Taking a cruise doesn’t mean you have to take an entire week off from work — weekend cruises make a great alternative to a quick getaway to Las Vegas, Nashville, South Beach, or any other city known for entertainment and dining. Most of these itineraries are three to five nights in length and sail on Thursday or Friday from ports in Florida, Texas, and Southern California. Even better, they’re generally quite affordable. So if you’re planning a girls' getaway, bachelor or bachelorette party, couples’ escape, or a mini family vacation, there’s a cruise ship to suit your style. Here are our five favorite ships for a weekend cruise.