First Time Cruiser - B2B on Different Ships

[undrwtr1]

First time cruiser in a unique situation. Wife has never cruised and I last cruised in the 70s on the Italian Lines out of NYC. Although our normal vacations involve outdoor adventures (hiking, National Parks, scuba, etc.) we always said we should experience a cruise, especially since a close friend is a frequent cruiser and kept insisting we would have a wonderful time.

 

So, we booked Celebrity Reflection for a western Caribbean trip in February, figuring we could dive in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. However, after the 90 day cancellation date passed with Celebrity, my wife was awarded a cruise on the Oasis of the Seas from her employer for the same week! Rather than even attempt to cancel, and since we had planned the Celebrity cruise for my 50th, we decided to work with Celebrity to try a back-to-back adventure that would work around the existing cruise she had been awarded. We head out on Oasis of the Seas from Port Canaveral and the Sunday of our return we rent a car and head to Port Everglades to board Celebrity Silhouette. Since they are both on an eastern itinerary with overlapping ports which we have been to many, many times, we are planning on total relaxation on the ship with perhaps only a trip to the beach here and there.

 

My real question is whether anyone with experience on both ships (or lines) can guide us with some advice with what to expect from each ship and what things we should seek to do on one versus the other, and vice-versa. I have been lurking and have read a lot of the posts on here, but looking for some specific input as it pertains to back-to-back cruises as well as the differences between the ships.

 

I have already set up select dining, drink packages and internet on both cruises as well as a couple of “beach” excursions and “behind the scenes tours”. I have set up entertainment as well through RCI for the Oasis, while there is no opportunity to do so on Celebrity’s site.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated as my wife and I are a bit apprehensive to be doing 2 weeks back-to-back as our first cruise “experience”. Thanks again!

 

Gerry

 

 

 

P.S. I figured I’d post this on the Royal Caribbean Forum as well as the Celebrity Forum, if that is a violation of some forum protocol, forgive my ignorance.

[Ourusualbeach]

I would make sure to do the express walk off from the Oasis so that you get an early start heading to FLL.

 

Express walk off...do not put luggage put for collection the night before. Carry your own bags off in the morning.

 

 

Sounds like fun, have a great time.

[nealstuber]

I would make sure to do the express walk off from the Oasis so that you get an early start heading to FLL.

 

 

 

Express walk off...do not put luggage put for collection the night before. Carry your own bags off in the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like fun, have a great time.

 

 

I can't imagine carrying two weeks worth of luggage off the ship. There's plenty of time to get from one port to the other and since both lines have been working with OP, I'm sure they can get an early debark.

 

 

 

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

I can't imagine carrying two weeks worth of luggage off the ship. There's plenty of time to get from one port to the other and since both lines have been working with OP, I'm sure they can get an early debark.

 

 

 

 

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There may be but if it were me I'd want to be off the ship as early as possible. Who knows what could happen to the customs line later on, time spent at the car rental place, the 3-4 hour drive to FLL and then returning the car. I'd rather try to leave as much time as possible to allow for the unexpected and if I'm there early then...great..more time to enjoy the next ship.

[undrwtr1]

We are planning on packing relatively light - and will pay for laundry service as needed. As such, we plan to self-disembark as early as possible. Car rental opens at 7:30 and on an early Sunday morning we should be able to get to Port Everglades by 12:30 or so.

[dpostman]

I wish I had your "unique situation problems" ;)

 

dp

[Cigar King]

I have done this. I call it a Side 2 Side cruise. Anyway. The only real issue is the transfer to the new ship. The ship you are leaving will be of no help, and everything is geared towards getting you out of the port. I suggest you walk off, get a cab, tell them you are going to pay them the full fair like they were going to the airport, and ask them to take you to your new ship.

 

If you can plan on arriving ~10 or after. If you arrive too early you just stand around waiting, since they have nothing setup to handle incoming cruisers early.

 

Enjoy.

[Ourusualbeach]

I have done this. I call it a Side 2 Side cruise. Anyway. The only real issue is the transfer to the new ship. The ship you are leaving will be of no help, and everything is geared towards getting you out of the port. I suggest you walk off, get a cab, tell them you are going to pay them the full fair like they were going to the airport, and ask them to take you to your new ship.

 

If you can plan on arriving ~10 or after. If you arrive too early you just stand around waiting, since they have nothing setup to handle incoming cruisers early.

 

Enjoy.

 

First ship is in Port Canaveral, second ship is in Ft Lauderdale. That's an expensive cab ride.:D. Op already stated they are renting a car.

[LeeW]

I have done this. I call it a Side 2 Side cruise. Anyway. The only real issue is the transfer to the new ship. The ship you are leaving will be of no help, and everything is geared towards getting you out of the port. I suggest you walk off, get a cab, tell them you are going to pay them the full fair like they were going to the airport, and ask them to take you to your new ship.

 

If you can plan on arriving ~10 or after. If you arrive too early you just stand around waiting, since they have nothing setup to handle incoming cruisers early.

 

Enjoy.

 

Good luck getting a cab from Port Canaveral to Port Everglades. Going to cost the same as a cruise. Ask at the desk for an early disembark time or do a walkoff. Lots of car rental places up there that will pick you up at the pier. Avis and Hertz have drop-offs at hotels on 17th. Drop luggage and wife at pier and then the car. Easily walkable if you are at the north port. If Celebrity is at south end of port you might want to drop at the airport or check if rental agency has a shuttle.