Royal Caribbean recently dove headfirst into the short cruise market, offering more weekend voyages on massive ships than ever before. While these short sailings give cruisers a taste of what the cruise line has to offer, they're often controversial topics since many believe it's impossible to get a full experience in just three or four days.
Still, there's obviously a strong demand for short cruises, with Royal Caribbean deploying some of its newest and largest ships on these quick getaways.
If you're planning your first cruise, you might be wondering whether a 3-night sailing is long enough. Generally speaking, no. It is impossible to fully experience everything the cruise line has to offer in just three nights, especially on mega Oasis Class ships that are filled from bow to stern with restaurants, entertainment options, and activities.
That said, you shouldn't immediately swear off a 3-night cruise. Depending on your expectations, a short sailing might be exactly what you're looking for.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between short and longer Royal Caribbean cruises, including the pricing and onboard atmosphere, so you can decide whether a short cruise is worth it.
The cruise price: How much a weekend cruise costs
Cost is typically one of the deciding factors when choosing between a short and long cruise. Short cruises, for the most part, are more affordable.
That said, while the total cruise fare may be cheaper than a 7-night voyage, the price-per-day tends to be higher because they incur high fixed turnover costs over a shorter number of days.
Plus, the demand tends to be higher because of the convenience. Instead of, for instance, using five vacation days for a 7-night cruise, you’d only need to take two days off work for a 3-night sailing that leaves on Friday and returns on Monday.
To give you an example, we'll compare the cost of short and long Royal Caribbean cruise sailings on similar ships and itineraries to highlight how the nightly rate can differ. Although these prices were accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change based on demand and availability.
Wonder of the Seas, October 1-4, 2027
- Interior: $647/person
- Outside View: $686/person
- Balcony: $754/person
- Suite: $1,294/person
Oasis of the Seas, October 3-10, 2027
- Interior: $1,038/person
- Outside View: $1,168/person
- Balcony: $1,266/person
- Suite: $2,476/person
Both sailings take place in October 2027, or the shoulder season for The Bahamas and Caribbean. Yet, the difference in pricing is still very noticeable.
When you break down the nightly cost of an inside cabin, the 3-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas comes out to roughly $215 per night, while Oasis of the Seas averages at about $147 for the weeklong sailing.
As such, this is an example of how longer cruises can offer a better per-night value. That said, the shorter cruise is cheaper overall.
Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Royal Caribbean Cruise Drink Package Price
Add-ons are another important cost consideration when deciding between a short and long cruise. Drink packages, for example, are a non-negotiable for many travelers. Unfortunately, they're also one of the most expensive add-ons.
On a 7-night cruise, it's not uncommon for cruisers to spend over $500 per person for a drink package, breaking down to roughly $70 or more per night.
That said, even if the daily cost is more expensive on a short cruise, say $80 per day, you'll still spend less because you are only paying for three days instead of seven.
Additionally, many feel that it's easier to get their money's worth on a shorter cruise, whereas trying to break even on a weeklong voyage requires more consistent use (i.e., more drinking).
Short Royal Caribbean Cruise Itinerary
Unfortunately, one of the biggest drawbacks of a short cruise is that the itineraries are far more limited. When sailing from Florida, you're going to visit the same two ports, likely Perfect Day at CocoCay or Nassau.
Comparatively, longer cruises typically include at least three ports of call, which gives you more variety and the chance to cross more destinations off your bucket list during a single vacation.
Longer sailings can also visit more unique ports of call, appealing to destination-focused travelers. More often than not, those embarking on shorter sailings care less about the ports and more about the ship itself.
Read more: Weekend cruises: Tips for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean getaway
Party Cruise vs. Laid-Back Cruise
That leads directly into what the onboard atmosphere is like. Generally speaking, shorter cruises have a rowdier clientele who are looking to let loose and party. While that isn't always the case, the shortened time frame tends to result in a high-energy vibe.
On the flip side, I've found longer cruises to be more relaxed. Not only are the guests more low-key, but the added sea days essentially force everyone to slow down.
Sure, there will be people drinking the whole cruise and hitting up the nightclub, but it feels more balanced than shorter cruises, where — more often than not — the primary focus is cultivating a non-stop party scene.
Read more: I went to 5 different parties on my last Royal Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean Ship Sizes
These days, you can take a short cruise on one of Royal Caribbean's largest ships, minus Icon Class vessels. Utopia of the Seas, for example, can accommodate over 5,600 passengers at double occupancy and offers all the same amenities as other Oasis Class ships — plus a few exclusive ones.
Other Oasis Class ships have joined the short cruise lineup, too, including Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. As such, you don't have to sacrifice comfort and amenities just because you don't want to take a 7-night cruise.
However, if you aren't a fan of the mega ships, don't worry; some smaller, older vessels are available. In 2026, for instance, Brilliance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas all offer sailings of 5 nights or less.
On the flip side, if you want to cruise on the newest Icon Class ships, you’ll need to choose a longer voyage. While Legend of the Seas has four 3- and 4-night sailings on the schedule, Icon Class ships mostly offer 6- to 8-night itineraries through April 2028.
