Now here's a real test for whether the cruise public is interested in short cruises. You know, the 3-night and 4-night kind that cruise lines are test-marketing these days. Call in sick Friday, take Monday off and…boom, a 4-night cruise is yours.
The "real test" comes next spring in England, with Royal Caribbean's new (2015) Anthem of the Seas. The cruise line is billing it as a get-to-know-us strategy for 
people who are new to cruising or people who hate (yes, they do exist) the prospect of cruising, in the hope they'll change their minds.
It has been floated out by Princess and Carnival, to name two cruise lines, in North America. However, North America is a different animal than Europe, if you haven't noticed. In North America, people in the workforce get long weekends.
In Europe, they get long holidays. Have you ever seen a European country in August, when it appears to be asleep, or at least taking a nap?
So if 3-and-4-night cruises on Anthem of the Seas work in a climate where 3-and-4-night holidays aren't the norm, Royal Caribbean will adjust its European itineraries accordingly. For now, they're being called "taster cruises" and there are only five of them on Anthem. In six months. When there are also three 1-week cruises, three 2-week cruises, one of 10 nights, one of 12, three of 13 and one 16 nights long.
Maybe it's not a market test after all. Maybe it's just filling out the schedule before Anthem of the Seas sails west to America.
Pacific Princess
10 nights
April 1, 2014
Papeete (return): Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea
Inside: $999
Cost per day: $99
www.princess.com