B2B two short cruises - good, bad, ugly? Really need opinions!

[mentor1000]

Quick facts:

• I organize a cruise for a group of our friends (30is people - families with kids)
• About 6-7 previous cruises for this group - all 7 day Caribbean on RCCL
• We like Freedom class or above ships
• A mix of cruising for the ship amenities & activities AND ports

 

Here are 2 options for summer 2024:

• A 7-day cruise on Oasis to Caribbean with ports none of us care about (1 Honduras and 2 in Mexico). Love the ship
• A B2B on Independence (3+4 days) that would stop at Coco-cay twice (we all love it). Like the ship

 

I was leaning towards a B2B because of Coco Cay but then started thinking of the cons. Can any seasoned B2B pros share some opinions on these CONS:

 

1. Turnaround day - do you feel like you lose a day of vacation? You have to go through customs, may have to change rooms (meaning pack and unpack again), second muster drill, 1st day crowds on the ship (until they open cabins) are painful. Can you even get in your cabin during that time?
    
2. Dining menu - would they repeat for the 3 and 4 day cruises? We always do the dining room and like the food there. But would this mean we'd repeat the same 3 menus twice?
    
3. No lobster - I don't think they do lobster on shorter cruises, right? Our group is all about lobsters
    
4. Formal nights - we're those rare people that love to dress up nicely and take photos. Shorter cruises do have "dress to impress" nights but I think the attitude is a lot more lax (shorts and flipflops) than on longer cruises.
    
5. Shows and game shows - would the headliner and guest shows repeat? Also, I guess, there would also be 2 of each main activity - love & marriage, belly flop, sexiest man, and the likes… We do like ship shows and activities.
    
6. Service - maybe it's me but I always felt that service was better on longer cruises where the staff (cabin steward, bartenders, dining room) felt like getting more involved (probably more tips in mind). On 3 & 4 days, I felt like they were just churning over batches of passengers.

 

PROs

1. 2 days at Coco Cay! We'd spend a week there if we could. We probably wouldn't even disembark on the longer cruise (which gets really boring).
2. Twice the Diamond benefits - internet days, wine coupons, photos… (we have a few Diamonds in the group)

 

The B2B is slightly more expensive (about $150/pp) due to addl. set of port fees but it's not the biggest factor.

 

Any advice would be greatly welcomed!!

[orville99]

45 minutes ago, mentor1000 said:

Quick facts:

• I organize a cruise for a group of our friends (30is people - families with kids)
• About 6-7 previous cruises for this group - all 7 day Caribbean on RCCL
• We like Freedom class or above ships
• A mix of cruising for the ship amenities & activities AND ports

 

Here are 2 options for summer 2024:

• A 7-day cruise on Oasis to Caribbean with ports none of us care about (1 Honduras and 2 in Mexico). Love the ship
• A B2B on Independence (3+4 days) that would stop at Coco-cay twice (we all love it). Like the ship

 

I was leaning towards a B2B because of Coco Cay but then started thinking of the cons. Can any seasoned B2B pros share some opinions on these CONS:

 

1. Turnaround day - do you feel like you lose a day of vacation? You have to go through customs,You meet in the theater, and walk of the ship in a group, go through customs (facial recognition and then walk back on the ship. may have to change rooms (meaning pack and unpack again) Depending on what the process is at the time uyou cruise, you may have to pack everything up, or just pack what is not hanging in the closet., second muster drillMuster drills are done on the app, so it takes all of 5 minutes to complete, 1st day crowds on the ship (until they open cabins) are painful. Can you even get in your cabin during that time? You will get your new seapass cards when you meet to walk off the ship, so you can go back to your cabin as soon as you re-board
2. Dining menu - would they repeat for the 3 and 4 day cruises? We always do the dining room and like the food there. But would this mean we'd repeat the same 3 menus twice? Possibly, but they may switch up a night or two on the longer leg
    
3. No lobster - I don't think they do lobster on shorter cruises, right? Our group is all about lobsters You can order it off the menu for $16.99.
    
4. Formal nights - we're those rare people that love to dress up nicely and take photos. Shorter cruises do have "dress to impress" nights but I think the attitude is a lot more lax (shorts and flipflops) than on longer cruises. Much more casual, but there will be one dress up night for pictures etc.
    
