3-4 Day Cruises from NYC & New Jersey
Perfect weekend escapes! Experience paradise without using all your vacation days. Depart Friday, return Monday. Starting under $300 per person.
Why Choose a 3-4 Day Cruise?
All the luxury and fun of a full cruise vacation, perfectly sized for a long weekend
Perfect for Busy Schedules
Take a Friday off, cruise Saturday through Monday, back to work Tuesday. Get a vacation without using all your PTO.
Budget-Friendly
Starting under $300 per person, short cruises offer incredible value. Less time off work means less lost income too.
First-Timer Friendly
Never cruised before? 3-4 days is perfect to test the waters without committing to a full week at sea.
Frequent Departures
Multiple sailings every week year-round. Easy to find dates that work with your schedule.
Popular 3-4 Day Cruise Options from New Jersey
3-Day Bahamas Getaway
3 nights • Year-round
Nassau, Half Moon Cay OR CocoCay
Royal Caribbean, Carnival
- • Visit Nassau capital city
- • Private island beach day
- • Duty-free shopping
- • Casino & nightlife
- • Water sports included
Starting from
$299-$549
per person, interior cabin
4-Day Bermuda Express
4 nights • May - September
King's Wharf, Bermuda
Norwegian, Carnival
- • Pink sand beaches
- • British colonial charm
- • Crystal Caves tour
- • Horseshoe Bay Beach
- • Golf & water sports
Starting from
$449-$699
per person, interior cabin
3-Day Canada Sampler
3 nights • September - October
Saint John, Halifax OR Bar Harbor
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity
- • Fall foliage viewing
- • Maritime history
- • Fresh lobster dining
- • Coastal towns
- • Lighthouse tours
Starting from
$399-$649
per person, interior cabin
4-Night Coastal Cruise
4 nights • Summer & Fall
Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor
Norwegian, Celebrity
- • New England charm
- • Historic sites
- • Acadia National Park
- • Lobster & clam bakes
- • Scenic coastal views
Starting from
$499-$799
per person, interior cabin
3-Day Cruises Are Perfect For...
First-Time Cruisers
Discover if cruising is for you without the commitment of a 7+ day voyage. Most first-timers book longer cruises after trying a short sailing.
Anniversary & Celebrations
Quick romantic getaway for anniversaries, birthdays, or babymoons. Enjoy adult time without being away from kids too long.
Last-Minute Travel
Sudden free weekend? Book a cruise departing in days. Short cruises have better last-minute availability than week-long sailings.
Extended Weekends
Turn holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) into cruise vacations. Use just 1-2 PTO days for a 4-day trip.
Family Bonding
Perfect length for families with younger kids or teens with limited time off school. Not too long to cause homework stress.
Group & Friends
Easier to coordinate schedules for groups. Lower total cost makes it accessible for everyone to join.
Perfect Weekend Cruise from Essex County
Drive to Cape Liberty in under 30 minutes and start your vacation
Sample Weekend Itinerary
Insider Tips for 3-Day Cruises
Booking Smart
- •Book early for holiday weekends - they sell out months in advance
- •Last-minute deals are common 3-4 weeks before sailing
- •Inside cabins are great value - you're barely in the room
- •Cruise during shoulder seasons (April-May, Sept-Oct) for best pricing
Packing Efficiently
- •Bring a carry-on only - luggage delivery takes 2-3 hours
- •Pack swimsuit in carry-on - pools open immediately
- •Bring reusable water bottle - fill at buffet
- •Don't forget medications - pharmacy access is limited
Maximizing Time
- •Complete online check-in ASAP - board earlier
- •Book shore excursions in advance - limited time in port
- •Eat dinner early (5:30 PM) to catch evening shows
- •Skip formal night if it's only 3 days - relaxed dining works
Saving Money
- •Bring your own alcohol (wine/champagne allowed)
- •Skip specialty dining - included food is excellent
- •Book excursions independently - save 30-50%
- •Set daily spending limits for casino and shopping
3-Day Cruise FAQs
Are 3-day cruises worth it?
Absolutely! 3-4 day cruises offer tremendous value for the price and time investment. You get all the same amenities as longer cruises - unlimited food, entertainment, activities, pools - just compressed into a long weekend. They're perfect for first-timers, busy professionals, budget travelers, or anyone wanting a quick escape. Most ships on short cruises are the same modern vessels used for 7-day sailings, so you're not sacrificing quality. The value per day is often better than a hotel resort when you factor in meals and entertainment.
How much does a 3-day cruise from NYC cost?
Prices for 3-day cruises from New York/New Jersey start around $299 per person for interior cabins during off-peak times, ranging up to $799+ for balcony cabins during peak summer or holiday weekends. Budget about $350-450 per person for an interior cabin, $500-650 for oceanview, and $600-800 for balcony during average seasons. Add $100-150 per person for port taxes and fees. Specialty dining, drinks, and gratuities ($45-50 per person for 3 days) are extra. Total all-in cost typically $450-600 per person for interior, $700-1000 for balcony.
What's included on a 3-day cruise?
Your cruise fare includes: Stateroom accommodations for 3-4 nights, all main dining room meals and buffet service, casual dining venues (pizza, cafe, room service), onboard activities (pools, waterslides, mini golf, rock climbing, fitness center), nightly entertainment (shows, comedy, live music), kids programs if applicable. NOT included: Alcoholic beverages, soda and specialty coffee, specialty restaurants ($20-50 per person), shore excursions, spa services, casino, photos, gratuities ($15/day per person), WiFi. Most cruise lines offer beverage packages that may be worthwhile even for 3 days.
Where do 3-day cruises from New Jersey go?
Most 3-4 day cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ) head to the Bahamas with stops in Nassau and a private island (Perfect Day at CocoCay for Royal Caribbean, Half Moon Cay for Carnival). Some sail to Bermuda (4 days typically), offering one port day in King's Wharf. In fall, you'll find 3-day Canada/New England cruises to Halifax, Saint John, or Bar Harbor. Occasionally, there are 3-4 day "cruises to nowhere" that are all sea days with no ports - pure relaxation at sea. Destinations depend on season and cruise line.
Do I need a passport for a 3-day cruise?
For closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same US port), you don't technically need a passport - a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID suffice. However, we STRONGLY recommend bringing a valid passport anyway. If you have a medical emergency and need to fly home from the Bahamas or Bermuda, you'll need a passport. If you miss the ship at a port, you'll need it to rejoin. Plus, many shore excursions and international travel require passports. It's simply not worth the risk of being stuck in a foreign country without one.
Can I bring my kids on a 3-day cruise?
Yes! 3-day cruises are actually perfect for families with children. The shorter duration is ideal for younger kids who might get restless on a week-long trip. All major cruise lines offer kids clubs with age-appropriate activities for ages 3-17 (some from 6 months with parents). The compact timeframe means less chance of kids getting bored or homesick. It's also a great way to introduce children to cruising before committing to a longer, more expensive vacation. Most ships have pools, waterslides, and family-friendly entertainment. Connecting staterooms are available for families needing more space.
Ready for Your Weekend Cruise Adventure?
Essex County's experts in short cruises. We find the perfect 3-4 day sailing for your schedule and budget. Book now and escape this weekend!
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