Going on a cruise sounds like an ideal vacation right about now, leaving the world-on-land behind with nothing but surf, adventure, and relaxation on your horizon. However, the length of the trip may hold you back from booking that bucket list trip. But don’t worry- there are plenty of four-day adventures that are perfect for a long weekend!
A short cruise may be just what the doctor ordered if you are looking to unwind and have some fun over a holiday weekend. These nine cruises offer a quick getaway from the daily grind and to adventure. Make some memories and set sail with these fantastic cruise lines.
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Carnival Cruises Elation
This Port Canaveral ship knows how to have a good time! Carnival Elation sports a 1970’s style but has recent Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades to ensure you have a great time. This ship is perfect for a short trip for one person or the whole family as it has a line-up of activities and amenities to take advantage of while you sail.
If you are bringing little ones with you, the Camp Ocean and Seuss at Sea activities will have them busy all day long. After camp activities, take your family to the onboard WaterWorks park to splash it out! Have an older child with you? The Elation also has an onboard arcade to take advantage of for all ages.
This ship also appeals to the foodies looking for an escape. With many bars and restaurants, you can have a great time trying different tastes and drinks. Some highlights are the BlueIguana Cantina, taco and burrito joint, and the Alchemy Bar. The latter is known for its mystical concoctions that will be sure to inspire you.
The crew of the Elation offers top-notch customer service, keeping you all smiles the entire time. Whether through a live performance or just assisting you, they provide a relaxing and carefree atmosphere for you while you are on the ship.
Carnival Cruises Splendor
While this ship hails from Sydney, Australia, it is not one to miss. Designed to have a certain air of luxury about it, the Carnival Splendor drips with style. From Sydney, it takes you on a sea-faring adventure through the waters of Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific as you take in the cool vibes of this ship.
Whether you want to take in a calm, quiet night, party, or live it large, this ship has an event for you. Those looking to dance and sing the night away will be impressed by the Lip Sync Battle, Karaoke, and Mega Deck Parties. If that is not your style, maybe a night at The Cool jazz club or Piano Bar may be just right for you.
You can even attend the casino! This ship is home to slots, poker, prize games, blackjack, and more tables for those interested in winning the night away. The casino also provides a points program towards free drinks, which means you still win whether you win or lose. It’s all a part of the fantastic experience the Splendor provides.
Need to unwind the next day? You can also find arts and crafts seminars you can take part in, such as Make It with Michaels, to break from the party energy. There is also an onboard library for some quiet time. With Splendor in every inch, this ship may be just right for your short cruise.
Carnival Cruises Sunshine
Hailing from the homeport of Charleston, SC, the Carnival Sunshine is a recently renovated ship that provides a four-day cruise to Princess Cays Resort in the Bahamas. This three thousand and two guest vessel offers you a quick escape to the sea to relax and refresh yourself. There are also plenty of fun activities and dining opportunities to explore.
Some of the highlights of this ship are the Serenity section and its Carnival WaterWorks park. The Serenity section is an Adult-Only retreat section, separate from the hustle and bustle of the activities below. Here you can relax and take in the sea breeze and tranquility, all with easy access to the bar. Sunshine sports the most extensive Serenity retreat of three decks!
This WaterWorks park is home to the original Speedway Splash slide and all of the typical water park favorites. This gives you a variety of water fun to enjoy while you are out on the ocean. You can also take some time away from the water with sports activities in other sections of the ship so you can remain active during your trip.
Nightlife is alive and well on the ship. Along with twenty-six different dining and bar options, you can take in a show or comedy routine as you enjoy a drink. Sunshine brings the fun to you as you soak up the sun and sea air.
Carnival Cruises Valor
The Carnival Valor calls two ports home: New Orleans, LA, and Barcelona, Spain. This smaller, two thousand nine hundred and eighty passenger vessel travels to the Caribbean and general transatlantic destinations and is known as easy going. The motto of the ship is, “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”
With recent upgrades, you can enjoy updates to the WaterWorks park and available gastric options while relaxing the day away. For those sports fans, there are available options to keep up with your team’s games by visiting the SkyBox sports bar. You can also enjoy your favorite activities with the available deck games.
The water park is home to the 214 foot long Twister slide. This monster slide is four decks tall and a ton of fun for all ages. After a day at the water park, stick around for the Dive-In Movies, a poolside movie experience that takes place at night. You can sit on a deck chair or splash around while you watch a film!
The Valor can be your vacation hero for your cruise. With excellent friendly staff and a peaceful atmosphere, you can truly take in the Atlantic air and forget your worries. Make new friends with fellow passengers or have a good time with close family! Your vacation is yours to make when you board this fantastic ship.
Celebrity Cruises Infinity
Do you want a cruise that focuses on luxury and peace? The Celebrity Infinity offers short cruises that take you to the Bahamas and back with your comfort in mind. Their motto, according to Celebrity Cruises, is “We’ll take care of every detail so you can enjoy your vacation.” From starting your trip by booking, you can tell they mean it.
Unlike other boats, which have a million things for you to do and distractions, Celebrity Infinity focuses on keeping you relaxed and enjoying your time away from the daily grind. You are here on vacation, and they know it. They offer a wide selection of culinary options and bars for you to choose from every day. There are also two pools for you to choose from for your sunshine needs.
Their spa services, provided by the simply titled “The Spa,” combines treatments, salon options, and fitness areas to give you a well rounded and relaxing experience.
