are 5 day cruises worth it

Are Short Cruises Worth it? (Tried and Tested, Pros and Cons)

If you’re considering taking a cruise you may be wondering if a short cruise is worth the price and if it’ll give you the true cruise experience.

I’ve been on over 50 cruises to date with a number of these being under 5 nights long.

I’ve had some brilliant short cruises – as well as some that I wouldn’t recommend.

In this post, we will be looking at what makes a short cruise worth it, or not.

Are Short Cruises Worth it?

There are many reasons why taking a short cruise is a good idea.

They’re cheap, easy, and can give you a taste of cruising. On the other hand, there are a few reasons why a short cruise may not be worth it for some passengers. 

There’s less choice when it comes to shorter cruises and the onboard experience can be very different from a longer cruise. 

I’ve been on short European and Caribbean itineraries and will talk about my experiences with both in this post.

I have enjoyed the majority of the short cruises that I’ve taken and there are definite benefits to short cruises – but there are a few things that you definitely need to be aware of.

What Counts as a ‘Short’ Cruise?

A cruise which is 5 nights or less would usually be classed as a short cruise.

3-night cruises are a very popular option – as are five-night cruises. 

2 or 1-night cruises are occasionally available but these are less common.

Only 32% of cruises taken are five days or less. The most popular length of cruise is 7 nights.

Longer cruises are also popular – but the longer the cruise gets the less common they are, for obvious reasons.

I personally think the perfect cruise length is 10-14 days, it’s long enough to really get to know the ship and to settle into life on board, but it isn’t always crazily expensive.

Cheaper Short Cruises

One of the main reasons why people look to book short cruises is because they are cheaper than longer cruises.

While this is true it often isn’t as good a a deal as you would think. Although a ‘3-night’ cruise sounds like a lot once you take into account that the first and last day are just getting on and getting off the ship that really only leaves you with one cruising day.

This is, of course, the same for every cruise but it’s often overlooked when booking shorter cruises.

Price Per Night

The price per night on a shorter cruise is not normally as good value as on long cruises.

For a cruise line, the most difficult part of a cruise is turnaround day, where they have to get guests on board and also other guests off.

It’s much easier for the cruise line and crew to keep the same guests on board for longer.

For this reason, the price of a 14-night cruise is usually a little cheaper than two 7-night cruises. The same can be said for shorter cruises.

Shorter cruises may look like a great bargain but per night they can be more expensive. That said, if you have a limited budget a short cruise is a really good option.

Party Atmosphere Onboard/Theme Cruises

It’s often the case that a short cruise has a party atmosphere and you’ll generally find a younger crowd onboard.

I’ve taken three cruises like this, the first was a three-night cruise with Celebrity and the second and third were three-night 90s theme cruises with Marella .

Marella Themed Cruises

I’d definitely recommend a themed cruise line for people who want to have a relaxed fun weekend. The majority of guests on board haven’t been on cruises before, but many find they love the ship and the weekend.

My last short cruise was 90’s themed, and I took five first-time cruisers with me.

Find out all about that cruise here:

Marella Cruises are all-inclusive and include alcoholic and soft drinks onboard.

To find out more about why I’d recommend a Marella cruise to families and young cruisers, check out this post: 

Top 7 Reasons to Take a Cruise With Marella Cruises

Non-themed Party Cruises

It isn’t just the themed cruises that tend to turn into party cruises.

If you book a cruise which is 3 nights, particularly if it’s over the weekend there is a chance that you’ll find many birthday parties and people celebrating onboard.

I took a 3-night cruise over a weekend with Celebrity Cruises to Amsterdam from the UK.

It was SO busy with people drinking in the bars on board that it was almost impossible to get a seat or get served at certain times. That said, if you book a weekend cruise this should be expected.

I really didn’t feel as though the cruise provided the true Celebrity experience but I did have a great time. I mostly booked the cruise to try the Celebrity Cruises food – and that did not disappoint!

It’s worth bearing in mind that short cruises, regardless of location or cruise line can feel like party cruises.

Celebrity are usually quite relaxed, but the weekend I spend onboard was anything but!

Our first ever cruise as a 2 night cruise to Guernsey, we already had a 14 night one booked a few months later and it felt like we were on a booze cruise, full of Hen and Stag Do’s. We vowed we’d never do a 2 night one again, weve only done 4 nights+ since then. We’re fairly young and like a good time, but it was far too much for us Emma Turner ( Facebook group member )

I did take a second cruise on Celebrity Silhouette which was VERY different from the first.

To learn how two cruises on the same cruise line, and same ship, can be so different, check out this video:

Is a Short Cruise a Good Way to Try a New Cruise Line?

A short cruise is a good way to try a new cruise line, but it’s important to remember that the experience onboard will likely not reflect a longer cruise.

It is important to remember that a short cruise on a cruise line may not provide you with a true representation of what that cruise line is usually like.

Short cruises are a great way to explore new cruise ships and try out elements like food and entertainment however some things will be different. 

The 90s theme cruises I took were with Marella who included all-inclusive drinks as standard.

If the 90s cruise was the first Marella cruise that I had taken I may have thought that all Marella cruises were party cruises – because of the all-inclusive drinks. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

I took another Marella cruise straight after the Covid pandemic. There was lots of paperwork and vaccination requirements which made the organisation stressful, but once onboard we had a wonderful time and I never saw anyone drinking to excess.

Exploring The Ship

One of the best things to use a short cruise for is to explore a new cruise ship.

If you are unsure if you’d like a larger or smaller ship a short cruise can be a great way to find out. The physical ship itself remains the same regardless of the itinerary length!

If you’re trying a cruise line that is totally different from anything that you’ve cruised with before, a short cruise can be a good option.

If you’re used to American cruise lines and are considering a British line or an Italian line a short cruise can be a great way to get a taste of the major differences.

I booked a three-night Christmas Markets cruise with the British Cruiseline Ambassador in 2022. I had never sailed with them before, and was looking forward to finding out what they had to offer.

Although we made it onboard, that cruise was cancelled before we even set sail. It was a total disaster! Find out all about that “cruise that never was” here:

Short Cruises Mean You Can Pack Light

I am always pretty good at packing light, I’ve taken a two-week cruise with nothing but a carry-on cabin bag before, without too much trouble.

That said, it’s 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 don’t have formal nights.

The 3 night Marella cruise I took was on board the Marella Explorer, and 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 you may not need to pay extra for hold luggage on the plane. 

Less Choice of Cruising Time

Short cruises tend to be for fixed dates and it’s not possible to choose other dates.

For the majority of cruises, the cruise will be repeated over and over so if you need to cruise a week later or a week earlier you can often do this without changing the itinerary.

A good example of this is the MSC cruise ships that cruise the Mediterranean. The ships repeat the same 7-night cruise over and over again for most of the year .

This gives you lots of flexibility to choose your cruise dates.

Mid Week/Weekend Itineraries

Short cruises tend to be less frequent. This can mean that if you want to do a cruise of a certain length you are extremely limited to only a few cruises per year.

Cruises that cruise over the weekend are incredibly sought after compared to mid-week cruises, so the prices of these are usually higher.

Short itineraries often happen between long itineraries – for example, if a cruise ship has been doing Eastern Caribbean cruises but changes to do a Western itinerary – there may be a smaller cruise in between which allows the ship to get into the new schedule.

It isn’t in the cruise line’s interest to have a ship empty for any period, so even if it is just a few days the ship will be filled and an itinerary sold.

