tui caribbean cruise excursions 2023

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8 top sun-soaked Caribbean cruises for March 2023

Caribbean cruise holidays are the perfect antidote to freezing temperatures in the UK. Our travel guide will help you plan your 2023 getaway.

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Caribbean cruises 2023 are best booked in the diary ASAP to give you something to look forward to – a warm, sun-filled light at the end of the very cold tunnel that is the UK in winter.

Luckily, Marella Cruises has a plethora of all-inclusive holidays up for grabs next year, some with excellent Caribbean cruise deals if you’re after cheap Caribbean cruises!

Sailawaze has assembled a handy travel guide to help inform and inspire you and we’ve rounded up eight of the best TUI Caribbean cruise getaways for March 2023 to make sure your spring season gets off to a well, bouncing start!

What is the best month to go on a Caribbean cruise?

The best time to take a Caribbean cruise holiday is between December and April. Travellers can expect calm waters, dry weather and sunny, clear skies.

Marella Cruises offers Caribbean cruises throughout the winter months ensuring Britons get their fix of sunshine.

Which part of the Caribbean is best to cruise?

As for which Caribbean cruise ports are best for your Caribbean cruises 2023, you really are spoiled for choice in this neck of the woods, and the itinerary you choose will depend on what you’re after, whether that’s the local cuisine, history and culture or watersports.

Eastern Caribbean cruises are ideal for tours and excursion s and are generally better for first-time cruisers. Sailings here may include ports in the Greater Antilles such as Cuba, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, as well as Mexico. Itineraries can also pack in Central American ports, such as Roatan and Belize City. Eastern Caribbean cruises often last a week.

Meanwhile, island calls in the western Caribbean include the Lesser Antilles which is home to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Maarten, Barbados and Antigua. Voyages may also feature Grand Turk and the Dominican Republic. Western Caribbean cruises tend to be shorter.

Marella Cruises offers sailings across the Caribbean so you can pick which itinerary appeals the most. TUI cruise destinations are as follows:

Antigua Aruba Bahamas Barbados Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Cuba Curacao Island Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe Jamaica Martinique Puerto Rico St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Maarten St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad And Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands U.S Virgin Islands

Are Caribbean cruises all inclusive?

Not all Caribbean cruise holidays are all-inclusive. However, Marella Cruises is one of the lines that does offer all-inclusive Caribbean cruise holidays  – that’s food, drink, gratuities, flights and transfers all factored in!

Flights leave from airports across the UK while Caribbean cruises 2023 are onboard TUI Caribbean cruise ships Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2.

How much is a 7 day Caribbean cruise?

This will depend on which cruise line you sail with but Marella Cruises’ offerings are all seven nights long and can make for very cheap Caribbean cruises indeed, especially if you bag TUI’s fabulous Caribbean cruise deals!

For Caribbean cruises 2023 in March, for instance, you can sail for between £1,200 and £1,400 on an all-inclusive Caribbean cruise.

Are visas required for a Caribbean cruise?

Britons will not require a visa to visit the Caribbean provided they hold a UK passport. Your passport should be valid for at least the proposed duration of your stay. It’s always wise to check entry requirements at the time of travel and remember you will need a tourist card to visit Cuba – apply online on the visascuba website or check with your cruise line.

Caribbean cruise holidays with Marella Cruises - March 2023

Caribbean dreams – save £216.

When : March 2 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | Road Town, British Virgin Islands | Philipsburg, St Maarten | Basseterre, St Kitts | Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe | Castries, St Lucia | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Discovery Price: From £1,374 pp

Tropical Delights – save £219

When: March 5 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | Oranjestad, Aruba | Willemstad, Curacao Island | Kralendijk, Bonaire | St George’s, Grenada | Castries, St Lucia | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Explorer 2 Price: From £1,401 pp

Flavours of the Caribbean – save £145

When: March 7 Duration: 7 nights Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica | Cozumel, Mexico | Havana, Cuba | Havana, Cuba | Georgetown, Cayman Islands | Montego Bay, Jamaica Ship: Marella Discovery 2 Price: From £1,465 pp