5. Shows and game shows - would the headliner and guest shows repeat? Also, I guess, there would also be 2 of each main activity - love & marriage, belly flop, sexiest man, and the likes… We do like ship shows and activities. They will probably repeat most of them
    
6. Service - maybe it's me but I always felt that service was better on longer cruises where the staff (cabin steward, bartenders, dining room) felt like getting more involved (probably more tips in mind). On 3 & 4 days, I felt like they were just churning over batches of passengers. We have never experienced any change in service level between long or short cruises

 

PROs

1. 2 days at Coco Cay! We'd spend a week there if we could. We probably wouldn't even disembark on the longer cruise (which gets really boring).
2. Twice the Diamond benefits - internet days, wine coupons, photos… (we have a few Diamonds in the group)

 

The B2B is slightly more expensive (about $150/pp) due to addl. set of port fees but it's not the biggest factor.

 

Any advice would be greatly welcomed!!

Responses buried in your post:

[OCSC Mike]

We did a B2B on Indy last July (primarily for the double Coco Cay stop) and loved it. However, based on your list of CONS, I'm not sure you'd be happy with it besides the Coco Cay part.

 

1. Turnaround day didn't bother us at all, even switching cabins. Anything you leave hanging up will be moved to your new cabin on the hangers. You only have to pack the rest, which will of course also be moved for you. We used that morning's diamond vouchers on some iced coffees and bottled waters at Cafe Promenade and then reported to the Star Lounge around 9am or so while everyone else disembarked. We were eventually given new sea pass cards, led off the ship, spent maybe 15 minutes in the terminal, and went right back on to hang out on an empty ship until the new passengers boarded... it was kind of cool and eerie at the same time.

 

2. Yes, the menus will repeat except for the extra night. We don't care for the MDR so that didn't bother us either.

 

3. No FREE lobster.

 

4. Less formal although formal nights aren't all that formal on 7-night Oasis class caribbean cruises either.

 

5. The headliner may or may not repeat but good chance a lot of the entertainment will be the same (i.e. we didn't go the same trivia twice, lol).

 

6. Had great service, no difference to us between long and short cruises.

 

My impression is you'll be happier on Oasis but hope my info helps.

 

 

 

[cruisegirl1]

I've done 3/4 night B2B cruises but am not a fan and avoid it if I can.   You lose half a day on turnaround.  Yes  that is the same for a B2B, but if I am on a 7N/7N or  8N/6N  etc. the loss of half a day is not bad.  I am not a fan of the 3 day crowd. 

 

Whatever you decide,  have fun.

M

 

 

 

[Starry Eyes]

Another point to consider: generally the shorter the cruise, the more of a party crowd it tends to draw.  So, if you are totally party people, that’s a plus in the the b2b short cruise’s column.  If you are less party people, the plus goes in the other column.

 

For me, I’d go with the 7 day, I do not like turnaround days that well.

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Starry Eyes

[Thisguylikestocruise]

I’m doing something similar. Have a 5/4 night b2b booked on Voyager. 2 days Coco Cay which is a favorite port for us. The option to get a drink package for 1/2 the b2b is another perk. Fits into my work schedule perfectly and saves a little money compared to other 9 night cruises I looked at. The E-muster takes us less than 30 seconds now. Personally I feel like the pros outweigh the cons.

[mentor1000]

All great points! The party cruise is what I was thinking too and it would be a negative for us.

 

I agree that with the price of drink packages, it would be beneficial to be able to buy it for just half of the cruise.

 

So hard to decide!

[SG65CB]

You can treat turnaround day like a port stop, get off the ship and go on an excursion or to the beach. 

 

They'll give you an in-transit pass when you leave so you don't have to go through the check-in process when you return - other than going through security. 

[SG65CB]

Double Diamond drinks on turnaround day? Four drinks with breakfast, four more after reboarding. 

 

Does it work this way?

[cruisegirl1]

1 hour ago, SG65CB said:

Double Diamond drinks on turnaround day? Four drinks with breakfast, four more after reboarding. 

 

Does it work this way?

No. Drinks cut off around 5am every day. No more drinks on disembarkation  morning.

 

 

 

 

m

Edited April 1, 2023 by cruisegirl1

[Tapi]

To me, it makes sense to do B2B for two longer cruises that visit different ports (for example 7 night western followed by 7 night eastern). But not for two short cruises going to the same places. 
 

Short cruises have a totally different vibe than longer cruises, where people tend to be more inclined to party it up in an attempt to cram as much as possible in the shortened vacation time. That alone would make me shy away from two short cruises back to back. 

[cruisegus]

Just did my 5 and 4 b2b.  I'm now convinced I will never do anything less than a 6 day again and then I want it paired with an 8 day b2b

 

Any turn around day TAD, you pretty much loss half the morning meeting time get off get on again. 4 day less no Top Tier; 5 day less no 340+ or pinnacle lunch;  less complementary bottles of wine.

 

The whole atmosphere is different on shorter cruises, don't even mention the short weekend cruises, talk about Party Cruises.  Pool deck is really jamed on any sea day.