On Occasion, There Will be no Drinks Packages or Other Offers

On some cruise lines, there are restrictions where drinks packages can only be purchased for cruises over a certain length.

On others who do offer drinks packages, these are usually more expensive per day than they would be on a longer cruise.

Some drinks packages for P&O Cruises are only available on cruises 5 days or longer in length

Drinks Packages are only available on cruises of 5 nights or longer, and while some of our Short Breaks are 5 nights, most are 4 nights and under. But it’s still great value to pay as you go. P&O Cruises

Many cruise lines are really trying to remove the party reputation of short cruises. As a result, they don’t sell drink packages on short cruises – to discourage drinking to excess.

This does depend a lot on the location of the cruise, cruises in the Caribbean tend to have a more laid-back party atmosphere than those in most of Europe.

Other Perks May be Unavailable

You may find on a short cruise that other extras, found on longer cruises are missing.

These may just be small things like no snacks in the bars or lounges and no welcome drinks – but if you’re used to cruising on long itineraries the difference is noticeable.

I don’t know if it’s still the same, but a while ago we found some of the little extras, like nibbles with drinks and quite a few other things were missing. False economy as many people use these cruises to see what it’s like. There were some new people on our dining table and we’d spend a lot of the time saying “it’s not usually like this “. We sailed with P&O. Kimberly Moore.

There may also be other perks which are for cruises only over a certain length.

For example, P&O cruises offer a coach transfer with some of their fares, however, this isn’t added to cruises less than 5 nights long.

It isn’t normally a big deal but just something to be aware of and look out for.

Trying New Cabin Grades

Upgrading your cabin.

On the 3-night Celebrity cruise I took, I actually decided to book a balcony cabin. I am often in an inside cabin or outside if I am feeling lucky.

To be able to cruise in a balcony is a real treat. Due to the fact that the cruise was so cheap, it wasn’t much more expensive to upgrade to a balcony – so I did.

If you are used to inside cabins I would suggest doing the same – but be aware that it can be quite hard to convince yourself to go back to an inside cabin once you’ve had a balcony!

I have managed it since, but there is nothing quite like having a balcony to watch a sail in or sail away.

Downgrading Your Cabin

On the other hand, a short cruise does provide you the opportunity to cruise in a cheaper cabin than one that you would normally book.

I’ve shared an inside cabin with my brother and parents on a short cruise. I wouldn’t like to share a cabin with 3 other people for too long – but for 3/5 nights I think it’s a great option.

Many cruise lines will have discounted prices for the third or fourth passengers in a cabin, so if you share the savings equally you can all have a discounted cruise fare.

Shorter Cruises Give You More Chances to Cruise

Without taking short cruises I wouldn’t 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.

When you use public holidays as an opportunity to cruise, it isn’t possible to cruise to exotic faraway destinations in a few days – but it’s a great break from everyday life.

The more forward planning you do the better the chance that you’ll 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!

This 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.

A Short Cruise Doesn’t Have to Mean Limited Ports

You may think that by taking a short cruise you will be missing out on ports that you may have otherwise visited.

It’s important to remember that longer cruises may have more sea days than shorter cruises and it is actually possible to pick a cruise that includes more than one port per day.

I took a short cruise with Celestyal Cruises. The cruise was 4 nights long and we visited a whopping 7 ports! 7 ports in 4 nights is almost unheard of within the cruise industry – but this is what Celestyal specialises in.

Celestyal are a Greek cruise line and if you are cruising to Greece I’d strongly recommend them. It’s the best way to be surrounded by Greek people, culture and food.

To learn more about a Celestyal cruise, check out my review here: 

Celestyal Cruises Review and Daily Photo Diary .

One Night Cruises are Occasionally Possible

Believe it or not, it is possible to take a one-night cruise although whether this really counts as a cruise or not is up to you.

The majority of large American cruise lines don’t do one-night cruises but some small British cruise lines like Fred Olsen or Ambassador.

A one-night Fred Olsen cruise will only set you back around $150 which is a bargain when you consider that the cruise includes your accommodation and meals.

Fred Olsen does have small, old traditional ships so they may not provide the cruising experience that many are used to. These one-night cruises are also only from the UK.

I took a longer cruise with Fred Olsen “In search of the Northern Lights.” Find out all about sailing with a traditional cruise line like Fred Olsen here:

Where do You Find Short Cruises?

When on almost any cruise line or travel agent website you will be able to filter your cruise search for cruises of a short duration.

Flexibility is Key

The key to finding a good short cruise is to either be flexible with dates or be flexible with the location of your cruise.

Sometimes cruises may start in one port and finish in another, which can cause logistical problems.

On the website, you can search by number of nights and also by cruise line. If you did want to cruise at a specific time with a specific line you would have to be flexible about the itinerary.

Similarly, if you wanted to cruise to a specific place on a short cruise you would probably have to be flexible when it comes to the cruise line.

My parents took a short, five-night out-of-season cruise on MSC Seaview. This was sailing from, and returning to Marseilles in France. It cost £226 – including gratuities! They also got a free upgrade to a balcony cabin for that price .

They were in France anyway visiting friends, so it was easy to just add this quick cruise into their schedule.

The great about short cruises is they give you the opportunity to try something new!

Would I Recommend Short Cruises?

A short cruise can be a brilliant way to try out a new cruise ship or cruise line. Short cruises are often very affordable and are able to fit around the rest of your life because they are so short.

That said, any short cruise shouldn’t be taken as a representation of a longer cruise with that cruise line.

Before You Go

Find out how you can get the best cabin for your budget in the article below:

Get The Best Cabin for Your Budget! Hints, Tips and Examples of How to Save Money Without Downgrading Your Cabin Type

Is it best to book with the cruise line or use an agent to get the best cruise deals? Find out here:

Is It Best To Use a Travel Agent or Book Directly With The Cruise Line? (Money-Saving Hints and Tips For Booking, and Much More…)

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

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Pros and Cons of Taking a Short Cruise (2-5 Days)

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: May 14, 2020  - Last updated: September 30, 2020

Are you considering taking a short cruise? Maybe it’s your first cruise and you just want to see if you’ll enjoy it before committing to a longer trip. Or you’re a seasoned cruiser just looking to enjoy a quick getaway. Find out why you should (or shouldn’t) take a 2-5 day cruise for your next vacation.

Should you take a short cruise? Or is it not worth the hassle to board a ship if you’ll only be on board for a few days? Read the pros and cons of taking a short cruise to help you decide.

Pro: Short cruises can be very budget-friendly

It might be a no-brainer that a shorter cruise can cost less than a long voyage, but the cost per day for short cruises can also be less. Sometimes significantly!

Cruise lines that continuously run the same itinerary for short cruises need to fill their ships every few days, so they often offer rock-bottom pricing and free perks. We’ve taken some short Bahamas cruises where the entire cruise fare was less than the taxes and port fees.

You can do back-to-back short cruises on a budget

If you want to take a longer vacation, look for an inexpensive short cruise that repeats its itinerary. Often, you’ll be able to book two back-to-back four- or five-day cruises for less than the cost of one seven-day cruise.

Too repetitive for you? Use a free tool like Cruisemapper’s Ships’ Schedules to find out if a different itinerary is scheduled before or after your cruise.

You might also like: How to Save Money on Cruises

Pro/Con: Short cruises can have a party atmosphere

A ship full of people laughing, dancing, and drinking lots of cocktails might sound terrible to you. Or maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for!

