Weekend Cruise Getaway: The Perfect Mini Break For Couples, Friends And Families
Escape your everyday — weekend cruises await
By Aleisha White | Published on September 2, 2025
There's something oddly exotic about disappearing for a weekend. It brings mental vitamins — oxygen for your lifestyle — and it works wonders for relationships. There's no shortage of excuses to whisk away for a break, either. Post-graduation recovery, special celebrations or just needing to tap out and refresh are all good reasons to start packing.
This guide will dive into:
- ● Why serious vacationers line up at cruise ports.
- ● Nearby destinations that you don't need to cross the globe for.
- ● A few weekend getaway itineraries that are a stone's throw from your backyard.
We'll also explore ideas to start planning the best weekend getaways — they're a lot closer (and easier) than you might think. If your weekends feel like they're gone with the wind, follow them: They're probably blowing toward the Caribbean.
Need A Quick Weekend Getaway? Here’s Why Cruises Win
Weekend escapes are a blessing and a curse. The curse is that they only last the weekend. The blessing is that if you plan your trip wisely, you can feel like you’ve spent an entire week away by the time you get back. The best weekend getaways are simple to plan and manage, offer a change of scenery and leave space for you to connect with the people you share the experience with. That's where the concept of cruising earns its keep.
What weekend escapade offers the choice between exotic international food and culture, spa treatments, rock climbing, concierge service, fine dining, water parks — or all of the above — other than a cruise?
Here's why the savvy travelers swear by the seas:
- ● Everything’s taken care of: Royal Caribbean cruises cover your fundamentals in the fare. That means, in one booking, you've got accommodation, meals, entertainment and travel sorted. All you have to do is show up.
- ● Change of scenery: There's something therapeutic about feeling a swirl of salty breeze on your skin as the sunlight hits your eyes, far away from traffic lights and junk mail.
- ● Do as much or as little as you like: Spa days, sundecks and starry nights are yours for the taking, as much as the casinos and exotic shore excursions are. You have the freedom to plan your cruise or wake up and decide on the day.
- ● The kids will love it: Even when you haven’t seen the kids in eight hours, you can relax, knowing the Royal Caribbean Ocean Adventure program is taking good care of them.
Need a cruise weekend getaway stat, but you don't have anything prepared? No problem. You can still book your cruise at the last minute and find great deals close to home with minimum planning required. Which begs the question: How close (or far) is close to home?
Tropical Destinations That’re Closer Than They Feel
If you can swing a weekend trip to Rome, well done (seriously, let me know how you did it!). But if long-haul flights feel like a stretch, you’ll want a nearby destination that delivers. Whether you sail from Galveston, Texas or the East Coast, the Bahamas and the Caribbean offer a boatload of tropical playgrounds, right in your backyard.
The Bahamas and the Caribbean are just a hop, skip and a sail away, but they certainly feel much farther. With bubbling, liquid glass shorelines to welcome you at every stop and year-round warm weather, it's hard to go wrong. Both destinations cater to any travel mood, whether your crew is down for pool days, wildlife and cultural visits, snorkeling trips or jetski action to get the heart pumping.
But that's not all that makes a quick Caribbean vacation so weekend-friendly. Local ports are designed for weekend stays, so amenities and activities are close at hand. If you're leaning toward The Bahamas, you'll dock at Royal Caribbean's exclusive private island, featuring water parks, private adults-only clubs and a selection of flawless beaches. What more could you ask for (besides, maybe a few more days)?
Caribbean Weekend Getaways You Can Book On The Fly
If you’re heading away with a lover or a group of good souls, you’ll want a location that caters to the company. Here’s a roundup of places you can easily access for a short trip and still feel like you’re in a far-flung stretch of the planet.
Family Weekend Getaways
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata is among the best Caribbean weekend getaways for families, primarily due to its variety. Little ones can get up close and personal with dolphins, sea lions and exotic birds during an interactive day trip to the Ocean Adventure Marine Park. If the teens are looking for an outdoor adventure, take your pick from zipline excursions, watersports at Sousa Beach or hiking trails.
