Back to back cruises

[Slam308]

Wondering what the latest is regarding back to back cruises.

I checked the past 15 pages and there's no mention of this subject. What's the latest procedure for people taking a back to back cruise? We're lucky enough to have the same room for both weeks and are wondering what to expect. One RC rep said you have to pack, disembark and reembark just like everyone else. I find that REALLY hard to believe.

Has anyone done a recent back to back on RC, and if so, what did you experience?

[Merion_Mom]

Ah, the land-based staff of the cruiseline............most of them have never been on a cruise. :rolleyes:

 

If you have the same cabin for both cruises, you just leave your stuff there (DUH!), and they lead you off in a group, you get your new SeaPass for the 2nd cruise, and they lead you back on. You CAN go ashore and visit whatever the port of embarkation is, but you CAN just stay and watch all the suckers, er, other passengers get off, have the ship to yourself for a bit, then watch all the new passengers get on.

 

Carol

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

We havn't did it since 2003 on Serenade, we had the same room as well and just told our room stuart that we were sailing back to back. We were able to check in for the second cruise on the ship the last night of the first cruise and got our new sea pass cards. We did not pack our bags at all we just left them in the room. The only problem we had is that we had to wait ontil all passengers had disembarked before we could leave the ship. They made us wait with crew in the show room. This was in San Juan and we had planned to rent a car and go on a drive. We were not able to get off ontil about noon. We were kind of frusterated and decided just to get back on the ship. When you get back on the ship they just take the picture with your sea pass and you are all done.

 

Hope that helps you

 

Brian J

[bubbie617]

We did a b2b on Radiance of the Seas last year. When everyone else was getting off the ship to go home, we relaxed for a while and then went to the lobby (Guest Relations area) until the other pax were off the ship. Then they let us get off. It was probably around 10:30 a.m. They had given us our new cards the night before and we just had to have our pictures taken when we were ready to reboard the ship.

 

It was decadent watching everyone complaining about having to pack on Saturday night and then watching them leave the ship on Sunday knowing that we had a second week to look forward to. I highly recommend b2b's.

[lynnemac]

Do the BtoB's just do the same itenerary in reverse or do some stop at different ports on the return trip? Sounds like fun but would enjoy a different set of sights.:)

[EJNutz]

The B2B I am doing has 2 itineraries. First week Eastern Caribbean , 2nd week Western Caribbean.

 

RCL have also confirmed to me that there is no need to pack if you are in the same room.

[LuvMyVette]

Hi:

 

DH/I are going on our first B2B next September for my 40th birthday. We are taking Explorer out of Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ) and have the same cabin. The first cruise is a 5-day to Bermuda. Second cruise is a 9-day to the Eastern Caribbean. Since we live in NJ, we are 35 minutes from the port which is a huge plus for us and we don't have to worry about flying. More money to spend as well.

I heard several stories on what the procedure is for checking in for the second part of the cruise so I'm just going to wing it when the time comes. For the fun of it I'm going to ask on the VOS cruise next month to see what they say. Next year when we check in on the B2B that will be the first question....procedure for the second part of the cruise.

No matter what it's going to be a blast. Watching people get off while we are sitting there hanging out knowing we have another nine days.. priceless!

[cruisetarp]

We did our first B2B on the Voyager in May 05. We had the same cabin for each trip. We were originally told we would be escorted off the ship and right back on but when we went to Guest Relations the morning of the turn around they simply gave us new sign & sail cards and told us to go and relax. We sat on our balcony and watched the people leaving and the new cruisers boarding. We did not get off the ship at all. When we reached our first port day we simply had to stop at the exit and have them take our photo for our card.

[Slam308]

I figured the office people got it wrong. Nice to know we have the CC board people to set things straight.

 

My DH and I are doing a West/East on Mariner for Christmas, his birthday and my birthday...these things get expensive!

 

We have my boss (and best friend) and his family going with us the first week and it will be great fun to watch them head off while we get to enjoy another week! They've never been, so we wanted to do the first week with them and enjoy watching their initial reactions. We've also done the Western a number of times and figured we could steer them in the right direction for things to do and not do.

 

Our TA...gotta love Eileen from Diamond Cruise in Hightstown, NJ...is the best and got us one of the best hump cabins back to back. I'm so excited! Everything we asked for, she got us. Okay, enough commercial...

 

Thanks for all the replies, if someone does a back to back and things change in the next couple months (we cruise the end of March) please let me know.

