Back2Back Cruise Ideas?

[Coolauntangie]

I am considering taking a back to back cruise next January or February. Has anyone done this, what was your opinion? Is there any ships or itineraries you recommend?

 

Thanks in advance!

[firedisney97]

We are taking our very 1st B2B Feb 2018 on the Glory. Doing the Eastern starting Feb 3rd and then doing the Western on Feb 10. Have friends joining us on the 2nd leg but the 1st leg is just DH and I and I am so looking forward to this. We have not had a vacation in 10 years and 2018 is our 20th wedding anniversary. I can't give you much advise on a B2B since this is our first but I am really looking forward to it

[beachbum6264]

The only B2B we've done was on HAL, they sold the 2 as one cruise. It was a 10 day and an 11 day - Southern and Eastern Caribbean. I could have stayed on for another 21 days. I would do another B2B for sure, as long as the two were different itineraries. Eastern and Western or Eastern and Southern would be my choices.

[easyboy]

We will be doing a B2B next week. Our primary reason was to have an extended pampered life on the ship, while visiting more but preciously visited ports for new excursions.

[DreadPirateRobert]

We did a B2B on the Freedom in June. Wow, what a wonderful experience. Knowing we were "home" for 14 days was an indescribable feeling. Freedom was doing different itineraries those 2 weeks. That was really fun.

Turn around day was easy and so relaxing. The staff made it all painless.

Crew members remembered us. Service was great and I swear it was better the second week.

If you have the time and the funds, it is so worthwhile.

[RHilla619]

I never have, but would absolutely love to. Just can't be gone for 2 weeks right now in my career lol. I would look into a ship that has rotating itineraries, or a port multiple ships sailing from it (Miami). Personally it would seem like a waste to be to do the same route back to back, like the Pride out of Baltimore runs a lot of same routes. I would look for a combination where one week it goes southern caribbean, and then the other week it's west bound towards ocho rios/cozumel.

[meatloafsfan]

My recommendation is to look for cruises that do 2 different itineraries - like eastern week 1 and western week 2. It means no repeated ports.

 

You could also look at ships that do 6 day and then 8 days (Vista comes to mind) or even 5 day then 8 day (I think from port Canaveral the Sunshine does some of these). Because they are different lengths, you get some new stuff on the longer cruise that you wouldn't get on the shorter one (activities, menus, etc.).

 

Carnival also has laundry facilities on board so no need to pack for the entire time - I'd plan to do laundry at some point (just not on the last day of your first cruise).

[Ohio Bucki]

I've done three B2B cruises on Carnival. Make sure to book the same cabin for both weeks so that you don't have to pack up at the end of week one. Take a ship that alternates schedule, ports from one week to another. Enjoy the empty ship between the time that the passengers from week one leave to when the passengers from week two begin to arrive, maybe 45 mins. to an hour.

[telebax51]

I will be doing my first BTB on the new Horizon, retired so no job waiting we will fly into Paris for 3 days then on to Barcelona for 3 days then embarkation 10 days did not book the same cabin then from Barcelona back to the states New York. 1 month vacation i'm afraid i will be BTB addicted no more 7 day cruises

[bakersdozen12]

I recommend the Conquest. Great ship, and it has fantastic itineraries that alternate, so you can find two that are totally different. The picture posted shows examples of the itineraries they do. As you can see, you could even do a B2B2B and not repeat the same itinerary. My husband and I are doing the 2nd and 3rd ones shown as a B2B in Feb/Mar of 2019 for our 10th anniversary. We have the same room for both, and as of today, we could book the 1st itinerary too in the same room if only we could afford it and could take that much time off work.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[evandbob]

B2B's are great ways to maximize your travel expenses to the port, especially if you are flying or driving a long distance.

 

I did my 1st B2B on the Conquest eastern and western itinerary and followed up with a 10 eastern and 11 day southern Journey cruise in January 2016. Makes the winter go by quicker too!

[2Shoes2Go]

We always talk to the Maitre'd near end of first leg to set up table request. Also, we touch base with new cabin steward, if changing cabins. Always make sure your cc info is carried forward. :)

[BalzacBill]

We have a B2B booked for January on the Magic out of Port Canaveral. 1 week eastern Caribbean, 1 week western. Like the variety of ports.

