Which Length Cruise Is Best
As you might have guessed, different length cruises have their pros and cons. Theres no set length that is perfect. If youre a younger passenger who wants to have a fun time that wont cost a fortune, then we think youd be better off with a shorter cruise. If, however, you want to relax and visit more exotic ports, then youll most likely be happier with a longer cruise.
Either way, there are some definite differences between what youll experience on a short cruise versus a longer one.
Read Also: 2022 Gmc 2500 Adaptive Cruise Control
Con: Higher Cost Per Day
A major drawback to a weekend cruise is that the cost per day of a 3-night cruise is often more expensive than the cost per day of a longer cruise. To put this into perspective, I checked the prices of two cruises: a 3-night cruise on Freedom of the Seas and a 7-night cruise on Harmony of the Seas. Both sailings take place in September, just after the summer cruise season is over.
On the 3-night sailing on Freedom of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1068. This makes the cost per day $356 per room, or $178 per person.
On the 7-night sailing on Harmony of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1,960 total. This makes the cost per day $280 per room, or $140 per person.
While the cost per day may not seem too drastic, it becomes much different once the cost of airfare and a pre-cruise hotel stay are added to the total cruise cost.
Lets say you pay $300 roundtrip in airfare and $250 for a hotel the night before your cruise. This adds $850 to your total cruise cost.
The 3-night cruise now costs $1918, making the cost per day around $639 per room, or $319 per person. The 7-night cruise, on the other hand, now costs $2,810, making the cost per day $401 per room, or around $200 per person.
Also Check: Where Does Norwegian Cruise Leave From Nyc
Longer Cruises Mean Newer Ships
If you want to sail on the newest and largest ships, then you typically will want to sail a longer cruise of a week. While you might find a few shorter trips here and there, the newest ships typically sail longer cruises.
That can actually be a good thing for passengers. With the bigger ships, there is a lot more to experience and do, so having the extra time on board can give you an opportunity to see everything.
Meanwhile, cruise lines tend to use older ships for shorter journeys. Thats not to say these ships arent nice many of them have updates costing hundreds of millions to keep them in line with what cruise passengers expect. However, in most cases they will still be smaller and have fewer amenities than the newer ships on longer cruises.
You May Like: Where To Get Last Minute Cruise Deals
Also Check: Largest Cruise Ships In The World
How Long Are Weekend Cruises
Most weekend cruises tend to be 3-nights, leaving port on Friday afternoon and returning early Monday morning. A 3-night cruise gives the perfect length for a true weekend getaway, allowing you to forget all the stress brought on by work or school and truly escape.
Occasionally you may find 2-night cruises over the weekend, which leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday morning, although these are much less common.
Shorter Cruises Give You More Chances To Cruise
Without taking short cruises I wouldnt be able to cruise as much as I do. Short cruises allow you to really make the most out of your annual leave and you can take advantage of things like public holidays.
I often use public holidays as an opportunity to cruise, it isnt possible to cruise to exotic faraway destinations in a few days but its a great break from real life.
The more forward planning you do the better the chance that youll be able to plan your cruises well and require the minimum amount of time off work.
On disembarkation day you can realistically expect to be off the ship by 9 am so in some circumstances you can actually take a half-day or head back to work! T
his might not feel that great at the time but if it means you can cruise more in the future by saving your annual leave it can be a great option.
Disembarkation day is usually pretty sad anyway.
You May Like: Toyota Land Cruiser Vs 4runner
What Is The Cheapest Month To Go On A Cruise
Cheap Caribbean cruises are usually available in September, October, November, and December. Youll also find cruise deals between mid-April, when people go on spring break, and the end of May, when the summer high season starts. In addition to cost, you might want to consider factors like the weather and the potential crowds when choosing your travel dates.
Cheap Cruises From Tampa Florida
Cheap cruises from Tampa FL offer you the chance to venture out to places like Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, the Bahamas, other Trans Atlantic locations and primarily the Caribbean. From Royal Caribbean to Carnival Cruises to Holland America Line, we offer a variety of cheap cruises from Tampa FL so you can find the best cruise for your vacation.
Our year-round excursions to the Caribbean are all offered from 4 to 7 nights, taking you to locations like Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and more. Finding cheap cruises from Tampa FL may seem hard to find, but theyre right here, waiting for your desire for adventure and relaxation. You can live large, enjoy the ride, and have an unforgettable vacation all at a reasonable price when you book your cruise through CruiseCheap.com.
Don’t Miss: 2007 Fj Cruiser Wiper Blade Size
Why Choose Anywhere But Tampa
Why Port Tampa Bay is an ideal homeport for cruise lines wanting to offer exciting itineraries and pre- and post-cruise activities
As any itinerary planner knows, cruises provide guests with a unique and wonderful way to explore the world, allowing them to continuously move between beautiful locations and make memories that will last a lifetime. Every port of call on an itinerary plays a vital role in creating an enjoyable cruise experience, but what about the homeport?