You couldn't miss Puerto Plata's peppy arts scene if you tried. Head into the city to explore colorful handcrafted goods and fresh Dominican coffee beans to bring home.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas
Dial up the thrills or experience next-level chill at Perfect Day at CocoCay, an exclusive and dynamic Royal Caribbean private island in The Bahamas. Thrill Waterpark® alone has everything the kids need to keep busy over the weekend, but they may enjoy downtime at Oasis Lagoon®, the Caribbean's largest freshwater pool.
You're never short of a beach chair nook by the pool or lounging on one of the seven stretches of pristine sands that even the most exotic beach vacations daydream about. Or, spend a few hours at Hideaway Beach — a club with a swim-up bar and infinity pool. Admission, meals and most activities are included in the cruise fare.
Best Weekend Getaways for Friends
Ensenada, Mexico
Besides tiki-chic cocktails and hazy skies to match your crew's vibe, what more could you need from a weekend getaway than ATV tours through Baja California's sunbaked wine country? If your answer is even more outdoor activity, lock in for an excursion to La Bufadora, where you can watch the ocean exhale as sea spray erupts 100 ft into the air.
Immerse yourself in culture and local bites at the boardwalk markets, and follow up with a full day at sea, poolside with your favorite shades and best pals.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
If you're boarding a weekend cruise from Florida with friends, San Juan is the best place to visit. The township is dripping in historic charm. By day, explore your way through paintbox buildings and fortresses, like Castillo San Cristóbal, to discover the multicultural influences that shape modern Puerto Rico. By night, follow your nose to the closest lechón asado joint for a taste of local cuisine, then keep the night young at San Juan's famous salsa bars.
For those craving a new perspective on the craggy coastline and cerulean waves, outdoor adventure awaits at El Yunque National Forest — it's an easy day trip with even better views. Follow hiking trails to beautiful waterfalls, try your luck at wildlife spotting and immerse yourself in the greenery.
Romantic Weekend Getaways for Couples
Cozumel, Mexico
Oceans that can't decide whether they're ivory or lagoon-blue sound like your kind of romantic getaway? Cozumel's your answer. You'll depart from Galveston, Texas, and head toward a premier spot for beach vacations in southern Mexico. It carries a low-key vibe, and it's perfect for sinking into downtime with your significant other — in fact, you might even choose to swing a long weekend cruise if you're seeking serious relaxation.
Head to the beach for diving or snorkelling through flamboyant, knobbled corals or kick back on the sand, hand in hand, and watch the sun sail through the sky. Now's also a prime time for you and your partner to take an authentic Mexican cooking class so you can treat one another to the island's classic ceviche and salsa dishes at home.
Nassau, The Bahamas
If you and your love are looking for a place to tune out the rest of the world, there's something to know about The Bahamas: It's pretty flat. That means there's not much to distract you from each other's company (apart from the swimming pigs, which is a little distracting but totally worth it if you're looking for exotic new experiences).
In a parallel world, yet conveniently not far from Miami, a Bahamas weekend getaway is the best place to curl up on the virgin beaches, let life fade into the horizon and remember why you're in it together. (Then go and meet the swimming pigs.)
Your Weekend, Your Way — Plan It With Royal Caribbean
If you're new to quick escapes, knowing how to plan a weekend getaway isn't as complex as it sounds. First, when choosing a destination, consider your company and priorities. Kids may not appreciate a town's historic charm as much as they do animal interactions.
Second, go far enough to refresh your perspective, but not so far that you need to spend the weekend trip managing travel logistics. The Bahamas and the Caribbean rest on the flanks of North America, so they make the perfect home-away-from-home for your break.
Third, keep it simple. The goal is to relax, unwind and enjoy — which is why cruising goes hand in hand with weekend breaks.
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