Regardless of what you want from your cruise, be aware that some short cruises are known for getting pretty rowdy. If you’d rather not have to deal with that, steer clear of the budget cruise lines as well as those that cater to younger adults.

Premium cruise lines like Celebrity and Princess could be a good fit for those looking for a more refined (but still fun) experience. Looking for a party? Try a mainstream cruise line like Carnival or Norwegian.

Tip: If just about everyone on the ship gets a free drink package (like with NCL’s Free at Sea ), expect a party atmosphere. Same goes for Spring Break sailings.

Pro: A short cruise can be a trial run

Never cruised before? Or, maybe you want to try a new cruise line but you’re not so sure if you’ll like their style. A short voyage can be a trial run to see what you think of the experience.

A “taster” cruise is the perfect way to see if you like cruising

Committing to a longer itinerary when you’ve never set foot on a cruise ship before might make you nervous. I can relate! I was actually terrified of the idea of cruising before I took my first one.

A short cruise is a low-stakes way to see if you’ll actually enjoy cruising, without investing too much time or money.

Try out a new cruise line

Do you usually stick with one or two favorite cruise lines, but you want to see if you might like a different one? Cruise lines can have very different “personalities”. A short voyage on a cruise line you’ve never tried before can help you figure out if you want to book a longer itinerary in the future.

Con: Short cruises don’t have as many itinerary options

Two- to five-day cruises tend to visit the most popular cruise ports that are located a shorter distance from the embarkation port. If you have your heart set on a more exotic or unusual port, odds are you’ll have to visit it on a longer cruise.

Cruise ships can’t travel very far in a few days

Forgive me if I sound like Captain Obvious, but you can’t travel very far on a short cruise. Depending on where your cruise embarks, it might be a fairly long distance to the closest cruise ports.

Also, cruise ships don’t move very fast compared to other means of transportation. The average cruise ship’s speed is only about 20-24 knots (23-28 mph/37-44 kmh).

Your itinerary may only include one or two cruise ports because of the travel time needed to get to the port(s) and back. For example, a three-day Caribbean cruise from Florida might only visit one port. But a seven-day cruise might visit five or six.

Tip: Pick an embarkation port that’s closer to your desired ports of call. You’ll usually visit more destinations in the same timeframe. Think San Juan, PR instead of Miami or Port Canaveral.

Pro: A short cruise can fit into a busy schedule

Do you feel like you never have time to fit a week-long vacation into your schedule? A short cruise, especially if it runs over a weekend or holiday, can be just the escape you need without leaving the real world for too long.

Especially if you live within driving distance of a cruise port, you can easily fit in a short cruise by tacking on just one PTO or vacation day to a long weekend.

Con: You might have to fly to the cruise port

If you live within driving distance of a port, even a smaller one, you’ll likely be able to take a short cruise without the stress and hassle of airplane travel before and after your voyage.

But if you have to fly to the port city, it might not seem worth taking a round-trip flight for a cruise that only lasts a few days.

I like to spend a few days in the port before and after a short cruise. It just makes that annoying plane travel seem worth it! If you have to fly and you have some extra time, consider extending your vacation to include a few days on land.

Tip: Even if your cruise is only a few days long, plan to get to the port at least the day before if you’re flying. Flights can be delayed or canceled, and the ship won’t wait for you!

Pro: You can pack light for a short cruise

Does packing for a long vacation stress you out? If you plan carefully, you can easily pack for a short cruise in just a small suitcase or duffel bag.

Plus, when you get back home, you won’t be faced with an enormous amount of post-vacation laundry when you unpack your suitcase!

Tip: Don’t forget to pack a well-stocked carry on bag for embarkation day so you can enjoy your first few hours on the ship. Even on a very short cruise, your room might not be ready right away and luggage can take hours to be delivered.

Pro/Con: Short cruises often include a sea day or two

Sea days: do you love them or despise them? Whatever your opinion, even short cruises often include one or two days when you’re not in port.

When your cruise only sails for a few days, this can result in a higher percentage of time at sea compared to a longer cruise to the same area.

Although the idea of more free time to relax or explore the ship’s amenities appeals to some cruisers, others might not like the idea of a day or two at sea on such a short vacation.

Chose your cruise ship carefully to ensure you’ll get the most enjoyment out of your sea days. Adventurous types might enjoy a ship that features waterslides, a rock climbing wall, or a go-kart racetrack. If you’re looking forward to utter relaxation, pick a ship with private cabana rentals, an adults-only pool, or a top-rated spa.

Pro: Drink packages can be more affordable

If you plan to indulge in some adult beverages, buying an unlimited drink package can give you the peace of mind that you won’t be seeing a huge bar tab at the end of your cruise. But a package isn’t cheap, and you can’t opt out of paying for days you won’t use it.

Unless you’re lucky enough to score a free beverage package, you’ll find yourself shelling out an extra $50-100 US per day (plus gratuity) for each day of your cruise. On a longer cruise, that can add up to some serious cash!

If you’re cruising for just a few days, the added cost of a package might be more affordable for your budget. Plus, you’re more likely to get your money’s worth from your package on a short cruise. On a longer sailing, you might take a day or two off from drinking, but you’re still charged for that day.

You might also like: Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It?

Con: There’s not much time to make new friends

Something I love about longer cruises is having the time to really get to know some of the other passengers and staff. But, if your cruise only lasts a few days, there’s not much time to make new friends.

Guests on a cruise are often more friendly and open to meeting new people than they would be in other settings. There’s something about the cruise atmosphere that encourages complete strangers to strike up a conversation! I know lots of cruisers who’ve made lifelong friends on longer voyages. But on a short cruise, you might only see your new buddies around the ship once or twice, not nearly enough for a lasting connection.

On a longer sailing, the crew members at your favorite bars and restaurants will usually remember your name and your preferences. Especially on budget-priced mainstream cruise lines with a higher crew-to-passenger ratio, they’re often too busy to get to know passengers who will be leaving in only a few days.

Pro: Pricing for premium stateroom categories is more affordable on a short sailing

On longer voyages, the price difference between different stateroom categories can be substantial. On a short sailing, that difference is often much less.

This could be the perfect opportunity to try a more luxurious stateroom class without breaking the bank! Even if the cost of a balcony cabin is usually out of your price range on longer cruises, you may find them far more affordable on a 2-5 day cruise.

Always wanted to try a full suite, but they’re way too expensive on a longer voyage? Treat yourself to a taste of luxury for much less on a short cruise.

Or, if you want to keep your budget as small as possible, choose an inside stateroom. They’re a good option if you know you’ll be keeping busy experiencing the ships amenities and the ports of call.

You might also like: Is an Interior Cabin Right for Your Cruise?

Pro/Con: There may not be a formal night

For cruise lines that do offer formal nights, some won’t have one on shorter itineraries. If you love dressing up and seeing your fellow passengers in their finest, choose a slightly longer cruise.

If you’re firmly anti-formalwear when you’re on vacation, a two- or three-day cruise could be a great choice for you!

Of course, no cruise line is going to force you into a cocktail dress or a suit and tie on formal night. But, you might not be allowed to enter the main dining room without wearing formal (or formal-ish) attire. You can always have dinner at the buffet, order room service, or try an alternative dining venue.

But if some of your family enjoy dressing up and some don’t, choosing a shorter cruise without a formal night can help keep the peace!

