The 8 Best Short Vacations To Take On A Cruise

Sometimes, thanks to a school vacation or a little extra time off at work, you can get things together for a short trip, but not a long one. That raises the question: What are the best short vacation ideas you can come up with for when you have four or five free days, rather than a whole week or longer?

Your options for spending those days are actually much more numerous than they may seem at first. This is especially true when you decide on a short cruise vacation, letting a ship carry you to an exciting and relaxing destination where the perfect plan of activities is laid out for you. When you spend your free days at sea, it doesn't take long to enter a perfect state of relaxation and make some long-lasting memories.

Why A Cruise Is The Perfect Short Vacation

When you're planning a couple's getaway, a family trip or a long weekend with friends, there's an undeniable appeal to cruising rather than staying on land. It's worth breaking that appeal down and asking just what it is about a short cruise that makes it the most satisfying way to spend four or five days.

The clearest reasons include:

● The Extras: When you buy a cruise ticket, you're not just buying passage from Point A to Point B. You're also getting delicious included meals at onboard eateries, along with the countless fun activities on board.

● The Variety: A cruise is built around traveling, so you're spending your short trip discovering new and exciting vistas every day. One day, that might be an expanse of crystal-blue water at sea, while the next you're pulling into a bustling and exciting port city to explore.

● The Excursions: At every cruise destination, you can do more than just wander around and see the sights — not that there's anything wrong with sightseeing. Shore excursions let you add group tours, nature excursions, wildlife encounters and action-packed activities to your days.

● The Accommodations: When you're on a cruise, your nights in your stateroom are just as pleasant as if you were staying in a highly rated hotel. Every day of your short vacation is comfy and relaxing.

If spending your next four or five-day break is starting to sound good, what you need next is a destination and an itinerary. The ideal short cruise for your purposes will likely depend on who you're traveling with — a partner, your family or a larger group of friends.

Best Short Vacation Ideas For Couples

Cruises for couples are all about balance. Fun activities are a must, but so is relaxing downtime with the person you love. A romantic cruise vacation can involve days full of activity and exploration, followed by nights of delicious cocktails and Caribbean sunsets. The precise mixture of structured time vs. agenda-free relaxation can depend on what you and your partner feel like doing.

Some of the most enjoyable short voyages for couples include:

1. The Bahamas Getaway

A cruise to The Bahamas serves up plenty of potential for calm hours in beautiful surroundings. Whether you're discovering a favorite new restaurant in the bustling city of Nassau or simply soaking up the sun on a white-sand beach, there are plenty of experiences on this journey worth sharing with a partner. There's even a newly opened premium location to visit in Nassau, Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island, where the accommodations include a luxurious, two-story swim-up bar.

The sweet date nights don't have to end once the ship departs Nassau to head back home, either. You'll find indulgent restaurants and atmosphere-rich cocktail bars on board the ship, too, so you and your loved one can always find a place to luxuriate in each other's company, stress-free. 

2. Cabo Overnight Cruise

Sailing down the West Coast from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is a great way to come face to face with natural wonders and historic sights, while still having plenty of time for relaxing date nights with your partner.

Day trips from Cabo include tours along the coast by land and by sea, including a trip to visit stunning rock formations such as the famous Arch. Of course, there's no need to hustle the whole time when you're on vacation in Mexico. Sitting on the sand and sipping a drink in a place literally named Lovers' Beach is a great way to spend a day.

Best Short Vacation Ideas For Families

Traveling with kids brings a whole new set of demands. They'll need someplace good to eat for every meal and tons of activities to keep them busy and amused. Of course, it's easier to meet these needs when you're going by cruise ship, with kid-friendly restaurants and play areas never far away while you're on board.

Top trips to take with kids on summer vacation or during shorter breaks include:

3. The Bahamas Via Perfect Day At CocoCay

Sailing to The Bahamas with the whole family is a perfect way to spend four or five days, especially when you choose a trip that stops off at Perfect Day at CocoCay, an island paradise specifically designed to deliver nonstop fun and entertainment.

The kids will be perfectly in their element as they splash around Thrill Waterpark® and zoom down the island's 14 waterslides. There's also a family-friendly beach for more relaxed playtime by the ocean. From Perfect Day at CocoCay, it's on to the other islands of The Bahamas, and all the energy of Nassau. It adds up to an unforgettable family trip.

4. Caribbean Getaway

Caribbean jaunts that include more time at sea are great for families, because a cruise ship is the perfect environment for kids to enjoy a long weekend or school vacation. Specially designed areas for kids and activities like the Adventure Ocean® youth program ensure there's never a dull moment.

Sailing through the Caribbean while kids participate in Aquanauts (for 3-5 year olds), Explorers (6-8 years old) or Voyagers (9-12 years old) activities is the perfect way to spend four days. A fun-filled stop off in Nassau lets the youngsters see another part of the world up close before heading home.

5. Eastern Or Western Caribbean Via Perfect Day At CocoCay

When you're sailing the Caribbean with your whole family, you can choose your adventure. While some cruises that stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay go on to Nassau, others sail to ports like Cozumel, Mexico, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic or Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos.

Your choice of itinerary and departure location can shape your voyage, letting your family explore the world and build happy memories that will last for a lifetime. The sights and sounds of the Caribbean are enchanting at any age.

Best Short Vacation Ideas For Groups

Sometimes, your best vacations aren't the ones you take with a romantic partner or kids, but rather the ones you take with a group of good friends. Spending four or five days with a bigger group of adventure-hungry travel companions lets you really make the most of your time off.

Top trips for travel groups include:

6. Western Caribbean

A cruise to Cozumel and Costa Maya allows you to have more adventures in Mexico in just a few days. No matter how your group likes to have fun, you're sure to find interesting shore excursions in these enchanting destinations.

One day, you're snorkeling through the perfectly clear waters around a coral reef. Next, you're on a long walk through the jungle, seeing flora and fauna you've only ever spotted on TV. Then, after a day's adventuring, there's time to relax with a cocktail.

7. Catalina And Ensenada

When you're cruising out of Los Angeles, the action starts quickly. Many cruise itineraries begin at Catalina Island, just 22 miles off the coast of California and loaded with opportunities for hiking, catamaran sightseeing and beachside relaxing.

From Catalina, you can sail on to Ensenada, Mexico, where the activities include whale watching, vineyard tours and shopping. The fish tacos are especially legendary in Ensenada, and make the perfect post-adventure meal for you and your crew.

8. Key West And The Bahamas

Key West, the legendary southernmost point in the continental U.S., is a world-renowned place to see the sights and sip a cocktail. It's the perfect first destination on a cruise to the Caribbean with your friends.

How do you follow up the Florida Keys? If you're on a cruise, the natural next step involves stopping in The Bahamas and having an amazing day in Nassau. The food, the beaches and the atmosphere will give you great memories to bring home.

How Do You Get Started Planning A Short Vacation?

Turning your dreams of a short but sweet cruise vacation into reality isn't hard. Once you start getting organized, you'll feel the momentum build. There are just a few practical matters to settle as you plan a cruise vacation before you set sail.. You should:

● Get Your Travel Documents Together: If you're going to another country on your cruise, it's time to make sure you've got valid, up-to-date passports for everyone in your traveling party.

● Plan Flights and Lodging for Departure: Where does your cruise leave from, and what's your plan to get there? Once you've squared away these details, you're very close to sailing.

● Pick Excursions and Extras: Which stateroom class is right for you? What activities do you want to try in each port? This is a fun part of planning, one where you can shape the trip to your personal preferences.

Imagine Your Next Relaxing Short Vacation