So you've decided on taking a cruise for your next vacation but you're still trying to figure out how long of a cruise you should take. Three and four day cruise holidays are becoming increasingly popular due to busy schedules and short vacation time but these short trips are not long enough to get a real feel for life at sea. There are many reasons why a longer cruise is the best option if you can afford it and take the time off.

If you'll be flying to your port of embarkation then you'll be road weary even before you board the ship. You'll need at least a day to adjust to a new time zone and recover from jet lag. Even if you live close to your port, you're sure to be tired from packing and the hassles of preparing for a holiday. If you're prone to sea sickness then you'll be spending your first day getting acclimated and therefore not able to do much. You may want to consider in your port of embarkation.

Also consider all of the things you want enjoy on the ship. Cruise lines have a number of activities and amenities that you'll want to treat yourself to. There are day spas, aerobics classes, water sports, night clubs and cabaret style shows. A big draw is the food which is usually included in the price of your voyage; the 24 hour buffet is not to be missed. Cruise ships are no longer "floating hotels"; they are more like floating cities so there's a lot of ground to cover.

On top of all of this, you'll surely want to visit the cities at your ports of call. Ports of call are usually visited during the day so if you want to enjoy the amenities on the ship you'll definitely need more than just a few days.

A seven day cruise should be your minimum. It will give you time to adjust to a new time zone, unwind from trip preparations and get adjusted to life on board the ship. You also won't feel like you have to squeeze everything in which can cause exhaustion and frustration. A two week cruise is even better since the longer the cruise, the better spaced the ports are call are.

Can a cruise be too long? Well, it really depends on the individual and what you like to do on holiday? If you're the type that likes a lot of sight seeing and visiting new places then you may not feel like anything longer than a week. On the other hand, if you like to do some sightseeing and a lot of relaxing next to the pool with a good book then something longer (even 3 or 4 weeks) can be a dream vacation. If you've never taken a cruise before then start with a week at sea and then decide if a longer cruise would be more enjoyable.