Considering first back to back, any advise regarding things to keep in mind?

[MNKEITH]

Hello,

 

We just got back from our Vista cruise on 3/5. It went great and we are considering doing a back to back on her next year. We have the 6 day cruise picked out (sailing 3/4/18), we just need to decide if the 8 day will be before or after the 6 day.

 

We have never done a B2B and I was wondering if there are any specifics I should keep in mind before actually booking? Pros and cons sort of stuff.

 

Thanks

[SadieN]

Try to get the same cabin both legs, otherwise you'll have to pack up. The Stewards will move your luggage for you. (We made sure to put our new cabin's luggage tag on all luggage to make it easier.

[meatloafsfan]

Many of the menus will be repeats (though you'll have 2 different ones on the 8 day that aren't available on the 6 day). Most of the entertainment will be a repeat (though again, you'll have 2 days of new stuff).

 

You can request the same servers and MDR table for both cruises.

[Clemson Cruiser]

Following as we are doing a back to back this summer on Elation.

 

It appears that you get a letter in your cabin for a time to meet in the lobby at Debarkation. They will lead you off, through customs and then back on the ship. You will receive a new cruise card. Some have reported, if there is a large group of b2b guests, they will have you meet in the lounge and bring customs aboard instead. Also, you may have a group picture with the other b2b guests taken and free mimosas when you are brought back on.

 

I am curious as to the protocol for the liquor on the first leg of the trip? Are you able to pick it up and have it for the next cruise, or is it kept until your final day?

[Cruiserbarbie]

If you determine what trips you want, some b2b's can be purchased as 1 trip. Therefore you stay in the same cabin, your card is valid for the whole trip and when we took our b2b found it very simple. I don;'t remember if we had to do the emergency drill again or not but that is no big deal for us to do.

[jerjer810]

when filling out the pre cruise pack for the second cruise do you just put in the same info about where you stayed before and flights?

[springs741]

We just did a back to back in November of 2016. Our experience was it could not be booked as one cruise but rather was two separate cruises. We met at a specific time were issued our new cards walked off the ship cleared customs and walked back on. There were 15 cruisers on our B2B. We did have to attend the drill again. Yes the menus are repeated but it give you an opportunity to make other choices. The same can be said for the entertainment. There are often two events that overlap and by doing the second cruise you get to do it all.

[vantec]

Make sure you link the two cruises so it is known that you are doing a B2B. I don't know how you do it (I'm guessing your travel agent, or Carnival Rep can handle it for you) - we didn't know to do that when we booked online, so we did not get the letter explaining what to do at the end of the first cruise. When we went and asked for instructions they had no idea we were doing a B2B - totally our fault and we'll know better next time.

[riclop]

Try and get the same cabin.

[MNKEITH]

Thanks for the insight everyone!

[bnorris10]

I have always wanted to do a B2B but I almost feel as though I rather just take another cruise a few months later opposed to B2B

[bakersdozen12]

If you determine what trips you want, some b2b's can be purchased as 1 trip. Therefore you stay in the same cabin, your card is valid for the whole trip and when we took our b2b found it very simple. I don;'t remember if we had to do the emergency drill again or not but that is no big deal for us to do.

 

 

What cruise line was this on? Because I'm fairly certain that Carnival does not do this. You have to book them separately and have two separate booking numbers, and will get separate S&S cards your second leg. And your S&S account doesn't transfer over, either.

 

 

 

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[TrqoisWtrs]

I have always wanted to do a B2B but I almost feel as though I rather just take another cruise a few months later opposed to B2B

 

True, but some of us have to fly in to cruise, so more bang for the buck with a B2B, and if you get a ship that alternates itineraries, its like two separate cruises. Plus you can't beat the the feeling when you dock and everyone gets off, but you still have another week. :D

[telebax51]

Make sure you link the two cruises so it is known that you are doing a B2B. I don't know how you do it (I'm guessing your travel agent, or Carnival Rep can handle it for you) - we didn't know to do that when we booked online, so we did not get the letter explaining what to do at the end of the first cruise. When we went and asked for instructions they had no idea we were doing a B2B - totally our fault and we'll know better next time.