Embarkation is as crucial to the overall cruise experience as the ship, its onboard amenities and the itinerary of picturesque ports. A homeport that is easy to navigate, and provides a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the ship? Now thats an attractive prospect for guests. And thats exactly what cruise operators and their itinerary planners will find at Port Tampa Bay on Floridas West Coast.
Positive impressions start from the moment the cruise guests arrive at the modern, award-winning Tampa International Airport. The airport is a convenient 15-minute drive from the Channelside District in Downtown Tampa, which enables travellers to get a view of the water and soak up the Florida vibe and sunshine before they arrive at one of the three cruise terminals.
Memorial Day Weekend Calls
Many of the best Memorial Day 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 on CocoCay private in the Bahamas, are just as enticing in late May as they are in early September.
On the other hand, some important advantages present themselves to travelers who are able to cruise during the Memorial Day holiday, no matter who you’re traveling with or where you sail from. If you’re looking for Memorial Day weekend getaways for couples, keep in mind that school tends to be out during May. Therefore, while family-friendly destinations such as the Bahamas and Mexico will be on the crowded side, romantic escapes to St. Kitts and Nevis or even Bermuda might have more availability. Have a private, romantic moment at Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, widely considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Couples might also consider dipping into their paid time off hours, since extending a weekend cruise to include Thursday or Tuesday will reduce the number of other travelers able to take the trip.
As is the case for general long weekend travel or even trips you take over Labor Day, many of the best cruises are the most adventurous ones. Why not head beyond the comforts of Cancun to the lesser docked-at 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 create more of it.
Recommended Reading: New Orleans Carnival Cruise Port
Carnival Cruise Ship Returns To Florida Port For 3 And 4 Day Cruises
Carnival Liberty is back in Port Canaveral where the cruise ship will homeport and sail three and four day cruises to the Bahamas.
The Carnival cruise ship arrived at Terminal 3 in Port Canaveral earlier this week after sailing the past several weeks from the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami. Carnival Liberty had been replacing Carnival Horizon after the cruise ship needed an emergency dry dock.
Were so excited to finally get Carnival Liberty back to her home at Port Canaveral. Shes an important part of our guest offering from an important port in our network, said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Our successful restart is possible thanks to the support of our loyal guests and valued business partners like the team at Port Canaveral.
Carnival Libertys four days cruises from Port Canaveral will visit Nassau and either Bimini, Freeport, or Princess Cays. The three day cruises will have one port stop in Nassau.
Both the three and four day cruises will have two sea days.
Carnival Liberty is scheduled to sail out of Port Canaveral through at least April 2024.
Learn the cruise secrets most people dont know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation.
You May Like: Single Cruises 2022 Over 40
These World Cruises Offer The Ultimate Itineraries
Travel + Leisure
Want to island hop around French Polynesia, visit Africa’s incredible cities, and cruise through Asia without ever switching hotels, boarding a flight, or repacking your bags? An around-the-world cruise provides the ultimate itinerary, packed with exciting international destinations , and luxury cruise lines provide comfortable accommodations, specialty restaurants, and plenty to do on and off the ship.
Related: More cruise vacation ideas
There are two main things you need before booking a world cruise: plenty of time and some spare cash. Prices range from around $20,000 to upwards of $100,000 per person, and all our top picks are more than 100 days , so they’re ideal for retired travelers looking for their next big adventure. Pack wisely for a range of destinations and climates, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime, filled with postcard-perfect destinations and new friends . If an around-the-world cruise is at the top of your travel list, you’ll want to book sooner rather than later these journeys frequently sell out because many cruise lines only offer a limited number of sailings.
Here are ten of the best around-the-world cruises you can take in 2023 and 2024.
Read Also: Alaska Cruises 2021 From Seattle
Which Cruise Ship Should I Pick For A Weekend Cruise
Most of Royal Caribbeans ships offering weekend cruises are extremely similar to each other. The Voyager and Freedom Class cruise ships offering 3-night cruises are almost identical in layout and onboard features. While some dining venues, bars, and water slides may differ, passengers should expect a relatively similar experience no matter which Voyager or Freedom Class ship they choose.
There are a few differences between them that should be noted, though:
- Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer different style waterslides than the others
- There is an escape room available on Independence, Mariner, and Navigator of the Seas
- Freedom Class ships are longer than Voyager Class ships, giving more space for a Splashaway Bay area for kids on the pool deck and more venues and stores inside the ship
- Freedom of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas offer the revamped Adventure Ocean kids programming, which offers kids more flexibility in activities rather than a rigid activity schedule
Other Short Caribbean Sailings
In addition to the Allure change, Royal Caribbean released 7 other ship deployments.