Paradise Islands – save £310

When: March 12 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | Bequia, The Grenadines | St John’s, Antigua | Basseterre, St Kitts | Philipsburg, St Maarten | Road Town, British Virgin Islands | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Explorer 2 Price: From £1,310 pp

Exotic Explorer – save £313

When: March 14 Duration: 7 nights Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica | Roatan, Honduras | Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala | Belize City, Belize | Costa Maya, Mexico | Montego Bay, Jamaica Ship: Marella Discovery 2 Price: From £1,247 pp

A Taste of Paradise – save £236

When: March 16 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | St John’s, Antigua | Roseau, Dominica | Fort De France, Martinique |St George’s, Grenada | Castries, St Lucia | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Discovery Price: From £1,374 pp

A Taste of the Tropics – save £226

When: March 19 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | Kingstown, St Vincent | Fort De France, Martinique | Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe | Castries, St Lucia | St George’s, Grenada | Scarborough, Tobago | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Explorer 2 Price: From £1,409 pp

Tropical Shores – save £448

When: March 23 Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Charlotte Amalie, U.S Virgin Islands | Frederiksted, U.S Virgin Islands | Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe | Bequia, The Grenadines | Bridgetown, Barbados Ship: Marella Discovery Price: From £1,192 pp

Where in the world to cruise by season – complete travel guide

Where to go on holiday is an exciting topic to tackle – there’s such a wide, beautiful world out there jam-packed with possibilities.

MSC Cruises reveals this brand new port in the USA for Caribbean holidays

MSC Cruises has unveiled a new port in the USA as the brand furthers its Americas offering.

Where to go in February – 10 best cruise destinations

February cruises are a great opportunity to spread your wings and seek winter sun as well as the snowy charms of northern Europe.

Become the first to know about win-a-cruise competitions, on-trend holiday inspo and don’t-miss travel advice from the experts.

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TUI Cruises

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TUI Cruises fleet

Mein schiff 9, mein schiff relax, mein schiff 7, mein schiff 2, mein schiff 1, mein schiff 6, mein schiff 5, mein schiff 4, mein schiff 3, tui al horeya, review of tui cruises.

TUI Cruises GmbH (tuicruises.com) is a 50-50 Joint venture company between TUI AG (Germany) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (US corporation). The Hamburg -based company was founded in 2008 and operational since 2009. On April 22, 2018, the cruise line celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2018, TUI fleet's capacity was 14,784 berths, serving 0,5+ million passengers annually. By year 2024, TUI will have annual capacity ~800,000 passengers - compared to 2017 (500,000), 2018 (550,000) and 2019 (650,000, berths 17,500),

TUI Group fully owns three England-registered subsidiary companies (TUI UK Ltd, TUI Airways Ltd, TUI Ireland Ltd) plus one Ireland-registered (Adehy Ltd).

On February 7, 2020, TUI AG announced that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (valued ~EUR 1,2 billion) becomes part of TUI Cruises. The contract with RCCL was signed in Hamburg (Feb 7), the cash transaction from RCCL (~EUR 700 million) was closed on July 6, 2020.

The Hanover Germany-based TUI Group (British-German multinational) is currently ranked the world's largest leisure and travel company. It was founded in 1923 and until 2002 was named "Preussag AG". TUI Group's companies specialize in hospitality and tourism services worldwide, with a portfolio including passenger airlines, cruise shipping (shipowner), package vacations, hotels and resorts, travel agencies, retail shops. TUI Group's current CEO is Sebastian Ebel, who (in October 2022) succeeded Fritz Joussen (2013-2022).

TUI Cruises GmbH's current CEO is Wybcke Meier (since 2014). In March 2023 was created the "Mein Schiff Destinations Department". Other executives include Marcus Puttich (director of destinations), Dennis Tetzlaff (VP of fleet operations and newbuilds), Denis Wiechert (VP of product management and guest experiences).

For 2021-Q1, TUI Group reported 2,8 million bookings (all brands/subsidiaries), or 56% of 2019's, with 20% higher average prices and overall loss EUR 698,6 million (EUR 146,7 M loss in 2019). Cruise shipping revenue was EUR 0,6 million (EUR 238,4 M in 2019). TUI Group secured 3x financing packages (with its major shareholders, banks and Germany's Economic Stabilization Fund). The 3rd package (EUR 1,8 billion) was completed in late January.

