The Quickest Way to Try a Local Cruise

When the average US citizen only has two weeks of vacation to spend annually, those who have never taken a cruise might be timid to spend an entire week on a sailing.

That’s where three- and four-night cruises typically come in handy, but the U.K.'s Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines might have an even better idea.

For the very purpose of letting first-timers try out cruising to see if the travel form is right for them, Fred. Olsen offers one-night "taster voyages" starting in one UK port and ending in another. Not only are the cruises convenient, they are also inexpensive: starting at only £79 per person.

Neil Herbert, Head of Sales for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines explained via press release, “At Fred. Olsen, we are always looking to attract new-to-cruise customers and to make the cruising experience as easy and straightforward as possible. Our range of one-night ‘Taster Cruises’ in 2017 offers the perfect opportunity for potential cruisers to sample our product, without committing too much time or money.”

Except there’s only one problem to adopting this concept from homeports in the US: Foreign-flagged cruise ships are not permitted to sail from one US port to another US port without first stopping at a foreign port in between.

Most major cruise lines are based in the United States, but the majority of their ships are registered internationally and so must adhere to this domestic policy. Norwegian Cruise Line’s American-registered Pride of America is a rare exception and can thus sail exclusively within the Hawaiian Islands.

Previously, all cruise ships were allowed to embark on so-called cruises-to-nowhere, of any given length, not making any interim stops and returning to the same port of departure. One-night cruises would have worked under this program.

However, as of 2016, the US government no longer permits these either due to maintaining consistent crew visa standards.

READ MORE: Customs Explains End of Cruises-to-Nowhere

All that is left then for the most abbreviated of cruise samplers are sailings that can quickly reach a foreign port of call from the States. In the Caribbean, that has traditionally meant aforementioned three- and four-night getaways to the Bahamas and such jaunts to Ensenada in Mexico.

Of course, the short distance between Los Angeles (Long Beach or San Pedro) or San Diego and Ensenada more easily accommodates briefer two-night cruises, which for now are the best of both worlds.

Brands offering such itineraries include Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, making the routes great opportunities to try cruising with less risk. Carnival’s will usually be substantially cheaper than Disney’s, however, as the Disney Wonder commands a premium among high demand from local Disneyland weekenders.

READ MORE: Why Is Cruising Better Than Shoreside Travel?

Short of retired ocean liners like the Queen Mary being made into permanently moored hotels, cruise ships seldom act solely as floating hotels. They have been chartered for such use during events like the Olympics, however, and one might wonder if the occasional stopover would be another good way of offering a one-night experience onboard that US cruise lines could consider.

Alternatively, for those already planning a land trip to Europe or the United Kingdom, the one-night Fred. Olsen taster cruises are available once in the area, and even Norwegian Cruise Line is known to offer one-night sailings in the Baltic on occasion.

Wherever it sails, chances are that once a night aboard a cruise ship is experienced by newbies, loyalists are likely to be made—wanting to come back for that full week or longer cruise soon enough.