Not everyone can slip away for a 10-day Caribbean cruise. But a lack of vacation time doesn’t mean you have to forgo the high seas. Quick sailings, from an overnighter to a three-night getaway, offer a taste of the cruise lifestyle—a great option for anyone considering a longer cruise—while providing a welcome blue-water break. Once aboard, your biggest dilemma will be deciding what to do: Hit the gym and the spa? Stretch out on a chaise and catch up on reading? Nap, dress for dinner and then visit the casino? See—good things can come in small packages.

CRUISE PRIMER
Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean offer the lion’s share of weekend cruises. These major players ramped up their offerings after the events of September 11, 2001, when many Americans started avoiding air travel. To help meet demand, the major lines rushed to establish new cruise-ship ports within easy driving distance of more travelers. “A few years ago, Miami, Port Canaveral and Los Angeles were our only U.S. ports of embarkation,” says Terry Thornton of Carnival Cruise Line. “Now we have seventeen American ports—and we’re looking to add more.” You can now board cruise ships in nearly 20 American cities, including Boston; Norfolk, Virginia; Galveston, Texas; and San Francisco. Most of the ports offer weekend outings. If, like millions of other Americans, you live within a half-day’s drive of a major cruise port (that includes most of the East Coast, the Gulf Coast and the West Coast), you probably won’t need to fly. That means you’ll escape the cost and hassle of air travel—no small reward for a couple looking to get away, and a godsend for families. Timing is everything when booking a weekend cruise, and flexibility can cut your costs significantly. It’s easy to find tickets starting around $500 per person (assuming double occupancy). As always, interior cabins can cost even less—at times as low as $300. Your best chance at savings might be to give in to your impulsive side. In the days before a sailing, any empty berths often go at a deep discount. Expedia recently offered a three-night Carnival cruise to the Bahamas for $339 with an oceanview room—and, of course, all meals.

KEEP IN MIND
Shortened schedules can present their own problems. But knowing just what you’re getting and deploying some timetested strategies will help you maximize your time on board.

· Book spa treatments before you board, since short sails allow only a limited window of opportunity. The same goes for reservations at the ship’s choice restaurants.

PRIME DESTINATIONS
The Bahamas: These islands are just an overnight sail from the east coast of Florida. Most short cruises hit either Freeport or Nassau; both have numerous restaurants and shore-excursion options.

Key West, Florida: At the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Getting there by ship, typically from Miami, is the laid-back way to go.

Cozumel, Mexico: Ships sail from Galveston, TX; New Orleans; and Mobile, AL, to this tropical island off the Yucatán Peninsula.

Ensenada, Mexico: A northerly Pacific-coast city that has become the classic port for short California cruises with a Mexican flavor.

Cruise to Nowhere: Popular for one- and two-night itineraries out of New York City, for example. While you won’t hit any ports of call, you can still enjoy the ship. Some people consider this the most relaxing weekend cruise of all.

SAMPLE SAILINGS
FROM NEW YORK:
Few islands are close by, so New York has become the
“cruise to nowhere” capital.
Nearby Cities: Boston; Philadelphia; Albany; Providence, RI
Cruise Lines: Carnival, Norwegian
Book This: A one-night cruise aboard the Norwegian Spirit,
sailing Oct. 11 (866-234-7350; ncl.com; from $169*)
Ports of Call: None

FROM FORT LAUDERDALE:
The primary port for cruises bound for the Caribbean
and the Bahamas.
Nearby Cities: Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando
Cruise Lines: Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean
Book This: A four-day cruise to the Western Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas, sailing Nov. 19 (866-562-7625; royalcaribbean.com; from $349)
Ports of Call: Key West, FL; Cozumel, Mexico

FROM MIAMI:
Easy gateway for jaunts to the Bahamas.
Nearby Cities: Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Naples
Cruise Lines: Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean
Book This: A four-day Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s
Majesty of the Seas, sailing Sept. 29 (866-562-7625; royalcaribbean.com; from $249)
Ports of Call: Coco Bay and Nassau

FROM GALVESTON, TX:
Ideally situated for short cruises with one night on the Yucatán.
Nearby Cities: Houston, San Antonio, Cruise Line: Carnival
Book This: A four-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Ecstasy, sailing Jan. 1, 2009 (888-227-6482; carnival.com; from $479)
Port of Call: Cozumel, Mexico

FROM LOS ANGELES:
A prime port for short cruises with a night on the west coast of Mexico. Nearby Cities: San Diego, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas
Cruise Lines: Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean
Book This: A three-day cruise to Mexico aboard the Carnival Paradise, sailing Nov. 21 (888-227-6482; carnival.com; from $279)
Port of Call: Ensenada, Mexico

FROM SEATTLE:
A key port for weekend getaways to British Columbia.
Nearby City: Portland, OR
Cruise Lines: Celebrity, Holland America
Book This: A four-day cruise on the Celebrity Mercury, sailing Oct. 10 (800-647-2251; celebritycruises.com; from $369)
Ports of Call: Victoria and Nanaimo, British Columbia

*Prices are per person, double occupancy.

CAN'T FREE UP A WEEKEND?
Consider a dinner cruise. You’ll remember how refreshing even three hours on the water can be, especially with white table linens and a fine meal.

Spirit Cruises In Chicago; Boston; New York; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; and Norfolk, VA. 866-433-9283; from $95 per person

Royal Argosy Only in Seattle: through Elliot Bay and into Puget Sound. 800-642-7816; from $79 per person

Hornblower Cruises Only in California: San Francisco, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach and San Diego. 888-467-6256; from $83 per person