back2back Cruise Question

[SmileEh]

My fiance and I are looking at doing a back2back next winter... my question is, if we get the same cabin do we still have to pack everything up and get out of the stateroom by 8:30am and then unpack again at 1:30pm?

 

And if we get a different stateroom do we just take all our luggage to the lido deck and wait for our room to be ready and then go unpack in the new stateroom?

 

I don't know about the process... will we just have to go down to guest services to get our new S&S Card or will the one we get be good for the whole two weeks if we book the same stateroom?

 

I'll take as much information as I can get concerning this... thanks in advance!

[Sparky2]

My fiance and I are looking at doing a back2back next winter... my question is, if we get the same cabin do we still have to pack everything up and get out of the stateroom by 8:30am and then unpack again at 1:30pm?

 

And if we get a different stateroom do we just take all our luggage to the lido deck and wait for our room to be ready and then go unpack in the new stateroom?

 

I don't know about the process... will we just have to go down to guest services to get our new S&S Card or will the one we get be good for the whole two weeks if we book the same stateroom?

 

I'll take as much information as I can get concerning this... thanks in advance!

 

It's easiest if you're able to stay in the same cabin. Then you do not have to pack up at all. I usually put away anything I have out on the desk or bathroom shelves so they can do a better cleaning job.

 

If you change cabins, you have to partially pack & the room steward will bring a luggage cart to help move you.

 

You will receive a letter in your cabin the night before telling you where to meet in the AM. Someone then escorts you off the ship, through customs, and right back on. You then have time to enjoy the ship without a big crowd.

 

On our 1st B2B in 2008, there were only about 8 or 10 couples doing B2B. This last B2B (2013) we had about 80 people. I think many were doing B2B (like us) to reach Platinum status.

 

When we returned to our cabin there was a fruitbasket & bottle of Champagne waiting for us. I took the Champagne to the MDR and the MDR hostess exchanged it for a bottle of white wine which I then had for 4 nights at dinner. I was the only one drinking the wine so it lasted 4 nights.

[dk1]

Talk with your room Stew. If you keep the same room you will not have to move anything.

On my B2B I had to change rooms but stayed on the same deck (moved to an aft balcony).

I had to pack, but the Stews took care of moving things.

 

You will have to disembark and reboard. You will be given instructions to meet all other B2Bers at a given location and time, taken off the ship for customs, and then taken back on with new S&S cards.

 

If you wish to purchase wine or booze for your cruise, buy it during your first leg. It will be delivered to you on the last night of the first leg and you will have it to use on the second leg.

 

Have fun!

 

dk

[Noel182002]

I want a basket on our cruise!!! with fruit and champage!!! We are doing a b2b on the breeze in Septemer...we don't have the same room as the first leg is cove balcony...second leg is spa balcony...they said we pack up they move us.

[big_duck]

I want a basket on our cruise!!! with fruit and champage!!! We are doing a b2b on the breeze in Septemer...we don't have the same room as the first leg is cove balcony...second leg is spa balcony...they said we pack up they move us.

 

Doesn't always happen, so don't count on it.

[flounder315]

Try to keep the same cabin for both weeks. You will not have to do anything. Save some things to do the second week. For example, I didn't do the ropes course the 1st week so that I could do it the 2nd week when the rest of the family joined us. The debarkation after the 1st week was disorganized, the officer that walked us through customes and back on the boat to get our new sail & sign cards had no clue where she was going. Luckily I have sailed from the same port many times so I was able to guide her through... :D

[big_duck]

Don't forget to stop by the gift shop the last night of your first leg to pick up a bottle or two for the second.

[flounder315]

i didn't get the fruit basket :(

[Quilting_Cruiser]

You do not always get escorted off and right back on the ship--it depends on the ship/port. On our B2B we were the only ones doing B2B and we waited for everyone to get off the ship. They had us wait at the atrium bar. We were then told to debark and go to VIP check-in with our transit pass. We went there and checked in and got our new S&S cards. We waited about 30 minutes and then someone came to the VIP lounge to escort us back on, so we were the last off the first leg and first on the second leg. It was great to be on the ship for a while with no one but us and the crew. :D

 

In our room was a bottle of champagne from Guest Services and another bottle from the Hotel Direct and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.

 

Loved doing B2B!

[big_duck]

i didn't get the fruit basket :(

 

Thanks I've been called a liar in the past for stating that.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Thanks I've been called a liar in the past for stating that.

 

 

Sheesh. I never understand it when people state something as God's truth because it happened to them. Well, just because it happened to one person doesn't mean it happens to everyone! :p I've had a similar reaction when I say we weren't escorted off the ship on our B2B and that we had to wait in the VIP lounge for 30 minutes. People think I'm crazy because it didn't work that way for them. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[linbobky]

i didn't get the fruit basket :(

us either!!:(

[TrqoisWtrs]

Assume you know everyone is allowed to bring one bottle of wine/champagne on board, correct? I always bring on two bottles when boarding that first cruise and explain I am doing a B2B if they question me. Have never had a problem.