Pro/Con: Short cruises are usually on older ships

Most cruise lines reserve their newest, fanciest ships for longer cruises. If you prefer the mega ships with the newest upgrades and activities, it’s rare that they sail short voyages.

But older ships can have their charm as well! They’re often smaller, so they can be easier to navigate. Lots of cruise lines have been remodeling older ships with up-to-date décor and new restaurant and bar themes. Just because a ship is older doesn’t mean it will look shabby.

Many older ships can feel less crowded, too! As cruise lines continue to try to maximize revenue, they pack their newest ships with opportunities to make money, like fee-based restaurants and shops. Older ships often have more pools and hot tubs, and larger spaces to socialize and relax.

Pro: Short cruises are great for group travel

If you’ve ever tried to get your extended family or a large group of friends to come on a cruise with you, you know how much of a challenge that can be. Scheduling conflicts, differing budgets, and of course those people who don’t want to be “stuck on a boat” for a week can make planning a group cruise really difficult.

Shorter cruises, especially if they sail over a weekend, can be much easier to fit into everyone’s schedule and budget. Reluctant cruisers often are more willing to try a short sailing.

If your group is large enough, you may even be eligible for a group discount, or even a free cruise for the organizer! Ask your travel agent or the cruise line for details.

Con: You’ll often leave a short cruise right as you’re learning your way around

Finding your way around a cruise ship can be a bit confusing for the first few days, until you get comfortable with the layout. But if your cruise only lasts a few days, it might take you that long to find your way around. Then it’s disembarkation day!

Each ship has its own design quirks, and sometimes it’s tough to figure out how to get from point A to point B, even if you’re on the right deck.

There are plenty of ships’ maps (usually near each elevator bank), and crew members to help you if you can’t figure out how to get somewhere. But it always feels better when you can navigate a ship confidently without getting lost.

Pro/Con: So much to do, so little time

Even short cruises have tons of entertainment options, dining venues, and on board activities. The problem on a short cruise is prioritizing what you really want to do!

Thankfully, cruise lines provide each stateroom with a newsletter every evening so you can map out your must-do activities for the next day. Even with the best planning, you’ll never get to see and do everything that’s offered on board in just a few days. All the more reason to book another cruise!

Don’t forget to check out these resources when you’re planning a short cruise:

• What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry On Bag
• What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
• The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack
• How to Make a Cruise First Aid Kit

What do you think about short cruises? Do you love them or not so much? Let me know in the comments below!

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Are Cruises Worth It?

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

Giselle M. Cancio is an editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.

She has juggled many roles in her career: writer, editor, social media manager, producer, on-camera host, videographer and photographer. She has been published in several media outlets and was selected to report from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She frequents national parks and is on her way to checking all 30 Major League Baseball parks off her list. When she's not on a plane or planning her next trip, she's crafting, reading, playing board games, watching sports or trying new recipes.

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Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you’re not overly interested in trip planning.

One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options. That convenience can sometimes come with a big price tag, so it’s normal to wonder, “Are cruises worth it?”

Let’s look at the different aspects of cruising, what’s included on a cruise and how that compares against other vacations.

What’s included on a cruise

One of the best parts about a cruise is that it's all-inclusive, at least to a certain degree.

The true extent of what’s included will depend on your cruise line and any packages that you have, but in general, here’s what's included:

Meals, including fast food, sit-down restaurants and some room service.

Other live entertainment.

Pool access and pool towels.

Water, coffee and tea.

Housekeeping.

Port taxes.

» Learn more: Smart tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise

What’s not included on a cruise

The free options are likely more than enough to keep you entertained, but if you’re interested in more, the following items typically incur additional costs:

Specialty beverages. 

Specialty restaurants.

Spa treatments.

Gift shop purchases.

Excursions.

Some onboard events, such as wine tastings and cooking classes. 

Gratuities.

Some cruise lines allow you to bring a limited selection of alcohol onboard.

Pros and cons of a cruise

Is a cruise worth it? It can be, though you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of your cruise before deciding to book. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks to most cruise vacations:

As you can see, many of the positives of booking a cruise come from convenience. A cruise allows you to pay a single company, after which you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation.

Even if you spend more, you’re still only dealing with a single business and one point of sale. It’s simple and takes far less effort than researching all of your destinations, finding which activities are available, booking accommodations and figuring out where to eat.

But along with the convenience comes a lack of flexibility. Sure, you may be glad to stop at whatever port the cruise line chooses, but what if you’d like to stay overnight? What if you’ve already been to the location and prefer to go elsewhere?

As a guest aboard a ship, you have little control over where you’re going and how long you’ll be there.

And because most cruises aren’t totally all-inclusive , you may spend more than you planned once you're onboard. If you want to enjoy a few alcoholic drinks, dine at a specialty restaurant or take a guided onshore excursion, the additional costs can add up quickly.

» Learn more: Cruises where you don’t need a passport

Comparing a cruise to other vacations

So what does it look like when you compare a cruise with other vacations? A trip has many different aspects, including flights, accommodation, meals, activities and more.

Here’s a look at a five-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Carnival , which is typically a more budget-friendly cruise line.

It takes off in mid-July and makes three stops across five nights, including Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Carnival’s private island before returning home.

When adding in taxes, fees and port expenses, you’re looking at $2,184 for two guests — and that doesn’t include tips, Wi-Fi, port excursions or alcohol. However, you get all meals, an interior stateroom, stops in two different countries and plenty of entertainment.

In contrast, here’s a look at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach in the Bahamas:

A five-night stay here would cost $1,785 for two adults, and this beachfront resort includes all meals and drinks, even alcohol. You’ll also have access to Wi-Fi, pools, live entertainment and other activities.

Although the resort price itself is less than the cruise, this doesn’t consider the price of flights to the Bahamas, which may cost more than you’d pay when heading to Miami for a cruise.

It also doesn’t include tipping or the cost of other excursions, similar to what you’d find on a ship.

Finally, by booking with a single resort, you’re locked into one destination, which may not work for you if you’re interested in visiting more than one country.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

If you’re interested in planning a cruise

So, are cruise ships worth it? They can be, but it’s a personal decision.

Cruises aren’t right for all types of travelers, especially those who value flexibility during their vacations. However, they can present good value to guests looking for convenience, especially since so much of the effort around planning a trip is eliminated.

Before you book a cruise, compare the price of your vacation against similar options — including accommodations, transportation and meals — to decide whether it's really worth it for you.

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8 Things Definitely Worth It On a Cruise…and 3 Places to Save Your Money

Headed on a cruise? Then be prepared to spend money. There’s a lot that’s included in your fare, but don’t think once you’ve paid for that ticket that you’re done spending.

Yes, it is possible to go on a cruise and spend nothing on the ship, but that’s not the norm. In fact, according to the financial reports from the major cruise companies, the amount earned from onboard spending is about 35-40% of what’s spent in cruise fare .

What you can spend money on during your cruise ranges on everything from upgraded cabins to drinks to gambling to rides to the port. But there are definitely some things that are worth the extra money out of your pocket and some things that aren’t.

Here’s what you need to know, starting with things that are definitely worth it…

Worth It: Specialty Restaurants

When you’re on the ship, there are typically a number of included options on where to eat. The buffet and main dining room are on every ship, along with a mix of casual dining and grab-and-go options across different ships and cruise lines.

