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Cruises don’t have to be lengthy to be enjoyable. If you’re short on time, but still want to enjoy yourself at sea there are plenty of cruise options in North America that are only three or four days in length. These trips are perfect for anyone who wants to get away, but doesn’t have a lot of time. You get to experience the fantastic amenities most cruise ships offer guests (from pools to spas to multiple dining options), be at sea for a few days and visit some beautiful places. Here are our picks for some of the best weekend and quick trip cruises to check out the next time you’re in the mood for a cruise.

Three night Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida, United States

Royal Caribbean offers a quick getaway to sunny Bahamas that departs from Port Canaveral, Florida on board the Enchantment of the Sea. With stops in Nassau and CocoCay, you’ll get a taste of some of the best beaches and activities the Bahamas has to offer. Nassau has many opportunities to shop, swim and explore, and CocoCay is an Eco-certified private destination made up of 140 acres of tropical bliss. On the ship you’ll find three pools, six whirlpools, bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, a fitness centre, many bars and restaurants and more.

Four night western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida aboard the Liberty of the Seas for a fun and memorable getaway through the western Caribbean. You’ll spend two days cruising and enjoying all the great perks you can find on the ship that include a water park, full size boxing ring, a spa, four pools, library, surf park and much more. The port of call for this trip is sunny Cozumel, Mexico, the perfect destination for snorkelling, shopping and beach-hopping.

One night Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

If you only have one night to spare and you feel like seeing more of Vancouver, this one night cruise offered by Norwegian Cruise Line is perfect for you. The scenic cruise starts and ends in Vancouver and takes travellers along the city’s rugged coastline. You’ll also make a stop in Seattle where you can visit famous landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place market. The trip takes place aboard the Norwegian Jewel with 16 dining options and 13 bars and nightclubs, as well as some of the largest suites at sea.

One night Seattle, Washington, United States

This short, but relaxing trip aboard the Norwegian Pearl embarks in Seattle and disembarks in Vancouver. You’ll get to enjoy unforgettable scenery as well as the ship’s many amenities that include a casino, spa, fitness centre, pools and many restaurants.

Two night New York, New York, United States

Cruise the Big Apple with Norwegian for a taste of New York in a whirlwind vacation on the water aboard the Norwegian Breakaway. When you’re not relaxing on board or enjoying one of the ship’s many restaurants, spa and live entertainment, there is the option of a shore excursion to explore the vibrant city of New York.

Two day Baja from Los Angeles, California, United States

Beginning in Los Angeles, this quickie cruise heads to Ensenada, Mexico. The pretty port in the Baja region of Mexico is justifiably popular and offers many things to see and do, places to shop and good local food to try. When you’re not exploring off the ship you can expect beautiful views of Los Angeles as well as true relaxation and comfort aboard the vessel. You’ll be travelling on board the Carnival Imagination with amenities and activities like yoga and Pilates, a spa, jogging track, a comedy club and much more.

Four day western Caribbean from Miami, Florida, United States

Anyone with the luxury of a bit more time and an interest in the Western Caribbean Sea can opt for a cruise that begins and ends in Miami. You will get to enjoy a stop in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico as well as one leisurely day at sea to enjoy the ship’s amenities and the beautiful surroundings. All the fun happens aboard Carnival Ecstasy, which has live music, an arcade, a variety of dining options, mini golf, art gallery, bars, kids’ activities and more.

Four day Bahamas from Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Spend a relaxing four days aboard Carnival Fantasy for a short, but memorable visit to the beautiful Bahamas. There will be two days at sea where you can enjoy everything the cruise ship has to offer, including a spa, fitness centre, karaoke, piano bar, waterslides and much more. In between your days at sea you’ll dock in Nassau for the day where you can hit the beach, shop, explore the historic downtown area, snorkel or grab a drink.

Featured image: Roger used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license

About the author

Jessica PadykulaJessica Padykula is a Toronto-based writer and editor who regularly covers travel and lifestyle trends. When she’s not writing or researching a story she can be found planning trips to places near and far in a never-ending quest to travel the world.

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