Just booked our first B2B! - tips & tricks?

[jaded99]

Well, it's been my cruise goal for a while now to do a B2B and the whole "get to 10 cruises by 12/31/13" thing has DH and I doing it. I already know from the forums that we can buy liquor on the first leg to drink for the second leg - any other tips/tricks, or things that we should know?

 

We are booked on the Imagination for next January - haven't done Fantasy class since our first cruise, and we actually booked a PT -we have never done an interior and only did an OV once - but since we're trying to do 4 cruises next year and we already have 1 more this year, all of which we need to fly to, we're trying to cut costs a little.

 

Even though our 2 cruises are only the length of one (issue with getting the time off work) we're still pretty excited to be doing B2B and would love feedback from anyone else who did one :)

[mondello]

You won't have to pack and move if you have the same cabin for both legs of your B2B. Please be advised that while you may be allowed to buy booze in the shops on the last night of first leg and be permitted to take purchase with you and/or booze bought in ports on first leg may be returned to you on last evening of first leg, SOME ships may have flagged your SNS card to close this loophole. They definitely are aware of who is B2B as they leave a token gift of appreciation in your cabin for the second leg of your B2B.

[mjmiller]

love B2Bs! :D

 

My fave - because most of the shows are the same each week, you can pick and choose what you want to do each week, and spread out the "must-do's." More time to relax, yet time to do everything you want.

 

If you're a wine drinker, depending on your embarkation port, you can go offshore, and take another bottle per person back onboard for the second leg.

 

The time between the leg 1 and leg 2 folks is priceless. It's like the ship is your own private yacht. I love to walk around and get photos of the ship when there is nobody (or almost nobody) around.

 

A platinum benefit that is great for B2Bs - take advantage of the free laundry service. Anything that is not easily damaged, ie undergarments, shorts, t-shirts - let them wash for free!

 

If you want to eat in the pay-for restaurant, wait until the second leg. Then you can determine which night is your least fave in the MDR, and book your fancy night accordingly.

[mjmiller]

me again :eek:

 

Often on just a "normal" cruise, I won't bother bringing soda or water on. But for a B2B, I find it much more worthwhile.

 

It's great - the last night of leg 1, when everyone else is packing - you don't have to!! And you will receive communication on what you need to do on debark/embark day between legs - it's easy!

 

If you have set dining time, and would like to keep your servers both weeks (once you find out if they're good!) - talk to the maitre d' right away - that may be accommodated. ?

[barneco]

We are doing the Jan 11/14 cruises. This will be our first b2b as well.

 

We have the same cabin for both cruises, so no packing till the very end.

 

Am looking forward to it.

 

Barry

[TennesseeTater]

Well, it's been my cruise goal for a while now to do a B2B and the whole "get to 10 cruises by 12/31/13" thing has DH and I doing it. I already know from the forums that we can buy liquor on the first leg to drink for the second leg - any other tips/tricks, or things that we should know?

 

We are booked on the Imagination for next January - haven't done Fantasy class since our first cruise, and we actually booked a PT -we have never done an interior and only did an OV once - but since we're trying to do 4 cruises next year and we already have 1 more this year, all of which we need to fly to, we're trying to cut costs a little.

 

Even though our 2 cruises are only the length of one (issue with getting the time off work) we're still pretty excited to be doing B2B and would love feedback from anyone else who did one :)

 

Great question. We just booked our first B2B as well for exactly the same reasons. We are going to get to 10 cruises before Dec 31st next year. Unfortunately we weren't able to book the same room so we will have to move, but I think we can manage.

 

Any other tips would be great.

[GRAMMYTAN]

Great question. We just booked our first B2B as well for exactly the same reasons. We are going to get to 10 cruises before Dec 31st next year. Unfortunately we weren't able to book the same room so we will have to move, but I think we can manage.

 

Any other tips would be great.

 

 

We did a back to back where we had to switch rooms and decks. Our cabin steward told us to just leave our bags in the cabin and he moved them to the new cabin for us. It is so much easier if you can manage to keep the same cabin for both legs of the cruise. LOL

[TennesseeTater]

We did a back to back where we had to switch rooms and decks. Our cabin steward told us to just leave our bags in the cabin and he moved them to the new cabin for us. It is so much easier if you can manage to keep the same cabin for both legs of the cruise. LOL

 

Thanks! The same cabin would have been nice but we have a port hole booked for the first cruise and they were sold out of portholes on the second so we booked an ocean view.

[CRUZBUDS]

On our first B2B we had a good service team in the MDR. The second leg the waiter was one of the worst we've ever had. In all of our cruises we have only had two bad one waiters.

