B2B cruise pros and cons? suggestions? specific cruises?

[duncmelsmom]

DH and I would love to do a 10+ day cruise in the summer (I'm a teacher). There aren't any out of the SE USA without doing back to backs (Unless you know of one that I've missed??!??)

 

Sounds like a great plan! Have you done one? Which? Would you again? We're really flexible and are wanting to see the So Carribean. Horizon seems almost at capacity for 2019, so we're leaning towards Carnival Magic or even Carribean Princess (although probably not as I'm not reading great reviews).

 

We would do the Cheers package and can't imagine a "bad" cruise. We've only taken 2.

 

Thanks in advance!!

[1025cruise]

From what I've been seeing, most ships are alternating between Eastern and Western itineraries, so you get two cruises for one trip :)

[pcvtmom]

I've yet to do a back-to-back, but I CAN highly recommend the Magic! My husband and I are also teachers, and doing a summer back-to-back is cost prohibitive for us. Now, when we both retire and can cruise in the off season...:D:Dthat will be another story! :D:cool:

[kona_wahine]

We did an 8 and a 6 on the Breeze. I'd suggest getting the same room so you don't have to move. Other than that it's great! We had 16 total that did the B2B on our cruise. I thought it would be nice for the few moments before the 2nd cruise people were let on, but it's really a very short time before they start coming on. You have to meet and they give you your new S&S card, take you off to go they customs, they right back on.

[duncmelsmom]

That's what I'm thinking. My parents love B2B cruises. This is one I see for Southern and Eastern even though there are some repeat destinations (would that really matter, I can't decide?)

 

Carnival Magic - Ft Lauderdale

Cruise 1:

D1 - Ft Lauderdale

2 - Half Moon Cay

3 - Grand Turk

4 - @ sea

5 - Aruba

6 - Curacao

7 - @ sea

8 - @ sea

Cruise 2:

D1 - Ft Lauderdale

2 - @ sea

3 - Half Moon Cay (again)

4 - Grand Turk (again)

5 - Amber Cove

6 - @ sea

7 - Ft Lauderdale

 

The 2nd cruise only has 1 different stop, but would extend our trip to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Is it crazy to go to the same places (Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk), and are these places worth going to twice?

 

Thanks again!!

Edited March 3, 2018 by duncmelsmom

[garypolton]

I've always wanted to do one, this is helpful to read about the functionality

 

 

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[duncmelsmom]

Oh my gosh, you guys are so quick!! Thank you for the advice. Yes, I can't wait until retirement and we can do cruises whenever (5 more years!!).

 

Definitely the same room, thanks for the advice.

 

I wish we could find 2 that would take us to totally different places. One would think that was possible in the summer....

 

THANKS Y'ALL and keep the advice coming!!

[kona_wahine]

I'd go to HMC every day! Love it. Grand Turk has a beautiful beach. I'd suggest a snorkel tour with the sting rays for one of the times though. We did it and loved it.

[kona_wahine]

We made sure to get our cruises linked. I booked direct and made sure I called and they did it. We got our picture, mimosas, and a fruit/nut basket turn around day.

[LostPuppy]

We've done it once on the Valor. We sailed an 8 day cruise followed by a 5 day cruise with completely different itineraries for each. We had the same cabin. What didn't happen, though I'd asked my travel agent to do so, was getting the two cruises linked, probably because I booked them months apart. If the two cruises are linked then guest services and your steward will know you're staying on board. You'll get a letter in your cabin describing what happens and what you need to do on turn around day. You'll get some free champagne and a photo and maybe a fruit basket. It's fun to be on the ship when everyone else is getting off.

 

I say do it and have a great time!

 

We made sure to get our cruises linked. I booked direct and made sure I called and they did it. We got our picture, mimosas, and a fruit/nut basket turn around day.

Just to clarify, there is no "linking" of cruises for a B2B. The cruises are entirely independent of each other:

 

 

• You get a new S&S card.
  
