Going on a cruise’ is usually a response to planning to win the lottery – the traditional image of movie stars sailing across seas on tour has quite an appeal. However, as we head forward to 2016 cruise holidays are becoming more and more affordable for the average person – and we really are taking advantage of it. Last year, the Telegraph reported a year on year increase in demand for cruise holidays, with new ships set to accommodate a total of 60,000 passengers between 2013 to 2016. You can enjoy the best part of being a globetrotting backpacker and a luxurious spa resort on the same holiday – there’s the real incentive to cruising.
Most cruises tend to last anywhere between 5 to 21 nights, but mini cruises are a great option for those who have only a weekend or so to spare. Award Winning travel agent Cruise Deals advise that they are ideal for single professionals or couples looking for a romantic getaway that won’t require extra time off, or families looking to get the most out of the school holidays. There’s lots of benefit for the cruise companies too, as lots of first-time cruisers will go on a shorter duration to see how they like it and cope with sea legs, before booking a longer trip in the future. They’re also incredibly popular for ‘party cruises’, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or even hen and stag dos – with party planners on board for some speciality ships.
If you’re departing from the UK, most short cruises will stay within Europe, either picking you up from Southampton or flying out to Germany or Spain to board. Lasting between two and four nights, popular mini cruise routes include Scandinavia, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, the Baltics, or the western Mediterranean. A great advantage of European mini cruises is the ease of planning and cheap insurance premiums – if you’re an EU citizen, you can apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, to protect you against any medical emergencies on deck or during port excursions.
While a traditional mini or city break can be great fun – exploring a brand new city for a weekend or so, a mini cruise offers more. Travelling through the Mediterranean coast or up the Danube river for a long weekend offers you the opportunity to see so much more, without the hassle of upping sticks from hostel to hostel. Not to mention when you return from your port excursions, you can enjoy cinema screenings, shows, gym and spa facilities, and fabulous fine dining.
**Collaborative post**
Rebecca Swenor says
This is awesome information about taking a mini cruise. I do believe it is a great idea just to get away. If you haven’t been on a cruise it really is the best way to find out if you can handle a longer trip.
Miranda says
I can not wait to try it out and if I love it transatlantic here we come
Alyssa C says
I would love to go on a Mini Cruise. I am definitely going to look into one. Thank you for sharing.
Miranda says
You’re welcome and hope you do
coolchillmom says
A mini cruise sounds like the perfect thing to do this holiday season. Love the idea.
Miranda says
You welcome
Up Run for Life Health says
We went on a cruise for our honeymoon. It was an amazing experience and I hope to be able to go on another cruise some day.
Miranda says
Oh wow sounds awesome I too would love to go on one
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
Oh, I would definitely love to go on a cruise getaway. It really is the perfect way to get away!
Miranda says
I know exactly what you mean
Lisa says
I could go for a mini cruise right now. It has been way too long since we have been on one.
Miranda says
I hope to get an opportunity soon to go on one
Heather Pfingsten says
Oh my gosh, I love this! I keep seeing commercials for cruises and I would love to go but have no idea how we would afford it. This would be perfect for a short trip with our daughter just to experience something new and get away. Definitely checking this out!
Miranda says
I think that is the biggest concern for most, most cruises are just to expensive but with companies like Cruise deals you can find some really affordable deals for the family.
Maggie says
I have never been a cruise so for our first one, I think a mini one would be a great way to start!
Miranda says
I am in the same boat (pun intended lol) and can not wait, just need to find the right deal.
Miles L. says
Mini cruise can be cost-effective. I am hoping to have a mini cruise with my family for our next vacation.
Miranda says
Mini cruises can definitely be cost effective, just need to find the ones that will work for your family and your budget.
Kelly R says
We just went on our first cruise, it was 7 days and loved it! We are now planning a 4 day cruise this Spring.
Miranda says
oh wow I am so jealous, I am yet to go on one but I hope 2016 is the year that I actually get to go on one.
Heather lawrence says
I have only been on one cruise and I loved it! We flew from Edmonton to San Diego and then went on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii (not a mini cruise for sure). I have never slept so well in my entire life and by the end of it I was relaxed and refreshed and ready to take on the real world again. Can not wait until we go again!
Miranda says
Oh wow 15 days, I am so jealous and hope when I have the mini I will have the courage to do the long one
Travel Blogger says
I guess I never realized that there are mini-cruises. I would love to go on one. We have a small child at home so I don’t want to be gone for days at a time, but a nice weekend trip would be great.
Miranda says
I can only imagine, weekend would be nice so you can come back quickly to your young child
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
I could so use a cruise right about now! A nice, relaxing vacation sounds like a wonderful idea. We’re actually hoping to take a cruise early next year!!
Miranda says
I too would love a nice cruise too somewhere warm
Cassie says
A mini cruise sounds like something I would enjoy. I’ve never liked the idea of spending an extended period of time on a boat, but two to three days would be a lot of fun.
Miranda says
I actually want to spend more than 5 days onboard but before I do that need to test out the short stays and if I like them then longer stay
Cat Davis | Mom by the Beach Blog says
I’ve never been on a cruise but I’ve always wanted to go on one. Our biggest hurdle was always the cost. When we lived in IL it would have cost us a flight to the port plus the cost of the cruise. Now we live in Charleston where there’s actually a port here! I’m hoping by April we can save up enough to take a short cruise with just my husband and I.
Miranda says
I think that is exactly what puts people off cruising, need to be close to a port and if not that means extra fee. Good luck for April next year.
Alli says
I’m probably one of the few people who doesn’t really care for long cruises. I had rather fly to an island and stay a couple of weeks. However, a mini cruise sounds like something I would like.
Miranda says
I knew exactly what you mean, I have never been on a cruise so I would like to start with a mini cruise then work my way up