In addition, there are specialty restaurants. These are spots that charge extra to eat and aren’t included in the cruise fare. Sometimes it’s a flat charge to get whatever you want. Other times it’s just like a restaurant on land where you are charged by what you order.

It may seem like a bad deal to pay for food on a cruise where there are free options. What we’ve found, however, is that it’s often worth it. That’s because the specialty dining offers more unique experiences and food that you won’t find elsewhere on the ship. 

Instead of having menus that are designed to appeal to everyone like you find in the main dining room, the paid restaurants are usually focused on one kind of food, offering something better than you find in other spots. And since they are paid, the crowds are smaller, and you are able to have more intimate dining instead of heading to a large hall like the buffet.

As well, the smaller venues also mean that instead of making dozens of dishes for the masses in the dining room, meals are made on a far more personal basis. The result is generally higher quality.

We’d love for specialty restaurants to be completely free, but for what you get, the extra charge is definitely worth it.

Worth It: Shore Excursions

Let’s face it, shore excursions can be expensive. It’s not out of the ordinary to spend $100 per person on an excursion. That adds up to hundreds for a family that’s sailing.

But they also give you the opportunity to do things that you simply can’t do back home. And yes, while you can likely find cheaper options through arranging your own tours, in many ports that’s difficult to do. Booking the excursion through the cruise line makes everything extremely easy.

So while you might not want to book an excursion for every port of call, booking at least one per cruise is worth the money.

For instance, in Belize you can head from the ship to the ancient ruins of Altun-Ha, followed by a ride back up a jungle river where you can spot monkeys, iguanas, bats, and more. It’s absolutely something that you can’t do anywhere else, and well worth the price.

One tip — if you are headed to a highly developed port like Cozumel, then you can look online and book directly with tour operators for possibly cheaper prices. But if you’re unfamiliar with a port, then the cruise line excursions offer a lot of convenience for the price.

Worth It: Sailing Newer Ships

When you are booking your trip, you might find that some similar cruises during the same time of year have very different prices. What you’ll likely find is the difference is with the ship for each trip. As a rule of thumb, newer, larger ships are priced higher than older, smaller ships.

If you want to save money, then go with the older ship. But if you’re wanting to have the most fun on your cruise, then the higher price of a newer ship is worth it.

Over the past couple of decades there has been an arms race in cruising, with much larger ships that pack on more things to do. With that comes more activities, restaurants, and public areas. There is a dramatic difference between the newest ships and ones built around fifteen or twenty years ago. Given that so much of your time is spent on the ship during a cruise, having one with the most space and things to do is ideal.

Worth It: Balcony Cabins (5+ Day Cruises)

There’s always a big question of if you should book a lower-tier cabin like an interior room or spring for the extra money for a balcony room . If you are cruising for five days or longer, then the extra cost for the balcony room is definitely worth the money.

On shorter cruises you are likely to spend less time in the room as you are out and about exploring the ship and port. In that case, a balcony room is nice, but you don’t have to have it. Longer cruises, however, can have more downtime, where you have the ability to relax and enjoy the balcony.

And while the space usually isn’t that large, having your own private area with a gorgeous 180-degree view is priceless. There are also other benefits of the balcony, including having natural light and a way to get fresh air into the cabin. Overall, it’s something that you likely won’t regret splurging to have during your cruise.

Worth It: Evening Shows

Evening shows on a cruise are free to attend… so what’s the point of asking if they are worth it? Well, just because something is free doesn’t mean it won’t cost you anything. The evening shows are in a primetime slot — usually around 7 p.m. You may have to adjust your dinner schedule to attend or miss out on other things around the ship during the evening.

The good news is that any sacrifice you might have to make regarding your schedule is definitely worth it. Cruise lines continue to compete, coming out with bigger and better shows each year. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line features some ships with Broadway shows like Kinky Boots. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas puts on Cats. There are also other programs like comedy shows, juggling acts, and musical performances. That’s not to mention the ever-popular game shows.

If you’ve attended these sorts of performances, then you know they are typically well worth the time.

Worth It: Letting the Cruise Line Pick Your Cabin

When you’re booking your cabin, you’re normally given all sorts of options to spend more money. From room upgrades to cabin location to travel insurance, there’s no shortage of choices that usually end up in a higher price.

One option, however, is a way to save money. After selecting your cabin type, the cruise line often lets passengers choose whether to select their own room location, or save by letting the cruise line pick the cabin location for you. With this option you can save potentially hundreds of dollars. It’s normally well worth the potential savings.

But won’t you be stuck with some cabin right next to the elevator? Sure, it’s possible. In our personal experience, however, we’ve never had any complaints choosing this option. Cabins have always been in a good location and at a fare that’s considerably less than if we had chosen that specific location ourselves.

Worth It: Duty-Free Alcohol

People who have never cruised before may be surprised at the amount of shopping there is on a cruise. There are all sorts of shops, and one that’s on just about any cruise ship is the duty-free store.

Due to some legal loopholes, cruise ships can sell bottles of alcohol without as many taxes on the purchase as you find on land. As a result, you can save some cash on your purchase. Now, compared to what you’d pay back home, it’s not as if you’ll save hundreds. But bottles tend to be a few bucks cheaper and in larger quantities (one liter versus 750 milliliters) than back home, especially when buying multiples. So it can be a good deal for restocking your supply while on the cruise.

Just keep in mind there are limits to what you can bring back home before you have to pay a duty.

Worth It: Drink Packages

For some people, drink packages can be the best deal on the ship. You pay one set price for each day of the cruise, and you can essentially get whatever you want to drink. This includes cocktails, glasses of wine, beer, mocktails, soda, and water.

If you like to have a drink or five while on vacation, then the drink package can be a great deal. It does take several drinks each day to break even, and how many depends on the menu price of what you order.

Still, if you plan to drink several cocktails each day — and don’t forget other extras like juice or bottled water that are also normally a charge — then the package can be well worth the money. It’s also a benefit that you can try new drinks with the package and not worry if you don’t like them. Since you have the package, there is no extra cost in trying a drink.

Not Worth It: Drink Packages

Didn’t we just say that drink packages were worth it? For some people they absolutely are worth the money, but certainly not everyone.

With the packages, you have to purchase them for each day of the cruise. So even if you are in port and can’t use it, you’re still paying for the package. As well, you usually have to buy the package for every adult in the cabin if one person buys it. So a husband and wife will have to buy two packages, even if one person doesn’t drink.

On top of all that, you have to get your money’s worth each day. If you have a lot of drinks one day and then take it easy the next, you might not come out ahead.

To give you an idea of if the packages are worth it or not, Cruzely has a drink package calculator to help you out . There you can estimate what you’ll drink each day to get an idea of the cost with or without the package.

Not Worth It: “Cheap” Internet

If you want to stay connected during your cruise, then expect to pay up. Internet on the ship is expensive, typically coming in between $20-$25 per day. In some cases, cruise lines can charge upwards of $40 per day for one device.

Meanwhile, the speeds you get are decent, but nothing groundbreaking. Connections of 3-5 Mbps are common on the fastest networks, though you will find some cases where the connection is faster (we’ve experienced between 40-60 Mbps on some cruises).

Cruise lines often have different tiers of service at different price points. You might be tempted to purchase a slower tier to save a few bucks. In our experience, these slower services can be painfully slow. Meanwhile, the cost between the lower tier and faster tier is often only a few bucks, but the experience can be way different. 

Despite the lower price, we’d suggest the cheaper connections are generally not worth it.

