Sometimes we just want to go away on a mini cruise for a couple of days of relaxing on-board a cruise ship and seeing places close by. Luckily, the UK is ideally located for short cruises between two and five nights.
Whether you want to wander the scenic canals or stroll along golden beaches, there are several cruises to choose from. And while on your cruise you can also go for a massage, enjoy a drink, soak up entertainment or dance the night away. These mini cruises are perfect for doing as much or as little as you like.
2 Night Cruises
Where Can You Go from the UK for a 2 Night Cruise?
Herbourg with P&O Cruises
Cherbourg, France is the perfect location for a quick two-night cruise. Located in the Cotentin Peninsula, an area that is a verdant chequerboard of apple orchards, cider presses and châteaux with landscaped gardens.
P&O Cruises offer two-night cruises to Cherbourg on board the graceful and stylish Ventura, which offers imaginative and exciting facilities – enjoy delicious fine dining, a tranquil spa, many quiet spaces to unwind, great sports facilities and four pools.
Hamburg with Cunard
Hamburg is another favourite location for the two-night cruise and is especially popular at Christmas time when it turns into the tinsel-covered, carol-singing, fairy-light-swinging Christmas champion of the world with their legendary Christmas markets.
Cunard offers luxury two-night cruises to Hamburg onboard their Queen Mary 2, which is a remarkable flagship, renowned for her elegance and style. The ship feels like a five-star hotel and offers the luxury for you to do as little or as much as you wish, which sets her apart from the rest.
Bruges with P&O Cruises
Bruges is also great for a quick visit, being arguably the most photogenic city in the world. Fantastic to visit all year round, you’ll always be able to enjoy the charming medieval location with its beautiful canals, fantastic chocolate shops and romantic horse and carriage tours.
P&O Cruises offer two-night cruises to Bruges on the Britannia, the largest and most glamorous ship in the fleet, she offers all the sophistication of a five-star hotel. Created with the British traveller in mind, the Britannia is perfect for families, with plenty of onboard activities for adults and children to enjoy together as well as separately.
3 Night Cruises
Three-night cruises are ideal if you want to do a flight and cruise. The world is your oyster when it comes to choosing a destination.
Where Can You Go from the UK for a 3 Night Cruise?
Nassau with Carnival Cruises
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is close enough to Miami for a three-night cruise and offers the taste of Europe with a Caribbean flavour. It boasts resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, nightlife, a golf course, an aquarium and a casino.
Carnival Cruises offer three-night cruises from Miami aboard the Conquest, their flagship that is something of a vacation destination itself. While you’re on your way to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, you’ll enjoy world-class meals at the Renoir dining room or the Point Steakhouse, or you can take part in sports activities, have a laugh at the Punchliner Comedy Club, to only mention a few.
The Bahamas with Royal Caribbean
Some other three-night cruises include a few more sights in the Bahamas like Great Stirrup Cay and CocoCay. Royal Caribbean not only offers three-night cruises from Miami but has come up with an exclusive new island in the Bahamas, which was designed to capture everything that creates the perfect day at the beach. Including fantastic beaches, a thrilling waterpark and hot air balloon rides, a visit to CocoCay will definitely be the highlight of your three-night cruise.
Greek Islands with Celestyal Cruises
Another destination that is perfectly suited to three-night cruises is the Greek Islands. There are several cruises that visit all the highlights including all or some of the following: Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini Island, Athens and Mykonos.
If you choose to do the Greek Islands short cruise, the Celestyal Cruise line offers an excellent one onboard their Olympia ship, which was named after the archaeological site of ancient Olympia, birth-place of the Olympic Games and the cruise line also knows that cruise holidays are for pampering, disconnecting and treating yourself.
4 Night Cruises
Plenty variety and excitement abounds when it comes to choosing a four-night cruise.
Where Can You Go from the UK for a 4 Night Cruise?
China and Japan with Royal Caribbean
You will be surprised at exactly how much you can fit into your five-day cruise. One of our favorite options is a cruise that departs from Shanghai, China and also visits Okinawa (Nagagusuku) in Japan.
Royal Caribbean has a great cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Spectrum at the Seas, as this ship is like adding a third destination to the itinerary. As one of the Quantum Class ships, it offers a Far East adventure full of feats and firsts perfect for both first time and experienced cruise guests. It was also designed with adventure junkies in mind with Sky Pad, a bungee trampoline experience that adds virtual reality to the mix.
The Mediterranean with Costa Cruises
You can also discover quite a large part of the Mediterranean in five days, stopping at magical destinations like Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Marseille and many more.
Costa Cruises offer one such tour on their Magica cruise ship, which will allow you to discover the whimsical world of Joe Farcus, Carnival’s interior architect and designer extraordinaire. The ship is dedicated to the magic of Italy, a fabulous journey through the country’s best known and enchanting cities, with works of art from the prestigious Brera Academy.
Alaska with Princess Cruises
If you’re in the market for a real adventure, you can do a five-day cruise to discover Alaska. Many cruises use Vancouver as a departure point and visit Ketchikan, a centre for several Alaska Native cultures, known for its salmon runs in late summer and its great salmon canned products. There are also hundreds of adventure activities to do there.
One ship doing this type of cruise is the Golden Princess, an inviting ship which allows you to connect with family and friends over world-class cuisine, gaze out at sea from one of 700 balcony staterooms or share new experiences with their Discovery at SEA programs.