Imagine stepping off a Disney cruise ship and knowing your vacation isn’t over because you’ve got another Disney ship waiting for you! That’s exactly what Chris Vorobek did when he spent five nights aboard the Disney Fantasy, followed immediately by three nights on the Disney Wish.
On this week’s DCL Show, Chris shares what it was like to sail on two different Disney Cruise Line ships during the same vacation. Elaine Edwards joins him to discuss whether the extra effort is worth it, along with a few things guests should consider before trying it themselves.
Back-to-Back vs. Side-by-Side Cruises
If you’ve heard of back-to-back cruises, you probably know that they involve taking consecutive sailings on the same ship. A side-by-side cruise works a little differently because you’re moving from one ship to another.
For Chris, that’s a big part of the appeal. He enjoys comparing the ships, and sailing on them so close together makes it easier to notice the differences in everything from dining to entertainment.
There’s another benefit, too. Two separate sailings count as two completed cruises toward Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club loyalty program.
Of course, switching ships means dealing with another embarkation day, and that’s where Elaine starts having second thoughts.
Is Switching Ships Worth the Hassle?
Elaine admits that embarkation days wear her out. By the time she gets onboard, she’s usually ready for a nap. The thought of getting off one ship, collecting luggage, going through customs, and checking in all over again doesn’t sound particularly relaxing.
Chris understands that perspective, but he thinks side-by-side cruises can be a great option for experienced cruisers who enjoy trying different ships.
He also shares what his transfer day at Port Canaveral actually looked like, including the instructions he received onboard the Fantasy, transportation between terminals, and a stretch of waiting outside that wasn’t especially comfortable.
One of his biggest pieces of advice? Don’t rush off the first ship. The next ship still needs to finish its debarkation process before anyone can board.
Disney Fantasy vs. Disney Wish
Chris has sailed on the Disney Fantasy 11 times, so he knows that ship pretty well. While he enjoys both vessels, he still prefers the layout of the Dream-class ships.
That doesn’t mean the Wish doesn’t have plenty going for it.
One of Chris’s favorite parts of the trip was getting to experience the entertainment on both ships. He even saw two different casts perform Aladdin, which gave him an opportunity to compare the productions.
And because both sailings were Halloween on the High Seas cruises, he got to enjoy the seasonal festivities twice!
Elaine also points out that guests considering a similar vacation should look closely at both ships’ schedules. Depending on the sailings, you might get to experience some favorite activities more than once.
A Few Things to Know Before Booking
There are some practical details to think about when planning two consecutive cruises on different ships.
Chris and Elaine discuss online check-in requirements, luggage arrangements, transportation between terminals, and why you shouldn’t assume your ship will return to the same terminal it departed from.
They also touch on onboard credits, Castaway Club status changes, and a clever laundry strategy Chris used as soon as he boarded the Wish.
These might seem like small details, but they’re worth understanding before committing to a side-by-side sailing.
Would They Do It Again?
Chris loved the experience and wouldn’t hesitate to book another side-by-side cruise. For him, the chance to enjoy two ships, see different entertainment, and extend his vacation outweighed the inconvenience of transferring between them.
Elaine isn’t quite as convinced, although she can certainly see why the idea appeals to some travelers.
Watch this week’s DCL Show below to hear how Chris’s entire experience unfolded, what surprised him along the way, and whether a side-by-side Disney cruise might be right for your next vacation.
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