Short European Cruises | Windstar 3- to 5-Night Cruises
What if your next European getaway took just three to five nights at sea, on a yacht carrying a couple hundred guests instead of several thousand? That's exactly what Windstar Cruises is offering with its Quick Getaways, and I think they're one of the smartest new ideas in cruising.
Windstar Cruises is doing something we don't see very often in Europe: offering a limited collection of 3-, 4- and 5-night yacht-style cruises that are absolutely perfect for adding onto a European land vacation.
Here's why I love them for you:
They "flip the script" on the usual trip. Instead of tacking a few hotel nights onto a cruise, you can add a cruise to a land vacation.
They're a no-pressure introduction to small-ship cruising. If you've wondered whether a yacht-style cruise is right for you, three nights is an easy way to find out.
Imagine spending several days in Spain, then slipping away for four nights aboard a small ship to explore the Balearic Islands and the French coast.
You can spend time in Venice, board your yacht, cruise the Adriatic and end four nights later in Dubrovnik—then continue your vacation through Croatia.
That's the beauty of these itineraries. They don't have to BE your European vacation. They can become one fabulous part of it.
Why We're Excited About This
Windstar isn't a traditional mega-ship cruise experience.
Because the ships are small, they can reach ports and waterways that large cruise ships simply can't. One of the most interesting examples is London, where Windstar can sail on the Thames and dock near Tower Bridge.
You unpack once, enjoy beautiful meals and evenings aboard the ship, wake up somewhere new—and then continue your European adventure.
It's also a wonderful way to try small-ship cruising for the first time without committing an entire week of your vacation to a cruise.
And apparently travelers agree. Travel Weekly recently reported that Windstar's experiment with these short European sailings has been attracting both first-time Windstar guests and loyal Windstar travelers. Many guests are combining them with longer cruises or land vacations.
Look at Some of These Itineraries!
There are some really fun possibilities currently on Windstar's schedule:
🇮🇹 Rome → Barcelona | 5 nights
Yachtsman's Harbors of the Rivieras
October 25–30, 2026
🇪🇸 Málaga → Gibraltar → Tangier → Málaga | 4 nights
Almería, Gibraltar & Tangier
March 6–10, 2027
🇬🇧 London → Belgium → London | 3 nights
Belgium: A Sweet Getaway
May 7–10, 2027
🇬🇧 London → Amsterdam | 3 nights
Seaside Charms & Dutch Waterways
May 10–13, 2027
🇳🇱 Amsterdam → London | 5 nights
Timeless Maritime Powerhouses of Northern Europe
May 13–18, 2027
🇬🇧 London → St. Malo → London | 4 nights
St. Malo Getaway
May 18–22, 2027
🇮🇹 Rome → Italy & France → Rome | 3 nights
La Dolce Vita in Italy & France
May 29–June 1, 2027
🇪🇸 Barcelona → Balearic Islands & France → Barcelona | 4 nights
Balearic Islands and Port Vendres Escape
June 24–28, 2027
🇮🇹 Venice → Dubrovnik | 4 nights
Croatia Calling
August 16–20 or August 27–31, 2027
That's a LOT of vacation experience packed into just a few days.
Why I'd book now
There are only ten of these departures in 2027.Windstar hasn't announced plans for more yet, so these may be the only chances for a while.
There's also a value angle. Windstar is currently offering a complimentary All-Inclusive Package (gratuities, Wi-Fi and select drinks) with a reduced deposit on new bookings. Offers like this change, so I'll confirm what applies to your sailing when we talk.
Ready to grab a spot? Reply to this post, call us at 217-202-3406, or email [email protected], and tell us which sailing caught your eye. We'll check availability, hold a stateroom, and start sketching the rest of your trip.
Island Travel Group
Vacations designed around you.
