Are short cruises really full of hen and stag parties?

[Bailey 12]

They are a good idea if you want a taster of what a cruise ship or cruise line is like.

[2torts 335]

We did a 2 night cruise on Oriana at Easter 2014. At least 11 stag & hen groups. Ok during the day except for one group jumping into a pool fully clothed before we had even left Southampton. The evenings were a different matter - including one stag group finding it funny to heckle the Abba tribute act in Pacific Lounge. One senior staff member told us that they had people drunk everywhere & had to go round clearing up the vomit. We would'nt do a short break again if it fell on a weekend during spring/summer but the Christmas market ones sound much better.

[hturtle 321]

I am going on Black Watch in June and I wouldnt mind a few hen parties please

[Guest Solent Richard]

Hi all

 

I've been looking at a short cruise break on Oceana towards the end of the year. We sailed on this ship a few years back and really enjoyed it. Never done a short cruise, only 7 nights and above, so this will be the first.

 

I've read many horror stories that these short cruises can get very rowdy with hen and stag parties and also that you are not looked after as well as you would be on a longer cruise. Is this information correct? Should we avoid a short cruise like the plague?

 

X

 

I have been on a number of 'short' cruises, the most recent being Queen Mary 2 last September and Queen Elizabeth 5 months ago.

 

Never noticed any of the symptoms you describe.

 

Oceana doesn't exactly come across the type of ship that would attract such behaviour either.

 

Go with an open mind.

[RobBar 204]

Most hen parties what I have seen via FB posts are a fly / hotel venue where the time is spent in a bar and spa

We have been on a short cruise where you get a mix of people and the casino / span / bars were busy but aside from that the ship is a like a normal ship

The crew treat you like any other cruise normally

Just watch out for school breaks and holidays

[cruisedirector 6]

steer clear of short NCL cruises!

[Guest Solent Richard]

Setting aside the 'Hen' party image  of short cruises would anyone like to speculate when is a 'short' cruise, by definition, not a short cruise?

 

I have my eye on a 5 nighter on Celebrity Eclipse and was surprised to note elsewhere that..."5 nights! Isn't that pushing the mini cruise concept a little"

 

After all, it is only two nights short of a week. 

[RobBar 204]

Luv it

I checked out some cruise lines and what I can gather is the 7 day cruise is deemed the standard cruise length as a benchmark.

The short cruise , mini cruise , weekend cruise is the new SHORT attraction for all those busy young professionals (per the ads)  or the harried just married or the friends wanting a short break and dip into cruising .

So per the P & O site, they do a lot of advertising to this degree where 2 days is your weekend, 3 days is your short and 5 is your mini cruise

http://www.pocruises.com/find-and-book/mini-cruises/

 

As most of us know , getting on the ship and back off so quickly leads to stress which to my mind requires a doctors certificate to take a longer cruise next time

For what it is worth , my vote is that five days is a mini cruise short of the industry benchmark.

Course I would be surprised to hear of a Formal night on a 2 day cruise but one on a three day can be the norm with certainly one on the five day cruise.

[wheels36 450]

A three day cruise becomes a five day if you live in the north of England.

[RobBar 204]

A three day cruise becomes a five day if you live in the north of England.

 luv it ,,, I guess I could say that our three day repositioning cruise was five days also as we had to fly in a day prior and leave a day later.

My spouse made an interesting observation if that majority of folks on a short cruise are more into party time and not wanting to dress up so it is hard to know people over that time 

[2torts 335]

We did 2 nights to Belgium & the second night was formal but as lots of hen & stag parties on board not everyone's idea of formal was the same. I suppose a hen in wedding attire is sort of formal but rest of group in matching shirts isn't.

[sammy sun 1084]

I say go with an open mind and look forward to it. At the end of the day, it's still a few nights away on what will hopefully be an excellent break. I think if you're looking for a few days away then yes these cruises can be good but if you're looking for these "short breaks" to be a great introduction to cruising then I wouldn't recommend them. I think to get a feel for cruising you need to try at least 7 nights, otherwise there can often be too much to see and do in too short a space of time.

[Guest Solent Richard]

I say go with an open mind and look forward to it. At the end of the day, it's still a few nights away on what will hopefully be an excellent break. I think if you're looking for a few days away then yes these cruises can be good but if you're looking for these "short breaks" to be a great introduction to cruising then I wouldn't recommend them. I think to get a feel for cruising you need to try at least 7 nights, otherwise there can often be too much to see and do in too short a space of time.

 

Fully concur Sammy though if I was a solo guy I'd definitely look at a 'hen' cruise. 

[RobBar 204]

Fully concur Sammy though if I was a solo guy I'd definitely look at a 'hen' cruise. 

Had to reply to this one... never thought about that perspective though it does raise possibilities   

Only issue is sometimes sorting out the Mums from the younger ones though you will now be rated and discussed if you manage to lure one away for an encounter  during their private sessions together.   Also noted you said solo not single ?  Are you sure about that future Boston tour to Salam Witch trails

Can just see you asking your TA to find out if any Hen parties on a  cruise ... luv it