Not Worth It: Cruise Line Shuttles

How are you getting to the port on cruise day? If you’re flying into the port city, then you have a number of options, including Uber, a taxi, or a shuttle.

When it comes to shuttles, you’ll likely find the shuttles run by the cruise lines aren’t worth the money. For instance, Carnival currently charges  about $25 per person, each way for a ride from Miami International Airport to the Port of Miami. So a couple traveling together would pay about $50 to get from the airport to the cruise port — a 15-minute ride.

That same ride costs around $25 with Uber, and that’s the price per car, not per person. In addition, with Uber or Lyft, you have the option to head to other places than just the port, like a hotel or a grocery store to pick up any last-minute items. As well, a ride is ready whenever you are, instead of waiting on a set schedule.

If you want to save money and have more flexibility, then skipping the cruise line shuttle is a good idea.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, how alaskan cruises differ from caribbean cruises (hint: it’s not just colder), are you ready for the cruise muster drill here’s what to know…, can you work remotely while on a cruise here’s everything to know (from someone that does it), what’s the earliest you should schedule a flight after a cruise, everything to know about interior cruise cabins (read before booking), here’s when new cruise ships are worth the higher fares.

How much wine can you bring in your luggage?

Depends on the cruise line, but it’s normally one 750 ml bottle per person. Some let you bring two bottles per cabin.

… remember the drink package is for every day of the cruise … all day every day … embarkation and dis embarkation days … per person … this can be costly … now ala carte beers may run you $ 8.00 USD each … but if your not drinking them every day … it remains a consideration … some folks enjoy the coffee programs which allow for cocktails in some cases … if they serve it to you …it likely cost you … self serve is usually included … well pre Covid that is …

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??? 5 Day Cruise Or 7 Day Cruise ???

By suzyaz , February 11, 2005 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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???5 Day Cruise Or 7 Day Cruise???

Do you think that any thing less than a 7 day cruise is not long enough due to the 1st day is spent that night unpacking and placing your belongings in closets, and setting up your cabin - and the last night is spent packing up your belongings and getting the luggage out the door for pick up???

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I'm going on a five day for my first, just because I'll be on a break from school and will actually be heading back to school the day after I get back. I think a 5-day will be fine!

Any cruise is good with me. A 5 day isn't too bad I love the 7 days or longer. Went on a 14 day cruise and loved the extra sea days and time to just relax and see the ship.

My first was a 3 day and that was a great long weekend is the way to long at them.

Any cruise, anytime for me!

Go with 7 the longer the better.

Yazoo cruiser

within driving distance, which we are, a 4 night makes a great long weekend trip. We are sailing out of Mobile on 3-10 and will drive down Thursday morning and be back home by lunch time Monday.

lisaluvscruising2004

Have been on four 5 day cruises, one 4 day and am booked on a 7 day. 5 day would be great for a first cruise. It doesn't take that long to unpack and settle in, and if you fly in the day before, you should be nice and relaxed to start off your cruise experience. Have fun:)

thank you for replys...

I too would rather go on a 7 day or longer, but we felt like we got a great price on the 5 day this time and decided to book.

Our 1st cruise was a 7 day on Carnival Pride and we loved it.

Since I drive to the port, I like five-nighters. If I had to fly, like on my earlier cruises, no way would I go for less than seven. I've done one two-night CTN - NEVER AGAIN...just not worth it.

Our first cruise with our kids was a 5 day, as we wanted to make sure that they enjoyed cruising as much as we did. My biggest fear was to book a 7 day cruise and the kids hating every minute of it. All three of them loved it and wished we had booked a 7 day. We did take them on a 7 day which we all loved. My DH and I would like to book a cruise just for us, but our kids would be so upset so no such luck.

We enjoy our 7-night cruises but our first cruise was a 7-night on the Nor. Sea and I really got a little stir-crazy on the last couple of days on that smaller (44,000 ton) ship. Most ships are bigger (70,000 tons and up) and I enjoyed the 7-night cruises just fine. We did a 5-night on Jubilee and didn't mind the shorter cruise or the smaller ship. We also drove to the port. We're about to do our 9th cruise as a 5-nighter out of Galveston and again, we'll drive. I find 5-nighters to be enough to get a good break but they don't cost as much (ours for $440/pp for an OV GTY) and you can get by without taking 9 days off. However, I wouldn't go any shorter than 5 days.

I think you'll have a great time on your 5-day cruise and come back wanting MORE!

My only 5 day was with my daughter for the same reason. I'll never do less than 7 again for the reasons the OP gave. Just to short for me!

StacyandTim

We LOVE 7-day cruises and would book them if we were going alone, without the kids.

However, we are looking at a 5-day in 2006 to bring the kids along. I'm not sure about taking them on a 7-day for their first cruise. We have 3, and we feel that even with all the activities offered, they will still create a war zone among themselves at some point, and maybe 7 days is just too long for them, and my nerves!!

Because of our location, we prefer 7 days. Actually I prefer 10, but DH has never tried one of those. Anything shorter just isn't worth the time and expense involved in getting to the port. Since you live in Georgia, this isn't as big a factor for you. Enjoy your cruise!

Gotta be seven, I did a 4-day once, and I felt incomplete.

Karen Carney

Five is good,seven is better and so on. Unpacking takes almost no time and packing again is faster. You don't care if clothes are wrinkled.

I was considering a 5 day cruise, but noticed that the cost of 7 was about the same.....

wantacruise

Well, so far I have only done the three and four night cruises. I have my first seven night cruise booked for June!!!!!! I'm so looking forward to it. With the shorter cruises it seemed we were just getting the hang of things, so to speak, when the cruise was over. I am worried about leaving our three darlings at home for that long but, they will be in good hands!!

divadiverfl

:) We personally like the 10-11 day but we like short ones also. We are going on the 5 day in April on the Holiday w/ my sister that has never been. My recommendation is to get to the port as soon as you can so when they start boarding you can board, unpack, change clothes & eat lunch while everyone else is still getting on board. The earlier you get there , the more time you'll have to let loose and have fun.

cruzin2paradise

I vote for 7 days or more! We did a 4-day for the first and it ended wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast! We've done 2 7-days and we're going for an 8-day next.

Maybe I should win powerball and just cruise 52 weeks a year - then there won't be a problem! LOL

• 3 months later...

tommyboynvegas

After re-reading the original post, I thought I'd add a little more.

OP said first night is spent unpacking, last night is spent packing. HUH?:D I'm always in my cabin around 12:30 or 1pm the first day, unpack in about 20 minutes, and have the entire afternoon and evening to start having fun. Then the last evening, I don't pack until around 11pm (luggage doesn't have to be put into the hall until midnight), so plenty of time the last day and evening as well. SO - on a 5-night cruise, there are 4 1/2 days, not 3.:rolleyes:

Happy cruisin', y'all!

• 4 weeks later...

Good feedback Cotton. I've heard about the hassles of packing & unpacking. I did not figure the ordeal was any different than going to a hotel. It' part of the process & I guess you could make it an all day event if you wanted. Like you- I don't see any substantial problems with this area (other than being exhausted at the end of the trip but that means you had a great time).

due to the 1st day is spent that night unpacking and placing your belongings in closets, and setting up your cabin - and the last night is spent packing up your belongings and getting the luggage out the door for pick up?

she feels like a cruise less than 7 days is not long enough.

