Thread: First Time Cruisers -- Are 3-Night Cruises Enough to Make a Decision?

Is a 3-Night Cruise a good way for a FIRST TIME CRUISER to to decide if he/she likes cruising?

No I don't think so!! There is so much to see and do on a ship, not to mention relaxing time. A 3 day is awesome for a getaway weekend, or to get an extra credit for C&A, I think a 5 day like the Enchantment would be better to get the taste of cruising if a 7 day isn't possible!!

I think a 3 night cruise may be long enough for someone to decide that they like it but I do not think it is long enough to decide that you do not like it.

No matter how much you try to cram into 3 nights you will miss a lot of what cruising is all about.

It would be for some people. My first cruise was a 7 nighter.

My then bf (now hubby) took me on an one-day cruise that went RT from San Diego to Ensenada, just to see how I would do (previously only have been on the Catalina Express and a three-hour cruise around Marina Del Rey with co-workers). I think if that cruise wasn't available, we would have just gone on a short cruise. When we took our girl on her first day cruise, it was a 3-day. Since she took it like fish takes to water , we felt confident in taking her on longer ones.

The three or four day cruise gives one an idea of what cruising is like, and hopefully interest one into going on a seven-day cruise.

I was astounded at those on our 15-day cruise who were taking their first one. One couple from the UK got so seasick, they didn't enjoy themselves. Definitely the wrong cruise to take if you were cruise "virgins."

It was for us!

DH was particularly nervous about cruising... uncertain that he would find anything at all to like about it.

After that first three days on the Sovereign of the Seas, we are hooked, hooked, hooked!

And it didn't take the whole three days, either! We'd only been aboard several hours, and were leaning on the ship's railing, watching the jetties slowly glide by on our way out to open water when Mr.-I'm-not-sure-I'm-gonna-like-ths turned to me and sayd, "When can we reserve another one?"

The probem (often, not always) is they tend to be on older ships that are not in the best condition ... and the time factor limits the choice of ports of call.

Matching the cruise line and the itinerary to the "newbie" is important. It's extremely difficult to do this on a very short cruise. Some cruise lines don't even offer 3-Night cruises.

With three days, I think you are just getting the hang and layout of things. My first cruise was a five day, and I wished it was seven. Time didn't go by too fast and ports were OK, but I wish I had a few more sea days to enjoy the ship.

Pretty much, if you are more than ready to get off the ship after three days, cruising probably isn't for you. If you wish it had been longer, join the rest of us addicts.

Reggie

As was noted, alot of times the shorter cruises are on smaller older ships. So, it really depends on the people. Sometimes a 3-night cruise may be nice, but then again with all the hassles of standing in line, dealing with luggage, cost of airfare, etc, etc, it can be a bit overwhelming and not very relaxing.

But any cruise at any length is better than not trying cruising at all.

Pete