Doing Back to Back Cruises

[JasmineB]

I'm booked on a 7 day RT from Galveston on the Crown. If I book a second week (and I see rooms are available, and less than I paid for the week I've already booked but which is beyond final payment) -- do the two trips count as 2 toward my Elite Status (actually taking the second cruise would give me elite status on my NEXT cruise after that) --- but I'm wondering if B2Bs count as two.

 

Also, is there any price break in booking B2Bs. It appears I'd have to switch rooms as the room I need is not available on both trips. Would I actually have to get OFF the ship and reboard? Or just go hang at the pool with my luggage while one room is cleaned and the other prepared on turn around day?

 

What else am I missing here? Are there any pros or cons I haven't considered?

[Pam in CA]

There is often a price break if you book it as one cruise but then you get just one credit. If you book them as separate cruises, you get a credit for each but you'll pay more. Throw into the mix the OBC you get from your TA which can also be a factor when booking as one or two cruises. Plus, if you book as one cruise, you get just one Internet package as Platinum; if you book as two cruises, you get a package for each although the packages will be smaller.

 

It's up to you whether the additional expense by booking as two cruises is offset by OBC or Internet, and whether getting to Elite this way is worth it.

 

If you're already booked, you may have to book the second cruise as a separate booking so all this might be moot. I don't think you can add a cruise to an existing booking. I know that if you have one booking for both cruises, you can't cancel one without canceling the entire B2B.

[JasmineB]

Thanks, Pam, my inclination is to book the second cruise separately, but I was wondering what pitfalls I might be walking into. Thanks for your input.

 

If I do book as two separate (and since I may or may not have to switch rooms), does anyone know if they will be linked somehow so the folks onboard will not make us exit the ship and go thru customs and pick up luggage and return and reboard, or do we have to do that either way? My husband is disabled and if I have to go thru all that process, I'm thinking I may not want to book the second cruise at all.

 

And I will ask my TA before I do anything, but you all are so knowledgeable and I wanted a quick answer, so thanks.

[Pam in CA]

No. You do not have to go through Customs. However, depending on the turnaround port, you will have to get off the ship and re- board with your new card. This is for Immigration and Princess will assist you. If you're planning to get off the ship anyway, then you're doing that anyway.

 

Your bookings would be linked. If you have a different cabin, packing is very easy. Just pack the stuff in drawers or on shelves and leave everything hanging in the closet. Your steward will move everything for you, including re-hanging your clothing.

 

You'll receive a new card and instructions the day before arriving at the turnaround port. I just did this last month in San Francisco. I'd booked Vancouver to SF and then SF to FLL. I got my new card and the next morning, just exited the ship. When I returned later, I re-boarded with my new card. I had to go through Security but that was the only thing. Oh, and have a new photo taken for my new card. Those planning not to get off the ship met in a lounge, and were then escorted off the ship and re-boarded with the new card and photo.

[AKman2495]

Two things, We booked a 17 day repositioning cruise from Vancouver to FLL the we went on last Sept. It was also sold as a 3 day costal and a 14 day Panama Canal Cruise.

 

Once we sailed, and after the turn around in LA, the princess member circle desk decided to credit us with 2 cruises. Odd, but true.

 

That cruise was handled exactly like a back to back in that we got new cruise cards, and everything.

 

I recently did book a back 2 back out of Galveston -a 4 day sampler and the following 7 day western Caribbean cruise on the Caribbean Princess, as a back to back. The travel agent took care of it all.

 

When I go to my personalizer, they show up as two separate cruises. We have the same cabin for both cruises and everything is treated separately.

 

If you do book the two cruises as a back to back, you will get a letter explaining what you do as an "in transit" passenger -with you new cruise card.

 

There will be no problems -especially if you keep the same room.

 

Enjoy....

[JasmineB]

Ok, this is exciting, waiting for my TA to get back to me with confirmation.