For FY2021 (fiscal year), TUI Group reported EUR 27 million (~USD 30,6M) in cruise revenues (~EUR 445,6M less than FY2020), EBIT loss EUR 277,5M (~USD 314M), avrg ship occupancy rates ~40%. By brand, the number of passenger days was 1,227M (TUI), 0,114M (Hapag-Lloyd), 0,153M (Marella). Average daily rates by brand were EUR 132 (TUI), EUR 514 (Hapag-Lloyd), GBP 124 / EUR 145 (Marella).

In September 2023 TUI signed with VIKAND Solutions (Dania Beach Florida-based medical group specializing in maritime healthcare) to deliver fleetwide biomedical equipment and provide support (lifecycle asset management, preventative maintenance, repairs, support).

In January 2024, TUI signed a partnership with Marquard & Bahls (1947-founded, Hamburg-based company specializing in energy and chemicals) to supply with methanol Mein Schiff 7 (fleet's first methanol-powered vessel vessel). The deal was signed by Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO) and Volker Ebeling (Mabanaft's Senior VP of New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure).

(new brand) TUI River Cruises UK

In April 2019, the shipowner TUI AG terminated the charters of its 3 riverboats and established the UK-focused brand "TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises). The new brand was scheduled to start operations in summer 2020 but due to the global health crisis, its inauguration was postponed for August 2021 (delayed ~1,5 years).

The sisterships are named TUI Isla , TUI Maya , TUI Skyla .

In 2024-2025, TUI expands the river fleet with two more boats - TUI Al Horeya (2024/Egypt's Nile River) and TUI Alma (2025/Portugal's Douro River).

TUI River Cruises is a separate company part (fully-owned subsidiary) of TUI AG (British-German travel and tourism corporation). TUI Group also owns the companies Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd-Cruises .

River travel aficionados can choose from various itineraries and optional shipboard and land packages. Standard (basic) TUI river cruise pricing is inclusive of alcohol (beers and wines by the glass) and soft drinks with all meals, as well as of gratuities (onboard tips), service charges and bicycles (offered complimentary to all passengers in call ports of the current cruisetour itinerary). Premium drinks packages are optional (offered at extra cost). All TUI riverboats have balcony suites. Shore excursions range from sightseeing tours (guided by local experts) to bike tours.

The new river cruise company offers GBP 120 (~EUR 140 / USD 155) per person in OBC (onboard credit) towards all land tour bookings. TUI river ships are named TUI Maya , TUI Skyla and TUI Isla , each with capacity 155 passengers plus 40 crew, LOA length 135 m (445 ft), 4 decks (3 with cabins). Standard cabins are sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and with fixed double beds.

TUI riverboats' venues include:

• (Deck 2) cabins, Lobby (Reception Desk, Tour Desk, Library), wellness facilities (Spa, Gym, Hair Parlor)
• (Deck 3) cabins, Observatory Lounge, Bar Lounge, Bow Terrace, 2 restaurants (Bistro Buffet, Verdastro Dining Room). Verdastro Restaurant serves buffet-type breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner (with waiter service). Bistro Restaurant is for buffet-style dining only (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Observatory is the show lounge with live entertainment in the evenings (musical performances, stand-up comedy acts, crew show, themed dance parties).
• (Deck 4) Sundeck with games area (shuffleboard), shaded seating (Sundeck Lounge), sunbathing area with padded loungers, sunbeds, daybeds.

In December 2019, TUI signed an exclusive partnership with Live Business UK (one of Europe's largest entertainment program developers and suppliers) for the TUI River Cruises company. By this deal, Live Business UK prepared the onboard entertainment programming for the boats and is also responsible for recruiting cruise directors, hosts, ship musicians, guest performers, local tour guides and other experts.

Company history

During the company's 10 years of service (2008-2018), the six Mein Schiffs handled around 2,2 million passengers, visited over 200 seaports and covered around 2,9 million km (1,8 million ml). TUI's sister-brand is Marella Cruises (UK source market).

