Back-to-back cruise suggestions and tips?

DW and I are going on our first back-to-back cruise on the Glory in a few weeks. Unfortunately we don't have the same stateroom booked for both segments of the cruise.

We would love to hear any suggestions or tips on how to make the back-to-back transition smooth.

Thank you all!

I did two on Carnival and had to change cabins both times. I moved myself when neither of my cabin stewards would help or even give me a cart. I read on here, just ask .. well you should have tipped him a $20. Not worth that to move myself to another cabin.

I asked the 2nd cabin steward at least 3 times during the week and kept being told sure he would help .. came the day to change .. NOT.

Just move or if they offer help do it.

You will get a letter where to meet in the atrium usually, and they walk you off and back on .. then you have the ship to yourself .. hopefully (2nd b2b the rep left us stranded in the port).

Not a big issue .. but mine did not go smoothly to me.. but it wasnt a issue enough to bother with.

First of all thank you for replying :)

I forgot to mention we plan on 'self debarkation'. So we don't have to remove all our luggage and leave with it?

Do we have to first wait for our "new" cabin to be cleaned first then we transfer luggage, close the door, debark and come through again? About 1-2 hours later we're back on board?

Sorry a little confused here.

First of all thank you for replying :)

 

I forgot to mention we plan on 'self debarkation'. So we don't have to remove all our luggage and leave with it?

 

Do we have to first wait for our "new" cabin to be cleaned first then we transfer luggage, close the door, debark and come through again? About 1-2 hours later we're back on board?

 

Sorry a little confused here.

Some people have left their luggage at the Pursers desk until their new cabin is ready. You meet up in an assigned place as instructed and are escorted down to get your new SNS card and are usually back on the ship fairly quickly, like 15-30 minutes.

First of all thank you for replying :)

 

I forgot to mention we plan on 'self debarkation'. So we don't have to remove all our luggage and leave with it?

 

Do we have to first wait for our "new" cabin to be cleaned first then we transfer luggage, close the door, debark and come through again? About 1-2 hours later we're back on board?

 

Sorry a little confused here.

When I did a B2B - we met in a designated area and then were taken downstairs to see a Customs person and then right back on the ship. We were off for maybe 5 minutes. I had the same cabin so I'm not sure about the move. Friends of our were also doing the B2B and they rec'd the letter about where to go but we did not. I went to guest services and they didn't realize we were doing a B2B. I would suggest that sometime during the cruise you go to guest services and make sure they know you are staying on board and ask them about the move. I would also make sure your room steward knows that you are staying on board and I would also go and see the room steward of your new room and let him know that you will be moving there and ask him when the room will be ready, etc. I think if you are a little proactive in contacting all these people, the move will go very smooth.

ps - keep in mind that you can order liquor on board in the first week and then will have it available for the 2nd week ;)

You won't have to be off the ship for much more than 10 minutes. We were told to meet in the lobby bar area around 9:45. They then gave us our new sign and sail cards. When we were all there and they were ready for us at customs, they walked us off the ship and to the customs check. Since we had no luggage, we just gave them our passports and forms and then we were done. Then they brought us right back on the ship as a group.

I would find your room for the second cruise and look for the cabin steward for that area. Tell him you are doing a B2B and ask how early he can have your room ready. If he knows you will be there he may do your room early.

We stayed in the same room, so we did not have to move anything. We did receive a bottle of wine and a fruit basket along with a thank you not for doing a b2b.

You will get a pass that you can use if you decide to get off the ship and leave the port. You just have to show it to someone and you will be able to get right back on the ship without waiting in line.

We loved our b2b in Jan. Hope to do it again.

Claudia

All of the B2B talk has got me looking past our 7 day in april 2012 to our B2B in April 2013! Yes, I have a problem - CROOZAHOLISM!!:eek:

They are a total blast. The GF and I did one in January. We liked it so much, we just booked another for September! :D

We try to get the same room for the B2B .....

Did a couple of B2B2Bs. They certainly helped with achieving Platinum in a hurry. :D

Tried to get the same room but not always possible. It's cool to try out different cabins. On Imagination I tried a porthole, an ocean view and a jr suite. And realized jr suites were not worth the money on this class of ships. It's not that bad having to change rooms. You can bring your luggage to guest services or you can bring them straight to your new room but need to let the stewards know. The ship will be very quiet in late morning and you know every passenger you see is doing a B2B. :D

I have done a couple of B2B's with different rooms. Always talked to the room stewards and they helped me move and didnt require an initial extra tip, they said it was their job :) YMMV

In one case they said my new room would be the first one cleaned so it was ready around 9:45ish..then I went to meet up with the other B2Bers

A few people have mentioned "we", who is we? Your group or do all the B2B people get coralled and meet in a certain area?

