous Alternatives for Memorial Day Weekend

Remember, the best cruises for long weekend travel, or even trips you take over Labor Day, are the most adventurous ones. Head beyond the comforts of Cancun to the lesser-docked cruise ports of Belize. Whatever you do, allow your brainstorming and research to be fun. After all, Labor Day is meant to be a break from work, not add more of it.

3. Labor Day Cruises

While Labor Day is a popular time to travel, possibilities for Labor Day weekend cruises are practically endless. Plus, with a few strategic moves, you'll manage to cruise stress-free at one of the busiest times of the year:  

● Book early.

● Leave from a convenient departure port.

● Be open to a wide range of destinations (from top choices like The Bahamas and Cancun to secondary options like Puerto Rico).

Three-Day Labor Day Weekend Cruises

If you can only take Labor Day cruises for three days, the best options are the ones closest to you. If you live in the Northeast, depart from New Jersey's Cape Liberty Cruise Port for Bermuda (the closest major cruise destination to the New York City area). On a three-day Royal Caribbean cruise, the journey is the destination — enjoy the horizon of the open Atlantic before exploring Bermuda shores like Horseshoe Bay Beach.

Last-Minute Labor Day Cruise Tips

One of the best last-minute tips, even if you plan to sail over Labor Day weekend, is to make yourself more available. This could be in terms of the number of nights. A five-night departure from Miami to the Bahamas is less likely to be fully booked during Labor Day than a shorter The Bahamas cruise, since many people are unable to take off additional days. Likewise, if you can fly to Houston or New York, sailing from Cape Liberty Cruise Port or Galveston opens your options and, depending on how full bookings are for your dates, offers better prices as well.

Adjacent-to-Labor-Day Sailings

If you have flexible time off, you might travel during a period adjacent to the Labor Day holiday for an even simpler experience. Browse long weekend cruises during the last week of August or the second week of September, with potential departures to: 

● Mexico and Belize.

● Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico.

● Jamaica.

● The Virgin Islands.

What To Expect From a Long Weekend Cruise

Life During Your Weekend Cruise

Expect a mix of onboard entertainment and laid-back flexibility:

● Mornings let you linger over breakfast, lounge by the pool or hit the spa.

● Afternoons often include a port call where you can snorkel, sightsee, shop or simply stroll along the sand.

● Evenings bring live shows, cocktail bars, themed dinners and family-friendly activities.

How a Short Cruise Helps You Unwind

Because itineraries usually run two to five nights, long weekend cruises also tend to be refreshingly low-stress:

● Packing is simpler.

● Schedules are easier to manage.

● You spend less time traveling and more time unwinding.

Whether you’re chasing kid-approved adventures or a relaxing getaway for two, a long weekend cruise offers a fun, efficient way to reset without committing to a full week away.

The Best Ports for Long Weekend Cruises

Proper planning ensures your trip goes off without a hitch. Whether you’re shopping for long weekend cruises throughout the year or you've selected travel dates during the Labor Day or Memorial Day holiday, it’s important to choose the right port. The majority of Americans are within a nonstop flight (or even a short drive) of cruise terminals near:  

● Galveston, Texas.

● New York City, New York.

● Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

● Miami, Florida.

Sail South From Galveston

Galveston is a great choice for Labor Day weekend cruises, situating you close to the Mexican Yucatan — though more distant options exist:

● Continue sailing south to Belize and explore the Great Blue Hole.

● Head over to the Western Caribbean and discover the ancient pyramids in Cozumel, Mexico.

Explore Northeast Departures

If you live in the Northeast, many of the best cruises for shorter itineraries also depart from the New York City area. Leaving from Bayonne's Cape Liberty Cruise Port, it's easy to cruise toward the shores of Bermuda and enjoy coral-rich, pink beaches. 

You can also head farther south to The Bahamas, and even into the Caribbean Sea (as long as you can devote four or five nights to your cruise instead of just two or three). Explore Western and Central Caribbean destinations like Grand Cayman, or head east to Antigua and Barbuda, where the panoramic lookout from Shirley Heights will make you feel on top of the world — literally.

Consider Cruises From Florida

Florida, which has two very popular ports of departure, may be the best place to set off on Memorial Day weekend cruises. You can consider sailings from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, where both locations put you in a great position to explore the Caribbean Sea. 

For shorter trips, you'll likely stick to nearby islands like The Bahamas and Grand Cayman, though you might also be able to reach Jamaica or even the Virgin Islands if you have a few additional days to spare. 

Turn Your Extra Day Off Into a Cruise Vacation