4 back to backs - likely to get boring?

[Provence55always]

Water and soft drinks are included through the Captain’s Club benefit. if you are Elite Plus and don’t drink alcohol you don’t need a Beverage Package😊

 

[the penguins]

1 hour ago, someguyfl said:

I'm just curious ... In order to get the value of the coffee/tea benefit, you would have to basically not even have the Classic beverage package (since that includes the coffees) .. What do you do for water?

Correct.

Water and other canned sodas (for example ginger ale we - like the Canada Dry, and tonic - great for relieving/preventing cramp) are available free every night during the Elite Happy Hour. We pickup 3 or 4 bottles of water most days and the sodas when we need them  -  all in unopened cans.

Some juices are also available during the Happy Hour - we can pick up a pineapple and lemonade at the Passport Bar enroute to dinner.

We also like the fruit smoothies which are free at the Elite Breakfast.

The Elite+ benefit also includes all the iced coffees and the hot chocolate.

If we need water on day 1 when there is no Happy Hour we can get it free in the Casino although we don't usually bother.

We will never reach Zenith but as we don't drink alcohol we already get the most important benefits.

 

[OnTheJourney]

3 hours ago, the penguins said:

We still cruise by itinerary

I'd say basically we do also. Although as we get older, convenience of where the cruise starts is an increasingly big factor. We're fortunate to have two ports that are within driving distance so a good part of our cruising has been out of those - RCL and X.

 

2 hours ago, C 2 C said:

I never get bored watching the ocean.

I'll go along with that also. Something about it. Perhaps an innate fascination with water since we not only grew in amniotic fluid, but the body is also about 60% water. More specific to cruising, looking at the ocean activates opiate receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine. Probably why so many devices that use sound to help people sleep incorporate the sound of ocean waves or similar. Also good for masking tinnitus if the sound sweeps across a fairly full audio spectrum. All that said, there are obviously people who don't like being around (let alone on) the water at all.

 

2 hours ago, C 2 C said:

would pick the HAL cruises. 

Interesting. We've only ever done one cruise with HAL - Alaska back in '06. I'd like to do their 2-week roundtrip Vancouver cruise sometime.

[Maggie North]

We finished a 4xB2B in June....some of the similar destinations that you have planned, although it began with a Transatlantic. Honestly, even if menus/entertainment repeated, the last three cruises were so port intensive (as yours will be), we didn't care at all. We were never bored; spent time planning our port stops and looking at maps. And during downtime, searched the website for future cruises! Back to backs are our new obsession; only way we book these days!  Won't take long for all crew/staff and officers to know you by name!! Enjoy your cruises!!

[the penguins]

2 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

I'd say basically we do also. Although as we get older, convenience of where the cruise starts is an increasingly big factor. We're fortunate to have two ports that are within driving distance so a good part of our cruising has been out of those - RCL and X.

 

I'll go along with that also. Something about it. Perhaps an innate fascination with water since we not only grew in amniotic fluid, but the body is also about 60% water. More specific to cruising, looking at the ocean activates opiate receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine. Probably why so many devices that use sound to help people sleep incorporate the sound of ocean waves or similar. Also good for masking tinnitus if the sound sweeps across a fairly full audio spectrum. All that said, there are obviously people who don't like being around (let alone on) the water at all.

 

Interesting. We've only ever done one cruise with HAL - Alaska back in '06. I'd like to do their 2-week roundtrip Vancouver cruise sometime.

HAL was great when it had the smaller ships (Amsterdam, Maasdam etc ). Our Rio Carnival followed by the Amazon, cruise was outstanding.

We were totally unimpressed with the Westerdam in 2017.  Poor shows, and appalling service when we had issues with the hot water and toilet .

As non alcohol drinkers a good coffee shop is essential and this one was a disaster. Every  morning the lack of staff  (one Barrister) led to long lines (no table service) and the manager's response to our request for more staff was - wait for it!!!!!!

