On the Pacific Coast, weekend cruises from Los Angeles, San Diego or Long Beach in California (near Los Angeles) head to Ensenada, Mexico for a quick getaway. Consider it a quick dash to the beach - ironic because you have to get to a warm-weather, coastal area to meet your ship in the first place. The most popular weekend cruises sail from Miami, Port Canaveral or Palm Beach in Florida, to the Bahamas, with one or two stops in Nassau, Freeport or the cruise line's private island. Ships need to call in another country before heading back – which limits where you can sail on a weekend cruise. Thanks to the complicated Passenger Vessel Services Act, foreign-flagged cruise ships cannot leave port, sail in circles with their casinos, shops and spas open, then return back to port two nights later. If you're looking to hop a ship for a few nights, you can't just sail from anywhere to anywhere.
Miami is a popular departure port for weekend cruises.
