Back to Back Discounts on RCL?

Looking at options for our next cruise and came across back to back sailings on the Independence for a six day cruise on April 20 and an eight day cuise on April 28. I noticed that the RCL web site, as well as other travel agencies, list these as two seperate cruises without an option to make this a combined 14 day itinerary as one, slightly cheaper, cruise. I know Norwegian, big fan of them but looking to branch out, has done combined itineraries before. Doesn't RCL do this. I would hate to book two seperate cruises and then have to remove all items from a cabin to move to another if I can't get the same cabin on both runs of the ship. Any comments would be appreciated.

Looking at options for our next cruise and came across back to back sailings on the Independence for a six day cruise on April 20 and an eight day cuise on April 28. I noticed that the RCL web site, as well as other travel agencies, list these as two seperate cruises without an option to make this a combined 14 day itinerary as one, slightly cheaper, cruise. I know Norwegian, big fan of them but looking to branch out, has done combined itineraries before. Doesn't RCL do this. I would hate to book two seperate cruises and then have to remove all items from a cabin to move to another if I can't get the same cabin on both runs of the ship. Any comments would be appreciated.

RCI does not discount cruises that are done consecutively.

Each cruise is a separate transaction with it's own booking number.

They are considered separate itineraries and will be booked as back to back cruises. But, if available when you book, you can request the same room for both itineraries to avoid having to change staterooms. As I understand it, as a B2B cruiser you will meet in a lounge on the disembarkation day from the first cruise and will then be escorted off the ship and through customs to embark for the second cruise. This should be a brief process and will have you back on board ahead of the new passengers for the next cruise.

They are considered separate itineraries and will be booked as back to back cruises. But, if available when you book, you can request the same room for both itineraries to avoid having to change staterooms. As I understand it, as a B2B cruiser you will meet in a lounge on the disembarkation day from the first cruise and will then be escorted off the ship and through customs to embark for the second cruise. This should be a brief process and will have you back on board ahead of the new passengers for the next cruise.

It all depends on the ship and port whether consecutive cruisers must disembark on turnaround day. Since we only do b2b cruises we have experienced both procedures.

It all depends on the ship and port whether consecutive cruisers must disembark on turnaround day. Since we only do b2b cruises we have experienced both procedures.

Thanks for the clarification - I thought it was done with all itineraries. :)

I've done two back to backs on Norwegian. The first time (6 day and 8 day) they let us stay on the ship where they hosted a party for those of us doing back to back at the turnaround. We never had to leave the ship or sign in because it was considered one cruise.

The second time (5 day and 9 day) we were again offered an invite to a party at turnaround but decided to get off the ship to explore locally. Getting back on the ship was very easy with just a swipe of our cruise card.

I guess RCL does it differently. Thanks for all your responses.

I've done two back to backs on Norwegian. The first time (6 day and 8 day) they let us stay on the ship where they hosted a party for those of us doing back to back at the turnaround. We never had to leave the ship or sign in because it was considered one cruise.

The second time (5 day and 9 day) we were again offered an invite to a party at turnaround but decided to get off the ship to explore locally. Getting back on the ship was very easy with just a swipe of our cruise card.

I guess RCL does it differently. Thanks for all your responses.

It's up to the port authorities not the cruiseline whether you have to get of the ship or not.

This NOT true.

I have cruised other cruise lines on B2B and given the same room with the same key card and account for the whole cruise. I have done this in Europe, Caribbean, and Alaska. It is one seamless cruise. I have also been given a discount for doing this. I have also got extra perks for doing so.

RCI is in the 19th century with B2B cruises. They won't market B2B cruises, no discount and they won't help you obtain the same cabin for both cruises. I have had to do all the leg work to try and get the same cabin. Oh yes if you link both cruises together with the back to back department then your TA is locked out of the reservation and has to call for anything they might need.

Now if you need an extension chord for your cabin and they provide it has to be returned no later than 7:00 am the morning of docking after the first cruise and can be picked up after 10:00 am. I have even gone to the Hotel Manager over this and that is company policy.

RCI on-board product is great but their back end really sucks. They really need to take a lesson from other cruise lines on this. I have seen like 40-60 passengers doing B2B on RCI but on other lines it has been 200-400+ doing it.

Don't get me going on turn around day and what happens as far as customs etc. I have been sent exactly what will happen on that day days before the cruise departs and get on-board the ship and it isn't even close to what I was told. The 3 B2B cruises I have done on RCI none of them have even been close to the same.

This topic hits a sore point for me on this topic.

Phil

It would be nice if they did follow other lines and combine sailings

Hal and princess also do that.

In this case the cruiseline does decide if you have to get off,by offering to let you book both sailings as one.

This NOT true.

 

I have cruised other cruise lines on B2B and given the same room with the same key card and account for the whole cruise. I have done this in Europe, Caribbean, and Alaska. It is one seamless cruise. I have also been given a discount for doing this. I have also got extra perks for doing so.

 

RCI is in the 19th century with B2B cruises. They won't market B2B cruises, no discount and they won't help you obtain the same cabin for both cruises. I have had to do all the leg work to try and get the same cabin. Oh yes if you link both cruises together with the back to back department then your TA is locked out of the reservation and has to call for anything they might need.

Now if you need an extension chord for your cabin and they provide it has to be returned no later than 7:00 am the morning of docking after the first cruise and can be picked up after 10:00 am. I have even gone to the Hotel Manager over this and that is company policy.

 

RCI on-board product is great but their back end really sucks. They really need to take a lesson from other cruise lines on this. I have seen like 40-60 passengers doing B2B on RCI but on other lines it has been 200-400+ doing it.

 

Don't get me going on turn around day and what happens as far as customs etc. I have been sent exactly what will happen on that day days before the cruise departs and get on-board the ship and it isn't even close to what I was told. The 3 B2B cruises I have done on RCI none of them have even been close to the same.

 

This topic hits a sore point for me on this topic.

 

Phil

Wow...very interesting. We almost always book b2b and they are very helpful in identifying cabins that are available for both (or all 3, etc.) sailings. If you are staying in the same cabin (with the same cabin attendant) you shouldn't have to turn in extension cord, etc. I have never had them ask for it.

One word of caution; we did a b2b on the Allure last Dec and everything went smoothly except that at the end of the first leg our safe automatically OPENED! We were told that we could disembark the ship and enjoy some time in FLL so we decided to do some shopping. We left some stuff locked in the safe instead of taking it with us as we were able to stay in the same cabin for both sailings. When we returned to the ship and entered our stateroom our safe was wide open! While everything was still there it could have been a bad situation if someone would have entered our room while they were cleaning...:eek: