8 best short cruises to take in 2026

Short cruises of five nights or less have become more and more popular over the years. In fact, some of the major family brands like Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are featuring short cruises as ideal itineraries for families. While a three-, four-, or even five-night sailing may seem too short for some families, the best short cruises pack a lot into just a few days, from onboard fun around the ship to exciting days spent at some of the best private islands in the Caribbean. 

And don’t worry if you’re not into those big family-friendly cruise lines. Some river and luxury cruise lines are hopping onto the short cruise trend, too, with sailings to unique destinations over a few days. 

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute weekend getaway, want to make the most of your PTO with more vacations in the new year, or you simply love short cruises, you’re going to want to keep reading. These are the best short cruises to take in 2026. 

Best short family cruises to take in 2026

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

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

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Onboard, there’s plenty for everyone in the family, with 21 dining venues, 23 bars, five pools, and three water slides. And the entertainment on Utopia of the Seas is unmatched, with eye-popping performances around the ship, including an ice skating show, an 80s-themed diving and synchronized swimming show, and live music. And if all you want to do is hang out and enjoy an easy breezy weekend with your family, you can do that too. There’s plenty of space along the pool decks or one of the many indoor hangouts for a more chill vibe. 

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, will take its maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, with an inaugural season of four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship has a fun heroes and villains theme, which is great for kids and adults alike. And while this is 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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Onboard, there are plenty of new experiences to enjoy, including an all-new immersive dining experience called Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, which is part of the rotational dining for all families. There’s also the incredible stage production, Disney Hercules, which will be shown inside The Walt Disney Theatre. And I can’t wait to see all of the character interactions that Disney has been teasing, including magic tricks with Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog and fashion shows with Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. 

Virgin Voyages’ Fire & Sunset Soirées

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

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After sailing this itinerary in the past, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best and most relaxing short cruises out there right now. Virgin’s ships feel like a retreat with plenty of quiet places, even though the party does heat up in the evening. Additionally, the ports of call offer an abundance of activities, from beach time and chartered tours to dining on local delicacies such as conch. 

Norwegian Cruise Line’s four-day Bahamas round-trip from Jacksonville

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

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Onboard Norwegian Gem, you can kick back at O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill with a pint of beer, play a pick-up game of basketball or tennis, or catch one of the many incredible shows inside the theater. One not to miss is Blazing Boots, a tribute to country stars like Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and others. 

Carnival Cruise Line four-day Caribbean from Galveston, Texas

One cruise home port that’s getting a lot of attention in 2026 is Galveston, Texas. The growing port is welcoming more ships than ever before, making it easy for the Southwest to cruise around the Caribbean and beyond. Those looking for a short cruise from Galveston will want to consider the four-day Caribbean sailing with Carnival Cruise Line. With dozens of dates in 2026, this itinerary won’t break the bank and still leave you plenty of PTO for other vacations. 

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

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Viking Ocean Cruises’ Mediterranean Getaway

If your 2026 travels take you to Europe, Viking Ocean Cruises has some incredible options for short sailings. One that’s going to be worth the flight to Europe alone is the five-day Mediterranean Getaway sailing, which starts in Barcelona, Spain, and ends in Athens, Greece. During the short cruise, you’ll also get the chance to go ashore in Valletta, Malta, which is known for its old-world charm and stunning architecture. 

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The cruise takes place on Viking Saturn, one of the brand’s newer ships, which launched in 2023. This is a great cruise to add to build an entire vacation around by adding some pre- or post-nights onto the existing itinerary. There is only one cruise with this itinerary, and it’s February 1, 2026, so if this sounds interesting to you, then you’re going to want to book earlier rather than later. 

Silversea Palma De Mallorca to Nice

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

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Onboard Silver Shadow, you’ll be pampered with butter service, a nearly one-to-one ratio of guest to crew, unlimited pours of champagne, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more. And while you’re sailing between ports of call, you can enjoy enrichment lectures from experts, four restaurants, and a beautiful pool deck with panoramic views of the passing scenery. 

Best short river cruises to take in 2026

Riviera Travel’s Magical Paris & Festive Seine River Cruise

Taking a river cruise through France is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but add in the holiday season with Europe’s exquisite Christmas markets, and you’re in for a real treat. One short cruise that combines those two things is Riviera Travel’s new Magical Paris & Festive Seine River Cruise. The five-day, four-night sailing starts in Paris, then visits Vernon, Conflans, and returns to Paris for an overnight stay. 

During the cruise on the MS Jane Austen, you’ll be able to take a tour of Bizy Castle, enjoy a private organ concert at Vernon Cathedral, and walk through the sparkling Christmas markets in Paris. On the ship, you’ll enjoy all-inclusive luxury, from drinks and excursions to dining and free Wi-Fi. The cruises take place throughout December, so there’s still plenty of time to book and plan your winter vacation. 

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