[OhioDogLover]

We 're doing our first b2b next month and are very excited. We booked it as two cruises. We had the same cabin for both legs. A couple of weeks ago, we got an offer to upgrade our OV to a suite for cheap on the first leg, so we took it. it will be hard to go back to the OV, but I guess we will manage. I don't know, of course, if we would have received the upgrade offer if we had booked it as one cruise. I tend to think not, but then, what do I know? Nothing, that's what.

 

Enjoy your cruises!

 

 

Ohiodoglover

[caribill]

If booked as one (one booking number) or two (two booking numbers) cruises you can now get two cruise credits. If book as one cruise, sometimes you need to ask for the second credit.

 

Have your travel agent link the two segments together so Princess will know you are a continuing passenger. The linking does not happen automatically.

[ChiefBoats]

B2B's are counted as two separate cruises.

[JasmineB]

I'm now booked as two trips in the same room for both weeks and am doubly excited to be spending 14 days onboard the Crown. Itin is the same both weeks, but any port is better than a day at work.

;)

[WendyG]

One plus for the B2B (I just did my first one although Bermuda didn't happen!) but you don't have to go to the 2nd muster!

 

We had different rooms too (never again) it was simple as they moved us (hanging clothes and all) but we had a mini suite the first cruise and moved to a regular balcony. Let's just say you really don't notice the difference if you sail a few months in between, but only mini suites for us from now on. The bathroom made all the difference in the world!

 

Good luck with the OV after having a fabulous cabin.... :D

[Grammyluvs]

We are booked on a 27 day cruise which is actually b2b, but booked as one. Will we get new cards like the b2b? We stay in the same cabin.

[susancruzs]

Yes, even though you are in the same cabin, one cruise for you, 2 for the cruise line. They close the books, start the next. I'm doing the same, 27 days in 2013.

 

As someone mentioned, the info comes to your cabin, with exact instructions. You get a new card, and from what I read, a new picture. On my previous B2Bs, they gave me a new card but used the same picture. They make the process very easy.

 

Friends of mine ran into trouble in New York because of port rules. They got off in NY then had trouble getting back onboard. I got off in Southampton, walked to a store and got right back onboard with no problems. I love B2Bs, so cool staying onboard!

[JasmineB]

I'm afraid I will never want to get off the ship after two weeks.

 

And I can't believe my good fortune in finding another handicapped accessible room still available at this late date, there were actually several to choose from but only one or two that I could keep for both weeks, which I did. I am now on Riviera but I checked to make sure there were cabins above rather than public areas. Previously I was on Caribe. Since I moved from a BA to a BB, I got a refund on the first cruise and the prices have gone down a bit after final payment so this is a total win-win for me.

[caribill]

\\Friends of mine ran into trouble in New York because of port rules. They got off in NY then had trouble getting back onboard.

 

We have no problem. We just show the "In Transit" pass that Princess gives you. Of course this must be after the ship has been "zeroed out" of the passengers on the voyage that ended, usually by 10:30 AM.

[susancruzs]

Good point, and that is probably what happened! They wanted to get off, take a few pics and get right back onboard, I bet.

[Grammyluvs]

We have no problem. We just show the "In Transit" pass that Princess gives you. Of course this must be after the ship has been "zeroed out" of the passengers on the voyage that ended, usually by 10:30 AM.

 

Having to wait bothers me as we wanted to do some touring in Copenhagen.. Wondering if we have to wait till ship is zeroed out how to plan. Do they have a system for people staying on for next leg to be able to leave early to do tours? We are doing it ourselves.....or at least we had hoped to. Is that clear as mud?

[caribill]

Having to wait bothers me as we wanted to do some touring in Copenhagen.. Wondering if we have to wait till ship is zeroed out how to plan. Do they have a system for people staying on for next leg to be able to leave early to do tours? We are doing it ourselves.....or at least we had hoped to. Is that clear as mud?

 

You can disembark for your sight seeing as early as the first departing passengers are allowed to disembark.

 

You will exit the ship with your old cruise card and reboard after your sightseeing with your new cruise card.