Do you have a couple of weeks off for a vacation?
Not sure what your really want to do?

If you love cruising consider taking a B2B or a SXS cruise!

Especially when you’re flying to your port! It just makes sense, right?

But wait! What the heck does that mean?

Simply put, they are very similar types of cruises for you to book to extend your vacation!

BACK-TO-BACK

A back-to-back (B2B) cruise is when you book two or more cruises consecutively on the same ship. This extends your vacation time without having to disembark between cruises. Essentially, you’re booking a longer, combined cruise experience. In plain words, you book two cruises in a row on the same ship!

We’ve done this in the past. We had friends flying in from Canada to go with us on a cruise and they wanted an extended vacation. This was a perfect solution. We were able to book two different itineraries, the eastern and western Caribbean. We booked early so we were able to keep the same cabin! Nice! Only unpacked once to see so many different destinations.

Here’s a more detailed explanation: 

• Consecutive Sailings:B2B cruises involve booking cruises back-to-back, one after the other, on the same ship. 
• Extended Vacation:This allows you to enjoy a longer vacation period, while experiencing different itineraries or spending more time at sea. 
• Staying on Board:You typically don’t have to disembark and re-embark between cruises. The same ship and often the same cabin (if booked early) are used for both sailings. 
• Cost Savings: Cruise lines don’t always offer discounts for B2B cruises. However, they can be more cost-effective than booking separate cruises. You only pay for one set of flights and save on pre-cruise hotel stays. 
• Flexibility:B2B cruises can be a good option if you’re torn between two itineraries. They also help if you want to maximize your vacation time without multiple trips. 

SIDE-BY-SIDE

A side-by-side cruise is also known as a “side-to-side sailing” or “S2S.” It occurs when a passenger disembarks one cruise ship. The passenger then immediately boards a different ship in the same port, on the same day. This is different from a back-to-back cruise, where passengers stay on the same ship for multiple cruises. 

I like this option when we want to add a few extra days to our cruise and want to experience a different itinerary, ship or cruise line. Quite often, you can find a shorter cruise length to add onto your vacation. This extends a seven-day cruise into a 10 to 12-day voyage.

Here’s more details: 

• Disembarkation and Embarkation:A side-by-side cruise involves a complete disembarkation process from the first ship. This includes collecting luggage and going through customs if necessary. The passenger then immediately proceeds to embark on a different ship. 
• Not on the Same Ship:This is the key distinction from back-to-back cruising. Passengers remain on the same ship for consecutive cruises in back-to-back cruising. 
• Potential Benefits: Side-by-side cruises offer a unique opportunity for passengers. They can experience different ships, itineraries, or even cruise lines in a single vacation. This can save on flight costs and maximize vacation time. 
• Planning is Key:It’s crucial to plan the transfer process carefully, including transportation between terminals and potential delays. Some cruise lines offer coordinated transfers for side-by-side cruisers. 
• Example:A traveler might disembark a Royal Caribbean ship in Miami. Then, on the same day, they can board a Celebrity ship also in Miami. 

Booking either one of these options takes a little extra planning and research. Finding the same cabin on both sailings for a B2B can get tricky, especially if you prefer a specific cabin. You need to check availability among the different cruise lines that are leaving from the same cruise port or on the same day. A travel agent is your best resource to help you with this. We have the capability to check cabin availability and can book with all cruise lines. And, there’s no charge for using a travel agent!