[Budget Queen]

I am considering taking a back to back cruise next January or February. Has anyone done this, what was your opinion? Is there any ships or itineraries you recommend?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

I have done several, along with several on different ships. My priority is itinerary. I don't find Carnival, with a lot of ship switching between E and W Caribbean, my preference. In January, as example, I went from the Glory to the Splendor for my snorkel, W itinerary priority. I was on another line for 5 weeks, due to the itinerary last Nov/Dec. I'm on another 2 cruises on Friday for 17 days.

 

In some cases, the food gets a little repetitive. But, I also don't cruise for the food. I can always find something. :)

 

You don't read much other than raves with back to back cruises. So, I'm sure you will enjoy them.

[SIENA6334]

We have a couple B2B planned. I was so excited when I saw Miracle was going back to Tampa. I wanted to do a B2B on her but was so disappointed to see she does an identical itinerary every week. It's a shame. Would be easy to do a 6 day western and an 8 day southern or at least mix up western ports.

[Charlie1422]

We are planning to do a b2b on the Conquest next year. If in the same cabin, do we have to disembark after the first leg or can we just stay aboard? Would hate to have to do the embarkation think again.

 

Sent from my XT1650 using Forums mobile app

[BalzacBill]

From what I have read on other posts, all B2B cruisers meet in a designated spot on board, get escorted to Customs, then straight back onto the ship. You get a letter the night before telling you where and when to meet.

[Charlie1422]

From what I have read on other posts, all B2B cruisers meet in a designated spot on board, get escorted to Customs, then straight back onto the ship. You get a letter the night before telling you where and when to meet.

Thank you!

 

Sent from my XT1650 using Forums mobile app

[coevan]

on the Dream January 2016 we did not leave the ship. There were too many B2B for the normal process. The customs agents were seated in the showroom on stage. We were called Diamond, Platinum, Gold and so on. As we walked out of the theater there were a bunch of CCL employees taking new pictures and handing out new S&S cards, pretty painless. The weirdest part of B2B is between 10-11 nothing is open, it's kind of weird walking around an empty ship. We went up to the Serenity deck and chilled for an hour.

[grandmacani]

We've done 2 b2b cruises. Sunshine and Vista last med and the transatlantic. It was so much fun. 10 days running, doing shore excursions then a couple of ports on the transatlantic. Lots of relaxation days. Booked to do it again on the Horizon next April.

[bakersdozen12]

The weirdest part of B2B is between 10-11 nothing is open, it's kind of weird walking around an empty ship. We went up to the Serenity deck and chilled for an hour.

 

 

We never got to experience this on my B2B on the Conquest. By the time they got us back onboard, the next cruise was already boarding. I'm hoping things will go more smoothly on my next B2B!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[LizaMM]

I will be doing my first B2B this May on the Splendor :D

 

I have always read such wonderful things about B2B cruising that it has been on my bucket list and I am finally doing it for my BIG upcoming birthday.

 

I agree with previous posters....look for a ship that does alternating routes of some sort. Such as 7 days Eastern and then 7 days Western - OR - a ship that does alternating 6 day/8 day sailings....this is what I am doing. My first leg will be a 6 day and my daughter , who is also celebrating a BIG birthday will join me on that leg.... I will remain onboard for the 8 day, she will depart and my friend will then join me.

 

I will have to change cabins as I could not select the same cabin for both cruises in my desired location. I am very interested in hearing any responses as to how changing cabins was handled.....I am on the port side for one leg and switch to starboard side , "just around the corner", for the second leg so I am hoping it is a fairly painless process!

[Coolauntangie]

Thank you to all of you, you went above and beyond with your help! I am scouring the itineraries to get about 14 days! This board is great for getting help, again thanks for your responses!

[hightownCO]

Was supposed to do my first b2b last August on the Dream but at the end of the first leg, daughter at home got some medical news and I needed to go home. Trying it again this August 13th & 20th! Bucket list!

 

First time in interior however and somewhat nervous about the 14 day commitment. But just a quick run down the stairs and will have all of the promenade as my balcony!

[Coolauntangie]

Was supposed to do my first b2b last August on the Dream but at the end of the first leg, daughter at home got some medical news and I needed to go home. Trying it again this August 13th & 20th! Bucket list!

 

First time in interior however and somewhat nervous about the 14 day commitment. But just a quick run down the stairs and will have all of the promenade as my balcony!

 

Something I found out last time on our cruise with interior rooms is the rooms in the front of the ship, I think J, faces the immediate front and has a beautiful window, and it is very close to the decks on the front that I think are a hidden gem!