Reasons To Cruise - Your Guide To Mini Cruises From The UK
Mini cruises are short breaks that usually last up to around five nights. Hop on a cruise ship or ferry and enjoy a getaway from the moment you board.
There's a cruise for everyone, and mini cruises are particularly well-suited to a vast range of travellers. Whether you are travelling alone, as a couple, as a small family, with the grandparents on a multigenerational holiday, or with a groups of friends, there are short breaks to suit you.
Oh, and if you cruised in the good 'ol days and 'fondly' remember the school ferry trip from hell, you'll be glad to learn modern cruising is a whole new world.
Why book a cruise holiday?

Cruise holidays have transformed into an entirely different proposition in recent times. Once upon a time, they may well have been stuffy affairs for the elite, but now the industry has modernised, making cruise holidays accessible for all.
Whether you want to sail on a small and intimate ship or the world's biggest cruise ship, you can find the perfect holiday. Whether you want a kid-free adults-only holiday or you want to take the little ones on a holiday of a lifetime, you will find a ship to suit. If pampering in a setting of sheer luxury, or a no-frills, good value holiday is your priority, you will find a cruise line to match.
Try your first cruise

Dipping your toes into the world of cruising need not be daunting. In fact, several cruise lines offer short taster cruises of between one and five nights that are perfect for sampling the cruise lifestyle.
These mini cruises let you explore the ship, sample the hospitality, try out the food, enjoy the entertainment, and visit popular ports of call in a short space of time. If the thought of spending a week cooped up on a cruise ship scares you, these are perfect short breaks where you can see exactly what cruise holidays are really like.
Latest from my cruise blog
I love writing about cruise ships, cruise holidays, exciting destinations, and about travel to and from ports. Here are my latest articles.
Everything You Need to Know About MSC Cruises’ Drinks Packages
Beverages keep on flowing when you buy a drinks package on your cruise holiday. But those seemingly unlimited drinks from the bars and restaurants come with a hefty initial cost. One of the big dilemmas I faced when I booked my cruise on MSC Preziosa...
Fun & Relaxed Casual Cruising: Reasons To Cruise With Carnival
I’m a big fan of casual cruising, and the likes of Royal Caribbean And Norwegian Cruise Line instantly spring to mind. Buy my time on Carnival Breeze made me realise there’s a remarkably similar experience to be had on American favourite...
Lonely Planet’s The Cruise Handbook Review
Lonely Planet is a familiar brand in the travel guide space, and they’ve recently launched a new book devoted to the world of cruising. They sent me a copy of The Cruise Handbook so I could flick through it, find out where it sits in the...
Bella, Fantastica, Wellness, Aurea, and Yacht Club: MSC’s Experiences Demystified
Most cruise lines segregate by cabin grade, particularly when it comes to suites. Suite guests often get access to perks and areas that regular passengers do not. That might include an exclusive restaurant or private deck space, priority embarkation...
Marella Explorer Review – Contemporary British Cruising Done Right
“We cross the ‘T’, dot the ‘I’, and put ‘U’ in the middle”. I lost count of how many times I heard that advert informing the country that Thomson had became TUI. But does a smiley logo make for a happy...
Top 10 Cruise Magazines You Need To Read
Looking for travel inspiration? My travel ideas come from all over the place, from Instagram and Pinterest to the mail shots and brochures that land on my doorstep. But there’s a wave of cruise magazines out there eager to satisfy your thirst...