6 great 3-day cruises for a short break at sea

When it comes to touting the benefits of a short cruise, the list is long. Whether you’re short on time or vacation budget, or looking to extend your trip abroad, a shortened cruise offers a well-packaged getaway that will help you relax and recharge in just a few days.

Three-night cruises offer a taste of life at sea for cruise newbies who don’t want to commit to a week or more. They’re also a convenient length to combine with a longer land trip. If you’re already in Europe, why not sail to your next destination in comfort on a ship with colorful entertainment and great cuisine, rather than taking a bus or train?

Just because these cruises are short doesn’t mean they lack quality experiences on and off the ship. Culinary excellence, jungle exploration, cultural immersion and festive celebrations are just some of the themes you’ll find on the following short cruises worth considering.

The best three-day cruises

A coastal cruise from Vancouver to San Francisco on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth

Book: Cunard’s “Pacific Coast” cruise to San Francisco from Vancouver costs from 379 USD per person

Cunard’s classic British ocean liners exude elegance and sophistication. Step aboard the 2,081-passenger Queen Elizabeth in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a trip along the west coast of North America to San Francisco Bay. Admire the views of the Pacific from the relaxing spa or over afternoon tea with scones.

Cunard is known for its enriching onboard activities as well as its exceptional gala evenings. Over two days at sea, guests can enjoy the ship’s hospitality, from pints in the Golden Lion Pub to the comfort of a cozy corner in the library. To round out the voyage, plan a few extra days in Vancouver or San Francisco – or both.

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A Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Barcelona with MSC Cruises

Book: MSCs Three-night cruise from Rome to Barcelona is priced from $224 per person

At $75 per person per night, MSC Cruises’ four-day cruise from Italy to Spain is hard to beat (let’s be honest, that’s a lot cheaper than most hotels in Europe). A distance of about 900 miles – or 15 hours by car – is instead covered aboard a floating resort, complete with pool, Turkish baths and an Italian wine bar.

Make your way to Civitavecchia, Rome’s port, via a 12-hour stopover in Naples. While in Naples, why not take a day trip to the ruins of Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast? These trips are available as shore excursions and can be booked through the cruise line.

Steve Dunlop/Celebrity Cruises

A weekend round trip itinerary from Sydney to Eden and back with Celebrity Edge

Book: Celebrity’s Taste of Luxury Cruise sets sail on April 17, 2025, from 368 USD per person

If you’re traveling in Australia, consider Celebrity Cruises’ three-day introductory cruise from Sydney. This short cruise offers a scenic escape from the city for a long weekend (Thursday to Sunday).

On land, explore Eden, a coastal town in New South Wales known for its pristine scenery and oysters. Back on board the 2,918-passenger Celebrity Advantageyou can visit another version of Eden, a lush, enchanting bar, restaurant and lounge area with floor-to-ceiling windows and ever-changing evening entertainment, from acrobatics to burlesque. Don’t miss a truly original drink here, accompanied by a view as you sail from Sydney’s famous harbour.

The Amazon from Iquitos, Peru, on Delfin II

Book: Dolphin II offers numerous departures of its Amazon cruisesfrom 3,500 USD per person

Iquitos in Peru is considered the gateway to the northern jungles of the Amazon. A stunning destination in itself, Iquitos is the largest city in the world that is not accessible by road, but can only be reached by plane or boat, making the city an excellent starting point for a cruise on the Amazon.

The Dolphin II is an intimate and elegant ship for 28 passengers and part of the luxury Relais & Chateaux portfolio. The three-day itineraries are not discounted, but the price includes nature walks led by a naturalist to see monkeys, as well as fresh fruit juice or a Pisco Sour on board.

A food and wine focused river cruise to Germany’s Black Forest with CroisiEurope

Book: CruiseEurope Gastronomic Rhine routes costs from 1,439 USD per person

Not only can you cruise the rivers of Europe in half a week, but you can be sure you’ll be sampling plenty of delicious local food and wine on your proverbial holiday plate. This “Grand Gastronomic” cruise from France-based CroisiEurope combines a breezy, three-day cruise on the Rhine with a Michelin-starred French chef and world-renowned sommelier as your companion.

Round trip cruise on the 107-person ship symphony from Strasbourg, France, with Chef Marc Haeberlin and Serge Dubs, formerly considered one of the best sommeliers in the world. Join this dream team to explore the Breisach wine region in Germany, which borders the famous Black Forest.

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

A Halloween getaway in the Bahamas with Disney Wish

Book: The ““Halloween on the High Seas” cruise Departs September 27, 2024, from $1,795 per person

It’s September and the kids are back in school, but you want to surprise the family with an early treat for Halloween. This Friday-to-Monday sailing on the 4,000-passenger Disney Wish— which was Disney Cruise Line’s first new ship in a decade when it launched in 2022 — promises a long weekend of not-too-spooky fun. Departing from Port Canaveral, Orlando’s port of call, guests will visit Nassau and Disney’s private island of Castaway Cay.

The Halloween on the High Seas program includes costume parties, arts and crafts, elaborate decorations and festive entertainment. In addition Disney Wish brags Frozen– and Marvel-themed dinner theater and a bar like war of stars called the Hyperspace Lounge. Disney cruises aren’t cheap – even the short-haul ones – but the quality of the shows and the impeccable attention to detail are why families keep coming back.