How to do Back to Back or Side to Side Cruises! Everything you need to know for Royal Caribbean!

Sometimes, a weekend cruise is just NOT enough! Maybe you are flying to the cruise port and want to stay longer than just one sailing, you can complete a Back to Back (B2B) cruise! This means you book one cruise and book the exact next cruise so you can keep on cruising! If you want to change ships, you can also do a side to side cruise to keep cruising!
Here we will chat through everything you need to know about how to complete a back to back (B2B) sailing or side to side (S2S)!
My experience is from Royal Caribbean but the concepts should remain the same for other cruise lines.
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[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Frequent Cruisers, what else would you mention to someone considering doing a Back to Back (B2B) or Side to Side (S2S) sailing?

[@Reed-2big]

We ended up in the terminal at Ft Lauderdale for over an hour, a book might have been nice! Water too! In foreign ports we’ve often just gotten off with in-transit cards but then you can’t return until boarding starts. In Australia we did some shopping we knew was close by, I’ve forgotten for what, probably throat lozenges. We’ve only done same ship up to B4B. Our others have had about 4 days between.

[@jerrym5802]

This makes me wonder if / how I’ll be able to buy some wine for my 2 week TA in FortLauderdale after the shuttle drops me off at Port Lauderdale. Does anyone know?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I wonder if you could use one of the online delivery services to bring wine to the port? Alternatively, it might be worth it to take an Uber and have them swing by a store on the way to the ship if that is a priority for you. We're an Uber from the ship to the store. Just ensure if you board the ship that they will let you off. Sometimes, they only do this for in transit passengers who were on back-to-backs.

[@Reed-2big]

@@jerrym5802 I thought I read that they would hold the “extras” for your next cruise. I’ve heard that some shuttles will stop for a quick shopping run, in Florida. I’m not sure which port though.

[@jerrym5802]

@@Reed-2big Thanks! I’ll certainly look into that….

[@jerrym5802]

Brandon, this is an excellent video! I’m heading to Miami next week for a side to side and you’ve fully and clearly explained how RCL will handle my transfer after the first cruise to Fort Lauderdale for the second one. Your info here and before when I contacted you is most helpful. Keep on with the great work!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Always my pleasure Jerry and timing is everything! Hope you have an excellent side to side!

[@denisehayes6730]

So happy we don’t have to test for B2B anymore 🥳

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Yes!! Huge improvement!

[@FreedomFinanceFun]

Good update!

[@Wlh1981]

I wish you had this video a couple weeks ago. We just got home from a B2B on Independence. I knew we were having to get another Covid test, but didn’t know how anything would work until we got the letter in our cabin. It was fine, but I would do a 7 day before I would do a B2B again. There were only about 20 consecutive cruisers and it went very smooth, but I felt like I missed out on part of my day going thru the process, and we weren’t able to go back to our rooms until 1:00. Wish we had our swimsuits with us! I enjoy your content and live vicariously thru your adventures.

[@gailgohrick5836]

When we did back to backs (3 weeks of alternating 3 & 4 day cruises) the room attendant said we could open the closed hall doors and let ourselves in when we got back from customs - felt weird but we did it and were able to go back to our room right away, we then chose to change and go sit by the pool till it opened. Side note - we never had coffee or muffins where the BtoB cruisers met up. LOL

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Timing is everything!! Yes, as Gail mentioned, the stateroom attendants know you are a B2B cruiser and try their best to get the rooms fully ready before everyone else. I also don't mind tipping a little to help this process along. The doors will be closed with the sign on it but most of the time, you can go on in.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Ha, they were not when you two were doing your B2B! For some reason, the coffee and muffins were removed when COVID policies were more strict lol

[@Wlh1981]

We did get coffee, tea and muffins in the Star Lounge while we waited. The captain was in the room with us, as his Family was doing a B2B. He suggested we wait in the lounge, but said he couldn’t keep us there. With the enhanced cleaning, they had guys in hazmat suits spraying chemicals in the rooms and public areas and said to stay away if we saw them. He said you don’t want to be breathing it in, and it would be safe an hour after. Most of us went up to the top pool deck and watched the shuttle lift off in Cape Canaveral. That was a bonus!