For FY2018 (fiscal year), TUI Group's earnings (from the 3 cruise brands - TUI, Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd) increased by 10,7% - to EUR 901,9 million. Company's turnover was EUR 324 million (26,8% increase over 2017). Group's average daily rates increased to EUR 178 euro (TUI, up from EUR 173), EUR 141 (Marella, up from EUR 131) and EUR 615 (Hapag-Lloyd, up from EUR 594).

In 2015-2016, TUI Group had a turnover of EUR 17,8 billion (company's record) and operating result of EUR 1B. Corporation's portfolio consisted of 14 vessels (TUI, Thomson-Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd brands), several large tour operators, around 1600 travel agencies (including online portals), over 300 hotels (around 214,000 beds) and 6 airlines (over 150 aircraft).

The list of TUI-owned airlines includes Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, and TUI fly Nordic (departures from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway).

In FY2016 (the fiscal year 2016), TUI Cruises had 60% growth (over FY2015) in earnings, with EBITA of EUR 130 million (EUR 81 million in FY2015). The reported growth came from the corporation's two main markets - Germany and UK.

TUI Cruises started operations by acquiring Celebrity Galaxy (owned by Celebrity Cruises - another RCCL subsidiary). The ship left Celebrity's fleet on March 16, 2009. After buying Celebrity Galaxy, the vessel was refitted at Lloyd Werft shipyard ( Bremerhaven, Germany ) arriving on March 27 for 38-day, EUR 50 million conversions. Galaxy was re-christened on May 15 in Hamburg and renamed "Mein Schiff" (meaning "My Ship" in Deutsch). TUI planned to build two 100,000 GT, 2500-passenger ships in 2011 and 2012.

• On May 27, 2010, was revealed that Celebrity Mercury joins TUI fleet as "Mein Schiff 2"(renamed in 2018 to Mein Schiff Herz/now Marella Voyager ). Before the refit, "MS Mein Schiff" was renamed to Mein Schiff 1 (now Marella Explorer ). Schiff 2 entered service in February 2011 after an extensive drydock reconstruction .
• On September 27, 2011, TUI and STX Finland announced shipbuilding contract for a 97,000 GT vessel ( Schiff 3 ) with delivery in 2014. The vessel is 968 ft (295 m) long, with 1250 staterooms (most of which are balconied) and capacity 2500 passengers and 1000 crew. The contract included an optional second ship, that was ordered on November 5, 2012 ( Schiff 4 ). Schiff 3 entered service on April 22, 2014.
• In March 2015, RCI ( Royal Caribbean International ) announced selling Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in 2016-Q2. TUI leased the vessel to Thomson UK (now Marella) replacing MS Island Escape (now Ocean Gala ).
• In May 2015 TUI Group announced that as part of fleet modernization strategy, Schiff 1 and 2 will be transferred to Thomson/Marella over the next few years to upgrade TUI's UK fleet.
• In 2018, TUI signed a partnership deal with "Merkur Casino Mare" (part of Gauselmann Group) for the onboard gambling on Schiff 1 (since 2018), Schiff 2 (since 2019) and Schiff 3 (since 2021). The ship Casino features 6x electronic roulettes plus 14x other Merkur gaming machines, and a separate gambling lounge with 4x M-Box Buzzer (multi-gaming machines) and a blackjack table for live gaming. For 2020, Gauselmann AG reported revenue EUR 2,56 billion (~USD 3B / ~GBP 2,2B). Since 2012, Gauselmann owns the British company Praesepe Ltd (now Merkur Casino UK) which owns the Cashino brand (street gambling arcade chain).
• In mid-October 2021, TUI announced that Schiff Herz will be transferred in 2023 to Marella Cruises UK . Following a drydock, the boat will be renamed "Marella Voyager", starting operations for Marella on June 3, 2023.

The Hannover travel group TUI AG (listed at London Stock Exchange) keeps an upbeat outlook of cruise shipping activities. The company owns 100% of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten and 50% of TUI Kreuzfahrten.

In August 2015, TUI announced EBITA growth (Q3) by EUR 11 million, which reflected the full-year profit of Schiff 3 (operated since June 2014) and the launch of Schiff 4 (June 2015). In addition, Hapag-Lloyd's remarkable turnaround and EUR 4 million benefits from refinancing ms Europa 2 meant that TUI had EUR 21 million increase in underlying EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization).