Did a couple of B2B2Bs. They certainly helped with achieving Platinum in a hurry. :D

:D

You read my mind. Airfare already costs close to $850, we're already in Florida ... why not do a combo Eastern & Western carib? In my book that's a winning combination and like you said, we achieve Platinum status that much faster.

How quickly to get to Platinum anyway, 10 cruises right? Does cruise length matter?

A few people have mentioned "we", who is we? Your group or do all the B2B people get coralled and meet in a certain area?

You will get a letter in your room giving you a time and place to meet. Then all the people doing B2B will be escorted off the ship down to the agents and given new S&S Cards...then back onboard.

How quickly to get to Platinum anyway, 10 cruises right? Does cruise length matter?

Yes 10 cruises and no, length does not matter! :D At least not yet. There are talks about changes to royalty program, so better get in there quickly.

I did a 3-day, 4-day, 3-day combination. Boarded the ship on a Friday and got off on Monday 10 days later. I could relax while watching others try to pack in as much fun as they could. Only down side was I got totally sick of Nassau. But I think everyone gets sick of Nassau sooner or later if they cruise enough.

Yes 10 cruises and no, length does not matter! :D At least not yet. There are talks about changes to royalty program, so better get in there quickly.

 

I did a 3-day, 4-day, 3-day combination. Boarded the ship on a Friday and got off on Monday 10 days later. I could relax while watching others try to pack in as much fun as they could. Only down side was I got totally sick of Nassau. But I think everyone gets sick of Nassau sooner or later if they cruise enough.

Interesting idea, I wonder how popular that 3-4-3 combo is in order to achieve platinum status faster?

Interesting idea, I wonder how popular that 3-4-3 combo is in order to achieve platinum status faster?

I highly recommend it for those who are 2 or 3 cruises short of plat.

First time I did it as a solo. That was when Carnival still had the 150% solo rate for 1A rooms. I had the same 1A for all 3 legs, stayed on the ship for the most part when everyone else went off to Nassau. VERY relaxing and inexpensive vacation.

Second time had a roommate who insisted on getting off the ship at every stop. It was more hectic but loads of fun.

Man I'm looking at B2B's since joining CC. My 1st cruise is in November 2012 but I'm thinking...with as much effort (long drive/airfare) to GET to the port, why not spend a little longer for not much more cost wise. 2013?!! It's on...I'm sure...hahaha.

For our snow bird thing next year, we are doing a 20 day Princess cruise (really two 10 days B2B) and then 4 weeks on the Liberty (B2B2B2B I think). We will have to change cabins half way through but just moving next door.

Question: Do they charge your credit card each week?

Question: Do they charge your credit card each week?

Yes, each is treated as a separate cruise.

One of the best things about back to back, is that you get the run of the ship as soon as you get back on board. As long as you don't disturb the cabin cleaning, you can wander about and check out the different cabin configurations. I loved looking at the different porthole cabins, and the suites. Forgot to check out the aft wraps, however.

You will get a letter in your room giving you a time and place to meet. Then all the people doing B2B will be escorted off the ship down to the agents and given new S&S Cards...then back onboard.

Thank you for the helpful information and everyone else for your contributions :)

I was thinking about a back to back what documents do u need to take with you off board in between cruises and if you have the same room can you just leave all your clothes and belongings in your room in the drawers and just come back to it like it is just another cruise day while the other rooms are closed off till 1 pm.

Thanks

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ps - keep in mind that you can order liquor on board in the first week and then will have it available for the 2nd week ;)

I've read here about being able to do this, but not sure that I've read of anyone actually doing so.

Did you take advantage of this extra 'perk'?

gary

When you go through customs after the first cruise you will have to bring your customs form and your passport. I also brought my fun pass for the second cruise, but they did not ask for it.

We had some beer confiscated at the start of the first cruise. We were able to go get it on the morning of the second cruise.

We had the same room, so we just left everything in our room. We had told our room steward that we were doing a b2b. He said he already knew that and that we could come and go to our room anytime we wanted to that morning. The big doors were shut until 1:30, but he said just open them and come and go as we please.

We loved our b2b. Hope to do another on soon.

Claudia

When you go through customs after the first cruise you will have to bring your customs form and your passport. I also brought my fun pass for the second cruise, but they did not ask for it.

We had some beer confiscated at the start of the first cruise. We were able to go get it on the morning of the second cruise.

We had the same room, so we just left everything in our room. We had told our room steward that we were doing a b2b. He said he already knew that and that we could come and go to our room anytime we wanted to that morning. The big doors were shut until 1:30, but he said just open them and come and go as we please.

We loved our b2b. Hope to do another on soon.

Claudia

Any advice on how you were able to do this?

gary