Back to back cruises?

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

We are still trying to find the "perfect" cruise and are considering 2 7-day back to back cruises (somehow cheaper than a 14-day cruise, and we'd get to visit HMC twice!). Any pros or cons I should know about? What happens when others disembark-are you allowed to stay in your room? Do you get to keep your dining assignment for both cruises? Does the crew stay the same?
Thanks

[grannynurse]

If your second leg departs from the US you have to go through immigration but it's a speedy process. HAL will deliver your new room card to you the day before the first group of pax disembark. When you get off to go through immigration you leave the ship checking out with your old card and reboard with your new card.
If you want the same table let the maitre' d know before the last day. Crew starts and ends assignments all through the year so some may leave after the first leg but most will stay unless it's a time of year that most contracts end.
In Europe we didn't have to get off but did a shorex and disembarked separately from pax who were leaving the ship for good, we also reboarded separately from embarking pax.
GN

[RedmondCruiser]

We have done two back to backs and have enjoyed them very much. Immigration is a breeze. Your the last to go off the ship and you walk through customs. It is no problem.

HAL will try to pair you with another couple who are also doing a back to back and therefore you keep the same table and table mates.

The nicest thing about a back to back is at the mid point everyone else is packing while you can just take it easy. Midpoint disembarkation is the same way.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have also done many back-to-back cruises.

We have always been able to keep our table assignment. But sometimes depending on the rotation of the dining staff we have had different waiters and assistant waiters - never know until near the end of the second segment.

If you are doing a back-to-back out of Ft lauderdale, on some ships not only will you get your new ID card the evening before the next segment, but you will be able to get your picture taken early as well.

In Ft Lauderdale, you will be the last passengers to go through immigration (last ones called off the ship). Sometimes we have gotten off the ship around around 10 and gotten right back on. A couple of times we weren't called until nearly 10:30 and weren't able to get back on until 11:15 - barely ahead of the new arrivals. It all depends on how quickly they are able to get everybody off the ship.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I was told if we do take a b2b cruise we will keep the same room-does this mean we leave all our luggage in the room, or do we have to take any purchases and or luggage through customs?
Thanks so much!! :)

[Love Cruises]

I was told if we do take a b2b cruise we will keep the same room-does this mean we leave all our luggage in the room, or do we have to take any purchases and or luggage through customs?
Thanks so much!! :)
We are booked on btb cruise in late September on the Amsterdam (NY - Montreal - NY). Our TA had to work with HAL to ensure that we will have the same room for the trip without having to switch cabins. It has taken some time but yesterday we were assigned our cabin for the entire 20 days. Hopefully, we can keep the same dining table. We'll see!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We book our cruises many months in advance. And we do not do quarantees - that way we do have the same cabin for both segments.

You do not have to go through customs as the end of the first segment unless you plan to take anything off the ship should you decide to go on a tour by yourself.

[kakalina]

I was told if we do take a b2b cruise we will keep the same room-does this mean we leave all our luggage in the room, or do we have to take any purchases and or luggage through customs?
Thanks so much!! :)

If you are keeping the same cabin you do not have to pack, etc. We have taken a lot of b2b's and only once had to change cabins. The cabin steward and friends moved us across the hall on that occasion. We just love b2b's as someone else said, it is great to not have to pack when just about everyone else does. You don't have to declare anything until your final disembarkation from the ship.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

We just booked this morning (woohoo!) and our TA said even though we will keep the same room we do have to pack and take everything through customs and then wait to get back onboard around 1:30pm? :confused: I'm hoping she is just in the dark.

[judycruiser]

I always keep the same room on b2b and have done b2b on several different cruiselines including HAL. I have never had to pack and take all my stuff anywhere.

Think your got some bad information.

Judy

[Love Cruises]

We book our cruises many months in advance. And we do not do quarantees - that way we do have the same cabin for both segments.

You do not have to go through customs as the end of the first segment unless you plan to take anything off the ship should you decide to go on a tour by yourself.
That's great if we don't have to go through customs after the first segment. We weren't planning on getting off the ship since we have been to Montreal many times.