RE-ENERGISE AT SEA
Busy modern lifestyles have created a growing demand for quick escape breaks - four- or five-day breathers to blow away the cobwebs, refresh and re-energise us to face the demands of everyday living.

Nearly one in five cruises booked by Britons is of five days's duration or less – which is not surprising when you consider the advantages of a short cruise over a land-based mini-break.

A short cruise (a cruise of less than seven nights at sea), takes you to explore two or three destinations in a short space of time, without having to worry about luggage or timetables. A short break at sea is the perfect introduction if you’ve never cruised before.

Additionally, a short cruise means you can enjoy the refreshing benefits of sea air, fine food and easily accessible entertain-ment.

Most modern cruise ships have state-of-the-art health and fitness facilities often including a gym, swimming pool and jogging track; building in time for some serious pampering with the very latest health and beauty treatments.

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HASSLE FREE ESCAPES…
Top for convenience are short cruises out of British ports. With none of the hassle of passing through airports, you can simply leave your troubles behind.

Four-day cruises from the UK will take you to France and the Channel Islands, while a five-day sailing finds time to visit Spain as well. In France you'll visit ports like medieval La Rochelle and stylish, bustling Brest.

Spain's pretty seaport of La Coruna - gateway for trips to Santiago de Compostela - is worth a day in itself, with its busy market and pavement tapas cafes.

St Peter's Port, capital of Guernsey, is a perfect base for exploring this island and enjoying a high tea of fresh crab sandwiches.

Eat ashore or spend the time exploring and refuel back on board - the choice is yours. While most land-based short breaks are offered on a bed and breakfast basis, a cruise provides all meals, so it's also a good choice if you're on a budget.

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MEDITERRANEAN BLISS
The most popular short cruises are those that operate from Cyprus to Egypt, Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. These currently account for the vast majority of short-cruise bookings made by British travellers, who often book these as an add-on to a stay on one of the Mediterranean’s holiday islands.

There are also plans to introduce short cruises to Malta in the near future.

And if you're strapped for time and fancy a short Mediterranean cruise without an extensive land stay, that's possible as well.

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TIME POOR?
Growing demand for brief escapes has prompted some operators to offer fly - cruise packages comprising five nights on board and two ashore, exploring destinations like Istanbul, Barcelona or Rome.

You can choose whether to take your city break at the beginning or end of your cruise; for example, a five-day sailing from Piraeus to Istanbul will take you to the lovely Greek islands of Delos, Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes.

A short cruise from Barcelona to Piraeus will usually take in Monte Carlo, Sorrento (for Capri and Pompeii), Malta and Crete for instance.

To discover some history whilst re-freshing your mind opt for two or three night cruises to the Holy Land or The Lebanon. Rome-based cruises will offer itineraries ranging from Civitavecchia to Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Portofino or Cannes.

You would be hard pressed to fit in all these destinations and sights whilst on a land-based short break.

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PORTS FURTHER AFIELD
Other options for time-strapped travellers include sailing from Southampton to New York, which takes six days and must be the most relaxing way to arrive in the Big Apple.

And if you'd prefer to fly to the States and take a short cruise as part of a wider exploration, possibilities abound. If you're visiting the theme parks of Florida, a short cruise is a great introduction to the sunshine islands of the Caribbean – and a good way to chill out after an action-packed land break. Four-day cruises from Port Canaveral will take you to Freeport and Nassau in the Bahamas; or you can sail from Tampa to Grand Cayman, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.

Sail from the world's cruise capital, Miami, and there's even more on offer. Four-day cruises will take you to Key West, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, while a five-day cruise can get you to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

If you are as far afield as Sydney, take a two-night escape cruise incorporating both sightseeing and dinning in style. The more specialist operators will offer itineraries to specific tourist spots such as the Great Barrier Reef or the islands of Fiji.

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TIPS FOR SHORT-BREAK CRUISERS:
* Decide before you go what you want to get out of your short cruise; Relaxation? A health-boosting break? A whistle stop tour of a new destination? - Don't try to do too much or you'll return to work more frazzled than before you went.

* Short cruises are usually offered in spring and autumn - at the beginning and end of the season - though cruises from Cyprus and some Mediterranean itineraries operate summer-long.

* Dress codes tend to be more casual on short cruises, especially in America. But if you enjoy dressing for dinner, don't let that put you off.

