Hotel and resort prices have skyrocketed this year. If you’re looking for an affordable last-minute vacation, a short three- to five-night cruise may be the answer. These cruises depart from a wide variety of U.S. ports, which can also eliminate expensive airfares.

Short cruises are also a fantastic way to stretch your vacation budget. Base cruise fares on some cruise lines are less than $300 per person for a four-night cruise, making these last-minute short sailings an incredible value. Daily meals, activities, and entertainment are included in these rates as well.

Many major cruise lines offer short cruise itineraries. Short cruises from ports in the United States visit enticing destinations including Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Cruise lines' short cruise itineraries vary, but they often include one or two ports and a day or two at sea.

Some smaller branded cruise lines, such as Margaritaville at Sea, specialize in inexpensive short cruise vacations. The cruise line offers two-, three- and four-night Bahamas sailings from Palm Beach, Florida on one of its ships, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Short cruises to Mexico are also available from Tampa, Florida on Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Attractive discounts, Kids Sail Free, and Buy One, Get One Free deals are sometimes available.

So, who should consider a short cruise? These kinds of last-minute vacations are perfect for:

Budget-focused Vacationers
Short cruise vacations are very affordable and provide staterooms, food, and entertainment at an inexpensive price. These quick getaways are a great deal compared to other similar land-based vacation options. To accurately assess the cost of your last-minute vacation options, do your research to see what's included on a short cruise versus a land-based vacation and compare the cost of similar trips.

Travelers with Limited Vacation Time
Short cruises of three- to five nights are an ideal choice for a long weekend getaway or for those with only a few days available for a last-minute vacation. Although mid-week short cruises are available, most short cruise itineraries are built around long weekends.

Coastal Dwellers
Short cruises depart from many drive-to-port cities, which can eliminate the high cost of flights. Some homeport cities include New York City, New York; Bayonne, New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; Palm Beach, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Miami, Florida; Port Canaveral, Florida; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Los Angeles, California homeports.

First-time Cruisers
Short cruises are an excellent way to try out the cruise experience to see whether it's something you will enjoy. Although these voyages and itineraries are shorter, you'll still get a feel for this vacation lifestyle and see whether you'd enjoy a longer cruise experience. It’s important to remember that cruise lines and ships are quite different. It's often wise for new cruisers to consult with a cruise-focused travel advisor to find the best match for your needs and interests.

Families Seeking Fun for All Ages
A short summer cruise break can be one of the best family vacation options. Cruise ships cater to families with extensive daily kids' and teens' programs, triple and quad cabins, high-energy activities and entertainment, family-friendly dining options, and much more. Carefully review each ship's family-oriented programs and amenities to choose the best floating playground for your family's summer vacation.

Type-A Vacationers
Short cruises are filled with a wide range of activities and diversions. In addition to calling on fun ports, newer ships feature indoor and outdoor pools, spas, fitness centers, children's and teens programs, kids' pools, rock walls and zip lines, discos, casinos, specialty restaurants, bars, theaters, boutiques, and other amenities. It's hard to get bored on these floating entertainment-laden resorts at sea.

Family Reunion Groups
Short cruises offer activities and amenities for every age range, making them excellent choices for family reunions and celebrations. Children's programs, teen activities, and adult diversions allow people to spend time on their own and with their group. With proper planning, it's easy to get everyone together at meals and other events. In addition, low prices make short cruises affordable for even the most budget-conscious family members.

Avid Cruise Vacationers
Are you passionate about cruising and just can't get enough time at sea? Short cruises do have a slightly more rushed feel than their longer counterparts but remember - a cruise is still a cruise, even if it's just for a few days. You'll still relish the opportunity to get away, enjoy the beautiful ship, and relax in tropical ports of call.

Last-Minute Short Cruise Options:
If you’re seeking a last-minute cruise vacation, some of the short cruise itineraries available include:

Bahamas:
MSC Cruises offers three-night cruises on MSC Seashore, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida and visiting Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and Nassau, Bahamas. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $310 per person.

Carnival Cruise Line features four-night cruises on Carnival Elation, departing from Jacksonville, Florida and visiting Freeport, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $381 per person.

Margaritaville at Sea offers four-night cruises on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, departing from Palm Beach, Florida and visiting Freeport, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $283 per person.

Royal Caribbean offers three-night cruises on Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and visiting Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay private island in the Bahamas. Advertised base rates for a three-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $423 per person.

Bermuda:
Carnival Cruise Line sails four-night cruises on Carnival Venezia, departing from New York City, New York and visiting Bermuda for two days. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $494 per person.

Royal Caribbean features five-night cruises on Vision of the Seas, departing from Baltimore, Maryland and visiting Bermuda for two days. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $831 per person.

Norwegian Cruise Line sails five-night cruises on Norwegian Aqua, departing from New York City, New York and visiting Bermuda for two days. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $831 per person.

Mexico:
Royal Caribbean features four-night cruise on Mariner of the Seas, departing from Galveston, Texas and visiting Cozumel, Mexico. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $535 per person.

Carnival Cruise Line offers five-night cruises on Carnival Valor, departing from New Orleans and visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Advertised base rates for a five-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $379 per person.

Margaritaville at Sea offers four-night cruises on Margaritaville at Sea Islander, departing from Tampa, Florida and visiting Cozumel, Mexico. Advertised base rates for a four-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $317 per person.

Carnival Cruise Line sails three-night cruises on Carnival Radiance, departing from Los Angeles and visiting Ensenada, Mexico. Advertised base rates for a three-night sailing on select departure dates have been advertised as low as $311 per person.

For more information on finding a cheap short cruise at the last minute, talk to your favorite travel advisor. You can also visit websites such as VacationsToGo.com, Cruises.com, CruiseCompete.com, cruise line websites, and other travel sites to find the best short cruise vacation options for you.