Adventure of the Seas will sail from Galveston and offer 4-, 5- and 6-night Western Caribbean cruises.
Freedom of the Seas will continue to offer 3- and 4- night cruises from Miami that visit CocoCay & Nassau.
Grandeur of the Seas will also sail from Miami, and run primarily Southern Caribbean voyages that are as long as 12 nights in some cases. She will also offer 4- and 5- cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
Independence of the Seas will sail 3-, 4-, and 5- night cruises from Miami to CocoCay & Nassau.
Liberty of the Seas will call Fort Lauderdale home, and offer 3-6 night cruises around the Caribbean and Bahamas.
will also sail from Port Canaveral with more varied 4- and 5-night Caribbean cruises.
Radiance of the Seas will move from Vancouver, and initially offer one west coast cruise down to San Diego, before embarking on a Panama Canal cruise to Tampa, where she will sail 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises.
You May Like: All Inclusive Cruises Out Of Galveston
Don’t Miss: Cruises Around The British Isles 2021
Short Cruises Mean You Can Pack Light
I am always pretty good at packing light, Ive taken a two-week cruise with nothing but a carry-on cabin bag before without too much trouble.
That said, its always nice not to have to pack too much. For a 3/5 night cruise, it is very easy to cruise with just a small bag especially since shorter cruises often dont have formal nights.
The 3 night Marella cruise I took was on board the Marella Explorer, we actually had 16 drawers in our inside cabin, 16! We only had 3 days worth of clothes so could have realistically spread out our clothes across all 16 drawers if we wanted to
Packing light is not only a lot easier but it can also save you a lot of money if you are flying to the embarkation port as you may not need to pay for baggage.
Book A Cruise Online With The Best Cruise Finder And Cruise Booking Website
CruiseDirect is a leading online cruise travel company dedicated to providing customers with better deals than any other cruise website and access to great deals on cruise vacations. Offering special rates and savings on cruise bookings with some of the most popular cruise lines in the world, we are so confident in our cruise packages that each and every deal is backed by a price guarantee. You wont find these prices on other cruise booking sites.
Since 2001, weve helped our customers find the perfect cruise packages and book dream cruise vacations for less. We are a cruise finder and booking website committed to helping you research all your cruise travel options to find a cruise that fits what youre looking for. After you find the perfect cruise, make your reservation with our cutting-edge booking engine. We are the best site to book a cruise with because we are driven by our passion for cruise ship travel. Book a cruise today and enjoy the excitement of cruising the world with us!
Don’t Miss: Fort Lauderdale To Miami Cruise Port
Will There Be A Sea Day
The majority of weekend cruises departing from Florida do not have a sea day, although you may occasionally run into an itinerary with one day at sea. Weekend cruises tend to be port-intensive, meaning they stop in a new port each day.
The exception is with cruises departing from the Port of Los Angeles on Navigator of the Seas. Weekend cruises on Navigator of the Seas have a full day at sea prior to a port day in Ensenada, Mexico. A sea day is perfect for trying the newly amplified ships upgraded features, including the longest waterslide at sea and The Lime & Coconut Bar.
If your weekend cruise itinerary does not include a sea day, that does not mean you have to disembark the ship in each port you visit. Many passengers opt to spend one of the port days onboard instead of in port so they can make the most of the cruise ships activities, dining, and amenities.
Port Of Tampa Bay Has Emerged Among The Top Eight Us Cruise Ports
Port of Tampa Bay currently homeports five vessels from four cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, offering the variety of 4, 5, 7, and 14-day cruise itineraries and the Aida Cruises AIDAmar for seven ports of call. Port of Tampa Bay has emerged among the top eight U.S. cruise ports, smoothly handling nearly 900,000 passenger moves a year.
Cruise terminal addresses:
- Cruise Terminal #2: 651 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
- Cruise Terminal #3: 815 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
- Cruise Terminal #6: 1333 McKay St., Tampa, FL 33602.
Port Tampa Bayâs cruise terminals facilities deliver passengers with the most comfortable experience and state-of-art services that exceed their expectations. Customer-friendly information areas, security, and full passenger amenities are just a few of the characteristics the Port of Tampa Bay is offering to all their clients.
Actually, the Seaport Center is undergoing a $6.5 million renovation that doubled its size. Included are a 5 lane passenger embarkation / disembarkation area, multi-deck parking garage, improved customs and baggage handling facilities and many other state-of-art amenities designed with passenger comfort, security, and convenience in mind.
The Florida Aquarium is just steps from the seaport and the Gulf beaches, Busch Gardens, major sporting facilities, and the historic Ybor City entertainment district are all close by.
Don’t Miss: Disney Cruise Dinner Dress Code
