Back to back sailings - pros & cons

[The A Team]

;)

We have done B2B out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and New Orleans-no problems at all. We had a crew members form guest services walk us through ICE, and escort us back on the ship. Royal has a special lunch for B2B(Consecutive cruisers).

 

However, we will be doing a B2B in San Juan shortly. Anyone know how that process works in an Juan?

 

We just did a B2B out of San Juan in Feb. It was really smooth! Hung out on the ship until about 11...were escorted off the ship to show our passports, escorted back on & received our new SeaPass. Entire process, maybe 15 minutes (took us that long to walk). This was our first and we loved it...9 islands over the 2 weeks! We really enjoyed having the entire ship to "ourselves" for a few hours. ;)

[The A Team]

We have done a few b2b's and I agree with all that has been

posted. I'm going to throw in a con here. For us, the anticipation

of a cruise is so much a part of the cruise experience. In doing a

b2b we are cheated out on some of our cruise anticipation. I mean

we aren't excited twice as much because the cruise is longer. We're

just happy going on a cruise whether it's a 4 nighter or a 15 nighter.

 

Definate pro for us is saving on airfare and getting to know

the staff and crew.

 

Totally agree on both counts! And we were ready to either go home or stay on a beach more than 1 day!! :D

[FLSteve11]

We are seriously considering doing a 7 night back to back sailing. Both weeks have different itineraries. Luckily, the same stateroom is available for BOTH sailings. :D Should we jump at this oppertunity?

 

Just what are the pros & cons of doing a back to back sailing? Do you have to get off the ship after the first sailing, then get back on? Do you have to take your luggage off with you? Any issues with the Set Sail Pass?

 

Thanking you in advance,

Suzy B

 

The con I can think of, that has not been mentioned, is that you get the same entertainment both weeks. If you enjoy the shows, you'll have the same shows twice. Sometimes you may end up with the same guest entertainment (they generally try to switch it) and some of the trivia can get repeated.

[Laticfanatic617]

Recently did a back to back out of San Juan on different ships. Embarkation/debarkation was so easy. We were last off the Summit and one of the first on the Jewel-- a tip for the porter and we did not even have to wheel our luggage. It was fun seeing different shows and having different menus.

Our only regret: second week we did an ocean view instead of a balcony. We missed the balcony. Should have done this leg first instead of second.

 

That's exactly what I'll be doing in a couple of weeks ... 7 nights on the Allure followed by 13 night TA on the Indy .. was wondering what happened to us when we got off one ship onto another lol

 

Thanks

[Thetrail]

We are seriously considering doing a 7 night back to back sailing. Both weeks have different itineraries. Luckily, the same stateroom is available for BOTH sailings. :D Should we jump at this oppertunity?

 

Just what are the pros & cons of doing a back to back sailing? Do you have to get off the ship after the first sailing, then get back on? Do you have to take your luggage off with you? Any issues with the Set Sail Pass?

 

Thanking you in advance,

Suzy B

Cons????....I would have to say ZERO........:D

[Jan_In_Maine]

We went on our first b2b (on Oasis) last year ... it was a wonderful experience! Only con was after the first leg our kids & grandson left. Being on Oasis for 2 weeks was amazing - we had more opportunity to just relax and we didn't feel if we had to do everything the first week.

 

There was about 50(?) people doing a b2b and they took us off the ship and then back on. We had a wonderful lunch with others we met at Giovanni's.

 

I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[xpcdoojk]

That's exactly what I'll be doing in a couple of weeks ... 7 nights on the Allure followed by 13 night TA on the Indy .. was wondering what happened to us when we got off one ship onto another lol

 

Thanks

 

Hey SOS! Just was reading along and saw my old TA buddy. How are you doing?

 

your friend

 

jc

[jules815]

We are set to take our first B2B in November,2014! We are so excited :D Glad to see so many recommend them.

Our last cruise was "the straw that broke the camels back" ... It was the night before :( and we were standing on the balcony enjoying our "last" bit of cruise. Our neighbors came out and we started talking about this being the sad part of a cruise ..... When he pipes up and says "We're on for another week !!" Fast forward to the next morning when the alarm went off at the _utt crack of dawn ..... I'm thinking they are still over there in the bed. Fast Forward again to where we are standing in a LONG line waiting to get off the ship for 2 hours & I'm thinking , they are enjoying a leisurely breakfast and getting ready to enjoy an empty ship!! :mad::mad:

Back at home, tired, grumpy and covered up in dirty laundry needing to be dealt with ....I march myself over to the computer and add a 2nd week to our already booked future cruise :p ...... Now I can be the one that gets to say "We'er on for another week!!"

 

 

Ditto!

 

I always get so depressed when you start getting the debarkation/customs forms. My vacations not over yet, and I'm already having to think about packing and going home! Hearing the announcement "for those of you who are continuing to sail with us" and wishing we were those people! The sad walk down the hall on the final night when all the bags are out in the hallway. And my inlaws ALWAYS saying, "I'm sure you're just as glad to be back home!" Umm...NO! We always tell them, "Well no, not really." "We could have easily done another week."

 

My husband and I will be taking our first b2b in September; eastern/western on FOS, same stateroom.

 

I don't think I've ever been so excited about a cruise before. :D

[beachgoerzz]

Only did it once and it was great, very easy to win triva on second week since they ask almost the same questions.

 

 

LOL!!!!!!! This made me laugh

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Suzy B]

WOW!! What wonderful responses. Thank you all very much for sharing your B2B experiences; we learned quite a bit. It’s especially nice to read about those who did it in New Orleans as that is where we are now booked for our first B2B. :D

 

Maybe this thread will help others, as well, with their questions about sailing a B2B. Thanks again for all your help & great advice.

 

Happy sailing,

Suzy B

[Laticfanatic617]

Hey SOS! Just was reading along and saw my old TA buddy. How are you doing?

 

your friend

 

jc

 

You have mail lol