In May 2015, TUI AG Supervisory Board and RCCL-Royal Caribbean confirmed the purchase options for Schiff 7 and Schiff 8 (later renamed "Schiff 1" and "Schiff 2", delivered respectively in 2018 and 2019), as the German market reported further growth. The new liners are slightly larger (2860 lower berths each), built by Meyer Turku Finland . The deal was fully financed within TUI Cruises (joint venture) - without further contribution from TUI AG and RCCL.

Schiff 5 was launched on January 15, 2016, following the 14-month construction period. Around 1500 employees are involved in the building of each TUI vessel.

In mid-July 2018, TUI ordered two new ships (161,000 GT-ton, 4000-passenger) - this time from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Their scheduled deliveries are in 2025-Q1 ( Schiff Relax ) and 2026-Q2 ( Schiff 9 ). TUI's "Italian" liners are LNG-powered and from the company's new InTUItion-Class (fka TUI XL-Schiff).

In October 2018, TUI announced the "Wasteless" initiative aimed to eliminate disposable plastic products fleetwide (and also in land-based operations - provision suppliers and office staff) by the year 2020. Plastics will be replaced by alternative products made from renewable resources. The eco-initiative started with the newbuilds, on which in all cabin bathrooms, shower gel and shampoo dispensers are refillable, terry slippers are bathrobe's pockets (not packed in plastic), laundry bags are from bio-based plastic, coffee-to-go cups for crew are from bio-based plastic, drink stirrers are wooden. In November 2019, TUI reported ~30 million single-use plastic items replaced with renewable/sustainable materials-made alternatives.

In 2018, the German travel market reached ~2,2 million cruisers, of whom ~26% were served by TUI.

TUI Schiff Restaurants and Bars

TUI Schiff sonnenbereiche und poolbereiche (sundeck and Lido-deck pool areas)

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, TUI River Cruises suspended passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures March 15, 2020, through August 15, 2021. TUI Cruises Germany ("Mein Schiff" fleet) suspended operations on March 23 and restarted on August 21 with Schiff 1 (7-day Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from Kiel) and Schiff 2 (7-day Norway from Hamburg). Schiff 6 started on September 13 (through November 7) with 7-day roundtrips from Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus-Athens and Kerkyra (Corfu Island).

TUI River Cruises were planned to resume on November 26, 2020 ( Christmas and New Year itineraries ) but were eventually canceled through August 2021 (the brand was inaugurated on August 15, with TUI Maya from Frankfurt).

All affected bookings were automatically canceled and fully refunded in FCC (future cruise credit) notes for the full cost of the cruise. The FCCs can be used for paying a new voyage (with rebooking) or fully refunded (100%) in cash after 12 months.

Next are listed all TUI liners and their first departure dates/homeports/regions in 2021 - Schiff 3 (May 10/Norway from Bremerhaven), Schiff 4 (Apr 23/UK-Baltic from Hamburg), Schiff 5 (May 13/Mediterranean from Heraklion Crete), Schiff 6 (May 9/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca), Schiff Herz (Sept 3/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca). Schiff 1 and Schiff 2 started Canary Islands cruises in January, with 7-day and 14-day roundtrips from Gran Canaria.

The latest cancellations affected Schiff 5's Asian program (Hong Kong) and Schiff 6's Arabian Gulf program (from Dubai).

Itinerary of TUI Cruises

The next table provides a concise review of the TUI fleet's deployments (as homeports and destinations/regions). For detailed itineraries (call ports, port dates-times, and cruise prices) just follow the ship links.

TUI River Cruises

"TUI River Cruises" is a 2019-founded (operational since 2021) brand and a subsidiary of TUI AG. The new company specializes in passenger river shipping in Europe and is generally UK-focused (as source market).

TUI's riverboat fleet consists of three fully refurbished ships - TUI Maya , TUI Skyla , TUI Isla . The boats usually operate roundtrips from the homeports Passau and Frankfurt (Germany), Amsterdam Holland and Budapest Hungary .

In January 2022, TUI announced the restart dates of the riverboats after winter 2021 season was suspended due to Europe's increasing COVID Omicron cases. TUI's Rhine program was first halted before Christmas 2021 when Germany's government imposed travel restrictions on UK tourists.

