Fancy a mini cruise? Here are ten of the best

Updated
Paris mini-cruise
Paris mini-cruise



New to cruising? Or fancy a long weekend away before your longer cruise holiday? A mini-cruise to one of Britain or Europe's iconic destinations might just be the trip for you.

Short cruise holidays make for a perfect taster if you're a newbie to the world of cruising and want to see if travelling by sea is for you. They're also ideal for frequent cruisers who like to fit in more time on the water between their far-flung sailing to the Caribbean and Asia.

Mini-cruises typically take place over two nights but three, four or up to five nights are not unusual, with some of the most popular destinations including Bruges, Amsterdam and the Channel Islands. If you dream of exploring the wonders of Northern Europe and aren't a fan of travelling by plane or taking the Eurostar, a short cruise is the answer.

They offer a wealth of opportunities to take in some of the prettiest places we have right on our doorstep. For instance, a short cruise to Paris with Royal Caribbean provides you with a day to explore the wonders of the French city and spend three nights on the ship, enjoying the on-board entertainment, a fully-equipped gym and relaxing spa.

You can even head further afield to Spain on a short cruise with Brittany Ferries and visit the lesser-known city of Santander, where amazing landscapes, charming beaches and nature reserves await.

Whether you've got two nights to spare or five, explore our pick of the best short cruise destinations from the UK.

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