 

Plus when you achieve Platinum, you'll also get a second Platinum gift on the second leg. :D

[waynbo]

I'll let you know how it goes for us. Leaving in a couple days for our first B2B, we'll be back on the 27th...

 

And I better get that damn fruit basket or I swear I'm not going to have any fun at all!! :p

[1965]

We're hoping to do a b2b next April that I see on this April's itinerary. It's a TA from Florida to Barcelona for the 1st leg, then Barcelona to Venice for leg 2. I believe it's on the Legend. Has anyone done this one, or is going to do it? Since the 2014s aren't yet posted, I don't know if CCL will even do those 2 itineraries next April. Reading the posts re. b2bs makes us really want to do one. We would reach platinum during such a cruise, which would make it even sweeter.:p

[Noel182002]

Don't forget to stop by the gift shop the last night of your first leg to pick up a bottle or two for the second.

 

I was wondering if you could do that...we always buy our bottles the last day to take home with us cause we don't want them stored cause I don't want them to lose them! but I was wondering if I bought one if I was allowed to bring it back to my room

[big_duck]

I was wondering if you could do that...we always buy our bottles the last day to take home with us cause we don't want them stored cause I don't want them to lose them! but I was wondering if I bought one if I was allowed to bring it back to my room

 

It's important you do last night carryout. If you get it earlier and they hold it, they may hold it until the end of your second leg.

[Noel182002]

It's important you do last night carryout. If you get it earlier and they hold it, they may hold it until the end of your second leg.

 

You are totally awesome!!! You have made my second leg look alittle bit brighter!!! :D

[Colorado Kat]

I've done 3 back to backs, but never gotten a fruit basket or strawberries for that. Oh well. But I did get to stay on the ship..........

[wmowan8485]

I am considering a b2b in August!! Thanks for the info it may come in handy.. :)

[SmileEh]

It's easiest if you're able to stay in the same cabin. Then you do not have to pack up at all. I usually put away anything I have out on the desk or bathroom shelves so they can do a better cleaning job.

 

If you change cabins, you have to partially pack & the room steward will bring a luggage cart to help move you.

 

You will receive a letter in your cabin the night before telling you where to meet in the AM. Someone then escorts you off the ship, through customs, and right back on. You then have time to enjoy the ship without a big crowd.

 

On our 1st B2B in 2008, there were only about 8 or 10 couples doing B2B. This last B2B (2013) we had about 80 people. I think many were doing B2B (like us) to reach Platinum status.

 

When we returned to our cabin there was a fruitbasket & bottle of Champagne waiting for us. I took the Champagne to the MDR and the MDR hostess exchanged it for a bottle of white wine which I then had for 4 nights at dinner. I was the only one drinking the wine so it lasted 4 nights.

 

I wasn't sure if we would also have to take our luggage off the ship to go thru customs so now that I know you don't have too I think your right and its best to get the same cabin... I'm looking at sailing on the Liberty Jan 18th and Jan 25th... looking to book a balcany cabin on deck 7... right now I like cabin 7341 (I see this cabin has a *star beside the number, what does that mean?) for the Jan 25th leg but that cabin is not available for the Jan 18th leg... I wonder if that's because its already booked by someone, perhaps I could call carnival and ask but I'm worried they will say yes and then make me book it thru a carnival rep which I don't want as I only book myself online to save myself problems down the road with price drops.

[big_duck]

I wasn't sure if we would also have to take our luggage off the ship to go thru customs so now that I know you don't have too I think your right and its best to get the same cabin... I'm looking at sailing on the Liberty Jan 18th and Jan 25th... looking to book a balcany cabin on deck 7... right now I like cabin 7341 (I see this cabin has a *star beside the number, what does that mean?) for the Jan 25th leg but that cabin is not available for the Jan 18th leg... I wonder if that's because its already booked by someone, perhaps I could call carnival and ask but I'm worried they will say yes and then make me book it thru a carnival rep which I don't want as I only book myself online to save myself problems down the road with price drops.

 

It is easiest to phone Carnival to book this, let them do the leg work for you. It won't make getting price drops any harder either.

[SmileEh]

I'll let you know how it goes for us. Leaving in a couple days for our first B2B, we'll be back on the 27th...

 

And I better get that damn fruit basket or I swear I'm not going to have any fun at all!! :p

 

Yes, please come back and let me know how your experience was... I hope you have an awesome trip and personally I'd like to see some chocolate covered strawberries! Yum!

[SmileEh]

It's important you do last night carryout. If you get it earlier and they hold it, they may hold it until the end of your second leg.

 

I guess I've always went at a time that is to early as its always been held... so what time on the last night would you go down around to purchase it, as I'll assume if its late enough they will let you take your bottle back to your room?

[big_duck]

I guess I've always went at a time that is to early as its always been held... so what time on the last night would you go down around to purchase it, as I'll assume if its late enough they will let you take your bottle back to your room?

 

It varies, from late afternoon to evening, depends on the ship I think. Make it your first task after dinner and you should be gold.