Back to Back

[Bazzybuggs]

I like the idea of a B2B cruise. What’s the best way to organise this? And what are the pros and cons?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[kona_wahine]

I booked mine direct with carnival on the internet. I made sure the room i wanted was available for both legs of the cruise, then booked it. Some people want to change rooms, we didn’t. Pros are its easy, and you get a very short time without other people on the ship. The only con i can come up with was ours was 8 and 6 day, and the 6 day people were way more rude and pushy. Other than that, no cons. I was advised here to call carnival to have it flagged our cruises were b2b, which i did. Some people say you don’t need to do this, but i think you do. Our steward was aware right away, so we discussed it with him.

[firefly333]

pros, for instance out of galveston, i can stay at a hotel with free car parking, and parking doesnt cost me for 2 weeks, plus the gas to and from.

 

if you have to fly to a port, you have to fly in twice for each leg plus i always go the night before so thats a extra hotel night each leg if done separately.

 

pro: nothing like having the ship to yourself. they guide you off and back on before the other passengers.

 

cons, my parents might get sick, its more expensive if i have to cancel?

 

ive never gotten the same cabin for both legs, i tend to have just added a week on for various reasons. so i had to pack up and move my stuff. yes i know they say the steward will, but so far none have actually seemed willing and ive offered them a tip. they say they are too busy getting cabins ready for the next batch on, dissapear if they say they will etc. Ive maybe 3 B2Bs.

 

Oh one time i caught a cold the first leg who knows from who and was sick by the end of the first week, and spent the 2nd week sick with a cold.

 

But of course you cant have too many cruises, so really i would do a B2B a lot more if my parents could do without me. I drive them and do all their shopping and 2 weeks is a long time away from them.

 

You could combine say a 4 and a 5 day often for cheaper than a 7 day cruise. ive seen some great rates on those shorter cruises. always a lot of pros, thats why people do them? few cons

[Garth2]

We've done several B2B. Always get the same cabin for both legs. Call Carnival to have them "link" both bookings & then verify this with Guest Services after you board (but not the 1st day). And the day you begin the 2nd leg you get to watch all the long faces leave the ship, and all the new guests trying to find their way around.

[bjd2]

We just did our first B2B. I surprised my husband with the 2nd leg. I book really far out and when I decided to book the 2nd leg, our cabin was still available. I would say the only con is having to do the muster drill twice. Our 2nd one seemed so long.

 

On turn around morning, we laid in bed until nearly 9:30 while there was commotion everywhere else. We had told our steward not to worry about our cabin that morning. It was so relaxing to saunter down to the meeting place at 9:45 and wait to be escorted through customs and right back on.

[jmcancruise]

Warning b2bs are ADDICTIVE!!!

[peteandpris]

We are going on our second B2B Sept.8-Sept.21 on the Carnival Sunshine. It is such a great feeling to know that your vacation isn't over. We have also taken a Journey Cruise where you stay away for the whole time. I can't wait. I always book thru Carnival. I have been dealing with the same rep. since 2005. Good luck and have fun.

[gatour]

Definitely try to stay in the same cabin for both legs. It is a pleasure not pack while others are.

[Life_Traveler]

We try and only do B2B. in fact we leave on the horizon this weekend for 24 days. 10 day European and 14 day TA. i only do it when i can get the same cabin for both legs and usually do them through carnival 800 number as its easier for them to find a room available on both legs.

[chocolate melting cake]

We have done a few---and are heading for a B2B on the Horizon this weekend. The others have covered most of the pros----there are normally two cons: the menu is repeated on the second cruise (not a big deal since there are many choices each day----but annoying); and the shows are repeated each week---again, not too bad, we'll usually go to the comedy or elsewhere unless we really enjoyed the show the first time around.

[Towel Critter]

Cons... hmmm... I can't think of one. :-)