Whether you want a massage as you watch the ocean or seek to explore the thermal suite, you can book the session you wish to. They even have an Ideal Image studio on the ship to provide more intensive treatments such as CoolSculpting and anti-wrinkle sessions.
The whole purpose of a Celebrity cruise is to visit destinations and come back looking and feeling better than you did before. With the luxury air and quality spa treatments, you can expect nothing less than the best from this trip. While it may not have many activities and live entertainment, you get a quality vacation for your self-care.
Disney Cruises Dream
The Disney Dream is the perfect short cruise for the kid in all of us. Sailing from Port Canaveral, this cruise travels to the Bahamas and back, providing the Disney experience we have all come to know and love along the way. If you are looking to take your family on vacation, look no further than the Disney Cruise Line.
On the ship, you get the full experience with character meet-and-greets and deck parties where you and the family can sing and clap along with familiar faces. The live shows do not stop there. The ship hosts Beauty and the Beast live and other live shows in the Walt Disney Theatre to keep your little ones spellbound.
You are also privy to new releases of Disney Movies on the ship, where they play the films for all to see. Fireworks light up the sky on your cruise. There is also plenty of adult entertainment if your kids attend the Youth Club, such as the spa and several lounges where you can check in on sports, relax, and get a drink.
While Disney brings to mind children’s cartoons, the Disney Dream is a cruise line for the whole family. There is always something to do for everyone while getting away from the daily grind and making new memories together.
Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas
Are you looking for four days of excitement and adventure all in one? Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas sails out of Port Canaveral to the Eastern Caribbean with short trips for the perfect weekend getaway. This ship was recently updated and now is even more activity-packed than ever!
The deck park and activities now include virtual bungee jumping through the SkyPad, surf simulators, and more. You can spend hours sliding through the newest water slide, “The Perfect Storm,” or getting into an adrenaline rush in the Escape Room or Laser Tag. If you are looking for some relaxation and water fun, there is always the pool as well.
The amped-up mentality is even taken to live events, where you have a whole range of choices. You can take in an ice show, view an art gallery, take in some salsa dancing, and that is all just the top of the list. Whatever type of vacationer you may be, the Mariner of the Seas sets out to excite you with its roster of activities for you to try out.
This ship is considered one of the smaller vessels in the cruise line; however, it is packed to the brim with anything you could want out of your vacation adventure. Travelers should be wary that due to cruises’ shortened nature, it is crucial to jump on activities before they book up!
Norwegian Sky
If you want to visit Cuba or the Bahamas, Norwegian Sky might just be the right ship for you. This ship was originally built in 1999 but recently underwent renovation and refurbishment. This means it has all new updated features and activities for you to explore on your four day trip to the islands!
On top of having non-stop activities and parties, this ship is unique as it is one of the few short cruise trip ships that have inclusive beverages. That is right. The Norwegian Sky is one of the few, if not only, available cruise vessels that includes drinks in the fare. You can enjoy beverages from the open bar!
The ship also has live music, theater, and even a magician for you and your family to enjoy. You can take in their Mandara Spa for the ultimate relaxation you have been seeking and then float the day away in the pool. Finally, you can dance the night away at the “White Hot Party,” where guests wear their best white outfit and attend a glow party.
While they have children’s programs on board, you can look forward to passengers being mostly younger adults and up due to the inclusive alcoholic fare. This is a perfect cruise for someone looking to enjoy a raucous time on the seas.
Princess Cruises Royal Princess
Get ready to sail away like royalty on the Royal Princess. Sailing out of Los Angeles, this four-day cruise excursion takes you down along the Pacific coast with a phenomenal crew that only provides the best in hospitality. You can expect top-level accommodations and luxury activity and meal options during your trip.
While you could enjoy the pool or relax in the adults-only Sanctuary, there is nothing like taking in an afternoon tea as you observe the waves. Here you can enjoy desserts and lovely tea with a friend or your family, as white-gloved waiters attend to your table. Elegant and peaceful, the ambiance will have you breathing a sigh of relief.
For the chocolate lovers out there, Royal Princess provides a unique experience with handcrafted desserts designed by the chocolatier Norman Love for their Chocolate Journeys.
These delicious desserts are in different restaurants throughout the ship, awaiting your discovery. It can be a fun adventure attending all the different eateries to try these amazing chocolate marvels.
Finally, you can check out the many different activities and restaurants available on the ship. There is never a dull moment on the Royal Princess, from dances and live shows to casino action. You can relax like a royal and find fantastic fun on this luxury liner.
Choosing a Cruise for a Long Weekend
When choosing your weekend getaway, a cruise is a perfect option for those looking for variety and getting away from it all. These cruise lines offer quality customer service and trips to make your escape at just the right length of time. You get to choose your destination and see the world, all while you maintain the comforts of home.
Whether you want to bring family or not is your choice! You are guaranteed to find a ship that meets your personal needs, including daycare, kids programs, parties, and whatever your heart desires. It can also be a chance to have a romantic vacation for you and a special someone. There is nothing more beautiful than the sea at night and a great dinner out.
Taking a vacation can be beneficial to your health. You can put down all of the stressors in your life and put them on hold for a short time while you take a journey. With a cruise, the planning of your vacation does not have to be an additional stressor. Simply identify the cruise you want, and the staff on board will take care of the rest.
With a cruise, you shape your journey and get a fantastic value as you make new memories without breaking the bank. All you have to do is book the tickets, show up, and unpack once to set out on your temporary journey to new places and new experiences. Let the horizon be your guide this year when you book a cruise with one of these unique ships!