To add chairs so we didn't have to stand. 

In the evenings the place was like a morgue and the last time the pastries were replaced was 8.0pm.

 

[Cruising Is Bliss]

On 11/14/2023 at 4:06 PM, bedrick said:

Hi, we are planning a trip to Scandinavia, Norway, Iceland and Britain in May 24. Trying to decide between 4 back to backs on Celebrity or 2 long itineraries on Holland America.  If we string together the cruises on Celebrity are we likely to get repeat entertainment and menus on each of the back to back cruises?  Thanks for your help.

 

I love doing back to backs but my preference would be the two longer cruises. I've done B2Bs on Celebrity and on HAL and I prefer HAL for longer cruises. 

 

[bedrick]

2 hours ago, Cruising Is Bliss said:

 

I love doing back to backs but my preference would be the two longer cruises. I've done B2Bs on Celebrity and on HAL and I prefer HAL for longer cruises. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Cruising Is Bliss said:

 

I love doing back to backs but my preference would be the two longer cruises. I've done B2Bs on Celebrity and on HAL and I prefer HAL for longer cruises. 

 

Would you please tell me why you prefer HAL?  I really appreciate your feedback.

[someguyfl]

4 hours ago, the penguins said:

Correct.

Water and other canned sodas (for example ginger ale we - like the Canada Dry, and tonic - great for relieving/preventing cramp) are available free every night during the Elite Happy Hour. We pickup 3 or 4 bottles of water most days and the sodas when we need them  -  all in unopened cans.

Some juices are also available during the Happy Hour - we can pick up a pineapple and lemonade at the Passport Bar enroute to dinner.

We also like the fruit smoothies which are free at the Elite Breakfast.

The Elite+ benefit also includes all the iced coffees and the hot chocolate.

If we need water on day 1 when there is no Happy Hour we can get it free in the Casino although we don't usually bother.

We will never reach Zenith but as we don't drink alcohol we already get the most important benefits.

 

Do they do complimentary water in MDR/Blu in this scenario?

[Jim_Iain]

One thing we have really noticed on multi leg cruises is the dynamics on the ship.   One would expect it to be the same but there can be huge differences just by the demographics of each cruise.  The feel and the energy can be very noticeable.

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, someguyfl said:

Do they do complimentary water in MDR/Blu in this scenario?

The Elite Happy Hour drinks isn't available in any restaurants or MDRs. 

[the penguins]

7 hours ago, someguyfl said:

Do they do complimentary water in MDR/Blu in this scenario?

No. Only in the bars that are listed on the sheet  - pretty much all excluding World Class and Cellar Masters which becomes Craft Local on revamped ships.

Lattes are free at the end of dinner in the MDR for Elite+  so assume the same would apply in Blu.

[rcrabb1513]

On 11/15/2023 at 6:36 PM, OnTheJourney said:

Most interesting. I'd read posts here that refer to people's "sweet spots" relative to how long they prefer their vacations to be. For those traveling here in the US who come from AUS or NZ, it's surely not unusual to spend several weeks traveling. Again, as I alluded to in my other post, distance from home factors in. Somehow can't see going from here in the states down to AUS for much less than 3 weeks. I'd surely not do well on a world cruise. By about a month in, I'd be ready to jump overboard.

I understand and agree a vacation to a country half a world or more away from your home suggests a longer planned trip.  In this case the OP was wondering if manufacturing a very long cruise by taking 4 in a row would be boring.

[OnTheJourney]

18 hours ago, the penguins said:

We were totally unimpressed with the Westerdam in 2017

Huh...sorry to hear this.

[CruisinShips]

On 11/15/2023 at 11:01 AM, paulh84 said:

Doing excessively long cruises seems a bit like a strange Cruise Critic flex. We’re far from retirement and have other obligations so it’s not even an option or consideration for us.  Realistically I think around 10 days is my limit. I have no desire to tour that much or eat ship food (whether it’s good or bad) for that long. I also don’t have the time to commit to that much advance planning. 

