Any hints or tips for a side to side cruise

[cmptrwiz]

We are going on a cruise on the Glory and then getting off and getting on the splendor the same day. We are looking for any tips for an easy transition. We are considering getting FTTF for the second cruises only.

 

Thanks

[wickedhangover]

Did this about 5 years ago. What we did was waited until the very last calls to exit the ship, the porter brought our bags to the neighboring terminal and then after we check those in, we grabbed a taxi and headed into miami for lunch, bought a couple bottles of wine for the next cruise and took our time getting back to the terminal.

 

For us, this approach was much more relaxing. I wouldn't have minded being the very last to board the second cruise but we headed back to the terminal at 1pm and there were no lines to board.

 

I think fttf is a separate question since that goes beyond just boarding. But I wouldn't waste the money on that if the only reason you planned to buy it was to get onboard quicker.

 

 

I should add that we really did not want to get to the next terminal at 9am and sit in a chair until boarding started at 11:30.

Edited February 14, 2016 by wickedhangover

[cmptrwiz]

Did this about 5 years ago. What we did was waited until the very last calls to exit the ship, the porter brought our bags to the neighboring terminal and then after we check those in, we grabbed a taxi and headed into miami for lunch, bought a couple bottles of wine for the next cruise and took our time getting back to the terminal.

 

For us, this approach was much more relaxing. I wouldn't have minded being the very last to board the second cruise but we headed back to the terminal at 1pm and there were no lines to board.

 

I think fttf is a separate question since that goes beyond just boarding. But I wouldn't waste the money on that if the only reason you planned to buy it was to get onboard quicker.

 

 

I should add that we really did not want to get to the next terminal at 9am and sit in a chair until boarding started at 11:30.

 

Thanks for the info. How far did you have to walk between ships? How much did you tip the porter for taking all your bags?

[Muumuu]

We did a 3 then a 5 day same day, same port.

What worked for the 4 of us was to have a small suitcase for each cruise. Got off, went to car, dropped off one and took on the other suitcase. Had to deal with no dirty clothes. That was until we got home.

[cmptrwiz]

We did a 3 then a 5 day same day, same port.

What worked for the 4 of us was to have a small suitcase for each cruise. Got off, went to car, dropped off one and took on the other suitcase. Had to deal with no dirty clothes. That was until we got home.

 

Thanks for the help, but we are flying in to MIA. We will do laundry probably at the end of the first cruise or beginning of the second cruise. Anyone know if the laundry rooms are open on day of embarkation?

Edited February 14, 2016 by cmptrwiz

[wickedhangover]

Thanks for the info. How far did you have to walk between ships? How much did you tip the porter for taking all your bags?

 

Further than we thought it would be. Amounted to walking like twice the length of the ship because the way the ship placement worked out. If you go to the port of miami and put in the date, you'll see all the ships listed that will be in port which might give you an idea how far you might have to walk. Usually all the Carnival ships are next to one another.

 

As for the porter, we gave him $20 for the 4 bags we had and he seemed happy with that and bear in mind we were basically the last leaving the terminal so it wasn't like we held him up from getting more tips elsewhere.

[N2Mischief]

When we did this we did 4 cruises in a row and only 2 were on the same ship. We went to guest services and asked if they could help us arrange to have our luggage taken after customs to the next ship and we were told no. We had to wheel our luggage to the next ship (both of us handicapped) by ourselves. It was hot and high humidity and admittedly was a pain in the butt, but well worth it to get to go on the next cruise!

[cmptrwiz]

Further than we thought it would be. Amounted to walking like twice the length of the ship because the way the ship placement worked out. If you go to the port of miami and put in the date, you'll see all the ships listed that will be in port which might give you an idea how far you might have to walk. Usually all the Carnival ships are next to one another.

 

As for the porter, we gave him $20 for the 4 bags we had and he seemed happy with that and bear in mind we were basically the last leaving the terminal so it wasn't like we held him up from getting more tips elsewhere.

 

It looks like our 2 Carnival cruise ships are the only Carnival ships in port that day. Thanks for the info.

[cmptrwiz]

We are going on a cruise on the Glory and then getting off and getting on the splendor the same day. We are looking for any tips for an easy transition. We are considering getting FTTF for the second cruises only.

 

Thanks

 

I just read about staggered check in at Miami so maybe FTTF wouldn't be worth it.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

I just read about staggered check in at Miami so maybe FTTF wouldn't be worth it.

 

Staggered check in does not affect the ability to enter the terminal for check in whenever you want with FTTF. But you have to keep in mind that going really early does not mean that you will get right on the ship. It means that you will check in when you get in the terminal, but you will only board the ship when boarding starts and in the slotted sequence set for FTTF.

