Back to Back Advice

[VoyageVirgin]

Hi All,

Other than Roll Calls this is our first posting, so please bear with us if we ask any questions over the next while that want to make your eyes roll. We have read thousands of the posts here at CC and are amazed at the wealth of information and experience in it's members.

 

We have used the search feature extensively and have been able to find answers to most of the questions that we have to this point, even if some of the answers and experiences are sometimes contradictory!

 

Our main question is does anyone have any advice or experience on taking back to back cruises on the same ship?

 

We are booked on the NCL Sun on 02/11/06 (Western Caribbean) and 02/18/06 (Eastern Caribbean). We originally wanted at least a 14 day cruise but by the time we decided, there were very few options available on any cruise lines that had the type of stateroom we wanted. We were able to book the same AD suite for both cruises with the plan that the transition should be smooth and effortless. However our confidence in the TA and NCL's statements that there "should" be no problem is not as strong as if they had said there "would" be no problems.

 

As well even though we would technically qualify as Lattitude members for the second cruise, there was no guarantee that we would see any benefits in time (if there are any worth worrying about). Both cruises were full fare, with no discount for the second booking, if that has any bearing.

 

Any experiences or information would be greatly appreciated.

[gregandamy]

Since you'll be a Latitudes member for the second cruise, make sure you go to the Latitudes party.:) I think you also have to get off the ship and then get back on, not sure about luggage, though.

[jscruise]

I can only relate my experience on a B2B on RCI's Enchantment of the Seas two years ago. We had booked the same cabin for both cruises as you have. On the morning of debarkation, we had to report to the reception desk. At that time we needed our 2nd cruise tickets and passports. Reception presented us with our new key cards and we were escorted off the ship. We immediately proceeded back on the ship. All lugage was left in the room. Let your room steward know that you will be doing a back to back.

 

Hope this helps.

 

NCL

Dreamward, Dream, s/s Norway (2), Sun, Sea, Dawn

 

RCI

Enchantment (2)

 

Carnival

Pride

 

Princess

Crown (July 2006)

[Planer's Edge]

We have not personally been able to do a back to back cruise yet. But, we have friends who have taken BtoB's on NCL.

 

I don't believe they had to leave the ship for any reason whatsoever. They did receive new key cards for the second voyage only because these keys will not stand up to two weeks of swiping activity. Their security photos and onboard accounts were just carried over to the new cards. This is the same as if you had a damaged card during a one week cruise.

 

PE<---dreams of a back to back in a Penthouse Suite...

[NJGRANNY]

We've done back-to-backs on Princess and on Celebrity. We had the same cabins for each portion of the cruise. The process varied a little, but, basically they'll give you a time to meet and escort you through customs. Both times, this was just a "walk-through" type of thing. On one of the cruises, we just got back on, and on the other we had plans and went outside and on with our day.

 

We received our new room cards the night before the first cruise was ending.

 

If you have different cabins, the procedure would be the same only you have to move your luggage to the other cabin. I've read many places that they'll help you with this.

 

It feels really good to stay on the ship when everyone else is leaving. :-)

It was interesting though with the cruises on Princess, things were slightly different on the second cruise. It almost made us feel that we were on a different ship.

 

Have a great time.

[CRUZIN TOM]

You will definitly receive new key cards as all the rooms will have their locks reset so no one can use their card on future cruises for the same room. This is the same for statndard hotels with mag strips on the cards. Enjoy, wish I was doing 2 weeks..............:)

[VoyageVirgin]

Thanks to everyone for the information. It seems to match what NCL told us in that for technical or legal reasons, we would be escorted off the ship, then right back on again. We couldn't get an explanation as to why this was necessary other than it was "the policy". I don't see any problems, as long as they don't take away any part bottles of alcohol and make us start with a new "Bar SetUp" for the second cruise!

[Host CMLA]

Thanks to everyone for the information. It seems to match what NCL told us in that for technical or legal reasons, we would be escorted off the ship, then right back on again. We couldn't get an explanation as to why this was necessary other than it was "the policy".

It's a customs thing. You need to clear customs and then re embark for the second cruise. I know several people that have done back to backs and they had to settle their onboard account like everyone else at the end of the first week for the accountants.