You Say Long Weekend, We Say 3 Day Cruise

As workdays and work weeks become longer and longer, the appeal for a short weekend cruise is growing. Of course it would be nice to indulge in a week-long or two-week cruise vacation, but for many people, 3-day cruises fit better not only into their schedule, but also their budget. If the ocean is calling you to unplug for a weekend and abscond to a faraway island for a couple of days, we’ll help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your mini-vacation. 

Here you can find an overview of everything you need to know about 3 day cruises, from which cruise lines to take to where to go and more!

Best Cruise Lines for 3 Day Cruises

Getting the most out of your weekend cruise is about more than just finding the best deal - you’ll also want to make sure you’re sailing with the cruise line that matches your style! These cruise lines score consistently high on quality, value, and experience.

• Best NCL 3-Day Cruise
• 3-Day Cruises on Royal Caribbean
• Top Carnival 3-Day Cruise

Best 3 Day Cruise Destinations

A tighter schedule doesn’t mean you have to miss out on incredible destinations! These are some of the best-loved and most popular cruise destinations for short cruises.

Nassau, Bahamas

3 Day Cruise to Bahamas

• Why You Should Go: Nassau has earned its spot as one of the most-visited Caribbean cruise ports for good reason. From a complex culture to delicious food (try the rum cake!) to breathtaking natural beauty, Nassau offers the total package.

• Things To See & Do: Get a tan on one of Nassau’s many beaches, climb the historic Queen’s Staircase, or take a tour of a rum distillery. If you have an extra day, visit Exuma Cays to go swimming with the famous Bahamian pigs!

• Do You Need a Passport? Yes - while not every cruise to the Bahamas requires a passport, we recommend you bring it to reduce stress and complexity.

Ensenada, Mexico

3 Day Cruise to Mexico

• Why You Should Go: This popular Mexican Riviera cruise port is a cultural and wildlife hub, with museums to tempt history buffs and migrating gray whales to charm animal lovers.

• Things To See & Do: Tour the Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Baja’s oldest winery, before trekking to see the photogenic La Bufadora, an underwater cave that regularly spritzes Ensenada’s rocky coast (and the people visiting it) with seawater.

• Do You Need a Passport? Yes - and if you’re planning on staying longer than 72 hours and traveling outside of Ensenada, you’ll also need to obtain a tourist permit.

Key West, Florida

• Why You Should Go: Florida’s southernmost point is a diver’s dream, as it’s surrounded by coral reefs. The picturesque, pastel paradise is also popular with photographers and shoppers, who are drawn to the promenades of Mallory Square and the colorful Duval Street.

• Things To See & Do: Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, explore Dry Tortugas National Park, or indulge in one of Key West’s many excellent snorkeling excursions.

• Do You Need a Passport? No - since Key West is an island city in Florida, if you’re a US citizen you won’t need a passport to explore.

Find Your Perfect 3 Day Cruise

Your best 3 day cruise is closer than you think! Take advantage of our peerless price prediction to get clear recommendations on whether you should book now or wait for fares to decrease. Found a sailing you love? Set a free price alert to be notified in real time if prices change. Or explore our library of cruise tips and expert advice to get the most out of your next short cruise!

Top Departure Ports for 3 Day Cruises

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