How many days is the average cruise?

How long should you go on a cruise for?

Okay, so cruises, right? Ugh.

It’s all about you. No freakin’ ‘one size fits all’ here.

I did a 3-nighter to the Bahamas once, leaving from Miami. That was in… 2023? Needed a break bad, you know? Just wanted sun and not to think. It was… fine. Felt rushed, honestly.

• 3-4 nights: Quick blast. Good if you’re cruise-curious.

Then, there was that 7-day Caribbean cruise in 2024. San Juan was the start, I think. Now that felt like a proper vacay. Actually used the freakin’ gym. And gambled way too much. Lol. Saw like, five islands? I can’t remember, but it was cool.

• 7 nights: A good mix of relaxation and exploration.

My crazy aunt Mildred—God bless her soul—did a 30-day cruise around South America in 2024. I swear, she’s richer than Croesus. Anyways, she said it was amazing but I can’t even imagine being on a ship that long. Like, what even do you DO? She loves bingo though.

• 10+ nights: Go big or go home, I guess?

Really, tho, it is your money. Do what you freakin’ want.

I’m planning another one next year but only will do a shorter 3-nighter.

It is easier to schedule and cheap. Plus, I have a cat to feed!

How long does the average cruise last?

Ah, cruises. Floating buffets and questionable tan lines! In 2024, the average cruise clocks in at around 7 days. So, a week of seasickness or bliss, depending on your seas legs (and the quality of the onboard entertainment).

Think of it: 7 days bobbing like a cork. Longer than some marriages, shorter than my last attempt at baking sourdough.

Why 7 days, you ask? Well, consider the logistics:

• Port schedules: Ports, like grumpy cats, have limited patience. They want you in and out.
• Vacation time: Most people’s sanity maxes out at a week away from email, right?
• Food: Imagine provisioning enough shrimp for thousands. My grocery list is daunting enough.
• Seasickness Bags: Gotta restock ’em. They never run out of passengers filling them.

Of course, you can find everything from weekend jaunts to month-long odysseys. But statistically? 7 days is the sweet spot. Just enough time to forget what day it is and accidentally wear socks with sandals. You know, peak vacation!

How long is a typical world cruise?

World cruises generally span 100 to 140 days, many commencing in January and concluding by April or May. This duration, in my book, strikes a balance, eh?

Oceania, however, takes a different tack. Their 180-day voyages extend into midsummer. These are often genuine circumnavigations, starting and ending at the same port. A full half-year commitment—talk about seeing the world! Time, a funny thing, isn’t it?

• Typical Duration: 100-140 days. I’m thinking spring break!
• Departure Timing: Generally January.
• Oceania Cruises: 180 days. A commitment!
• Destinations Ports all over.

How much does a 7 day cruise cost?

Seven-day cruises? Think of them as floating vacations; price tags are as varied as the seashells on a beach. Forget “average”—that’s for accountants, not adventurers.

Expect to pay anywhere from $1000 to $6000 per person, but seriously, that’s like saying a car costs between $5,000 and $100,000. Helpful, right?

Here’s the reality:

• The Ship: A budget-friendly Carnival jaunt? Cheaper than a luxury Regent Seven Seas voyage. Duuh.

• The Stateroom: Ocean-view? Inside cabin? A balcony suite with a personal butler and its own mini-golf course? The difference is astronomical. Seriously, I’m comparing it to the distance between Earth and Mars.

• The Time of Year: Peak season? Brace yourself. Shoulder season? You might find a bargain. Off-season? Score! Think of it like grabbing a designer dress on clearance – a total steal.

• The Drinks Package: Cocktails, anyone? That’s an extra cost that can inflate your total like a leaky life raft.

• Excursions: Zip-lining through a rainforest? Snorkeling with manta rays? Exploring ancient ruins? You’ll pay extra for each adventure.

My last cruise—a 2023 Mediterranean adventure on Celebrity Cruises—ran me $3500, all-inclusive (almost; my cocktail habit almost ruined it). Your mileage may vary wildly. Consider it a gamble, my friend. A beautifully sun-drenched gamble.

Is working on a cruise ship worth it?

Man, cruise ship life. It was intense. Summer 2023, Carnival Breeze. I was a bartender, long hours, crazy shifts. The money was good, though. Seriously good. Paid off my student loans.

Tiny cabin, shared bathroom. Never again. Seriously cramped. My roommate, bless his heart, snored like a freight train. It was awful. I was sleep-deprived constantly.

The work itself? High pressure. Dealing with drunk tourists all day, every day. Some were great, others… not so much. I learned to handle anything though. I could make a perfect margarita in my sleep by the end.

But the travel! Seeing new places. Free time in port. Exploring. That’s what made it all worthwhile. I saw Santorini, Mykonos, Rome. Unforgettable experiences. Amazing.

Pros:

• Amazing travel opportunities.
• Good money.
• Met people from all over the world. Some became really good friends.

Cons:

• Tiny cabins. Seriously small.
• Horrible roommate situations.
• Long, irregular hours.
• Dealing with difficult passengers.
• Homesickness was a real struggle.

Would I do it again? Maybe. The good definitely outweighed the bad, but it was exhausting. It’s not a glamorous life, despite what you see on Instagram. It’s hard work. But the memories? Priceless.

Can you take a 6 month old on a cruise?

Ugh, MSC. Nightmare. Tried booking for Luisa. She was five months. February 2024. Caribbean cruise. Denied. So frustrating. Had to scramble, find a sitter. My mom, bless her soul. Bahamas trip ruined. Sun, sand… gone. Luisa, all smiles now. Doesn’t know. MSC, never again. So rigid.

• MSC: Six months minimum age.
• Caribbean cruise fail: February 2024.
• Luisa: Five months old at the time.
• Solution: Grandma babysat.
• Destination switch: Bahamas to home.

My sister, different story. Royal Caribbean. Took her son. Four months. No problem. Check policies. They change. Constantly. Ugh.

How many months can you be on a cruise?

You can theoretically cruise for months. Seriously, months. Think a year-long world cruise. That’s a thing.

Luxury lines often have extended voyages. These aren’t your typical 7-day Caribbean jaunts. We’re talking:

• Multi-month itineraries: Some sailings easily exceed 60 days. My cousin did a 90 day one last year, loved it, though I think she missed her cat terribly.
• World cruises: These behemoths cover the globe, often lasting 100-275 days, and sometimes longer, depending on the route and the whims of the captain.
• Segmenting: You could even string multiple shorter cruises together—a clever workaround if you’re not up for such a long commitment.

It’s a lifestyle choice, really. One that involves packing light and dealing with sea sickness.

But hey, you’ll see the world. I’d do it if I weren’t, you know, so busy with my pet chinchillas. They need attention, these fluffy fellas.

Around-the-world voyages are increasingly popular, offering unique experiences. The pricing, however, is quite steep. I’ve looked into them; way out of my budget at the moment. I have student loans. Who doesn’t? The ultimate length depends on the route. Some are shorter, some stretch out into those 200+ day epics. Think about it…a six-month cruise.