Worried about a side-to-side cruise... unfounded?

[klepton]

I'm considering what I've seen referred to as a side-to-side cruise. That is, one cruise immediately followed by another cruise on a different ship. Specifically I'm looking at the NCL Gem May 21st, 2016 sailing, and then getting off that ship on the 29th and immediately on to the NCL Breakaway. Both ships dock in Manhattan.

 

I'm worried that something may happen that delays the Gem getting to port, and thus missing the Breakaway sailing. I think I might just be paranoid, I know many people have switched ships the same day without incident. In my 12 cruises I've been delayed for embarkation twice, once for fog in Galveston, and once for high winds in Canaveral. But I think in both of those cases all ships in port would have been affected.

 

Gem gets in at 8am, Breakaway sails at 4pm.

 

Am I being too paranoid? Thanks for any input!

[Scrapnana]

I would be slightly paranoid as well after being delayed by a day getting into port on one cruise. I would make sure I found travel insurance that would cover the cost of missing the second cruise due to a delay.

[sail7seas]

The chances are very good you'll smoothly move from one ship to the other but you are right to have a niggling little hesitation as "ship" :) happens sometimes. In all our cruises (a great many) only a few times did we arrive back at disembarkation port considerably late for any number of reasons.

 

I wouldn't spend lots of energy worrying as that won't do much good. Odds are highly in your favor.

[GUT2407]

One word

 

Insurance

 

But I have never been delayed to such an extent that I would miss boarding at the same port.

[Keith1010]

There is always risk but I think the chance of missing the ship in this case would be miniscule. Just get trip insurance.

 

Keith

[paul929207]

It is very rare for a ship to be so late debarking passengers that you would miss the second cruise.

[lamchops]

I would contact NCL for more info as you are using the same line. I have heard of people using a ship's transfer from one ship to another on the same line.

[klepton]

Thanks everyone for the reassurances and advice. I should have mentioned in my first post that I do have travel insurance, but there's a little more at stake than just being protected financially in this case. The Breakaway cruise is one we're doing with family, so missed time there would be missed time for the kids with Grandpa and Grandma. Also, the Gem would just be a balcony, but the Breakaway we'll be in a Haven suite. Definitely don't want to miss even a few days of being Haven. :D

 

But I know the chances for problems are very low. And worse case scenario, insurance covers a flight from NYC to Bermuda and we catch up with the ship there.

 

This is going to be a complete surprise for DW and the kids. I liked the idea of sailing back to NYC on the Gem, everyone a little sad the cruise was over, and seeing the BA docked next door. Then surprising all of them with a week in the Haven on there, and then "running into" DW's dad and stepmom on the ship. :) If I can pull it off, it will be pretty epic.

[njhorseman]

I would contact NCL for more info as you are using the same line. I have heard of people using a ship's transfer from one ship to another on the same line.

 

The ships both dock at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. No transfers are necessary other than walking a few feet.

[cb at sea]

I think your worries are unfounded....it's really quite rare for a ship to be late back to the home port.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

What a wonderful surprise. Yes, seeing the depression of getting to the end of a cruise and being surprised by another is priceless. I love it.

[LHT28]

If the Gem is delayed by weather then the Breakaway will be also

Same port same weather:rolleyes:

Edited June 16, 2015 by LHT28

[sail7seas]

Thanks everyone for the reassurances and advice. I should have mentioned in my first post that I do have travel insurance, but there's a little more at stake than just being protected financially in this case. The Breakaway cruise is one we're doing with family, so missed time there would be missed time for the kids with Grandpa and Grandma. Also, the Gem would just be a balcony, but the Breakaway we'll be in a Haven suite. Definitely don't want to miss even a few days of being Haven. :D

 

But I know the chances for problems are very low. And worse case scenario, insurance covers a flight from NYC to Bermuda and we catch up with the ship there.

 

This is going to be a complete surprise for DW and the kids. I liked the idea of sailing back to NYC on the Gem, everyone a little sad the cruise was over, and seeing the BA docked next door. Then surprising all of them with a week in the Haven on there, and then "running into" DW's dad and stepmom on the ship. :) If I can pull it off, it will be pretty epic.

 

 

 

Sounds absolutely wonderful. You are going to be a hero to your family.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[sail7seas]

If the Gem is delayed by weather then the Breakaway will be also

Same port same weather:rolleyes:

 

That is true as to weather but not so for mechanical problems.

Let's hope none of us encounter serious delays in any of our travels. :)

 

[GUT2407]

If the Gem is delayed by weather then the Breakaway will be also

Same port same weather:rolleyes:

 

That is true as to weather but not so for mechanical problems.

Let's hope none of us encounter serious delays in any of our travels. :)

 

 

 

I'm not sure where they are before these cruises but it is possible that Gem might hit some weather that Breakaway misses and as Sail7seas says, doesn't allow for mechanical problems, or indeed medical emergencies.

 

However I'd say about 99% you will be OK.

[SPacificbound]

Have a great trip!

Edited June 17, 2015 by SPacificbound

[Bonnie J.]

We recently got off a Carnival ship and got on another Carnival ship. (In Port Canaveral) We were told go Guest Services and they would arrange a transfer for us. Together we decided 10:30 was good time for us to go to the other ship. At 10:30 we went to Guest Services and were escorted to the other ship. We travel with two suitcases that are small enough to fit thru a scanner. Travis, who escorted us, could not take my suitcase until we left the port building. This is because the porters are union and only porters may handle luggage in the port building. As soon as we got outside, he took my bag.

Check with NCL and you should also be escorted to the other ship.

[sail7seas]

We recently got off a Carnival ship and got on another Carnival ship. (In Port Canaveral) We were told go Guest Services and they would arrange a transfer for us. Together we decided 10:30 was good time for us to go to the other ship. At 10:30 we went to Guest Services and were escorted to the other ship. We travel with two suitcases that are small enough to fit thru a scanner. Travis, who escorted us, could not take my suitcase until we left the port building. This is because the porters are union and only porters may handle luggage in the port building. As soon as we got outside, he took my bag.

Check with NCL and you should also be escorted to the other ship.

 

Didn't you have to clear Customs when you left the ship after your first cruise? Travis likely could not touch your luggage for that reason, also.

[Bonnie J.]

Yep, but no big deal, just gave them our passports and customs form.