Sometimes you need to let your hair down on a cruise in a different way. Whether it’s a quick getaway, a hen party or a boozy cruise with your best friends, there are plenty of taster cruises out there offering endless opportunities for all manner of fun and frolics in a shorter space of time.
Ranging from two to four nights, many of these short cruises depart regularly from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, so they’re great for quick getaways and short breaks whatever the occasion.
Here, we’ll guide you through the best short and party cruises that are departing this year, including:
- Best Cruises and Itineraries for Buck and Hen Parties
- Best Itineraries for Short Cruises
- Best Cruise Ships for Parties
Best Cruises and Itineraries for Buck and Hen Parties
A cruise ship is a great destination for a buck/hen party for a number of reasons. It’s affordable, it wraps up all the accommodation, food and entertainment in one place and gives you a flexibility other parties of its kind don’t afford. So, if someone in your group wants to do a spot of sunbathing while another fancies a spa treatment, that’s entirely possible on a cruise holiday.
A four-night holiday may sound like a long buck or hen do, but trust us – as soon as you and your party set-foot on Princess Cruises’ Golden Princess for its South Australian Getaway, you won’t want to want to leave. This luxury ocean liner is bursting with places to eat and drink, and features no less than seven showrooms and lounges. Once you’ve disembarked in Sydney, four nights of fun and adventure await, so how about it? You’re only young once.
Full of hidden gems, Pacific Jewel hosts a 4-night Kangaroo Island cruise that promises a plethora of clubs to dance in, restaurants to feast in and plenty of amenities to get involved in, from spas to swimming pools. Whether you’re taking a breather or continuing the party, a day in port at Kangaroo Island has lots in store for you before another day of sun and sea on the waters.
Best Itineraries for Short Cruises
With a short cruise, the focus is less on seeing the sights and more on enjoying your time at sea in some of Australia’s finest locales.
At only $348 per person, P&O Australia host a cruise from Brisbane to Brisbane, spending its time sailing pristine crystal waters, allowing guests to fully enjoy the newly-refurbished Pacific Dawn from morning to night. What’s in store onboard? Give the water park and water slides a go before trying your luck at the casino in the evening, or if you’re brave enough, the P&O Edge Adventure Park is prime for some pulse-racing excitement.
Slightly longer, but with port days in Hobart and Port Arthur, Carnival Legend hoses a five-night cruise which promises all kinds of fun. Get things started at the RedFrog Pub and from there, the world’s your oyster, with a variety of bars, eateries and activities to get stuck into. Give your funny bones a tickle at the Punchliner Comedy Club, or test your mic skills with the all-new Lip Sync Battle. If you’re venturing off the boat, don’t forget about the tour of the Cascade Brewery at Hobart, either.
Best Cruise Ships for Parties
Onboard their Breakaway, Getaway and Escape ships, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Glow Party turns down the lights and lets guests get wild with glow sticks and UV lights to brighten up the night. One of the biggest night-time deck parties at sea, it’s located in Spice H2O, with a DJ spinning the biggest club hits, accompanied by the night stars, a cool evening breeze and plenty of specialty drinks to make things that little bit better. An illuminating experience that anyone looking for a big party atmosphere should try at least once.
For those looking for something a little bit more extravagant, Royal Caribbean’s Prohibition Party takes its guests back to the era of the speakeasy, where rambunctious jazz added life and soul to the party and people truly let loose. Reflecting the exclusivity and secrecy of the 1920s, you’ll need a lapel pin, secret code and appropriate attire just to get in, but once you do, you’re in for a treat. Wild and rowdy, expect plenty of dancing, some comedy and plenty of alcoholic drinks (you didn’t think prohibition would actually be upheld, did you?) Also, get your betting cards at the ready; attendees are given prop money and betting cards to bet on a horse race. A recorded radio broadcast reveals the winner, adding another dimension of authenticity to the evening.
Like the look of these cruises? Get in the party spirit and head over to Cruise1st’s dedicated Australia cruise page for a list of all our sea-based celebrations, or give our friendly customer care team a call on 1300 989 376.
