There’s little doubt that a cruise craze has swept the nation – some of us were just born with seafaring souls, some love cruising for the popular (or yet-to-be-discovered) ports of call, while still others are simply in it for the hassle-free vacation that a cruise vacation can provide. The catch, for many of us, however, is finding the time to make our dreams of deck-time a reality. Well, happily your ship’s come in, thanks to these short cruise vacations that will get you just about anywhere, from popular islands with turquoise shores to south-of-the-border hot spots, or from the depths of the American Southwest to the historic harbors of New England. From mega-cruise ships to houseboats, and steamboats to windjammers, we’ve got you covered. Best of all, each of these short sailings – ranging from one to five nights in duration – departs from ports within the continental U.S. and Canada, making these quick cruise escapes within easy reach. Get a preview of the ships and itineraries with our Short Cruise Vacations slideshow.

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