Mini Cruises
We have a wide range of short cruises, with many of our most popular mini cruises sailing directly from the UK. From one to six nights, our taster cruises from southampton give you the chance to set sail on luxury ships towards sunny shores, cosmopolitan capitals and some of the world’s most famous landmarks.
Whether you want to experience the magic of a cruise but you’re short on time, or you simply feel like getting away from it all for a few days, one of our amazing mini cruise deals can offer you a taster of exciting new destinations at incredibly low prices.
MINI CRUISE DEALS
From amazing offers on 3 night cruises to Barcelona, to cheap mini cruises to Paris, we offer some of the most competitive prices on mini cruise deals 2020 and 2021. At Cruise Nation, we are dedicated to bringing our customers the very best deals on cruises for every taste and budget, and our mini cruises are no different.
Whilst many of our short cruises leave directly from the UK, there are those that take you further afield – with flights and even accommodation included in your total package price.
Whether you are looking for a last minute mini cruise to the Mediterranean, or you’re already planning a taster cruise for 2020, we have a deal which can help you make the most of your next short vacation.
WHY CHOOSE A MINI CRUISE DEAL?
If this is your first time considering a mini cruise, you might be wondering what makes them such an ideal choice for UK holiday-goers.
There are many different reasons why our customers love our mini cruises, but one of the most popular aspects is the number of incredible destinations you can see in a very short period of time. Some people believe that a mini cruise means less time visiting new countries or cities but, in fact, these short cruises are designed to fit more into your itinerary than most regular trips would allow. The UK is ideally positioned for mini cruises to both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, where passengers can experience a diverse range of culture, scenery and entertainment.
From the romance of Rome to the majestic Norwegian Fjords, a short cruise deal can turn your next few days of annual leave into an adventure.
WHERE WILL OUR SHORT CRUISES TAKE YOU?
If you’ve found yourself with some extra holiday time available, but you haven’t made up mind yet as to where you want to go, our range of mini cruise itineraries and destinations will help you to feel inspired:
BARCELONA
The buzzing beachside city of Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, with incredible architecture, art and food waiting to be discovered down in every hip neighbourhood and down even cobbled, gothic street.
Experience the best of Barcelona – from the colourful designs of Gaudi at the Sagrada Familia to the spectacular cathedral – with one of our Barcelona and Med Taster mini cruises. With itineraries that include a pre-cruise stay in the city, as well as stops in popular Mediterranean ports such as Savona in Italy and Marseille in France, you’ll be amazed at how much of the sun-soaked Med you can see during a short cruise break.
GUERNSEY
With some of our cruise tasters, you don’t even need to leave the UK to feel like your truly on holiday! Sail from Southampton to the Chanel Island of Guernsey, where warm weather, golden beaches and stunning coastal walks await before continuing on to France.
For such a small island – you can drive around Guernsey in just over an hour – it holds many important and impressive historical sites, including the famous “Cup and Saucer” or Fort Grey.
In the pretty St. Peter Port, visitors will find a charming mix of British and French influences, with traditional English pubs and quaint European style architecture.
PARIS
Few destinations in the world can claim to compare with the France’s romantic capital, aptly named the “City of Love”.
Paris has long been drawing tourists to wander the banks of the Seine, sip coffee alfresco along the cobbled streets and gaze in wonder at the Eiffel Tower, and no matter what season you visited, you’ll find the city equally charming.
Alongside the popular tourist spots, including the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Sacré-Cœur, visitors can indulge in luxury fashion, some of the world’s finest cuisine and plenty of delicious local wine.
With one of our great mini cruise deals, you can sail directly from the UK for two or more nights onboard a luxury liner, with plenty of time to see and experience the sights of Paris for yourself.
ROME
Escape the grey skies of the UK for a taste of “La Dolce Vita”, with one of our mini cruises to Rome. The romantic Eternal City is home to some of Italy’s, and the world’s, most famous landmarks – including the incredible Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Basilica.
Once you’ve had your fill of amazing artwork, architecture and history, the city is a maze of cobbled streets filled with restaurants, bars and cafes, just waiting to be discovered.
Alongside the wonders of Rome, many of our short cruise deals include other popular Mediterranean ports, such as the lively city of Naples – famed for being the birthplace of Italy’s most popular export, pizza!
Costa Mini Taster Cruises
Costa Cruises is a European experience that primarily is geared toward Europeans and Brits. Costa Cruises is well-known for its Italian ambience onboard, vibrant entertainment and Samsara Spa, one of the best at sea.
Costa Cruises allow you to discover your destinations through the food they serve. Sweet, savoury, vegetarian or gluten-free, just quality ingredients, each dish created for different needs. Discover the typical dishes of the places you're visiting and Chef Barbieri’s menu, for pleasure you won’t forget
The Mediterranean with Costa Cruises
You can discover quite a large part of the Mediterranean in five days, stopping at magical destinations like Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Marseille and many more. Costa Cruises offer one such tour on their Magica cruise ship, which will allow you to discover the whimsical world of Joe Farcus, Carnival's interior architect and designer extraordinaire. The ship is dedicated to the magic of Italy, a fabulous journey through the country's best known and enchanting cities, with works of art from the prestigious Brera Academy.
