Back to Back Cruises

[A&G]

What is the deal with B2B cruises? We are doing the Mediterranean next October on Brilliance and thinking of backing it up with the repo cruise to Miami. Never done this before, so do we have to take all our luggage off the ship and check in again with the masses before the second cruise or is there some consideration given to B2B cruisers. Is getting the same room important or does it not matter.

 

Alan & Glenys

[lul113]

Hi, there are lots of threads about B2B cruises, so you can do a search for some more info. We are doing a B2B in 2007 on Rhapsody, so I have done a bit of research on this, and got good info from the boards.

 

Not too sure about Med B2B's as the customs/immigration may be different for non Europeans, but generally:

 

There is no price discount for doing a B2B.

 

I would try and get the same cabin, as if not, on the last day you (with assistance of stewards) will have to move all luggage to new cabin. If you are in the same cabin, you just leave the room as is, but ensure your steward knows you are doing a B2B (see below)

 

Make sure you tell them as soon as you get on that you are on B2B, as you could get additional "gifts" in cabin, and sometimes a better service.

 

Pay all tips at the end of the 1st trip, as the staff are sometimes moved to different areas after the cruise ends.

 

In US, the B2B cruisers are advised of customs/immigration procedures, sometimes they all meet on port day in a theatre/bar area and are re-booked there, or are escorted off the ship seperately and re-booked and allowed straight back on or allowed to go into port.

 

Remember, you are staying on board, so don't rub it in too much (just a little) for those poor people who are getting off after the first week...... it will be you next time!!!

 

There are a few more, but I cannot remember them at this time.

 

Have a great trip.

[desertheat]

We just got off a B2B cruise to the Med. We did the Med Venice and the Med Greek Isles. It was a fabulous trip.

There are many things to consider when doing a B2B especially to the Med. The biggest advantage was saving on airfare.

Each cruise is treated separately hence no price breaks and there are no additional gifts.

Another advantage to a B2B is getting to know the crew. We like to get to know them for a few days before we tell them we are also on the next cruise.

Staying in the same cabin is a big plus as you get the extra day to take in more sightseeing or simply relax on board the ship. All your belongings stay where they are. We have done many B2Bs and this is the first time we had to change cabins and move … next door. The crew is extremely busy on turn around day so my husband stayed back and moved our belongings while I took a trip for the day.

We did not have to get off the ship and reboard again. We received our Seapass cards the night before from our cabin steward. I had to have both Seapass cards with me when I left the ship. Upon returning to the ship is when they took my picture for the second cruise. My husband didn’t have his picture taken until our first port of call on the second cruise.

If I can be of help with any other questions regarding a B2B feel free to ask and I will try my best at answering them.

Have a great time in the Med.

[Alexis]

Hi, My husband and I have done many back to backs over the years. They are wonderful and totally different if you do an Eastern and a Western cruise, or even a another itinerary added on to a Hawaiian cruise, Alaskan cruise, etc. Some people even do B2B's on two different ships.

We prefer the same ship and the same cabin for the both weeks. Unpack and leave it all until the last day.

Your table in the dining room usually changes the second week and the waiter also. Cabin attendant stays the same unless they leave for a vacation or something. They get to know you and your schedule to the minute. :D

Depending on the port of call you sail from is how they check you in for the second week. We have always been taken off by an officer and taken right back on within a couple of minutes for the change over.

The entertainment might be the same for the shows, but the guest singers, etc. can change from week to week, or even days to days.

We are booked for the back to back Navigator for September of 2006 in the same cabin. The cruise lines at one time gave a discount for the B2B's, but not anymore. All you save is an airfare. Fly to the ship once and home for the two week cruise.

If you decide to do a B2B, you will love it. It is never too long. ;)

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[NoVa Mimi]

We did our first B2B this past July on AOS, and I fell in love with the whole B2B thing! :) We had the sme cabin for both weeks so did not have to move our belongings. At about 10:30-11:00 one of the ship's officers met a small group of us and escorted us off the ship, throught the terminal (yes, we cut right through the line of passengers waiting to board) and back on board. We were given our new cards and that was it! It took maybe 5 minutes. We had been contacted by letter in our cabin midweek as to where we were supposed to meet on turnover day. We tried to stay out of the way of the crew as they are all very busy turning over the ship for the new passengers. I was so amazed at how quickly they are able to complete the whole turn over process. We will be going on our 2nd B2B in 2007 on Freedom of the Seas.

[A&G]

Thanks guys, we appreciate the advice. We have now made the decision and it appears as though our TA can get us the same cabin for both cruises. The first cruise we booked a little time ago and is 14 days Istanbul to Barcelona. We then realised that the cruise after is a repo to Miami. The price is about $1,000 cheaper. So a 28 day cruise. I hope we do not get sick of cruising.

 

Alan & Glenys

[jkrislc]

So a 28 day cruise. I hope we do not get sick of cruising.

I think you'll have a great time and two very different cruising experiences since one is a repo cruise. The biggest problem will be laundry with 28 days of cruising and limited luggage for it all. Be sure to budget some money for the onboard laundry services as I don't believe any of the RCI ships have laundry rooms like Princess does. Thus, you might need to send a few things out to be washed before you get back home.

 

Enjoy!