Sister's B2B Cruise!

[*Sparkle*]

Good Evening Everyone

 

My sister and I are starting to prepare for our first B2B cruise on Oasis in October. We normally cruise close to home (NYC) out of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bayonne NJ. This will be our first cruise that will include flying to the cruiseport.

 

Any advice, tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!:):)

[bionicman97]

I don't have any advice, but that sounds like a great b2b. Enjoy your cruise!

[NordicPrince]

Big #1

 

Fly early and arrive the day before departure so you can start your vacation without the stress of worrying about what you would do if a flight gets cancelled. Plus you can get unwound earlier, sit by the pool, soak up some sun before getting on the ship early the next day and getting a full days use of the ship.

 

Big # 2

 

Since you are doing a B2B consider using the ship laundry and dry cleaning services mid week each week so you can cut down on the amount of clothes you need to pack. Think 4 - 3-4 day segments not 1 15 day segment.

 

DW and I did B2B on Serenade this January and this worked for us.

 

Have a great cruise.

[cruiselovincouple]

Big #1

 

Fly early and arrive the day before departure so you can start your vacation without the stress of worrying about what you would do if a flight gets cancelled. Plus you can get unwound earlier, sit by the pool, soak up some sun before getting on the ship early the next day and getting a full days use of the ship.

 

Cannot stress how important this point #1 is!! There are tons of horror stories on the boards from people who chanced it, tossed the dice and lost. Missed at least the first 2 days of their cruise. Not worth the hassle

 

Big # 2

 

Since you are doing a B2B consider using the ship laundry and dry cleaning services mid week each week so you can cut down on the amount of clothes you need to pack. Think 4 - 3-4 day segments not 1 15 day segment.

 

DW and I did B2B on Serenade this January and this worked for us.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

What a fantastic idea! I am also doing our first B2B in a couple weeks and was planning on packing one week's worth of clothes and doing laundry during the second leg, but the 4-3-4 idea is SO much better. Thanks NordicPrince!

 

Try to get the same stateroom and then put "no upgrades" on your reservation. Otherwise RCI may move you on one leg and then you'll have to pack up and move halfway through your vacation. Sometimes the "upgrade" doesn't even feel like an upgrade when they give you the same category stateroom but in a different location.

 

Also, link your reservations so RCI knows you're a consecutive cruiser. They probably will figure it out on their own, but doing this makes sure you are on the list of those who get either handed their new sea pass cards on turnaround day or escorted off then back on the ship on turnaround day. Also, if they have enough consecutive cruisers, sometimes they do a nice lunch in the MDR for all the people sticking around.

 

Have fun! We're totally looking forward to ours!! Now, off to redo my packing list to fit the 4-3-4 model. Seriously, fabulous idea.

 

~Lisa :p

[Carolrd]

To Cruiselovincouple, I just noticed you are from Surprise, AZ. I have family out there and have visited them a few times. Surprise is a great town.

 

 

Carol

[*Sparkle*]

Thanks! You all gave some wonderful advice most of which I already knew via cruise critic reviews and threads. :D:D

 

I should have been more specific.

 

We are flying in Wednesday to Orlando to visit Universal before the cruise. Then taking a shuttle to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday.

 

NordicPrince & cruiselovincouple I heard some real horror stories about people missing cruises! :eek: I would cry if that happened to me.

 

We will made sure we dealt with the special "Back to Back" department linking our cruises and keeping us in the same balcony room! I don't want to pack up in the middle of the cruise to move ~ I wanna enjoy the fact that we aren't getting off!

 

Cruiselovincouple - I hope that they really have a little get together for B2B travelers that would be great!

 

I was looking for tips specifically for Oasis of the Seas like nice areas to catch some rays. Must see events and activities. Excursion recommendations.. Things like that.

 

I would appreciate any and all suggestions that will make our cruise experience better!