[@EdwardTravels]

This spring we did a 18 day Hawaii Cruise and then stayed onboard in the same room for a Pacific Northwest cruise. We were going to stay onboard for the 1sr Alaska cruise of the season but we had to get home. Fun 🚢

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

haha, yes, commitments always seem to get in the way! That is still a great amount of time on a ship!

[@yolandaklimasewski2996]

I actually did the Inaugural Wonder and then did Freedom for a 3 night with a friend, where I met YOU!.. Awesome!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Haha it is true! Hey Yolanda! I remember you two from the lounge!

[@30AndAWakeUp]

Great info! I just booked a B2B2B on Enchantment (28 days total). This was really helpful.

[@williamoday573]

We just completed a side-to-side (Explorer to Harmony) out of Miami, which is a HUGE port with pretty hectic traffic. The transition was pleasantly simple. We didn't receive a letter with instructions, however. We eventually approached Karine, the Diamond Concierge, during our first cruise, and she passed along instructions. There was a shuttle transporting passengers from Terminal G (where the Explorer docked) to Terminal A (where the Harmony was docked). The only issues were that some others left the Explorer earlier than we did (we left promptly when our tag number was called) so we inadvertantly held up a handful of cruisers (they were seated comfortably in an air conditioned van, fortunately) and we arrived at Terminal A long before they were ready to board, so we had to wait a while before boarding, and of course since we had no control over our arrival time we didn't meet our assigned boarding time. Overall a pretty smooth process, though.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Sounds like a good experience! Glad you asked about how it works to the concierge to ensure you were on the list! Yes, if you have patience and have a bit of a handle on how it will go, this is an easy process.

[@warrensmith5472]

We have scheduled our 4th B2B for next January. We always book them 11 or 12 months ahead so we can get the same cabin.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That's the way to do it Warren!! Very tough to get same cabin booking last minute or even 6 months out.

[@troublets3060]

considering a side to side cruise option. Didn't even know the correct term being side to side. Did a search and of course you were the first useful video to pop. Thank you

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

awww my pleasure!! I really should re-do this video as the process is much easier now that COVID testing protocols are gone. That saves a HUGE step and takes away some of the anxiety with being kicked off.

[@BCCarty85]

For the B2B I did, they did not make us get off the ship. We were “scanned” off one by one then immediately scanned right back on. That feeling of being on an almost completely empty ship was very strange until other guests started boarding about 30 minutes later.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Where was that at Brian? Curious if the difference is in country custom policies?

[@BCCarty85]

@@TheWeekendCruiser It was Cape Liberty in November 2018 on Anthem -- so of course, pre-COVID.

[@tamitarekolayan9918]

Brandon, so glad I watched this! We are going to do a B4B, total of 4 cruises on Liberty in January. We will be keeping the same room so doesn’t sound like too much of a hassle. Thank you for your wonderful content!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That's great you get to keep the same room! It is really going to feel like home by time you get off of your B4B cruise! Well done and I will see you on Liberty! (she's my new home ship! starting in December).

[@tamitarekolayan9918]

@@TheWeekendCruiser oh Wow! We would love to meet you!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Looking forward to it!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

On back to back cruises go ashore between legs, and buy the 2 bottles of wine needed on the second leg.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That will def get the job done!

[@DaveM-FFB]

I am so glad that I found this video. We have upcoming side to side cruises, where we will be changing cruise lines, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm thinking about doing this at European ports due to the high cost of international airline travel.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Welcome to Advanced Cruising! They do try to make it as easy as they can, especially, if staying with the same cruise line. They wish more folks would do this!

[@kodiak7]

I’m changing from Oasis to Jewel tomorrow. Royal have a shuttle for us.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Awesome! That's quite the difference in ship and itinerary! Let us know which one you like best!

[@kodiak7]

@@TheWeekendCruiser I can tell you before I go. JW Radiance and Voyager are my favourite classes. I’m on JW for 3, then off to Odyssey, and back to JW for 4. Assuming Covid doesn’t run interference

[@ilovecruisingroyal]

Hey Brandon this is M'Rinda I met you on the Oasis in February. So I started a Cruise Vlog Channel. I'm doing my first back-to-back in September on the Symphony and I'm so excited. Also I'm going to Live on the Ship. Thanks for the information.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey hey! That is excellent to her and welcome to the cruise clogging family!

