f you’re thinking about going on a cruise for your next holiday, you’re probably wondering: how long does a cruise last? The answer to this question is highly subjective, as cruises can last anywhere from 1 night to 274 days. In general, the ideal length of your cruise is going to depend on where you’re going. If you’re staying within UK waters, you can expect to find cruises for just 1-4 nights. If you’re hoping to explore areas such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or the Norwegian Fjords, it’s in your interest to opt for a cruise that lasts slightly longer. In this article, we’re going to go over average cruise lengths, what the best cruise length is for you, and ways you can prolong the length of a short cruise holiday.
How long does a cruise last on average?
In general, you can expect highly popular cruises to last around 7-14 days. If you’re leaving the UK and going abroad (for example, into popular cruise destinations such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or the Norwegian Fjords) 7-14 days allows you the time to see all the port stops, get your money’s worth on the cruise ship itself, while also having the time to enjoy the onboard activities and facilities.
Some cruise passengers often add a hotel stay onto the end (or at the beginning) of their cruise holiday; not only does this add some extra time to their holiday, it also reduces the morning stress of boarding and travelling to the port destination.
What is the shortest cruise length?
1-night cruises do exist; it’s possible to book yourself a 1-night cruise and pay less than £100 per person for the experience. For example, you can buy yourself a ticket for a 1-night cruise from Marseille to Genoa on the MSC Magnifica for around £69 per person.
There are also many 3-night cruises that do a tour around the UK and the isles; these tend to be slightly more expensive.
What’s the longest cruise in the world?
When it comes to long cruises, the lengthiest trips will be world cruises. These can last up to 200-250 days, and visit over 100 destinations in one trip.
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is due to set sail in 2023; the cruise ship will be visiting 65 countries and approximately 150 destinations. The average price for a ticket on the Royal Caribbean world cruise is around £51,000.
Mini Cruises: what are they?
If you’re not yet ready to commit to a full-length cruise, mini cruises are a great way to introduce yourself to cruise ship life, get an idea of what to expect on a cruise, and prepare yourself for longer trips.
What is a mini cruise?
A mini cruise is a short cruise that typically lasts between 1-3 nights, and doesn’t stray too far from its departure port. In the UK, Southampton is a popular departure port for mini cruises, going to popular Scandinavian destinations, such as Norway, Denmark, and Holland.
A mini cruise will come with all the same benefits of a regular cruise, but you’ll simply enjoy it for a shorter period of time. A mini cruise can also be a great idea for a birthday celebration, or an anniversary celebration.
What’s the best cruise length?
In general, we’d recommend a minimum of 7 nights for a regular cruise if you’re travelling out of the UK. However, the ideal duration for a cruise is around 10-14 days, here’s why:
Get a chance to enjoy all facilities and activities
Given that you’re paying for full access to all the amenities and facilities on the cruise ship, you want to be able to have time to enjoy them all. 10-14 days gives you enough time to check out the shopping mall, the various pools, the shopping scene, and gives you enough time to test out every food from the buffet table!
The first morning and last night can be stressful
When it comes to going on a cruise, you can effectively shave off the first morning and last night of your trip; if you’re going on a 10-day cruise, you’re really going on an 8-day cruise. This is because all the travelling that you’ll do to get to and from the departure port (especially if you live far away) can be incredibly stressful, so it’s difficult to count your first and last day as “true” holiday days. In order to get a minimum 7 days, you need to opt for a longer duration. As we already mentioned above, some people tag on a night or two in a hotel before and after; this reduces travel stress and prolongs your holiday time.
You get to see more destinations
One of the greatest things about being on a cruise is being able to see several different countries and destinations all at once, without having to take planes or trains to each different place. The longer your cruise, the more destinations you’ll be able to experience. In our view, if you’re going to be splashing out on a regular cruise (not a mini cruise) opt for a longer length and truly get your money’s worth.
FAQs
Is a four day cruise worth it?
If you’re thinking about going on a longer cruise but want to test out the experience before committing to something more expensive, a 4-day cruise (aka a mini cruise) is a great idea. However, if you’re going to be travelling out of the UK, you might prefer to opt for something longer.
How long does a cruise around the world last?
An around-the-world cruise can last anywhere from 3 months to 9 months, depending on how many destinations and overnight stops that ship plans on making.
What is the best length of time for a cruise?
7-14 days is the ideal length for a cruise; this gives you enough time to enjoy the cruise ship’s facilities, experience various port destinations and relax on your holiday.