Back to back to back

[dcwalker]

I need some info from someone who has been on a back to back to back (or triple back) with Carnival. I know with a back to back it's important that the two cruises be linked. I have a back to back to back coming up so I called Carnival to make sure all three were properly linked. I was surprised when the customer service rep said only the first two can be linked. So what do I do to make sure I get the letter in my cabin before the third leg? Just go to the customer service desk and alert them? Thanks for any experienced insight.

[Elaine5715]

9 minutes ago, dcwalker said:

I need some info from someone who has been on a back to back to back (or triple back) with Carnival. I know with a back to back it's important that the two cruises be linked. I have a back to back to back coming up so I called Carnival to make sure all three were properly linked. I was surprised when the customer service rep said only the first two can be linked. So what do I do to make sure I get the letter in my cabin before the third leg? Just go to the customer service desk and alert them? Thanks for any experienced insight.

Yes

[ohioNCLcruiser]

4 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Yes

Just agreeing with this person. When I have done B2B2B on the 2nd leg Diamond party I let them know I was staying for another voyage and they took care of everything. Just let your cabin steward know also because that was the one person who seemed surprised. Packing now for 3 weeks of sailing myself. Enjoy!

[dcwalker]

Thank you, Elaine and Ohio! I really appreciate it. Three weeks - nice! Enjoy. My B2B2B is only getting me two weeks.

[2Shoes2Go]

We always verify that our cc info carries over, as well. Have fun! Once you go back to back, you can’t go back. 😊

Edited August 14 by 2Shoes2Go

[jsglow]

16 hours ago, dcwalker said:

Thank you, Elaine and Ohio! I really appreciate it. Three weeks - nice! Enjoy. My B2B2B is only getting me two weeks.

Two weeks is fun. That's how we did it on Sunrise during the Covid re-start. We only repeated one port; Nassau at the very beginning and at the very end.

[DeniseTr]

Question, is it better to do a 10 day cruise or 2 B2B cruises? What are the tradeoffs?

[dcwalker]

Denise - I hate packing up for a cruise and then it's over before it's even begun. I only take long cruises, but I really like the smaller ships and wanted to sail Elation, which only does short cruises. I'm driving from Virginia to Florida so I only have one trip for three cruises. The trade-off is I am repeating some ports.

[hard_eight]

1 hour ago, dcwalker said:

Denise - I hate packing up for a cruise and then it's over before it's even begun. I only take long cruises, but I really like the smaller ships and wanted to sail Elation, which only does short cruises. I'm driving from Virginia to Florida so I only have one trip for three cruises. The trade-off is I am repeating some ports.

Safe travels to Jax!

[staceyglow]

3 hours ago, DeniseTr said:

Question, is it better to do a 10 day cruise or 2 B2B cruises? What are the tradeoffs?

Shorter cruises have a bigger party crowd. The longer cruises tend to skew older.  You are likely to have some duplicate ports on a B2B, and the turnaround day is a hassle if you aren't in the same cabin.

[jsglow]

5 hours ago, DeniseTr said:

Question, is it better to do a 10 day cruise or 2 B2B cruises? What are the tradeoffs?

So there was a really good thread on this topic some months back as it pertains to Journeys cruises (think 14+ nights). Most people preferred the Journey but it does come with a few downsides, mostly associated with the average age aboard and sometimes the ship used. They are also often priced at a premium. I LOVE Journeys too but I made the point that they work best for me if new and exotic ports are involved. So last winter we got back to Dominica for the first time in nearly 20 years and Grenada for the first time ever. If there's not an 'exotic' destination, I might prefer an 8/6 or a 7/7 if the itineraries were different as long as I kept my cabin.

 

PS. Did anyone see JH's interview with 'Ed' this morning? 2533 cruise days (apparently #1 all time) and onboard Mardi Gras for 20 more weeks. I believe I've met him before without knowing his status. I'm such a rookie. 

Edited August 14 by jsglow

[bluesman0711]

One difference is that you may be ready for the cruise to be over by the end of the third voyage.