[@tonydiaz4097]

Hi Brandon. Actually met you last week on Oasis, the second part of my side by side Summit to Oasis. Thanks for all the advice you gave me. I packed an extra covid test with me. And good thing I did. First day I got on Summit I tried to schedule a test for the next cruise. The lady at customer service told me that I would have to pay for a test. A few hours later she called my cabin and told me that I would have to schedule a test though a third party testing company. That they were no longer testing. On the day i was leaving Summit I got a call asking me what time I would like to schedule my test. I told them what the lady had told me and he replied I dont know why she would tell you something like that.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Tony! Great meeting you at Port Side BBQ as well! I have certainly run into situations where I am educating the staff on policies and what is possible. Sometimes, things are much more complicated than they need to be. Glad you had a back-up plan!

[@andreatuckman1084]

Recently on the Wonder we asked for a back-to-back for an upcoming cruise ending in Barcelona next year. We were looking for a transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale. There was a transatlantic on Symphony 6 days after we land in Barcelona. We’ve been to Barcelona twice already and don’t want to spend nearly a week there for our connection. The only other option was Odyssey that started in Rome ended its Mediterranean cruise in Greece and headed home after that . As tempting as that was, we decided to forego the idea in favor of sticking to our original plan which includes two days in Venice. Someday maybe we hope to make it work.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Life is a journey! We have to learn how to bob and weave with what we can do. You will definitely get it another time!

[@richardstrick]

Have done several B2B and have side by side this August. Biggest downside is having to pay Port fees twice I just enjoy the ride.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

hahaha and it sounds like the Bahamas just announced their fees are going up even higher!

[@aprilsimmons5137]

Thank you this video! We are dong our first S2S, Icon-Miami to Celebrity Beyond-Ft L. I am nervous about the best way to get between the two ports.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I would honestly recommend a ride share. Will cost about $50 - $60. It's also a safe back-up plan to the shuttle if it is not running. No reason to get to the other ship early, so be patient and take your time. They are only about 45 minutes apart.

[@pinky818smith-christian8]

Hi, this was very helpful! Just booked a B2B with Royal and we have (2) weekend cruises with them coming up that we have never done before but thought we would give it a try since we love the 7-night ones so much!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Love a good B2B! Only difference since this video came out was that they no longer require folks staying on the ship for a B2B to have a covid test.

[@jk9161]

Thank you for this information I’m doing a back to back cruise in August thank you I love your channel

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

My pleasure and hope you have a great B2B!

[@BarbByArt]

Hello there Brandon ! Just watched this one - we met on my last B2B in Feb/ Oasis! I do appreciate your input on the Side2Side too - in June Im going from SYMPHONY in Miami to Celebrity INFINITY in Pt Everglades. Do you know if RC will provide testing & shuttle for me ? - going to a Celebrity ship? Just Curious- and sure all will Be revealed - just not swapped Cruise lines before! I really hope to sail with you again! Stay well & Safe!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Barb! How could I forget you!! I do not know if they will provide testing (but I am assuming they do) and can say they will provide transportation. When you take the shuttle to Port Everglades, it will stop at the Celebrity Ship and Royal ship.

[@dinodesantis2976]

Excellent video thank you

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Thanks Dino! Hope you get the chance to do one or more of these!

[@Reed-2big]

Carrying off snacks for the side by side can be tricky! The agriculture fines are pretty severe!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

This is true! Please do not take meats and fruits off the ship! Granola bars and chips are the way to go!

[@jayshapiro3084]

DEFINITELY NO FRUIT OR VEGGIES

[@jk9161]

I like longer Cruz thank you for this video

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I do too! Just wish I had more vacation time!

[@judis4900]

Such great information. Thanks for sharing. Do you have any information on how to disembark a cruise at the second last port?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Judi, I have never done this before and understand it can be tricky. I have heard of fines being imposed and US customs giving you all sorts of grief when you get back to the USA. Pre-COVID this seemed more common but these days I do not believe it happens. I know you cannot join the ship up on the 2nd port but not sure about leaving. I am confident it can be done as emergency situations happen at home but not sure how to pre-plan it.

[@jayshapiro3084]

As long as you go to a non usa port first u can leave early without penalty (jones act) however check with guest services about getting tested depending on the country u are going to disembark and then also where u are flying...

