Most People Get ‘Side by Side’ Cruising Wrong – Here’s What it Really Means

Side-by-side cruising is a term I hadn’t heard of until very recently.

A side-by-side cruise is when a traveller books two separate cruises on different ships. Usually, these ships sail from the same port, one after the other.

I have never done this, mostly because it’s hard for me to stay away from home for weeks at a time, when I have a business to run.

If you have the time, side-by-side cruises can be a great way to make the most of your holiday or vacation time.

It avoids repetition. Instead of seeing the same shows, eating the same meals, and meeting the same guests and crew, you get a totally fresh experience on the second leg.

The first two cruises I took to Alaska and Hawaii were the nearest thing to a side-by-side cruise that I have ever taken.

It was a package organised by Norwegian Cruise Line. We spent a week sailing around Alaska on Norwegian Spirit and a week sailing around Hawaii on Pride of Aloha, now Norwegian Sky.

Obviously, a flight, transfers and hotel stays were included, but Norwegian Cruise Line organised everything. The trip was called “In Search of Fire and Ice,” – and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

They offered totally different cruise experiences. One was cold, and the other was hot, but both offered stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences. I loved the Norwegian ships!

I was totally hooked on cruising from that point onwards!

What Is a Side-by-Side Cruise?

Side-by-side cruises differ from back-to-back cruises because you don’t stay on the same ship.

You will need to pack your suitcase get off and get on to a second ship.

While these cruises aren’t as popular or well known as back-to-back cruises, they are gaining popularity with experienced cruises that like variety.

Why Choose A Side-by-Side Cruise?

There are lots of reasons why you might want to choose a side-by-side cruise. These include:

• A Great Way To Experience Different Ships & Cruise Lines
  • A good way to compare cruise experiences in a short period of time
  • A great way of making use of your holiday/vacation time
  • If you have travelled to the port once, you won’t need to travel far again to reach the second ship.
  • You can often save money on travelling between ports.
• Explore More Ports –
  • You can pick two contrasting itineraries so you can visit more places.
• Take Advantage of Cruise Line Deals
  • Sometimes, booking two shorter cruises on separate ships is more affordable than one long cruise.
  • For example, you may see a great deal on a short cruise, but you live a long way from the cruise port. If you are going on two cruises, it might make that journey to the port seem more worthwhile.
• You Can Avoid Repetition
  • Instead of seeing the same shows, eating the same meals, and meeting the same crew, you get a fresh experience on the second ship.
  • You will soon find out which cruise lines or ships suit you better.
  • If you get bored easily (not that it is easy to get bored on a cruise!), sailing on two different ships might suit you better.

Challenges of a Side-by-Side Cruise

Although, in theory, it would be great to get off of one ship and straight on to another – often, it isn’t as simple as that.

Things to think about:

• Handling Your Own Luggage
  • Unlike back-to-back cruises, you will actually have to pack up and move your luggage between the two ships.
  • That isn’t usually a problem if the cruise terminals are close together, but in ports like Southampton, for instance, you could be a long way from your second terminal.
  • You might have to organise a taxi, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

• Timing the Transfer
  • Disembarkation and embarkation don’t always match up perfectly.
  • You might disembark at 8 a.m. and have to hang around until the afternoon to board your second ship.
  • If you are stuck with your suitcases, you might be unable to go far from the dock or explore the port city as you would like.
  • You may need to book a hotel for a night if your second ship doesn’t dock until the day after your first.
• Different Cruise Line Policies
  • Each cruise line has different boarding procedures, loyalty perks and discounts, and onboard rules. Some adjustments can be needed when you go from one cruise line to another.
  • Make sure you have completed all the check-in requirements for both cruises. Once you have left home, you may find it hard to do if you have no WiFi or mobile data.
• Cost Considerations
  • While you might find great deals on the actual cruises, don’t forget to factor in extra expenses like hotels, transport, or buying a second drink package.

To get a more in-depth view of things you might want to pack when you cruise, read this article next:

Planning And Packing For Your Cruise – Things To Do In Advance!

Tips for a Smooth Side-by-Side Cruise Experience

#1. Book Ships That Leave From Nearby Terminals

If possible, book ships that leave from the nearby terminals at the same cruise port to avoid extra travel.

Give yourself plenty of time to get from one ship to the next. Check all your dates and timings to make sure you will be in the right place at the right time.

Southampton, for example, has five different cruise terminals. The terminals are several miles apart along the waterfront, so you may have to book a taxi.

The distance between the Mayflower Terminal and the Ocean Terminal is around two miles or a 45-minute walk. That is doable on a nice day if your case has wheels, but if you are less mobile, have a lot of luggage, or it is raining, you wouldn’t want to attempt it.

#2 Pack Carefully

Since you’ll be moving your own luggage, pack efficiently and consider using rolling suitcases or backpacks.

Pack clothes that don’t crease easily and can be worn multiple times.

Check out the laundry facilities onboard the ships. Some cruise lines, like Cunard and Princess, have free self-service laundries onboard.

If your first ship has a free laundry, it may be worth taking advantage of that and washing your clothes before you move to the second ship, particularly if that one doesn’t have a self-service laundry onboard

#3 Plan for Overnight Stays

If your cruises don’t align perfectly, research hotels near the port in advance and book somewhere that suits your needs.

Some hotels have free shuttle services to the port terminals, so they might be worth considering.

#4. Keep Your Travel Documents To Hand

You’ll need to go through security and check in again.

Make sure passports, visas, and boarding passes are easily accessible.

I use handy plastic luggage tags, so I can just remove my old tags and put in a new one as necessary. This saves me having to take a stapler, sellotape, etc to fix the new labels on my bags.

I use luggage labels like these:

Have a look at the article below to make sure you have all your paperwork for both trips in order:

Cruise Paperwork! Make Sure You Don’t Forget Essential Paperwork, or You Won’t Be Sailing Anywhere…

Before You Go

Find out about the cruises I would avoid if you suffer from seasickness below:

3 Cruises You Shouldn’t Take if You Get Travel Sick (I Tried Them and Regretted 2/3)

Find out about the risky rules I have seen guests break on cruises here:

Risky Rules I’ve Seen Guests Break on Cruise Ships (Dangerous,