It’s the big trend in America that has filled the sixth Oasis class vessel Utopia of the Seas, known as the Weekend Party Ship. Now it is spreading to Australia, as cash-strapped families search for a short break in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
Cruises of just three or sometimes four-days are seeing significant booking rises among Aussies, and the amount of short cruisers being offered by cruise lines is also being stepped up.
It’s fuelling a younger market – Royal Caribbean is recording average ages of 41 years – and more families looking for a bargain break amid the gloom of saving for a home.
A range of factors is leading to a surge in the weekend cruise: new-to-cruise travellers want to try a shorter cruise first and cruise lines seeking to maximise their profitability in Australian waters.
Kelly Henderson, CLIA Accredited Cruise Consultant from I Love Cruising, says both supply and demand are on the up, with a special look towards themed cruises.
“I am seeing a much higher number of weekend cruises being not only offered, but also sold. I am not sure whether it’s this time of year which is boosting the sales in these or the fact that they are a lower cost for the few days away with the rising costs of longer cruises on the market.
“More clients are asking for these types of cruises as a quick and easy getaway at an affordable price. These cruises are often advertised with a theme such as food and wine, 80’s or a comedy cruise that attracts clients looking for a fun weekend away.”
Sarah Fenton, an award-winning MTA cruise agent, says that another popular demographic for these cruisers are the new to cruise market.
“First time cruisers see this type of cruise as the perfect way to establish if they “like” cruising – and for people who like cruising it’s the perfect way to celebrate with groups of family and friends a special birthday, anniversary, or occasion.”
“It can all be a little overwhelming for someone who has never been on a ship before to try and work out what cruise life is like, so the short duration means if they are not enjoying it, they are not “stuck on board” for a long time. It is absolutely convenient, reasonably priced, and the short cruise duration means that you don’t need to eat into a chunk of annual leave or take the children out of school for a little holiday.”
Why are shorter cruises on the rise?
Cost of living
It’s far from a secret that the rising cost of living is proving a strain on everyday Aussies, and as such, a quick three-day cruises becomes a lot easier than a week or 10-days at sea.
Henderson says: “I think the demand in these has increased for a number of reasons, the main being the increasing cost of living but still needing a break. I also believe the convenience for those living in Sydney or Brisbane of being able to work for the Friday morning then make your way to the terminal and have a weekend away to party or relax then head straight back to work on the Monday.”
Cruise lines maximising profitability
When cruise lines sail shorter itineraries this is generally more profitable for them, as the fares are higher when measured per-day, and onboard spend per person per day is generally higher over a short cruise.
Henderson explains: “The per day cost on a short cruise can be significantly higher than a seven day + cruise plus the lack of drink package options available on these short cruises, passengers are spending more onboard in the three days than some are in the seven plus day itineraries.
“I can only imagine that the cruise lines are still trying to re-coup costs from Covid so filling the ships, every three to four days at a higher cost per passenger, per day is potentially a way of doing that.”
Fenton sees the situation similarly, pointing out that those on a short cruise will spend exceptionally more per ady.
“Absolutely I think the shorter cruises are all about turnover. It’s a short space of time for everyone to experience everything on board, so the more you turn over the crowd on the ship, the more chances you have to increase the on board spend.
“It will only increase profitability though if there is a balance in the value of a cruise holiday. People like the short little cruise trips because they are a “cheap little holiday” to slot in between the bigger trips they may be planning, or maybe it’s all that is affordable?
“Either way, if the prices of the fares increase too much and the perceived value of a cruise holiday declines, the cruise lines will price themselves out of the market. It’s a very fine balance between maintaining profitability and ensuring that the cruise passenger still sees their trip as the best value for money proposition.
“I do believe that half the issue is that pricing is not all in the hands of the cruise lines, I think that the state governments need to communicate more and work together on deciding port regulations and charges, to not cost us out of the market altogether when it comes to the cruise industry in general and keep this great short cruise options affordable to all.”
Limited port options
Henderson also points out that Australia currently is short on port options to cruise to, and shorter cruisers may serve as a stop-gap while Australia tries to figure it out.
“It I also think that we have so many limited ports available for us to utilise around us (a small handful in the South Pacific, NZ and only a couple in North QLD) that there is not many options for the Cruise Lines to pick from so short cruises are it until we figure it out.”
Ship volume is also proving to be an issue.
“While I would hope that Australia will start seeing the volume of weekend cruising in Australia that the US has I doubt this will happen. In 2025 we will essentially only have one cruise line sailing year round here so until things change and we can get bigger, better and higher volumes of ships here I cant see it being any different from this current season.”
How to pick your short cruise for first-timers
Fenton says the answer is simple, prioritise the short cruises that actually visit a port.
“I do believe that better than the “3 nights to nowhere” cruises, the smarter option are 4 night itinerary choices that have a port of call. Moreton Island and Eden etc are popular already, but for the first time cruiser, it’s a more realistic perception of the “reality” of a cruise – visiting new places.
“It also takes some of the funds ashore to local communities and operators, not leaving it all in the cruise line pocket. And if first time cruisers (or even experienced ones) get worried about “cabin fever” or three-full days of ship food, then at least a port call breaks things up and more embodies the line we use that “cruising offers something for everyone”
What’s out there?
There are plenty of shorter cruises to choose from, which you’ll find across Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises and Princess Cruises. P&O Cruises Australia has long been a favourite with short-themed cruises, but it remains to be seen if these cruisers will transfer to Carnival Cruises when the brand is absolved.
You can check out Royal Caribbean’s two – five night cruises here, with plenty of options out of Brisbane and Sydney. You can have a two-night sampler cruises for as cheap as $369 for an interior.
Celebrity Cruises has more limited options, with one three-day break to Eden, and another four-day cruise to Tasmania, but you’ll have to fork out at least $1000 and $13000 respectively.
Carnival Cruises is overflowing with options, with 75+ cruises to choose from of five days or less. If you cruise out of Sydney there likely won’t be a port of call on such a short itinerary, but Brisbane has sailings out to Airlie Beach and Moreton Island.
Princess Cruises also has plenty of options for a shorter getaway. With a two-day getaway from Sydney starting from $428. But you can also look at other options such a four-day ‘seacation’ that visits Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