• You get a new folio#.
  
• You have to report to customs.
  
• Any charges (or credits) are separate from each other (e.g. if you have a credit from the casino on the 1st leg, it is not applied to the second leg!).
  
• GS runs a report the night before the cruise ends to find out who is on the second leg. These people receive the instruction sheet under the door the last night. That's it!
  

Now you can ask GS to place a note in your first leg cruise record and tell your steward, but to say that there is some mythical thing called "linking" is wrong. Do you really think they would say "I'm sorry ma'am, but you need to leave the ship with the other passengers, you're not linked and must leave!" come on.

[kona_wahine]

Just to clarify, there is no "linking" of cruises for a B2B. The cruises are entirely independent of each other:

 

 

• You get a new S&S card.
  
• You get a new folio#.
  
• You have to report to customs.
  
• Any charges (or credits) are separate from each other (e.g. if you have a credit from the casino on the 1st leg, it is not applied to the second leg!).
  
• GS runs a report the night before the cruise ends to find out who is on the second leg. These people receive the instruction sheet under the door the last night. That's it!
  

Now you can ask GS to place a note in your first leg cruise record and tell your steward, but to say that there is some mythical thing called "linking" is wrong. Do you really think they would say "I'm sorry ma'am, but you need to leave the ship with the other passengers, you're not linked and must leave!" come on.

They do something because our steward knew we were on the next cruise. I was advised here at CC to call Carnival, which I did, and the lady I spoke to did something in her end.

[Macksinn]

We have done 3 B2B cruises and one of those was actually B2B2B. We travel to Florida from the West Coast so it makes sense for us since we only have to deal with a single long plane trip. Booking early enough to get the same room on each leg is important. You are the last ones off the ship and then first back on as you just go off long enough to clear customs and right back on. We have typically had 20 to 40 passengers doing B2B with us. You really get to know the ships staff better and they you which is nice.

 

 

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[Jamman54]

Just to clarify, there is no "linking" of cruises for a B2B. The cruises are entirely independent of each other:

 

• You get a new S&S card.
  
• You get a new folio#.
  
• You have to report to customs.
  
• Any charges (or credits) are separate from each other (e.g. if you have a credit from the casino on the 1st leg, it is not applied to the second leg!).
  
• GS runs a report the night before the cruise ends to find out who is on the second leg. These people receive the instruction sheet under the door the last night. That's it!
  

Now you can ask GS to place a note in your first leg cruise record and tell your steward, but to say that there is some mythical thing called "linking" is wrong. Do you really think they would say "I'm sorry ma'am, but you need to leave the ship with the other passengers, you're not linked and must leave!" come on.

 

Though B2B cruises are two separate cruises, they CAN be "linked" in the system. This tells GS that you are doing a B2B so that the proper information can be sent to your cabin regarding B2B procedures. This can also be accomplished without linking by simply visiting GS during the first leg. My PVP links my B2B cruises in the system so I don't need to visit GS, so I know it is not a myth. :cool:

[woodman]

;p We did a B2B last year on the Sunshine out of Port Canaveral. First leg was an 8 day and the next a 5 day. Different ports of call except for Grand Turk. We were surprised at the different type of people on the 5 day as compared to the 8day. More families and a younger crowd.Both were a great time as always. You will have a fun time no matter where the ship goes.:cool:

[SadieN]

Just to clarify, there is no "linking" of cruises for a B2B. The cruises are entirely independent of each other:

 

 

 

 

 

• 
   
  
• You get a new S&S card.
   
  
• You get a new folio#.
   
  
• You have to report to customs.
   
  
• Any charges (or credits) are separate from each other (e.g. if you have a credit from the casino on the 1st leg, it is not applied to the second leg!).
   
  
• GS runs a report the night before the cruise ends to find out who is on the second leg. These people receive the instruction sheet under the door the last night. That's it!
   