* One-off short cruises tend to book up quickly, so book early.

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WHO GOES THERE?
COSTA CRUISES offers a range of short four and five-night cruises in the Mediterranean in Spring and Autumn. Departures are from Venice or Genoa and ports of call include Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Cannes, Capri, Corfu and Palma. Some cruises also include an overnight stay in Venice.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE offers three or four day Bahamian cruises onboard the Disney Wonder. Both itineraries include a day in the Port of Nassau, and Disney's own private island paradise, Castaway Cay. Guests of all ages enjoy dazzling onboard entertainment, unique dining experiences and spectacular adventures that only Disney could create.

FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers a limited number of short cruises each year on Black Watch, Braemar and Black Prince. All these cruises, from 3 to 8 nights, depart from Dover, Southampton, Leith or Greenock and visit ports in France, Spain, Belgium, Channel Islands or Norway.

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES
Hebridean Princess and Hebridean Spirit both include a variety of cruises on their programme for those short of time and in need of a rejuvenating break. Hebridean Princess offers two four-night cruises, “A Hebridean Prelude” and “A Hebridean Revelation” with departures for both in May and October, and for the first, also in March. A new six night cruise, “Lochs of the Inner Isles”, has been added for the 2004 season, plus two 3 and 4 night cruises in the “Explorer” series.
In May, Hebridean Spirit has a relaxing 3 night cruise, “Romantic Mediterranean Gardens”, sailing between Nice and Barcelona, and in August, “Breton Interlude” and “Norman Conquest” provide two convenient 3 night cruises sailing from Portland in the UK to explore Brittany, Normandy, the Scilly Isles and the Cornish coast. September finds Hebridean Spirit in Venice, from where she crosses to nearby Croatia on two 3 and 4 night itineraries within the Gulf of Venice. In 2005, part of her popular and innovative 14 night programme in the Indian Ocean can now be split to provide a 6 night holiday and a glimpse of paradise in the cold days of February.

MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING CRUISES features five night cruises on board the ship Rhapsody. The itineraries are as follows - in spring Genoa, Salerno, Malta, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Venice and for the autumn this itinerary is reversed. MSC also offer add on stays in Venice for as many nights as one wants to stay.

NORWEIGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE
Norwegian Coastal Voyage offer a range of short cruises designed to provide a flavour of the full coastal voyage experience. Ideal for those who are short of time but still want to sample the beauty of the magnificent Norwegian coastline.

The four night Northern Lights voyages run from November to March and travel from Bergen in the South to Tromso or vice versa. The Southern Mini-Voyage is a four night trip around the south of Norway calling at a variety of ports along the way. The three night Norway Triangle itinerary was introduced in 2003 and combines a two night voyage from Bergen to Trondheim with a rail journey from Trondheim to Oslo.

ORIENT-EXPRESS
Orient-Express’ deluxe Road to Mandalay river cruiser sails Burma's main waterway, the river Ayeyarwady between Mandalay and Bagan.
For a short break, A choice of 3 or 4 night itineraries are available giving guests the opportunity to savour all the delights Myanmar has to offer, providing them with a voyage of constant discovery.

Afloat in France offers a selection of interesting itineraries in the most beautiful inland waterways of France. Guests looking for a short break need not look any further. A selection of three night cruises are available giving guests ample time to relax and enjoy the constant changing scenery as the Peniche glides along Frances scenic waterways.


ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL will offer its first ever cruises out of Southampton when Splendour of the Seas will sail a number of European itineraries. Short cruises on offer include a four-night Belgium and Netherlands cruise calling at Zeebrugge and Amsterdam, and a three-night France and Channel Islands cruise calling at Brest and St Peter Port.

Splendour of the Seas will also be sailing a three- and four-night Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona calling at Villefranche, Palma de Mallorca and Ajaccio in Corsica.

ROYAL OLYMPIA CRUISES, the largest cruise line in the eastern Mediterranean, offers a range of four and five-day fly/cruises from Crete or Piraeus (Athens), with flights from the UK. Cruises depart from late February until mid-November and include a special long weekend break package.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
Recognizing that time is a major constraint and to many who have yet to cruise, there is a genuine desire to spend a few days experimenting with being aboard, SeaDream Yacht Club has scheduled a selection of two, three, four and five night sailings aboard SeaDream 1 & 2 in the Mediterranean and Caribbean for 2004 and 2005.

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