  Im with her 7 to 8 days is Just right, 5 days feels like you just got onboard and youre already packing to head home.  

tocruzagain

Suzyaz, we too did the 5 day cruise on the Celebration last fall. 5 is a good length...just long enough to feel like you actually took a vacation...anything shorter would just be too little time to really feel as if you cruised. That is a decent cruise for the buck...we couldn't pass it up either and Key West was someplace that I wanted to go. If I may give you a hint....eat breakfast in the main dining room. The omelets are greasy like they were in the buffet omelet station and the food was hotter/better with great service. We also ate most of our lunches in the main dining room too. Why not when you get the great table service that you get. The Wheelhouse tended to fill up fairly quickly so the faster you head there for lunch (especially embarkation day) the better!! Enjoy your trip!

musicmansmom

a very good question.

since i live in the midwest and have to fly in and stay at a hotel the night before ( an absolute saftey measure for me ) it is not worth it to take a 5 day cruise. ( i am on a very tight budget for my cruise trips so i want the most days for ports and on the ship). a 7 day or more is the only way i would feel like i was getting a vacation and have a real cruise. of course i am at leasure to be gone from work for more than a week at a time so that does not factor into my opinion. some travelers have to worry about being away from work for only a week. that must be rough in making cruise plans. i would love to live within driving distance of a port and not have to fly into the port city. what i pay for the flight can almost pay for a 4-5 day cruise. i could be on the ships more often if i could eliminate the plane :o .

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6 ways to spend less on pre- and post-cruise travel

By now, you've heard that cruise costs are skyrocketing, and that's just for the base fares before you consider all the extras. Travel to reach your ship and to return home after your sailing is a necessary expense — a "need" versus a "want," when compared with a spa treatment or an alcohol package. But that doesn't mean you have to overspend on it.

From airfare advice to hotel hacks, try some of these tips to cut down your cruise commuting costs.

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Fly in the day of your cruise

Although this goes against my usual advice, which is to fly in at least a day early , if you're truly on a budget, cutting out the added cost of a pre-cruise hotel can help your bottom line. Just make sure you book the earliest flight possible on embarkation day and that you have travel insurance in case an issue with your flight prevents you from reaching your ship.

Book a hotel with amenities

If you do decide to arrive in your embarkation city a day or two early, opt for a hotel that offers either free or discounted parking if you're driving or free shuttles to the cruise port and airport if you're flying. This will help you save a lot on parking fees, taxis and ride-hailing services .

Also inquire about free breakfast , which can slash your costs even further. Certain hotels will provide a free meal if you have elite status, even if free breakfast is not a perk for everyone.

Fly with a discount airline

If you're looking to save some serious dough, try a budget airline . Lots of travelers eschew them, but if you're simply looking for the lowest prices without a lot of fluff, they're the way to go. Know what services the airline will and won't provide, so you are prepared to deal with whichever seat you're assigned and bring your own snacks. You'll also want to pack light to avoid baggage charges and other nickel-and-diming.

Leverage points and miles

If you're someone who regularly earns points and miles, look at your accounts to see if you have enough to cash in for your flight and hotel stay. Even if you don't have enough banked to pay for the entire amount, some booking portals will allow you to apply what you do have, thereby discounting the final price you have to pay out of pocket.

Drive (almost) to your embarkation port

If you live within driving distance of your cruise port, you can avoid paying the exorbitant cost of parking at the terminal by instead looking for cheaper off-site parking.

Garages in the area will often offer a lower rate if you prebook for the duration of your cruise before arriving. Many offer shuttles to the port. Even if you have to take an Uber or Lyft the rest of the way, the cost is almost guaranteed to be significantly less than what you'd pay to park at the terminal.

Utilize credit card perks

Don't forget to check your credit cards to see where else you might be able to score free or discounted pre- or post-cruise travel arrangements. Have a cobranded hotel card ? See if you have an award night that you can use, or leverage annual hotel or general travel credits provided by certain cards if you book through their portals.

If you need a ride to or from the airport or cruise port, some American Express cards provide monthly Uber credits that you can use to offset the cost.

Bottom line

Just because making your way to your cruise's port of embarkation isn't free doesn't mean it has to break the bank.

If you plan ahead, don't mind a budget experience and know how to utilize points, miles and credit card perks, you can save some serious dough — and potentially use it to squeeze more fun out of your cruise vacation.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

I've Been on Over 25 Cruises, Here is How I Cruise on a Budget

L ooking to go on a cruise without spending too much money? The good news is that cruising on a budget is very doable. I’m sharing my cruise tips to help you get the best cruise deals and save money while cruising. These practical tips are perfect for those of you who want to make the most of your cruise experience without spending too much money.

How to Cruise on a Budget

1. book the cheapest room on an old ship.

A simple yet effective way to save money on a cruise is to book the cheapest room on the oldest ship. Typically, the inside cabin is the most affordable option, and the oldest ships are the cheapest. 

Cruise lines charge a premium for the newest ships, even for the same itinerary. By choosing the oldest ship’s cheapest room, I am able to take more cruises throughout the year. I personally prefer cruising on older ships, and you can read about why I enjoy cruising on older ships in my article.

2. Look for Last Minute Deals on Repositioning Cruises

If you’re looking to go on a cruise on a budget, booking last minute deals is the way to go. Last minute deals on repositioning cruises usually offer the best cruise deals. 

Repositioning cruises is when a ship moves from one region to another, such as moving from Europe and ending up in Florida. These cruises typically have plenty of sea days and are often longer than usual. They take place during the shoulder off-peak season, but if you keep an eye out, you can find some incredible last-minute deals. 

You can even get deals for as low as $50 per person per night on these repositioning cruises. For more information on how to get the best last-minute deals , check out my article.

3. Go During Off Peak 

Another way to save money is by cruising during the off-season. During the summer and Holidays, cruising is at its peak, which means that prices are higher. 

However, if you choose to go during the fall and winter months, such as September, you may be able to find some great deals on cruise fares. 

Or if you’re willing to take the risk of traveling during hurricane season, you can get some cheap deals on Caribbean cruises. If you cruise during hurricane season, check out my anti-seasickness advice .

Another benefit of going on a cruise during the off-season is that the ship and ports will be less crowded.

4. Keep an Eye Out for Sales and Promotions

I never book a cruise at full price, and I always search for deals on cruises. Cruise lines are always having sales and promotions such as free gratuity, free Wi-Fi, free beverage packages, free 3rd and 4th person, or even kids sail free. 

Their biggest sales are during the Wave season, which is from January to March, as well as on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Over the years, I have saved a lot of money by looking for deals. If you want to know more, check out my article on when is the best time to book a cruise to get the best deal.

5. Check for Cheaper Shore Excursions

Cruise shore excursions are expensive. To save money, you need to shop around for cheaper shore excursions. 

You can do this by booking directly with independent tour operators such as Viator to save money on shore excursions. The cruise line shore excursion is usually more expensive because they charge a premium for the guarantee that the ship won’t leave without you. 

However, in my experience, independent operators often offer the same tour at a lower price, and since they do the same tour with cruise passengers every week, getting left behind is never an issue.  

I always compare the prices of the cruise shore excursions with those offered by  Viator . I have saved a lot of money by booking cheaper shore excursions.

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6. Depart from a Port You Can Drive To

Choosing a port that is close to your home is a great way to save money on your cruise. You can save a lot by not having to pay for airfare. Your transportation costs will be greatly reduced to just car parking fees or perhaps just the price of an Uber or taxi. 