  

Now you can ask GS to place a note in your first leg cruise record and tell your steward, but to say that there is some mythical thing called "linking" is wrong. Do you really think they would say "I'm sorry ma'am, but you need to leave the ship with the other passengers, you're not linked and must leave!" come on.

 

 

 

Just off the Splendor and a met up with a friend who did our cruise for her second leg of her B2B. She couldn’t get into her cabin on turn around day because she threw away her card. She didn’t know her card was now to be used for both legs.

Long Beach now gives the S&S cards at the mailboxes.

[kona_wahine]

;p We did a B2B last year on the Sunshine out of Port Canaveral. First leg was an 8 day and the next a 5 day. Different ports of call except for Grand Turk. We were surprised at the different type of people on the 5 day as compared to the 8day. More families and a younger crowd.Both were a great time as always. You will have a fun time no matter where the ship goes.:cool:

 

I thought it was just us! The 8 day southern crowd was so much..:confused:..nicer. The 6 day people were loud, pushy, and rude. I couldn't believe the difference. It was fine, just very noticeable.

[chocolate melting cake]

I'm a retired teacher and have done several B2B cruises. All the good points have been mentioned. Since you asked for the good and bad---here are a couple of problems. You will have the same menu repeated each week (not a terrible thing if you like the choice you made or want to try another menu item) and the main shows will also be repeated (not too bad since there are other entertainment choices each evening). That being said, I agree with the others---it's a great way to save on airfare and time, and you get to really relax with and get to know the crew. Our favorite time is the 1-2 hours after the first passengers leave and the new passengers arrive. You almost have a cruise ship to yourself!

[mgdehoyos]

Just curious as I’ve considered doing this ... is there any pricing incentive for doing this or is it essentially booking each leg at best cost?

 

 

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[woodman]

No savings just 2 cruise running together.How ever if you must fly to the port you save on only 1 airfare. Sorry to say I had to pay for 13 days of parking (ouch) at Port Canaveral. It was worth it though we had a blast for all 13 days. So much so that I am looking for another B2B for one of the cruises I have booked for 2018. No luck so far, just can't make up my mind as to:D which one.

[duncmelsmom]

Just curious as I’ve considered doing this ... is there any pricing incentive for doing this or is it essentially booking each leg at best cost?

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I called Carnival last night to see if there are perks. There's no price difference as it is 2 different cruises. As for the fruit basket and pictures that others have mentioned, she didn't mention that. Maybe it's a surprise or maybe they don't do that anymore???

[Doggielover68]

I called Carnival last night to see if there are perks. There's no price difference as it is 2 different cruises. As for the fruit basket and pictures that others have mentioned, she didn't mention that. Maybe it's a surprise or maybe they don't do that anymore???

 

 

 

They still do it, it's not just an advertised perk. We usually get a plate of chocolate covered strawberries during the week as well.

 

 

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[Retired_to_Cruise]

DH and I would love to do a 10+ day cruise in the summer (I'm a teacher). There aren't any out of the SE USA without doing back to backs (Unless you know of one that I've missed??!??)

 

Sounds like a great plan! Have you done one? Which? Would you again? We're really flexible and are wanting to see the So Carribean. Horizon seems almost at capacity for 2019, so we're leaning towards Carnival Magic or even Carribean Princess (although probably not as I'm not reading great reviews).

 

We would do the Cheers package and can't imagine a "bad" cruise. We've only taken 2.

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

We love B2Bs on the Magic out of Port Canaveral or Miami later in the year. Does the Eastern Caribbean one week and the Western Caribbean another week.

[raynvic]

We did our first B2B last year on the Valor, a 5 day and then a 4 day. Even though we went to Cozumel twice we did not mind as we different things. We loved it so much we are doing another in Sept. on the Glory 7 days East and 7 days West. Can't wait.

 

Like one of the other posters said, the meals and entertainment are the same so you get to do something different. Getting to know the staff better was one of the highlights!