TUI's river operations were planned to resume with TUI Skyla on March 28th. The "Magic of the Danube" itinerary (7-night roundtrip from Budapest ) visited ports in Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Prices started at GBP 1120 per person with double occupancy.

TUI's first 14-night voyage started on April 8 ( TUI Isla ). The "European Icons" itinerary started in Amsterdam and visited ports in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, ending in Budapest. Prices started at GBP 2010 pp.

TUI's Rhine voyages started on April 8 with the "Rhine Germs" itinerary visiting Koblenz and Speyer (Germany Rhineland-Palatinate) along with Basel Switzerland . The 7-day roundtrip is from Frankfurt am Main (Germany Hesse) , fares started at GBP 1170 pp.

Themed voyages started on April 1st ( TUI Maya ) with the "Vines and Valleys" Moselle River itinerary.

In December 2023, TUI River Cruises announced a fleet expansion with two new vessels - TUI Al Horeya (Nile River boat/inauguration in 2024) and TUI Alma (Douro River boat/inauguration in 2025).

TUI Cruises related cruise news

TUI Cruises appoints environmental officer as Godmother for Mein Schiff 7

As the construction of Mein Schiff 7 nears completion at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, TUI Cruises has disclosed insights into the vessel's...

Marella UK's Asia & Middle East cruises (ship Discovery 2) canceled due to Red Sea crisis

TUI has made the decision to cancel Marella Cruises UK's Asia and Middle East program from November 2024 to the end of April 2025. In a...

TUI Cruises deploys two ships (Schiff 7 and Schiff Relax) to Canary Islands in winter 2025-2026

TUI Cruises, a TUI Group-Royal Caribbean Group joint venture, has announced its planned itineraries for the winter season of 2025-2026, revealing a...

UAE renews partnership with TUI Cruises to boost Dubai's cruise tourism hub status

The UAE/Emirates has reaffirmed Dubai's position as a premier hub for cruise ship tourism by extending its collaboration with TUI Cruises for the...

Marella (TUI UK) cancels Red Sea repositioning cruises due to safety concerns

Marella Cruises has made the decision to cancel a series of repositioning sailings on Discovery 2 ship due to concerns regarding the Red Sea area...

TUI Cruises' ship Mein Schiff 7 to run on green methanol supplied by Mabanaft

Mabanaft has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TUI Cruises, outlining plans for the supply of green methanol in the future. The...

Scaffolding collapse during Mein Schiff Relax construction leads to worker injury

On Friday morning, January 19, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone (Italy), a serious accident occurred during the construction of the cruise...

TUI Cruises reveals plans for 3 new ships

TUI Cruises (a joint venture between RCG/Royal Caribbean Group and TUI AG) has unveiled plans for the construction of three new vessels in the...

TUI River Cruises starts Douro voyages in 2025 with newbuild ship TUI Alma

TUI River Cruises unveiled its first newbuild boat. The custom-built vessel will be deployed on Portugal's Douro River, marking TUI's river fleet...

Fincantieri secures $461M 'Green' Loan for construction of TUI's ship Mein Schiff Relax

Fincantieri has entered into a 'green' construction loan agreement, securing up to US$461 million from Intesa Sanpaolo (IMI Corporate &...

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Marella Explorer 2

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The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

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April 22, 2024

Royal caribbean group shares comprehensive update on its decarbonization journey.

Together, with its first Community Impact Report, the company details its progress its net-zero ambitions and supporting the communities it visits

MIAMI – April 22, 2024 – Today, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) released its annual Seastainability Report, outlining milestones the company reached on its mission to deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly. Driven by its SEA the Future initiative, the company has advanced its commitment to sustain the planet, energize communities, and accelerate innovation. In 2023, Royal Caribbean Group made significant progress toward its net zero vision including achieving more than half of the company’s carbon intensity reduction target, completing successful biofuel trials across Europe, and introducing the maritime industry’s first waste-to-energy system onboard a ship. “I am proud to share the encouraging results from our SEA the Future efforts in our annual Seastainability Report and our first Community Impact Report, which underscore the strength of our commitment to the environment, the communities we visit, and our people,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Marking the halfway point to our carbon intensity target is a key milestone that builds on our history of innovation and collaboration as we continue driving forward solutions that advance the industry's net zero future.” The publication of its first Community Impact Report dives into the breadth of work Royal Caribbean Group completed in 2023 to engage communities, celebrate its culture, and promote economic resiliency in the destinations they visit.