Slam

[cme]

What the above posters have stated are true. We were off the ship to go through immigrations and then got right back on. You do not have to pack your things if you are in the same cabin. I will let you know if there are any changes as I go on another b2b on the Mariner in Nov.

 

Carrie:D

[MrWizard]

We did B2B on Enchantment in Sept 2003 and it was great (two different itineraries). We had the same cabin for both cruises. No packing was required. We did of course have to wait until all other passengers disembarked. We waited in a lounge that was unoccupied. There were only 10 people staying on board.

 

They walked us across the gangway, customs was there waiting for us. It took just a few minutes. Then we came back on the ship and just lounged around at the pool deck.

 

For us, Both sailings SeaPass cards were issued at the beginning of the first cruise.

 

We are doing another B2B on Enchantment on Jan 30, 2005 (member cruise) and Feb 4th.

 

Remember that the food and entertainment will most likely not change. However RCL has been introducing new menu selections so there are plenty of choices...

[Merion_Mom]

The funniest B2B I ever read about on these boards was a couple who cruised ONE week on the Explorer and then a second week on (I think) the Navigator, dashing off the one ship and onto the other, THE SHIPS WERE BACK TO FRONT while they were doing a back to back. tee hee :D

[Merion_Mom]

I am so excited about our upcoming B2B on the Sovereign. The two cruises are identical except for a sea day, but I don't care. It was the only way for us to get a week long cruise on this year's winter vacation - we leave and return on a Tuesday. Regular week long cruises depart on Saturday and Sunday. We couldn't do that, because the kids have to spend Christmas Day with their father, or he won't give them their presents. :( (we've even suggested that they cruise on the same cruise that we're on :))

 

Twice we stop in Nassau, twice in CoCoCay. I figure, with the problems tendering into CoCoCay, we have a 50/50 shot of getting there at least once!We may just stay on the ship in Nassau, at least once. Ah, leisure. I love it.

 

And I certainly DO NOT underestimate the entertainment value of sneering and smirking at the poor schmucks who have to get off at the end of the first cruise. :D

 

Did I mention that this is a New Year's Cruise! Par-TAY!

[lul113]

Merion_mum

 

I met a group last Jan, and we are all cruising together in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 we are on Majesty for a 3 day, then move down the dock and get on Brilliance for the 11 night cruise. Technically a B2B, but on different ships. We did have a reason for this, 3 couples needed the additional cruise to bump up a C&A level, and this was the easiest way of doing it. We all booked on board, so we get the credit for that, as well as the C&A discount for our levels. The method in our madness is that we actually paid about about $200 each for the 3 day break, but got $50 credit, and $100 discount on the Brilliance, so the Majesty cost us about $50 each - a very cheap cruise.

 

We are doing a REAL B2B in Jan 2007 on Rhapsody. The itineries are very similar, but with our group, that is not as important as the people we are with.

 

Hope you all enjoy your B2B, and keep us updated.

[LuvMyVette]

Hi:

 

Not sure if anyone can answer this but figure why not ask....

 

During our B2B next year we will going from Platinum to Diamond level on RCI. Our 10th cruise first week, 11th cruise the second week.

 

Has anyone ever gone through this and if so what happened? Due to being Diamond level, we finally can utilize the Concierge's lounge. We heard that if you talk to someone at Business Services we might be able to use the Concierge's lounge on both cruises since it's a B2B. We plan on asking on the VOS cruise next month just out of curiosity.

Thanks for any input you may have.

For all of those that will be cruising real soon.. have a great time!

[kcagg16]

slam308

 

My family and I just did back to back cruises on the Mariner in July. It was awesome. It was great to get up later and then go to the lounge around 10:00 where you are escorted off through customs and right back on. You should receive a notice in your room the first week telling you what to do as a back to back guest. If you do not get it by Friday, then go to customer relations. On our first week we sat with back to back tablemates who told us that. We were glad as there was a mistake as they did not have us listed as back to back so did not get the letter. They will give you new cards at that time. Also as a back to back guest you can stay in your room when you get back on if you want. Have a great time. The Mariner is a great ship.

[msts]

Wife and I have done three b2b cruises, if you have the same room you do not pack, and whether or not you have to get off is determined by Customs. Twice we had to get off, once we did not have to. You receive a letter the night before telling you exactly where to meet for processing for the 2nd week of the b2b cruise

 

Have a great cruise