[cmptrwiz]

Staggered check in does not affect the ability to enter the terminal for check in whenever you want with FTTF. But you have to keep in mind that going really early does not mean that you will get right on the ship. It means that you will check in when you get in the terminal, but you will only board the ship when boarding starts and in the slotted sequence set for FTTF.

 

If we can't get an early staggered check in then we would probably get FTTF. The getting on early is nice, but going to the cabin to drop off carry owns would be better. It seems now FTTF doesn't board much earlier than if you got the earliest staggered check in.

[wickedhangover]

If we can't get an early staggered check in then we would probably get FTTF. The getting on early is nice, but going to the cabin to drop off carry owns would be better. It seems now FTTF doesn't board much earlier than if you got the earliest staggered check in.

 

any tenders on your cruises? fttf is nice for priority tenders if the value during boarding isn't worth it.

[cmptrwiz]

any tenders on your cruises? fttf is nice for priority tenders if the value during boarding isn't worth it.

 

Surprisingly the second half doesn't have any tenders. Thanks for reminding me.

[dezertcruzer]

Some time ago I changed ships in Miami. I went from an RCI ship to Carnival. As I disembarked, I hailed a taxi, loaded my bags, and had him drive me down to the Carnival ship. There I gave my bags to the porter and tipped him, then had the taxi driver take me to downtown Miami to shop and have some lunch. By the time I went back to check in, I walked right on board. It was an easy, relaxing, enjoyable port day.

[silvercrikhix]

Some time ago I changed ships in Miami. I went from an RCI ship to Carnival. As I disembarked, I hailed a taxi, loaded my bags, and had him drive me down to the Carnival ship. There I gave my bags to the porter and tipped him, then had the taxi driver take me to downtown Miami to shop and have some lunch. By the time I went back to check in, I walked right on board. It was an easy, relaxing, enjoyable port day.

 

Yes, THIS! Exit 1st cruise with your luggage as late as allowed.

Take a taxi to ship number 2. Either stay at 2nd ship terminal or ask taxi for your desired drop off.

[Gallivanting Souls]

We have a similar S2S. We will be getting off Royal Princess and take a taxi to drop bags at the Conquest, and then take the taxi to hang out some were and have lunch or walk around for a few hours. No hurry (for us) to hang out and wait in lines!

[cmptrwiz]

We have a similar S2S. We will be getting off Royal Princess and take a taxi to drop bags at the Conquest, and then take the taxi to hang out some were and have lunch or walk around for a few hours. No hurry (for us) to hang out and wait in lines!

 

Since both cruises are on Carnival and both ships should be (hopefully) in front or in back of each other I think we will just use a porter and walk to the next ship. Depending on our staggered check in time we will either hang out for a couple of hours or take a taxi to Bayside to hang out. I'm still considering springing for FTTF so we could dump our carry on's and maybe start some laundry.

[2Shoes2Go]

Our next S2S is from Valor over to Magic in Port Canaveral. We spoke with GS and the HD about it when we were on Valor last month. They both said it would be no problem to have us escorted, with our luggage, over to the other terminal. We will wait until end of debark time before heading over. I expect to wait about an hour before checking in for the Magic. We have done S2S twice before in PC without too long a wait. 😀

[crmc]

We just did a Side to Side from Glory to NCL Escape. It was nice to have the washers available on the Glory. We did a load of laundry Thursday night and were good to go! I believe the machines were $3 in quarters. You need to put 2 quarters in each coin slot. I think we got off the Glory between 9 and 9:30 and just rolled our luggage to the next ship. Very easy!

[Rosefloater]

Thanks for the help, but we are flying in to MIA. We will do laundry probably at the end of the first cruise or beginning of the second cruise. Anyone know if the laundry rooms are open on day of embarkation?

 

Laundry rooms are open day of embarkation.

[MNLIvin]

Just did this a week ago. Off the Breeze, walked a few hundred yards and onto the Splendor. Waiting until the last dog was hung to get off the Breeze and did a slow walk to the Splendor. Platinum so sailed right thru getting back on, Bing off one to bing onto the second was less then 20 minutes as my wife timed it.

[cmptrwiz]

Just did this a week ago. Off the Breeze, walked a few hundred yards and onto the Splendor. Waiting until the last dog was hung to get off the Breeze and did a slow walk to the Splendor. Platinum so sailed right thru getting back on, Bing off one to bing onto the second was less then 20 minutes as my wife timed it.

 

We won't be platinum until after this side to side cruise, but that sounds great.