The goals and strategies presented in both reports highlight Royal Caribbean Group’s progress in building toward a sustainable and better tomorrow . Highlights from the reports include:

Sustaining the Planet

• 6.8% reduction in carbon intensity , reaching more than half of its double-digit carbon intensity reduction target
• An expanded energy portfolio following successful biofuel trials which confirmed that “drop-in” percentages of the alternative fuel can be used without needing to modify engines or impact onboard technical systems
• Increased local sourcing globally, reducing miles traveled by 37% — supporting not only the communities it visits but also reducing its Scope 3 emissions in certain regions
• Helped protect marine species through Shellbank, an innovative genetic technology program , that matches DNA for critically endangered sea turtles to known locations in order to determine priority conservation sites and prevent illegal harvesting

Energizing Communities

• Launched Royal Caribbean International's Artist Discovery Program, prominently showcasing up-and-coming local Caribbean artists on board the company's newest ship Icon of the Seas
• Designed unique trainings for Bahamian entrepreneurs participating in the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Royal Caribbean Kickstarter Programme, created to empower local tourism-related businesses
• Introduced our first accessible Star Class suite on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas

Accelerating Innovation

• Introduced the first at-sea waste-to-energy systems which debuted on Silver Nova and Icon of the Seas
• Began construction on first tri-fuel methanol capable ship , Celebrity Xcel
• Renewed partnership with University of Miami’s OceanScope committing additional funds, building on two decades of ocean conservation and research aboard Royal Caribbean Group ships

With a sustainability journey that began over 30 years ago, Royal Caribbean Group introduced an industry-leading recycling program Save the Waves and the first Environmental Officer onboard a cruise ship. Today the company continues to innovate and connect people to the world’s most beautiful places in a way that respects and protects the ocean and communities it visits. Laser focused on improving its energy efficiency, treating the water they use and diverting waste from landfill, the company is moving closer to Destination Net Zero ambition, its target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Visit www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/sustainability to dive deeper into Royal Caribbean Group's 2023 Seastainability Report and learn more about how the company is collaborating to accelerate its transition to the energy platform of the future.

Media Contact: [email protected]

About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is one of the leading cruise companies in the world with a global fleet of 65 ships traveling to approximately 1,000 destinations around the world. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of three award-winning cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International , Celebrity Cruises , and Silversea Cruises and it is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands have an additional 8 ships on order as of December 31, 2023.

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Cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia

St. petersburg shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in st. petersburg.

Czars and Saviors

Front of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia

Located near the waterfront and housed in the former Romanov Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum sits due north along Nevsky Prospekt from the Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Petersburg's other most iconic attraction.

Discover the Unusual

View of Saint Isaac's square in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg's city center is overflowing with history — why not choose museums that offer something a little different? Visit the quirky Faberge Museum, dedicated to the work of Russian jeweler Carl Faberge. Or enjoy an interactive experience at the Museum of Emotions.

Imperial Excursion

Take a drive to some imperial palaces outside the city center. Under an hour away by car lies exquisite Peterhof, whose fountains alone are worth the price of admission. Cruise to St. Petersburg and go by train to the Baroque-style Catherine Palace — can you guess which Russian ruler often stayed here?

Local Cuisine

Russians flock to St. Petersburg because of its cosmopolitan vibe, but use your stop here to discover local cuisine. Head to the restaurant-rich Nevsky Prospect to sample borscht beet root soup (the cold version in summer), dumplings of meat ( plmeni ) and sour cherries ( vareniki ) or hearty beef stroganoff — yes, that's a Russian dish!

St. Petersburg's shopping options are as grand as its architecture. The luxurious Gostiny Dvor mall is an essential stop with your St. Petersburg cruise. If you're looking for a more down-to-earth experience, try your luck (and your Russian language skills) at Udelnaya Flea Market and bargain for one-of-a-kind antique samovars or imperial porcelain.

Best Deals to St. Petersburg, Russia

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