I absolutely LOVE a short cruise from the UK. There’s nothing more fun than getting together a group of friends and letting your hair down with a drink package for the weekend.
And with cruise lines adding more and more themed sailings, there are now party cruises to suit almost every style of traveller.
Before we get into the cruise lines, let me first explain how I’m defining these cruises. A “party cruise” can mean wildly different things depending on the cruise line, sailing length and time of year.
For some people, it’s a wild weekend mini cruise that’s jam-packed with tribute acts, cocktails and late nights in the nightclub. For others, it’s a more chilled party vibe with time in the spa, long romantic dinners and movies under the stars.
Bank holiday sailings, summer weekends and themed music cruises tend to have the liveliest atmosphere onboard. Meanwhile, midweek mini cruises can feel much calmer, even on the same ship.
I’ve done lots of these sailings, and here are some of my favourites…
1. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers a handful of short cruises from Southampton each summer. The ships are big, bold, and so much fun!
Southampton sailings are hugely popular for short breaks because there’s so much happening onboard. You’ve got live music venues, cocktail bars, late-night entertainment, casinos and huge indoor venues that stay busy well into the evening.
What makes Royal Caribbean work particularly well for short cruises is the sheer variety. One group might spend the evening in the pub-style bar listening to live guitar music while another heads straight to the nightclub.
The atmosphere is usually lively without feeling overwhelming, especially compared to some American party cruise stereotypes. You’ll probably find a few stag and hen parties onboard though, especially if you criuse over a weekend.
Just be aware they aren’t usually too many short cruises offered. In 2027, there are just five itineraries to choose from on Freedom of the Seas, ranging from two to five nights.
Because sailings are limited, the cruises can be a little on the pricey side, expecially when you factor in gratuities ($18.50 per person per day) and drinks packages.
The drink package is worth getting, but don’t pay full price! The price goes up and down over time, so keep an eye on the app, and you should be able to time it to get a good discount.
Suggested read: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Deals Most Cruisers Miss
The drinks service is fast and generous. We once sat in the buffet and drank bottomless mimosas from breakfast until lunch! I also love that Royal Carribbean bartenders will bring drinks to the hot tubs – some other cruise lines don’t allow glasses in the pools and hot tubs at all.
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2. MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is another great option for a cheeky short cruise. And the main advantage you’ll get over Royal Caribbean is the price, with this being a much more affordable optinon. I’ve booked a 2-night MSC Cruise from Southampton for just £99 before.
Suggested read: Review of my £99 MSC cruise
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It’s not just the ticket price that makes an MSC Cruise so much cheaper. If you sail from the UK you won’t have to pay any gratuities as those are already included.
Your drinks package will also be a fraction of the price. MSC Cruises drinks packages offer fantastic value for money. The issue you may face on a busy cruise, is that the queue at the bar will be quite a bit longer.
MSC Cruises ships are stunningly beautiful with crystal staircases, huge LED domes in the promenade and gorgeous pool areas. If you have the budget, you can avoid the hustle and bustle and get much better service, by booking a suite in the Yacht Club.
The highlight of any MSC Cruise is the White Party. Most guests do dress up, so it’s worth packing something white to wear.
In 2026, there have been plenty of sailings to choose from onboard MSC Virtuosa. However, in 2027, there’s much less choice. You can choose from a just a handful of cruises onboard MSC Perziosa or MSC Meraviglia.
3. Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line has lots of short party cruises to choose from, departing from UK ports such as London Tilbury, Newcastle, Dundee, Portsmouth, Bristol, Belfast and Liverpool.
The sailing range from 1 to 5 nights and have all sorts of themes such as 80s, 90s, Battle of the Bands, or Cricket Legends. There are also lots of short Christmas Markets sailings.
I once sailed at Halloween and was very impressed by how much the ship was decorated and how much effort everyone put into their costumes.
On longer cruises with Ambassador, most guests are firmly in the over 50 age bracket. But I’ve found that these shorter sailings attract a much younger crowd. This is an adults-only cruise line too, so there won’t be any kids to ruin your vibe.
Ambassador Cruise Line is a good option for solo travellers too. So if you like the idea of being seated with other solos at dinner, and then enjoying a fun evening together afterwards, this is the one to go for.
You can expect plenty of live music, a silent disco, packed dance floors and plenty of drinks flowing in the bars. The drinks are very reasonably priced and drinks packages are available too.
4. Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises doesn’t sail from the UK, but its short fly-cruises absolutely deserve a place on this list.
The cruise line has built a loyal British following thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, all inclusive fares and fun entertainment style.
The best Marella party cruises are the themed ones that they offer. Electric Sunsets is an extremely popular option that runs most years. For 2027 the theme is 80s vs 90s and you can expect a line up that includes Claire Richards from Steps, DJ Sash and Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet.