Agree.  More than 10 days and my liver would be seriously pissed off at me.

[CruisinShips]

I'm curious what is the appeal of a B2B?  I know sometimes they can help to avoid some air travel if they start in one place and end in another.  But the ones that start in one place, have same itineraries and end in the same place....what's the appeal other than a longer cruise?

 

Do you typically stay in the same cabin?  Do you remain unpacked during turnaround?

Thanks for any input.

[chemmo]

22 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

I'm curious what is the appeal of a B2B?  I know sometimes they can help to avoid some air travel if they start in one place and end in another.  But the ones that start in one place, have same itineraries and end in the same place....what's the appeal other than a longer cruise?

 

Do you typically stay in the same cabin?  Do you remain unpacked during turnaround?

Thanks for any input.

Often B2B cruises have alternating itineraries so although you may return to your starting point in the middle your two cruises may be different (Eastern Caribbean then Western Caribbean). In the Mediterranean quite simply there is such a variety of things to do at each port a ‘double’ cruise even with the exact same itinerary can be totally different. For example, first visit to Naples see Pompeii, second time climb Vesuvius, third time a vineyard tour and there is still the coast, Capri and Naples still not looked at…

 

Confession time, there is something wonderful about last night of the first cruise enjoying a leisurely drink and seeing fellow cruisers needing to go back to their room to put out their luggage….

 

We have kept the same room when doing B2B simply because it is so easy…you leave your room as it is, complete the formalities then either do a tour/walk or return to your room. However we have friends who tend to move up when doing B2B cruises. They book an inside on the first 1/2 legs when they know they will have intensive port days but then ‘treat’ themselves to a nicer room last leg…I can see the logic in this…

Edited November 17, 2023 by chemmo

[Maggie North]

Here is my B2B confession: I like turnaround day, watching everyone leave and having the ship 'to ourselves' for a few hours! Running into crew/staff/officers can be entertaining: "are you STILL here?" Keeping same cabin is wonderful; just unpack once!

If you are able to do B2Bs...I highly recommend!

[DaKahuna]

16 hours ago, someguyfl said:

Do they do complimentary water in MDR/Blu in this scenario?

Not bottled water.  They will serve you water from a picture and of course tea (hot or cold) and regular drip coffee are free. 

 

[C 2 C]

16 hours ago, bedrick said:

Would you please tell me why you prefer HAL?  I really appreciate your feedback.

The service on both lines is very similar since both companies employ many Filipinos and Indonesians, outstanding service training.  In September a year ago we took our first HAL cruise in 14 years after dozens of Celebrity Cruises.  The food was great, the music walk on the Nieuw Statendam was fantastic but their nightly shows were a big yawn.  We liked our experience so much we booked 8 one week B2Bs over the holidays.  I never eat desserts on Celebrity.  To me they are tasteless.  On HAL I had dessert every night.  We loved this class of ship.  On one of our Back to backs, there were 700+ repeaters, a number we have never seen on Celebrity.  We are about to go on 7 B2Bs on Constellation, our favorite Celebrity ship, and because we get a lot of perks for our status.  Both lines will give you a great experience but you may have fewer repetitions on a longer cruise than on a shorter one.  You have not mentioned price or ships that you are considering.

[OnTheJourney]

3 hours ago, Maggie North said:

If you are able to do B2Bs...I highly recommend!

We've only done it twice - on RCL - and really enjoyed it. As you say, sort of fun watching the sober faces of some of those leaving after the 1st week! Ours were only 1 week cruises, so have never done B2B2B, etc. As I've mentioned in a previous post, 2 weeks on any ship is plenty long enough for me.

Edited November 17, 2023 by OnTheJourney

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

I'm curious what is the appeal of a B2B?  I know sometimes they can help to avoid some air travel if they start in one place and end in another.  But the ones that start in one place, have same itineraries and end in the same place....what's the appeal other than a longer cruise?

