Weekend cruises are perfect for first-timers or anyone who just wants to swap their desk for a deckchair. The quickest trips are two-night cruises between Sydney and Brisbane (in both directions) on Princess Cruises' Crown Princess or Carnival Cruise Line's four-ship fleet. Carnival also offers getaways for three or four nights, dipping into Moreton Island or the NSW coast. For something more elegant, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge has a four-night cruise round-trip from Sydney to Tasmania departing January 25. princess.com; carnival.com.au; celebritycruises.com