 

We had a fantastic service team on our first leg of another B2B. We wrote a note to the maitre' de requesting the same team for the next leg. We explained what a terrific team it was and how much we enjoyed coming to dinner.

 

The whole DR management team was a aware of our request. I think they were very pleased that we took the time and effort to write the letter. We were accommodated on the second leg and the maitre' de stopped by the table almost every evening to say hello and make sure we were still happy. Our service team really appreciated it also and the service got even better! :)

[jaded99]

Thanks for the tips! I'm glad to know we can request the same servers for both legs if we like them. I sure hope they don't close the booze loophole... heaven knows our S&S bills are always plenty high even when we do Bon Voyage.

 

Is the going off and on through customs pretty quick? It seems like it should be since you're not taking any luggage off. Luckily we did get the same cabins! Haven't booked the 2nd B2B yet but we'll try for the same cabins then too.

 

I hadn't thought about the repeat shows being a good thing, but you're right - we have run into a situation several times where we want to do 2 things that are at the same time - now we'll be able to do both!

[vivavegas]

Congrats on your booking!:)

[RMLincoln]

One thing i like to do on a B2B is use the free WiFi in the port terminal on turn-around.

 

Usually they will gather you up as a group and walk you off the ship together and shepherd you through Imm & C with just your passport and a tote bag, so i bring the netbook and soak up the free internet to do email, cc posting etc. And then the luch frenzie has died down when I reboard.

 

I also like to take note of the menu options and then the next leg I know better what not to try:) Have a great time! m--

[goLC]

I'm confused. My friend and I are trying to book a b2b; we got the first leg booked; the same cabin is not available for the 2nd leg. Does this mean we need to pack everything up and take it off the ship and then get back on the 2nd cruise? Or if we did have the same cabin, can you stay on completely and not get off at all?

[mjmiller]

I'm confused. My friend and I are trying to book a b2b; we got the first leg booked; the same cabin is not available for the 2nd leg. Does this mean we need to pack everything up and take it off the ship and then get back on the 2nd cruise? Or if we did have the same cabin, can you stay on completely and not get off at all?

 

Everyone has to get off the ship for at least a little bit. However, if you're doing B2B, it's very quick - you will be given a letter explaining where to meet, and you will be walked off the ship, and then back on. It does not matter if you are in the same cabin or not.

 

Your cabin steward will move your belongings from your first cabin to your second. I have never changed cabins between legs, so I don't know if you need to pack your stuff for the steward. My suggestion would be to see if you can change your cabin the first leg, so that it is the same both legs.... that is - if it isn't a special room.

[NCTribeFan]

I'm doing my first B2B in November. First leg, I'm solo, then for the 2nd, DD & her new DH are coming along for the honeymoon celebration and my cruising buddy is joining me for my 60th b-day celebration.

 

Leg 1 is 5 days but Leg 2 is only 4. I like the server idea, but I decided I'd give anytime dining a try for Leg 1 to see if I liked or hated it. Maybe not such a good idea as a solo. I may change it back to late.

 

I won't take a laptop. I'm flying, and plan on going light, even though I'll probably fly on SW and could take as much stuff as I wanted. I've never used the free laundry and probably won't start now. My clothes are NOT going in those industrial washers and dryers! I packed for 14 days to Hawaii on HAL with 1 not-huge suitcase and a rolling duffle and came home with unworn clothes.

 

I have the same cabin for both legs. Some have said they received a gift basket at the turnaround. That would be nice!

 

I'm actually booked in the balcony across the hall on Leg 2 and cruising buddy is in my Leg 1 cabin, but I'm actually going to be a surprise DD by switching cabins. She thinks we're all in insides. I plan on going in there and decorating after the steward has had a chance to do his thing. Of course, I'll let him know and the front desk that I'm NOT moving across the hall so they don't move my clothes!

 

Someone also said that they talked to the casino host(ess) and was able to have their points carry over to the 2nd cruise. That would also great! I might even hit the free drinks point by my birthday when we overnight in Nassau! Yee haw! :D

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Your cabin steward will move your belongings from your first cabin to your second. I have never changed cabins between legs, so I don't know if you need to pack your stuff for the steward. My suggestion would be to see if you can change your cabin the first leg, so that it is the same both legs.... that is - if it isn't a special room.

 

 

I don't believe the steward will pack your belongings for you, but he or she will move your luggage.

 

I agree that the OP should see if he or she can change the first leg cabin to have the same one for both legs.

 

We're doing our first B2B in 50 days--can't wait!! :D