Are 3-4 Day Cruises a Good Idea?

Cabin Types

There are basically four types of cabins:

• Inside
• Ocean View
• Balcony
• Suite

I have stayed in all of them. Today, I am writing about my first experience in an inside cabin on a weekend cruise.

Inside cabins do not have a window. Until you turn on the light, they are pitch black. This can be good for sleeping but not good for those who are claustrophobic. Inside cabins are the smallest cabins on a ship. They are also the cheapest.

First Cruise

In 1970 I was 22 and lived in South Florida near PortMiami, the “Cruise Capital of the World”. I was 22, working at my first job after graduating from nursing school, paying off my car and learning how to budget money. I was also eager to travel. Cruising was the perfect solution. My girlfriend and I booked an inside cabin on the Flavia, part of the Costa Line. We paid about $175 for the 3-night cruise to the Bahamas. The Flavia held only 850 passengers but since I had never been on a ship, it seemed huge to me. Although some cabins had portholes or windows, I don’t remember seeing any balconies. Since we were only in the cabin to change our clothing and to sleep, it worked out fine for us. We were 22 and everything was an adventure!

We boarded the Flavia on a Friday afternoon and disembarked on Monday morning. A perfect get away for those who worked during the week. It was an all Italian crew and I remember the crew members chasing after my cute blonde friend, something they would not be allowed to do today! We shared a large table for dinner and the Italian food was delicious. That is about all I remember but I knew I wanted to cruise again. I was hooked.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise lines have continued offering 3-4-day cruises and others probably will do the same when cruising resumes. Returning passengers might be more comfortable on a shorter cruise closer to the USA.  For example, Celebrity, which normally does cruises of 7 night or more will be offering 3 and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas out of Miami beginning December 2020. Of course, everything is subject to change depending on the course of the pandemic.

Test It Out

So, if you have never cruised and would like to test the waters (pun intended) before booking a longer cruise, the 3- or 4-night version might be a good idea. I took a number of these short cruises during my early years and enjoyed them. Later, in my senior years, not so much. The hustle and bustle that we thrive on in our youth becomes more annoying in our later years. It feels like rush, rush, rush to get on the ship and through the safety drill and then just when you start finding your way around the ship, it is time to get off.

At 72, I have no interest in a 3-4-day cruise but it may be perfect for you. It is certainly more economical, especially in an inside cabin, and may wet your appetite for more cruising as it did for me. On the other hand, it might be so hectic that you sign off from ever cruising again.