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Forget planes and trains, the next time you want to treat yourself to a long weekend, why not consider a cruise? Short cruises are becoming more popular for time-poor travellers and those who want a taste of life at sea. Here are 5 reasons to choose a short cruise – or as we like to call them, the perfect short break.
If you have limited annual leave days, a short cruise is the best way to use them. You won’t waste time waiting at airports or finding your way from one destination to the next. Instead, pack a full-sized holiday into just a few nights. At P&O Cruises, most short breaks include at least one land-based stop, so you can explore some of our favourite destinations on your well-earned break. And you’ll only unpack once! For example, on our Whitsundays Cruise, you’ll spend a day docked on the white-sand shores of Airlie Beach.
Let’s be honest: rounding up the troops and planning a holiday can be time-consuming. There are so many details to consider, from flight times and accommodation to syncing up everyone’s schedules. With a short cruise, all you have to do is show up! It’s a refreshing feeling.
Short cruises are also ideal for group getaways: family reunions, end of season parties, or off-site business meetings. Once you jump aboard, you won’t need to worry about cooking or researching fun activities, because we do it for you. In fact, every morning we deliver a Good Times newsletter straight to your room that lists the activities that are on offer that day.
Celebrating something special? Let us know in advance. Our team would be happy to help your group to mark the occasion with perks like a personalised photo session, a four-course a la carte dinner, or an exclusive shore tour.
What’s your idea of a good holiday? Whether it’s shopping up a storm, indulging in a spa treatment, lounging by the pool, taking your tastebuds on a trip around the world, or chasing adventure, a short cruise suits everyone, from the culture vultures to the thrill-seekers. It’s your holiday, so do it your way!
Our short breaks have many of the same entertainment and dining options you’ll find on longer cruises, including a range of restaurants and bars, boutiques, and child-free oases. On Pacific Dawn, Pacific Aria and Pacific Explorer ships, you’ll find P&O Edge Adventure Parks. You can try 19 activities, and leave your trip with stories about rock climbing and zip lining on the top deck of a cruise ship.
And those are just the daytime activities. After dark, you can choose to listen to live music or comedy shows, dress up for theme nights, or dance the night away. Our comedy shows are so popular, we’ve created the P&O Comedy Cruise. As you sail from Auckland to Brisbane, you’re guaranteed to giggle as Australia’s best comedians take the stage every night. You’ll be able to chat to the comedians after the shows, doll up for the Comedy Cruise Gala, and polish your skills at the Comedy Workshop. If you’re game, you can even take the stage yourself at the Comedy Gong Show!
Ask any cruise enthusiast, and they’ll tell you: you will be spoilt for choice with what is included within your fare. Between the accommodation, activities and main meals in designated restaurants, cruises prove to be cheaper than most land-based holidays.
Think about it: where else can you enjoy stunning sea views and round-the-clock entertainment for the family for a few hundred dollars a night? We lay out the costs upfront, so there are no nasty surprises at the end. And you won’t need to tip for the stellar service you receive.
Let’s look at the pricing of our Moreton Island - Tangalooma Cruise as an example. The four-night cruise kicks off in Sydney, and includes a day on beautiful Moreton Island, one of the world’s largest sand islands. There, you can snorkel through shipwrecks, get up close to coral reefs, and soak up the sun. During the sea days, you can enjoy all the activities and amenities the world-class ship has to offer.
Short cruises are also known as ‘teaser’ or ‘sample’ cruises. If you’re new to cruising, a three- or four-day cruise is the perfect introduction. You’ll have enough time to explore the ship, relax by the pool, play trivia, dine at incredible restaurants every night, and be entranced by a show. You’ll also find out what it’s like to stop at a port for a shore excursion – without needing to lug around your suitcases or passport. Many first-time cruise guests tell us they had no idea just how many onboard entertainment options they could have until they’d experienced a cruise for themselves.
On the same note, short cruises give you a taste of the destinations you might want to revisit one day. For example, you probably wouldn’t fly to the Airlie Beach for a day, but our Whitsundays Cruise – which departs from Brisbane and docks there for a day – may convince you to linger a little longer in tropical North Queensland next time.
When you’re ready to get away, we can help you find a cruise!