 

I'm doing my first BTB on the Horizon 2018 and my PVP took care of notifying carnival, we cannot book the same cabin because it has been booked but will be ok with that our first 24 day cruise so excited.

[rjrpar]

I would prefer doing 1 longer cruise. On a B2B, you will be using 2-3 days in the middle just to get back to the original port to pickup new passengers. On a 14 day cruise, you will visit 2-3 additional ports over the B2B. Check out Celebrity, several 11-14 night cruises. Just my opinion

 

 

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[Cruzin2paradise09]

Carnival does NOT require linking your 2 bookings. They will already know.

 

 

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[Irie]

It is fun cause you feel really great you are staying on and not in the zoo getting off after week one!

[Clemson Cruiser]

I guess there are various reasons for doing a b2b. We were scheduled to do a 5 day on the Elation, and then spend three days in St. Augustine. When I priced the four day cruise leaving after our 5 day, and it was cheaper than the St. Augustine trip, it was a no brainer to sail again for us.

[coevan]

If you determine what trips you want, some b2b's can be purchased as 1 trip. Therefore you stay in the same cabin, your card is valid for the whole trip and when we took our b2b found it very simple. I don;'t remember if we had to do the emergency drill again or not but that is no big deal for us to do.

 

 

no, no, and no You have to book 2 separate cruises. You must close out your account the night before including all OBC and casino credits. You will start with a zero balance minus any new OBC for the second leg. Life drills are mandatory for all passengers by the USCG on all cruises. The life drills are now done in the show rooms and dining rooms. Every sign and sail card is scanned and they will not begin the drill until ALL passengers have check in. They actually called 8 people by name and cabin on the loud speakers. Yes the drill is a big deal and also maritime law.

 

To the OP the only bad part about a B2B is you will never go back to a week again.

[DreadPirateRobert]

We did our first B2B last June and it was wonderful! The feeling that your cabin is home for 2 whole weeks was indescribable. Our ship, the Freedom, was doing different itineraries on those weeks so there was be excitement of different ports. The midpoint day was great. Everyone else was grumbling about their vacation ending but we still had another week.

We waLked off, went through customs and were back on in 30 minutes or less. We just grabbed a place by the pool and watched all the new folks coming aboard with wide eyes and excited looks. It was fun.

The crew was great, remembering us like "Oh, you're still here..." I swear we got better service.

Do a B2B at least once.

[SNJCruisers]

IF you're going to be purchasing Cheers for one of your legs, decide if you want it to be for the 6 or the 8 and then do that cruise first.

[vantec]

Carnival does NOT require linking your 2 bookings. They will already know.

 

 

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Wish that had been true for us - they didn't have a clue when we were on the Vista in January.

[telebax51]

I don't like surprises so i will give GS a visit when i board just to make sure they know we are booked BTB

[mistycruiser]

Yes B2B are great but it's definitely worth it to have the same room for both legs so you don't have to repack. You mentioned looking at the 8 days at either the first leg or last leg so call Carnival and they can check and see if you can find a cabin available for both legs. Yes Carnival does need to know that you are doing a B2B. I have a PVP so she handles all that for me but you can check at guest services early on the first cruise to make sure they have you on the list. The night before the first cruise ends they should deliver a letter to the cabin letting you know where to meet and they'll escort you off the ship, thru customs and then back on the ship. Just as an FYI, I used the change over day to go to the self service laundry on board when no one was on board yet and had the place all to myself. I'm Diamond and could use the free laundry but I keep hearing they wash everything in hot so I just prefer to do it myself and if I do laundry half way thru I don't need to take as many clothes.

[Cruiserbarbie]

I checked my Carnival record and we did not do a b2b with them so rules may have been a bit different on whatever cruise line we were on. The only info Carnival has about b2b is that liquor gets picked up at the end of the second trip.