[@johnschirloff836]

Do Cruise Ports in Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks and Cacos,ST Lucia,ST Thomas,ST Martin have Gift Shops and Restaurants????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

yes, there is not shortage of food and nick-nack shops

[@yolandaklimasewski2996]

Hey Brandon! Doing a B2B on Mariner in 4 days!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That's awesome and your just missing me! I am on Mariner now for the 5 night coming back in on Tuesday! I will ensure the ship is in tip top shape!

[@harrybhappy]

Great information! Thank you!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

My pleasure Harry!

[@rosandsep]

Hi. Great info. I’m doing my first B2B with RCCL and I was told I don’t have to get off the ship even though my room is different on the next one. The port of call for the connecting itinerary is the same US port as the original. Me and my husband are both U.S citizens. Is that correct info? I’m assuming the ones who get off are not citizens? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Roz and congrats on your B2B! Every passenger has to get off the ship regardless of nationality. The ship must get to a "zero count" and everyone goes through customers and simply walk back on the ship.

[@stanbentley127]

Hi, My wife and I are doing side-to-side cruises to Alaska out of Vancouver in June-July 2025. First ship is Celebrity Solstice, then on Royal Serenade OTS. When and how do we let Celebrity know we want to do the "Express Walk Off" ? We would like to get off the ship as early as possible and back into the boarding lines for the Royal ship, we plan to try to get earliest boarding time. Do you know if it would be helpful to get The Key with Royal Caribbean on the Serenade ? Just trying to pre-plan and think of anything to avoid standing in long lines more than we have to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Stan and that sounds like a great vacation! For Express Walk Off, you do not need to notify anyone, just ensure you do not set your luggage outside your door on the last night and keep everything with you. You will recieve a paper in your room letting you know the time that express walk-off will start and can simply take all your bags, and walk off. It's very easy! Just keep your bags!

[@jjwalkingjim]

Thanks for your video. Question for you on side-by-side. In October I’ll be Kruzan Saturday to Saturday in Galveston than flying Saturday to Miami and catch on a Sunday to Saturday on the same cruise line. Do they still offer the same on site Covid testing for that type of situation?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

They have gotten funny with their testing recently as they don't test B2B cruisers anymore. I would have at at home kit on you just in case.

[@The_NancyDee]

I'm going from two weeks on Odyssey of the Seas tomorrow to the Celebrity Edge (within Port Canaveral) and they are providing me shuttle service. I can let you know how it goes?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Yes, please! Always looking to hear what other people's experience is with this! Hope all goes well!

[@matthewbuchalter]

when you said el loco fresh for the boarding day lunch, is the windjammer still not open on boarding day?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Matthew, yes, WJ is still open till about 3pm usually on boarding days. However, I find a lot of people love their El Loco Fresh on boarding day and it keeps them pool side

[@matthewbuchalter]

@@TheWeekendCruiser very good to know. I'm doing my first weekend cruise next month on wonder from Barcelona and want to make the most out of the time on board. not going to cover everything as I've cruised oasis class before

[@cheribailey5041]

Was the shuttle for a side to side complimentary?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

It sure was!! They don't mind providing transportation if you stick around and cruise more!

[@lovedfriend2020]

What if you are in a power chair like mine and you have another ship? I would HOPE the cruise line would help.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That's a tricky one Michael and I would work with the Special Assistance team to see what they could do. The shuttle bus I took did have a chair lift on the side if changing from Port Miami to Everglades or vice versa.

[@QTMinnie]

Hi there, I have a side to side booked in November and the first ship ends in Port Canaveral and the next ship sails from Miami on the same day. It will take about 3-4 hours to drive down if I rent a car. Do you know if they provide a transfer option for a port that far away? I have gotten 2 different answers from Royal and they tell me to ask once I’m onboard. I also sailed on a B2B2B in April/May of this year and they did not make us get off the ship when docked in Copenhagen. Scanned out with old card and immediately scanned back in with new card. Thanks!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Minnie! The correct answer is you will need to ask onboard. I am not sure what drives their decision to provide transportation but I feel like it does change with the sailing. Have a strong back-up plan just incase it doesn't workout! For international ports, they do have some differnet flexibility where customs will come on the ship to check people. Don't see this practice too much in US ports.