MSC Preziosa Short Break Cruises
The glamorous MSC Preziosa is one of the best options for mini cruises from the UK. It is an elegant ship offering every conceivable comfort and a wealth of options, to ensure guests a fantastic cruise holiday. It features a bigger shopping mall with the first of MSC’s Eataly restaurants. Like MSC’s other ships, it is renowned for its distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere and food.
Eco-warriors will be glad to know that the MSC Preziosa has some fantastic green credentials. MSC’s energy efficiency matches the industry-leading eco ship and clean ship credentials and its green efforts have been recognized with a string of environmental certifications, alongside awards praising its creative interior design, comfort, cuisine and friendly service.
The Preziosa is also perfect for those looking to take a short break with their kids. From the splash-filled fun and games of the Doremi Castle kids’ aqua park and the high-speed thrill of Vertigo, one of the longest water slides on the seas, to the teens-only disco and video arcade, there’s a world of enjoyment for children of all ages.
Bruges Mini Cruises with P&O Cruises
Bruges is also great for a quick visit, being arguably the most photogenic city in the world. Fantastic to visit all year round, you’ll always be able to enjoy the charming medieval location with its beautiful canals, fantastic chocolate shops and romantic horse and carriage tours.
P&O Cruises offer mini cruises to Bruges on the Britannia, the largest and most glamorous ship in the fleet, she offers all the sophistication of a five-star hotel. Created with the British traveller in mind, the Britannia is perfect for families, with plenty of onboard activities for adults and children to enjoy together as well as separately.
Greek Islands Taster Cruise with Celestyal Cruises
Another destination that is perfectly suited to taster cruises is the Greek Islands. Several cruises that visit all the highlights including all or some of the following: Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini Island, Athens and Mykonos.
If you choose to do the Greek Islands short cruise, the Celestyal cruise line offers an excellent one onboard their Olympia ship, which was named after the archaeological site of ancient Olympia, birth-place of the Olympic Games and the cruise line also knows that cruise holidays are for pampering, disconnecting and treating yourself.
Nassau Mini Cruise with Carnival Cruises
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is close enough to Miami for a mini cruise and offers the taste of Europe with a Caribbean flavour. It boasts resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, nightlife, a golf course, an aquarium and a casino.
Carnival Cruises offer mini cruises from Miami aboard the Conquest, their flagship that is something of a vacation destination itself. While you're on your way to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll enjoy world-class meals at the Renoir dining room or the Point Steakhouse, or you can take part in sports activities, have a laugh at the Punchliner Comedy Club, to only mention a few.
P&O Mini Cruises
P & O is proudly British and is the biggest and most modern cruise line in the UK offering mini cruises. They have seven incredible ships and sail to over two hundred various destinations. Their cruise ships homeports in Southampton, which makes it really popular for mini cruises. You can simply drive to Southampton and park your car at the port while sailing to the Mediterranean or Europe, with favourite destinations including Spain and Portugal.
If you’re new to cruising and not sure whether you will enjoy it, P&O is a favourite amongst British cruisers who like their cruise ships to feel like a home away from home. They include comforts such as British cuisine, afternoon tea and popular British entertainment acts. Brits also enjoy the themed cruises such as a Strictly Come Dancing one and a Food Heroes one.
The P & O ships have a beautiful decor to allow for super relaxed and enjoyable days as well as refined and grand evenings. Their ships often include magnificent atriums and upmarket dining rooms. They have award-winning spas, special classes like how to mix your cocktail, and world-class casinos. Their spacious outer decks are also exceptional and the best place to catch some sunshine.
Cherbourg, France is the perfect location for a quick short break P&O cruise. Located in the Cotentin Peninsula, an area that is a verdant chequerboard of apple orchards, cider presses and châteaux with landscaped gardens. P&O Cruises offer short break cruises to Cherbourg on board the graceful and stylish Ventura, which offers imaginative and exciting facilities - enjoy delicious fine dining, a tranquil spa, many quiet spaces to unwind, great sports facilities and four pools.
CMV Mini Cruises
One of the quickest ways to reduce the time of your mini cruise is to take a no-fly cruise. By sailing from the United Kingdom, you can enjoy a hassle-free cruise without the need to fly and without having to compromise on destination. Many leading cruise lines only offer no-fly cruises from Southampton, but Cruise & Maritime Voyages, have created exciting and varied programmes setting sail from cruise terminals all over the British Isles, bringing cruising closer to home.
A mini cruise holiday with Cruise & Maritime Voyages is like no other. Enjoy laid-back lazy days at sea with great food and entertainment, all the while making new friendships as you cruise to an amazing list of destinations around the world. Discover ever-changing vistas straight from your stateroom window. Cruising gives a unique sense of exploration and discovery experienced in the civilised comforts of today. Where else can you find a holiday where you visit destinations around the world and your hotel moves with you? No packing, no hassle, no worries.
Hamburg Mini Cruises with Cunard
Hamburg is another favourite location for the taster cruise and is especially popular at Christmas time when it turns into the tinsel-covered, carol-singing, fairy-light-swinging Christmas champion of the world with their legendary Christmas markets.
Cunard offers luxury taster cruises to Hamburg onboard their Queen Mary 2, which is a remarkable flagship, renowned for her elegance and style. The ship feels like a five-star hotel and offers the luxury for you to do as little or as much as you wish, which sets her apart from the rest.