8 best short cruises to take in 2026

Short cruises of five nights or less have become increasingly popular over the years. In fact, several major family brands like Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean feature short cruises as ideal itineraries for families. While a three, four, or even five night cruise may seem too short for some families, the best short cruises pack in just a few days, from fun around the ship to fun days spent on some of the best private islands in the Caribbean.

And don’t worry if you don’t like the big, family-friendly cruise lines. Some river cruise lines and luxury liners are also following the short cruise trend, with cruises to unique destinations over several days.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute weekend getaway, want to maximize your PTO with more vacations in the new year, or you just fancy a quick cruise, you’ll want to keep reading. These are the best short cruises to take in 2026.

The best short family cruises to take in 2026

Royal Caribbean Ocean Utopia

Dubbed “The World’s Greatest Weekend,” Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas provides thrills and plenty of time to relax. The ship sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, on three- and four-night itineraries around the Caribbean, including a stop at the Royal’s extraordinary private island, Perfect Day at CoCoCay.

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Onboard, there’s something for everyone in the family, with 21 dining venues, 23 bars, five swimming pools and three water slides. And entertainment on Utopia of the Seas is unrivaled, with dazzling performances all around the ship, including ice skating shows, 80s-themed diving and synchronized swimming shows, and live music performances. And if all you want to do is travel and enjoy a cool weekend with your family, you can do that too. There’s plenty of space along the pool deck or one of the many indoor hangouts for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Disney Destiny of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, will make its maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, with an inaugural season of four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This ship has a fun hero and villain theme, which is great for both kids and adults. And even though it’s a sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, it feels like it’s in a class of its own.

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On board, there are many new experiences to enjoy, including a new immersive dining experience called Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, which is part of a rotating dining schedule for all the family. There are also wonderful stage productions, Disney Herculeswhich will be shown inside The Walt Disney Theatre. And I can’t wait to see all the character interactions Disney is teasing, including magic tricks with Dr. Facilier of The Princess and the Frog and a fashion show with Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians.

Virgin Voyages Fire Nights & Sunsets

If your family only consists of adults, consider a holiday with Virgin Voyages. The brand is known for adult-exclusive cruises around the world, from the Caribbean and Mediterranean to the brand’s first season in Alaska in 2026. But for a short cruise, nothing beats Fire & Sunset Soirées from Miami, Florida. This four-night itinerary aboard the Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, or Brilliant Lady sails year-round and visits Key West, Florida, and The Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas.

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Having taken this itinerary in the past, I can confidently say that this is one of the best and most relaxing short cruises available today. The Virgin ship feels like a resort with lots of quiet spots, although the party heats up at night. Additionally, these ports offer many activities, from beach time and charter tours to dining on local delicacies such as shellfish.

Four-day round trip Bahamas itinerary from Jacksonville by Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line recently began home-porting in Jacksonville, Florida, a small cruise port in north Florida. From here, you can take a four-day round-trip cruise on the Norwegian Jewel to Grand Bahama Island and Norway’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay. I’m thrilled that Norway’s private island is getting even better, with new additions due in late 2025, including a 28,000-square-foot heated pool and two swim-up bars. Then in 2026, the island will open the Great Tides Water Park, featuring several water slides, a lazy river, a children’s play zone, and more.

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Aboard the Norwegian Jewel, you can relax at O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill with a beer, play a game of basketball or tennis, or watch one of the many great shows inside the theater. One not to miss is Blazing Boots, a tribute to country stars like Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and more.

Carnival Cruise Line four-day Caribbean from Galveston, Texas

One cruise ship home port that is getting a lot of attention in 2026 is Galveston, Texas. This growing port is receiving more ships than ever before, making it easier for the Southwest to sail around the Caribbean and beyond. Those looking for a short cruise from Galveston should consider a four-day Caribbean cruise with Carnival Cruise Line. With dozens of dates in 2026, this itinerary won’t break the bank and still give you plenty of PTO for another vacation.

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The cruise takes place on Carnival Breeze and has one port of call in Cozumel, Mexico, so you’ll spend a lot of time on board. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either, as there’s plenty to do onboard, from dining at Guy’s Burger Joint (arguably the best burger at sea), the 320-foot-long Twister Waterslide, and entertainment around every corner.

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Mediterranean vacation on Viking Ocean Cruises

If your 2026 travels take you to Europe, Viking Ocean Cruises has some excellent options for short-haul cruises. One that’s worth the flight to Europe alone is the five-day Mediterranean Getaway cruise, which starts in Barcelona, ​​Spain, and ends in Athens, Greece. During the short cruise, you will also have the opportunity to land in Valletta, Malta, known for its old world charm and stunning architecture.

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The cruise takes place on the Viking Saturn, one of the brand’s newest ships, launching in 2023. This is a great cruise to add to build an entire vacation by adding a few nights before or after to an existing itinerary. There is only one sailing on this itinerary, and the date is February 1, 2026, so if this sounds interesting to you, then you’d better book early rather than late.

Silversea Palma De Mallorca to Nice

If summer in Spain and France sounds idyllic, book this short five-day cruise from Palma de Mallorca to Nice with Silversea. The ultra-luxury cruise takes place on the Silver Shadow, with stops in Barcelona and Palamos, Spain, before heading to Sete, Marseille and Nice, France. This one-time cruise runs from July 8 to July 13, 2026.

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Inside the Silver Shadow, you’ll be pampered with buttery service, a nearly one-to-one guest to crew ratio, unlimited champagne pours, free Wi-Fi, and more. And as you sail between ports, you can enjoy enriching lectures from experts, four restaurants, and a beautiful pool deck with panoramic views of passing views.

The best short river cruises to take in 2026

Magical Paris on the Riviera Travel & Exciting Seine River Cruise

A river cruise across France is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but add the holiday season to the beautiful European Christmas markets, and you’re in for a real treat. One short cruise that combines both is Riviera Travel’s new Magical Paris & Festive Seine River Cruise. The five-day, four-night cruise began in Paris, then visited Vernon, Conflans, and returned to Paris for the night.

During your cruise on the MS Jane Austen, you can take a tour of Bizy Castle, enjoy a private organ concert at Vernon Cathedral, and stroll through Paris’ sparkling Christmas markets. On board, you’ll enjoy complete luxury, from drinks and sightseeing to dining and free Wi-Fi. Cruises run throughout December, so there’s still plenty of time to book and plan your winter getaway.

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