 

For me it is not an experiance I want to repeat

 

[neverbeenhere]

Best part of shorty b2b: you know that jerk you met on the first day, he will be gone soon enough.

 

worst part of shorty b2b: you know that jerk you met on the first day, he’s at the b2b meet up lounge. 

[mentor1000]

This is very helpful!! The turnaround day was one of my latest added cons as I just thought of it yesterday. Now, I think it would be the most bothersome thing for our group (that consists of half adults and half kids of various ages). I'm imagining, after a few days, finally fully relaxing... Kids want to go to the pool...parents to a spa... nope, got to get off the ship. If it was just 1 family, it would be easier.  

[nich3cats]

Did a b2b four and three and will never do again. So much drinking and cussing and every corner of the ship packed with party’s. If you have kids I definitely would not do it. 

[brillohead]

It sounds like you're not interested in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel as port stops.  

Have you looked around to see what other things might be there that WOULD interest at least some of the people in your group?  And not everyone has to do the same excursions, so you could mix it up quite a bit.

Roatan has ATV riding, horseback riding, AMAZING snorkeling (from beach or boat), lots of zipline and monkey/sloth options, and all-inclusive excursions (all of which can be booked separately from the ship).  

Costa Maya has golf cart rentals, Maya Chan resort, ruins, etc. (which can be booked separately).

Cozumel has so many options -- the amazing race, a large variety of beach/pool resorts, booze tours, cooking tours, snorkeling, shopping for drugs (at the drugstore, people!!!!), etc.

 

 

[OCSC Mike]

9 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

No. Drinks cut off around 5am every day. No more drinks on disembarkation  morning.

 

When did this change? Haven't cruised since October.

[Thisguylikestocruise]

I think there’s more of a party atmosphere out of Miami than other ports  such as Canaveral. 

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

I think there’s more of a party atmosphere out of Miami than other ports  such as Canaveral. 

 

One cruise doesn't mean anything but my 3-nighter out of PC in July didn't seem all that different from the 4-nighter it was paired with. Neither seemed overly filled with "party people" to us.

[Starry Eyes]

15 hours ago, cruisegus said:

5 day less no 340+ lunch

FYI ,in case it impacts your choices, the 340+ lunches are only on 7+ day cruises.  Don’t expect one on the 6 day segment if you book that 6+8 b2b

 

”Cheers with an Officer available only on cruise vacations of 7 nights or longer. Members with 340+ points are entitled to one (1) Cheers with an Officer event per voyage which includes a complimentary lunch — house red, white and sparkling wine will be served.”

[cruisegirl1]

7 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

When did this change? Haven't cruised since October.

Not sure, but there was LOTS of discussion on CC as well as other social media pages.    Plus while old  the plan looked good on paper it was not really  workable.  Bars closed about 8:30am, had to be at B2B meeting about 9am.  After that it was the new cruise and new day of vouchers.  I did read of those who took 4 (5 or 6) beers/soda/water off the ship to take home  so maybe that is one reason for the change.

 

M

Edited April 1, 2023 by cruisegirl1

[cruisegirl1]

OP - just re-read your post.  Am I understanding the B2B is more than the 7 night.  I would NEVER take a 4/3 over a 7.  And NEVER, NEVER for more money.     You are better off paying for an extra photo and day of internet. $150 PP buys a lot 

m

[OCSC Mike]

43 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Not sure, but there was LOTS of discussion on CC as well as other social media pages.    Plus while old  the plan looked good on paper it was not really  workable.  Bars closed about 8:30am, had to be at B2B meeting about 9am.  After that it was the new cruise and new day of vouchers.  I did read of those who took 4 (5 or 6) beers/soda/water off the ship to take home  so maybe that is one reason for the change.

 

M

 

Thanks, I tend to go on hiatus from CruiseCritic when I know my next cruise is a long way off... it just makes me jealous of those who can cruise more frequently. Haven't been around in a few months.

 

Not a big deal to me, was just curious. As I posted above, I enjoyed having a couple free iced coffees from Cafe Promenade and grabbing a few bottled waters for the 2nd half of the B2B we did in July, but definitely not important.

[Mum2Mercury]

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

A 7-day cruise on Oasis to Caribbean with ports none of us care about (1 Honduras and 2 in Mexico). Love the ship

• A B2B on Independence (3+4 days) that would stop at Coco-cay twice (we all love it). Like the ship

Random thoughts:

- Both of these ships are winners.  

- I love CocoCay, but I lean towards ONE beach day in a one-week cruise (I like variety), and my husband really wouldn't go for two CocoCay stops in one week.  But the real question is, How do your people feel about this? 

