If land-life has you feeling frazzled and foggy, a mini-break at sea could be just what the doctor ordered. Fresh air, fine food and facilities, and the chance to see several destinations in a short time mean cruises of fewer than seven nights are increasingly popular.

Many operate from UK ports, giving passengers an instant escape. The holiday starts as soon as you step onboard and in four days, ships can visit the UK coast, France, Ireland and the Channel Islands, Holland, Belgium or Norway.

With so many low-cost flights available to Europe, it’s easy to join a ship in the Mediterranean and visit some fantastic destinations that you’d be hard-pressed to squeeze into a short land-based holiday.

For example, in a few days you can take a short cruise around the Greek Islands between Piraeus and Istanbul, or sail from Barcelona to Monte Carlo, Sorrento and Malta. From Rome (Civitavecchia) ships visit Florence (Livorno), Portofino or Cannes.

Some passengers choose to add a short cruise onto a land holiday further afield, enjoying a few days in the Caribbean out of Florida or Miami, for example, five nights on the Yangtze or Nile rivers, or Thailand and Malaysia out of Singapore.

With limited time onboard, it’s more important than ever to do your research. What do you want to get out of your cruise? Fine dining? Relaxation? A spa break? Condensed sightseeing? Choose the right ship and it’s all possible. And if you’re still not sure about taking the plunge, a mini-cruise can be a great way to try your first cruise.

Ask your ACE travel agent for ideas.