For example, I live near New York so when I go on a Caribbean cruise, I always depart from one of the New York cruise ports instead of flying to Florida.

7. Bring Your Own Wine

Every penny counts if you are on a budget. One great way to save money on a cruise is by bringing your own wine. This is a money-saving cruise hack that many cruisers are not aware of.

For example, Royal Caribbean permits each guest to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne, while Disney Cruise Line allows two unopened bottles of wine or champagne. You can only bring wine on embarkation day and not from the port. Check with your cruise line to see what’s allowed. 

It’s worth noting that if you bring your bottle of wine to the main dining room, you will have to pay corkage. To avoid this, I suggest getting wine glasses from the bar and borrowing a corkscrew from your cabin steward.

You can enjoy your wine in your stateroom. I always pour myself a glass of wine and take it with me to the lobby so I can enjoy it with live music.

8. Get Free Champagne

Alcoholic beverages can be quite expensive on a cruise. However, there are ways to save money on drinks while on a cruise. 

Many first-time cruisers don’t realize that they can get free drinks on a cruise. It’s actually quite easy to get free champagne. All you have to do is attend cruise art auctions, where they typically serve free champagne to guests. The best part is that there is no obligation to buy anything from the art auction. 

In addition to art auctions, there are other ways to get complimentary drinks. Simply check the daily planner to see if there are any gift shop events offering free liquor samples to attract customers to their store. Keep in mind that you’re more likely to find free champagne and free tasting events on sea days rather than port days. 

For more tips on how to get free champagne and drinks on a cruise, be sure to check out my article on 10 ways to get free champagne and drinks .

9. Bring Essentials from Home

Buying toiletries and other essentials is expensive on a cruise. To avoid paying exorbitant cruise ship prices, I always make sure to pack toiletries and OTC medicines, so I don’t have to buy them on the ship. I have a toiletry bag packing list that I print to help with my packing, check it out .  

Also, bringing a refillable water bottle to the cruise is another smart way to save money. You can easily refill it at the buffet, and it comes in handy to have it with you on shore excursions and in your stateroom. 

By using a refillable water bottle, you avoid buying expensive bottled water on the ship and save yourself the hassle of repeatedly going back to the buffet for water. 

In my opinion, an insulated water bottle without a straw is a great choice because you don’t have to deal with washing straws in your cabin.

10. Use the Cruise Ship Laundromat

If you’re going on a long cruise or traveling with kids, it’s likely that you will end up having to do some laundry. One way to save money while on your cruise is to use the coin-operated laundromat on the ship instead of the laundry service, which can be quite expensive.

Before I go on a cruise, I always check to see if the cruise ship I’m going on has a laundromat. It is usually cheap and some cruise lines like Princess Cruise will even let you wash your clothes for free (you just need to pay for detergent).

If the ship you’re on doesn’t have a laundromat, you can still do some light washing in your cabin. I always bring these travel laundry packets just in case.

11. Take Advantage of Shareholder Benefits

Another way I save money on cruising is to take advantage of shareholder benefits. Many cruise lines offer onboard credit to shareholders, which can range from $50 to $1000. 

The amount of credit you receive depends on the duration of your cruise. You will also need to own a minimum number of shares to get the shareholder benefit. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get free money from cruise lines. Check out my article on how to take advantage of cruise shareholder benefit .

Check out my cruise packing lists with free printables for your upcoming Caribbean cruise , Alaska cruise , Mexico cruise , Mediterranean Cruise , British Isle Cruise and Bermuda cruise .

9 Rookie Mistakes That Are Major Time Wasters on a Cruise

10 Walkable Cruise Ports You’ll Fall in Love With

10 Important Things to Do Before You Go on Your Cruise

10 Worst Cabins on a Cruise- You’ll Regret Booking

13 Easy Ways to Get Free Things on a Cruise

10 Overpriced Things to Never Buy on a Cruise

The post I’ve Been on Over 25 Cruises, Here is How I Cruise on a Budget appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

What are the most, least expensive cabins on a cruise? Here's what to know.

During a recent cruise, my ship sailed to Bermuda, it had a pool and water park on board. But lounging on my stateroom balcony was the part that felt most like a vacation.

Sitting in the sun in my own space on Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Venezia , as the waves rolled by, I was able to relax in a way I don’t usually do at home.

For some travelers, a cruise stateroom is nothing more than a place to rest between activities. But for others like myself, it can make a trip. Many ships have a range of categories to choose from at varying price points, which come with different advantages.

Here’s what the least and most expensive rooms on the Venezia are like.

What is the least expensive cabin on a cruise ship?

Interior or inside staterooms are typically the least expensive category on a cruise. Those cabins are generally the smallest on board and rarely accommodate more than three people, according to Joy Hess, owner and lead travel consultant at Outside the Lines Travel.

They also don’t have windows, something that travelers who get seasick and could benefit from fresh air should keep in mind. Some interior cabins have portholes with screens that simulate a view – like Disney Cruise Line’s “magical portholes” – “so people don’t feel quite as landlocked, so to speak,” said Hess.

“It's a box with no view,” she said of the cabin category. “Interior staterooms are great for people who plan to be out of their room except to sleep.”

Venezia’s cheapest interior staterooms feature a queen-size bed or twin and Pullman beds, and like every room, a TV and dedicated stateroom attendant. Prices vary by sailing dates and length, but an interior room on a nine-day cruise sailing round-trip from New York to Miami and the Bahamas on Feb. 2, 2024, starts at $459 per guest based on double occupancy.

The fare includes most food, and drinks like iced tea and regular coffee and more.

Along with their lower base fares, interior rooms – like other standard categories – also come with cheaper gratuities . Carnival recommends $16 gratuities per person, per day for standard staterooms, according to its website . If guests have not prepaid those tips before their sailing, the line will automatically add the charges to passengers’ onboard accounts, though the amounts can be adjusted at their discretion before they disembark.

Some of Hess’ clients prefer interior rooms for more than just the cost-savings. “Some people are afraid of water, and they don't want to know that they are in the middle of the ocean,” she said. Others enjoy the dark space for sleeping, with no bright sun to wake them in the morning.

What is the most expensive cabin on a cruise ship?

On the opposite end of the price spectrum, multiroom suites tend to be the most expensive rooms on board, Hess said. They can measure thousands of square feet, often with spacious balconies.

They also typically come with a range of perks. In the case of Venezia’s Ocean Suites – its most expensive room category – that includes priority boarding, debarkation, and main dining room times; access to the ship’s Terrazza Carnevale lounge area; special brunches on select sea days; bathrobes and more. Venezia's suites are smaller than some other suites at other ships, though, ranging from 327 to 356 square feet.

Fares for those staterooms also vary by sailing date and length, but an Ocean Suite on the same Feb. 2, 2024, sailing starts at $2,029 per person based on double occupancy. Passengers in suites pay $18 per guest, per day in gratuities.

Planning a cruise?: Here are the documents and costs to keep in mind

Hess said suites can be good fits for travelers with multigenerational families, those celebrating a special occasion, or who just “want to experience a cruise without being around a lot of other people.”

And even if you can’t get the exact room you want, there may be unexpected upsides. Hess once stayed in an ocean-view room on a low deck, but her disappointment at its location turned to joy when she saw whales swim by outside her window, which she said she wouldn’t have seen if she had been higher.

“You can make the most of it no matter what,” she said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].