- If you go with Independence, I assume your other stop would be Nassau.  If I never go to Nassau again, it'll be too soon.  I'd choose the Honduras and Mexican stops before Nassau.  

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

Dining menu - would they repeat for the 3 and 4 day cruises? We always do the dining room and like the food there. But would this mean we'd repeat the same 3 menus twice?

I don't see this as a big negative.  On either ship you'll have other food options.  I've just read on several threads that Fish & Ships on Independence is no longer a for-charge venue, and that's exciting to me because I adore fish and chips.  

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

1. No lobster - I don't think they do lobster on shorter cruises, right? Our group is all about lobsters

True.  Unless you pay the up-charge, no lobster for you.  

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

1. Formal nights - we're those rare people that love to dress up nicely and take photos. Shorter cruises do have "dress to impress" nights but I think the attitude is a lot more lax (shorts and flipflops) than on longer cruises.

I don't think you're rare, but you're right that shorter cruises are more casual.  We saw a surprising number of matching tees /matching Hawaiian shirts at dinner on our recent 3-night.  

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

1. Shows and game shows - would the headliner and guest shows repeat?

Probably.  I'd think the MUTS would be more likely to change.  

What would your group do if the show turns out to be a repeat?  Are you a make-your-own fun type of group who'd play cards by the pool or hit the casino ... or would you be kinda at loose ends without a show?  

On 3/31/2023 at 4:13 PM, mentor1000 said:

1. Twice the Diamond benefits - internet days, wine coupons, photos… (we have a few Diamonds in the group)

2. The B2B is slightly more expensive (about $150/pp) due to addl. set of port fees but it's not the biggest factor.

You're right to calculate your total cost, including your loyalty benefits.  

I don't know if you drive or not, but if you go with Independence, you may end up with a cheaper parking bill.  Why?  When we drove into the parking deck for our 3-night on Independence, we were surprised that the machine demands payment up front (not as you leave the deck days later) ... and we said to each other, "The machine charged us for a 3-night cruise, but what if we were staying for a second cruise?  The machine wouldn't know, and we'd be parking for free for that second cruise."  

On 3/31/2023 at 5:41 PM, Thisguylikestocruise said:

... The option to get a drink package for 1/2 the b2b is another perk ... 

I was going to point this out.  You might want to "hit the sauce hard" for a couple days, but then cut back.  Paying for half a week of drink package is a whole lot cheaper than paying for a whole week.  Ditto for Dining Packages.   

19 hours ago, Tapi said:

... But not for two short cruises going to the same places.

That'd be okay with me because every port offers multiple activities.  

19 hours ago, Tapi said:

... Short cruises have a totally different vibe than longer cruises, where people tend to be more inclined to party it up in an attempt to cram as much as possible in the shortened vacation time. That alone would make me shy away from two short cruises back to back. 

We did our first 3-night in December, and this is true.  Maybe take away the adjective "totally", but -- in general -- it was a younger, harder-drinking, wilder crowd.  I'm not a person who's quick to say, "Wow, look what that person is wearing", but I saw a few eyebrow-raising outfits on our 3-night (think, barely dressed).  People were up later around the pool.  

Our 3-night was a mid-week cruise.  I suspect the differences would be more pronounced if you were doing a 3-night weekend cruise.  

On the way home we discussed the differences and agreed that we'd do another 3-night ... but we wouldn't pay more than $150 for a cruise that short ... and that price is pretty rare.  We paid $99 for our 3-night and were 100% satisfied.  Our main reason for setting our personal price low is the drive, the night-before hotel, etc.  Those costs are the same regardless of how many days you stay. 

We also agreed that we'd be interested in adding a 3/4 night cruise to a longer cruise, and we'd be willing to pay more than $150 for such an "extension".  

19 hours ago, cruisegus said:

... Pool deck is really jamed on any sea day ... 

This was not true during our recent 3-night, but it was December.  The air and water were a bit nippy; I was up and out early on our at-sea day, and I wasn't 'specially warm in my swimsuit /cover up ... but after maybe 9:00 it was comfortable.  I loved the absence (or reduced number) of chair hogs.  Again, DECEMBER.

19 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Best part of shorty b2b: you know that jerk you met on the first day, he will be gone soon enough ...

Good point.  Of course, a certain jerk on our last-fall cruise was actually entertaining to us.  We saw him everywhere; he only spoke English when it suited him, and he was super rude.  We just laughed at him ... what else can you do? 

Edited April 1, 2023 by Mum2Mercury

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Mum2Mercury said:

"The machine charged us for a 3-night cruise, but what if we were staying for a second cruise?  The machine wouldn't know, and we'd be parking for free for that second cruise."  

 

This is indeed an unintended perk of B2B's at PC.