Wondering if you might enjoy a sea voyage without committing to a lengthy trip? Consider an ultra-short cruise. Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent, reports on the growing trend of brief cruises that allow passengers to test the waters, so to speak.
The Newcastle to Rosyth Experience
You could travel from Newcastle to Rosyth in Fife by train in under three hours for around £35. Alternatively, you could sail there in about 13 hours aboard Fred Olsen Cruises’ Balmoral. The price is £179 per person, five times the rail fare, but you receive far more than mere transportation. Enjoy a five-course dinner, the evening show, a comfortable night on board, and breakfast before disembarking the following morning. On 18 August, the reverse itinerary, Rosyth to Newcastle, is available on the same ship.
Rarity of One-Night Cruises
One-night cruises are relatively uncommon in the cruise industry. The fixed costs of boarding and disembarking passengers are high, and additional onboard spending is low. Such voyages often occur during “repositioning” trips when a ship changes its turnaround port.
Two-Night Cruises: A Better Test
More cruise lines operate two-night cruises, giving guests time to settle in and assess whether they enjoy cruising. On 24 June, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 departs from Southampton to sail along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and Devon, cruising around before returning. (In practice, the vessel may circle further south in the Channel.) Personally, Calder prefers traveling by road or rail to explore the wonders of Lyme Regis from land. However, if you are considering a transatlantic voyage with no escape for six days, this short trip serves as an excellent test of your appetite for onboard life. The price is £299 per person.
Short Bahamas and European Options
Travellers heading to Florida can opt for a 36-hour voyage to one of the smaller Bahamian islands as an extension to their stay. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a Miami-Great Stirrup Cay option on Norwegian Aqua for £396 in November. Similarly, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas provides a voyage from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, to its private Bahamian escape, “Perfect Day at CocoCay,” with 10 hours ashore.
Next summer, a Royal Caribbean voyage on 23 July 2027 aboard Freedom of the Seas from Southampton to Le Havre (marketed as “Paris”) and back costs £355. Passengers have 14 hours in port, allowing some to journey to the French capital. However, Calder suggests exploring Le Havre’s fascinating post-war architecture or taking bus 111 to the lovely Normandy resorts of Honfleur and Deauville.
Future Bargain: Two-Night Cruise in 2028
Looking ahead, the cheapest short cruise Calder found is a two-night nonstop voyage from Portsmouth to Newcastle on 26 May 2028 aboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition. Booking now for 24 months hence costs just £109 per person. With a 39-hour cruise, that works out at only £2.80 per hour, plus two years of anticipation at no extra cost.