[@markroulette3419]

Hi Brandon. I really enjoy your vlogs. This is a topic of interest to me. This August, I’m sort of doing a side by side cruise. Sailing on a celebrity ship in and out of Seattle. I get off that ship on a Friday, head to the airport and fly to Italy for a Sunday cruise out of Rome on a royal Caribbean. The Covid testing for the second cruise was throwing me. But it sounds like I might be able to get a test on Celebrity the day before I get off the ship? Because they are within the same corporate umbrella, it sounds like that’s possible? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Hey Mark, you are going to need to really analyze your timing on this to ensure you get it right. Royal's policy is you need to test 2 days prior to boarding. Check to see if Italy has other restrictions that you might abide by. One thing several of us do, is travel with one of the "at home" testing kits we can do from a phone that has a video chat feature as a back-up plan. Also, many airports have a testing site on location. Good luck and hope you have a blast!

[@markroulette3419]

@@TheWeekendCruiser Thanks for the reply Brandon. The “at home” testing with a video proctor is my backup plan should the timing not work out. But I appreciate your suggestion. Thanks.

[@johnschirloff836]

Have you Taken a Australia and New Zealand Cruises and if so what Citys in Australia and New Zealand did you see????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Not yet! Had it booked pre covid and have never made it happen since then.

[@johnschirloff836]

Have you Taken a Africa Cruise if so what Citys and Country's in Africa have you been to????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I have traveled on land to Africa to South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, and Ghana but have not done a cruise. Believe MSC has a few that do Africa.

[@glennmaltese2484]

hay Brandon me and the wife are going on freedom on july 1st will you be on this sailing?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Aww, I will not be!! I am heading up to Alaska for a cruise and getting out of the Caribbean for a bit!

[@glennmaltese2484]

@@TheWeekendCruiser cool were going to go to Alaska in the spring, good luck, were getting close to DIAMOND .....yeah

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

@@glennmaltese2484 Dimond is where all the good benefits will start!

[@704musicent]

I got a cruise booked at the end of April with Carnival that will run until the 1st and then I have a booking for the 1st with MSC. Both of them are in the Miami port so I am hoping I can disembark Carnival that day and embark on MSC that same day.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Yes, that will not be a problem! Looking at a max of 3 cruise terminals away and is very walkable going Carnival to MSC.

[@edroyster797]

Can you book second cruise while on board

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

You sure can!! Just do it a few days before the sailing ends! Post 9-11 they need a day or two to clear security checks.

[@johnschirloff836]

Is Lobster Included in Your Cruise or do you have to Pay Extra????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

depends on the cruise. The cruise on Royal Caribbean must be 7 nights or longer and the first tail is free. Additional cost extra money. They also don't offer lobster in Asia I found out.

[@johnschirloff836]

@TheWeekendCruiser How much Money would They Charge for 2nd Lobster Tail on Royal Caribbean???? Why would They Not Serve Lobster in Asis on Royal Caribbean????

[@johnschirloff836]

@TheWeekendCruiser Does Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have Arcades with Tickets for Redmeptions for Prizes that has Video Games like Sky Ball Games,Basketball other Games for Tickets with Prizes?????

[@johnschirloff836]

@TheWeekendCruiser Does some of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships have More than One Casino Onboard like 2 or 3 Casinos on Cruise Ship????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

@@johnschirloff836 It's not a lot but I don't remember the actual amount. Keep in mind, these lobster tails are VERY small.

[@jeffreybals4430]

How r u feeling??

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Well here! Sailing away still :-)

[@johnschirloff836]

If you go on a Back to Back Cruises do you go to the Same Ports again or different Ports?????

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

It really depends... Some ships will alternate Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean as an example. Each ship is going to be different.

[@ABlueDahlia]

Wow, you are one beautiful man.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Thank you!

[@NMartin2u]

🍍 🍍 🍍 🍍 🍍

[@AldaLopesMoreira]

We will do a b2b and we would love to leave the ship between cruises to enjoy the city ( Singapore). We will be in different cabins. We will arrive at 7 a.m. From what i understood, we can't leave the ship earlier with the other guests, we have to wait fot the meeting and all the process, right? But after that can we leave the ship, or is it mandatory to return after the check in process? Thank you.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That is going to be an amazing time! You will be able to leave the ship as soon as de-bark begins. If you return, you will need to return after general boarding has already started. Before walking off, always check with guest services (specifically the Debarkation Officer if you can find them) to get a "in-transit pass". Take passport and set sail pass for future sailing incase the port agents get confused.