 

Do you typically stay in the same cabin?  Do you remain unpacked during turnaround?

Thanks for any input.

For our retirement gift to each other we did a 90 day trip including 5 x B2B totalling 60 days on Solstice.

The trip included:

2 nights LA to break the flight London/Auckland.

14 days self drive tour of New Zealand's North Island.

Cruise 1 Auckland to Sydney

Cruise 2 East coast of Aus - Sydney to Sydney

Cruise 3 Sydney to Hawaii

Cruise 4 Hawaiian Cruise ending in Ensenada Mexico

Cruise 5 Ensenada along West Coast to Seattle

Flight to Dallas to visit grandson

Flight Dallas to London.

First 2 cruises inside cabin - port intensive cruises

Next  3 all  balcony - same cabin.

Apart from both of us being hospitalised in LA for 2 nights ( days 2 and 3 of the trip) with food poisoning resulting in changes of flights to Auckland trip was a total success.

Cruise, tour, enjoy 

[bedrick]

4 hours ago, C 2 C said:

The service on both lines is very similar since both companies employ many Filipinos and Indonesians, outstanding service training.  In September a year ago we took our first HAL cruise in 14 years after dozens of Celebrity Cruises.  The food was great, the music walk on the Nieuw Statendam was fantastic but their nightly shows were a big yawn.  We liked our experience so much we booked 8 one week B2Bs over the holidays.  I never eat desserts on Celebrity.  To me they are tasteless.  On HAL I had dessert every night.  We loved this class of ship.  On one of our Back to backs, there were 700+ repeaters, a number we have never seen on Celebrity.  We are about to go on 7 B2Bs on Constellation, our favorite Celebrity ship, and because we get a lot of perks for our status.  Both lines will give you a great experience but you may have fewer repetitions on a longer cruise than on a shorter one.  You have not mentioned price or ships that you are considering.

 

[bedrick]

Thanks for this really relevant information,  The trips we are deciding between are Celebrity Silhouette May 5th 8 nights Norway. 11 nights Britain, 13 nights Baltic, 11 nights Iceland all starting and finishing in Amsterdam or Rotterdam or Niew Statendam 27 nights 5th May to 1st June Norway, Baltic’s and Britain Amsterdam to Copenhagen then 1st June to !5th June Iceland to and from Copenhagen.  I am not concerned about the ports being boring on either more  about the entertainment in the evenings being repetitive.  Cost for Celebrity (43 nights) is about A$3,000 per person cheaper and includes gratuities than HAL (41 nights) with no gratuities included.  Celebrity does repeat a few of the ports.

[OnTheJourney]

All I can say is, some of you folks that are doing these extended trips must either not have a significant property to manage, and also very possibly no pets or houseplants. I'd feel so bad putting my pet in a kennel for weeks on end. It even bothered me for our most recent 3-week trip. For the plants, thus far I've been able to get my niece or nephew to come over and water every 8-9 days, but I pay either of them quite well also. Then, there's the flowerbeds, pool maintenance (if traveling during the summer), and lawn mowing to attend to. If a winter trip, gotta have someone ready to plow snow. Till I'd take care of all those various needs, it's just so much easier and far less worry to simply plan 2+ weeks and then back home! If no plants, pets, yard and property to take of, smaller house or townhouse (basically close the door and go), etc., that's a different level of responsibility and less stress wondering what's happening back home while away. Often wonder, relative to all this, how people manage their affairs that go on world tours for 4-5 months.

Edited November 18, 2023 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

3 hours ago, the penguins said:

we did a 90 day trip

Nope....sounds fantastic, but....couldn't do a trip anywhere near that long. But then, being from the UK, am I correct that it's not unusual to go on quite extended "Holiday" travel?

Edited November 18, 2023 by OnTheJourney