Other themed cruises include the Country Rhythms Cruises , which is billed as the ultimate hoe down at sea, as well as a musical theatre-themed sailing called Musical Med-leys.
Everything is bundled together with flights, transfers, drinks and tips all included, which makes it really easy to budget for.
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5. P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises has plenty of short sailings from Southampton, with a choice of adults-only and family-friendly sailings from three to five nights.
Ships like Arvia and Iona have brought a much livelier feel to the line, particularly on short sailings and bank holiday cruises. You’ll find cocktail bars, live entertainment venues, late-night music and plenty of passengers celebrating birthdays or special occasions.
My favourite bar on these ships is the 710 Club, a small bar with live music that was deisgned by pop star Gary Barlow. I was lucky enough to visit the bar to see Gary as he told us all about his vision for thr venue…
P&O still feels distinctly British. The atmosphere is more “big weekend away” than spring break at sea. And I don’t mean British weekend a la a Butlins weekender – it’s still much more upmarket than that sort of atmosphere. The formal nights are fantastic too.
Once onboard, drinks are reasonably priced, although there are no packages available to purchase on cruises under five nights. Gratuities are included, so there’s no surprise bill at the end.
The Best Themed Party Cruises
Some of the liveliest short cruises aren’t marketed as party cruises at all.
Themed sailings have become hugely popular in recent years, especially on UK mini cruises. Depending on the cruise line, you’ll find:
- 80s music weekends
- Soul and Motown cruises
- Comedy-themed sailings
- Tribute act weekends
These cruises often create a much more social atmosphere because passengers are onboard for a shared experience rather than simply taking a short break. Most people who’ve booked have done so because they want to get involved in the theming, and so there’s a real communal atmosphere.
If you want a fun cruise without booking something specifically labelled as a “party cruise”, themed sailings are often the sweet spot.
Read more: The Best Themed Cruises for 2026, 2027 and Beyond
You Don’t Have to Party Non-Stop…
One of the biggest myths about short cruises is that the whole ship turns into one giant nightclub.
That’s not the case though. Again, these aren’t Butlins adults-only weekenders. Cruise ships are designed to offer completely different experiences at the same time. Even on the liveliest sailings, you’ll still find quiet lounges, relaxed restaurants, spa areas and peaceful outdoor decks.
That’s especially true on larger ships like Royal Caribbean’s and P&O Cruises’ newer vessels, where entertainment is spread across multiple venues.
You can spend one evening watching live music with cocktails and the next relaxing in a quieter bar with barely any noise at all.
So if you like the idea of a fun atmosphere but don’t want a full-on booze cruise, don’t rule out short sailings entirely. Cruises are unusually good at letting passengers choose their own pace.
When To Book a Short Party Cruise
If you want the liveliest atmosphere possible, timing matters almost as much as the cruise line itself.
The busiest party sailings are usually:
- Bank holiday weekends
- Summer mini cruises
- New Year sailings
- Halloween cruises
- Themed entertainment cruises
Meanwhile, midweek sailings outside school holidays tend to feel calmer and more relaxed.
Be aware that you can’t pick and choose any date. A lot of the ships that offer short break cruises also offer longer sailings, and so you will need to see what dates are available for a party cruise.
Are Short Party Cruises Worth It?
For plenty of people, absolutely.
Short cruises are often cheaper than a city break once you factor in accommodation, entertainment and food. You unpack once, there’s always something happening onboard and you can turn a simple weekend away into something that feels genuinely different.
They’re particularly good for:
- Birthdays
- Group trips
- Hen and stag weekends
- First-time cruisers
- Couples wanting a quick escape
- Friends looking for a social break
The key is choosing the right cruise line and setting realistic expectations. Most short cruises are lively and fun rather than wild and chaotic.
My top tip – if you are looking to make the most of your short break, book more adults into a cabin. I’ve done girls’ trips where there have been four of us in one cabin and, honestly, it’s been absolutely fine because we’re spending most of our time outside the room having fun.
The cost of four sharing a cabin can be significantly cheaper than if we split into two cabins so it’s definitely worth looking at that as an option.
Final Word
The best short party cruises from the UK aren’t necessarily the loudest ones.
What makes these sailings work is the mix of atmosphere and flexibility. You can spend the evening dancing in a packed music venue, head to a comedy show, grab late-night pizza or simply find a quiet corner with a drink and watch the sea roll by.
That’s what cruising does better than almost any other type of holiday. Everyone gets to have their own version of a good time.
Whether you want a big-ship weekend packed with nightlife or a themed mini cruise with live music and cocktails, there’s now a short cruise out there that fits the mood perfectly.