[dcwalker]

 ☺️

6 hours ago, bluesman0711 said:

One difference is that you may be ready for the cruise to be over by the end of the third voyage.

Uh. No. ☺️

[Elaine5715]

On 8/14/2024 at 10:39 AM, DeniseTr said:

Question, is it better to do a 10 day cruise or 2 B2B cruises? What are the tradeoffs?

The B2Bs I booked next year are doing different itineraries, I can try different menu items but there is just something about those moments that the first set of guests leaves and you are still onboard.  Crew members also "know" you 

[DeniseTr]

I like that idea. Wouldn't be interested in a b2b with same itinerary, but different ones would be great.

[dandeck]

On 8/13/2024 at 1:13 PM, dcwalker said:

I need some info from someone who has been on a back to back to back (or triple back) with Carnival. I know with a back to back it's important that the two cruises be linked. I have a back to back to back coming up so I called Carnival to make sure all three were properly linked. I was surprised when the customer service rep said only the first two can be linked. So what do I do to make sure I get the letter in my cabin before the third leg? Just go to the customer service desk and alert them? Thanks for any experienced insight.

Take your credit card with you as well.  If not linked, they will need it for that final week's S&S acct..

[jimbo5544]

On 8/14/2024 at 7:43 AM, jsglow said:

Two weeks is fun. That's how we did it on Sunrise during the Covid re-start. We only repeated one port; Nassau at the very beginning and at the very end.

Did a side to side with Horizon and the 2nd sailing on the MG.

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 8/14/2024 at 10:39 AM, DeniseTr said:

Question, is it better to do a 10 day cruise or 2 B2B cruises? What are the tradeoffs?

same menus back to back and same entertainment 2 weeks in a row if you happen to like the entertainment like we do.

[staceyglow]

1 hour ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

same menus back to back and same entertainment 2 weeks in a row if you happen to like the entertainment like we do.

On longer cruises, they will fly in additional variety acts for the main theater (magicians, singers, jugglers, etc.) for the extra days. The quality of these acts vary from near-Broadway level  to third-rate theme park level.  Often they will do a showcase in the main theater that features all of the comedians who are currently onboard.

 

What they don't do is repeat or add any Playlist Production shows on the longer cruises.  

[DeniseTr]

15 hours ago, staceyglow said:

On longer cruises, they will fly in additional variety acts for the main theater (magicians, singers, jugglers, etc.) for the extra days. The quality of these acts vary from near-Broadway level  to third-rate theme park level.  Often they will do a showcase in the main theater that features all of the comedians who are currently onboard.

 

What they don't do is repeat or add any Playlist Production shows on the longer cruises.  

Longer cruise is what? TA or TP?

[staceyglow]

13 minutes ago, DeniseTr said:

Longer cruise is what? TA or TP?

Longer than 7 or 8 days.

[coo359a2]

 Will have a B2B (1st time on Carnival) on the Carnival Dream - 6 day and 8 day with different cabins.  Will room steward help move or provide a cart for our use?  I know we can do the check in process on 10 June for the 6 day cruise.  Does Carnival require that on 16 Nov you do the full check in process again for the 2nd cruise?  Will check with TA to be sure the two cruises are linked.  

[2Shoes2Go]

Your cabin stewards will see that your things are moved. We usually check with the new steward, for the second leg, and introduce ourselves. We do the full check in for both legs and I like to print a luggage tag and put with our luggage, in the cabin, just as a reminder. Also, we check with Guest Services to verify they have us as b2b and our cc is carried forward. Well worth the legwork. Have a great cruise!

[coo359a2]

16 minutes ago, 2Shoes2Go said:

Your cabin stewards will see that your things are moved. We usually check with the new steward, for the second leg, and introduce ourselves. We do the full check in for both legs and I like to print a luggage tag and put with our luggage, in the cabin, just as a reminder. Also, we check with Guest Services to verify they have us as b2b and our cc is carried forward. Well worth the legwork. Have a great cruise!

Thanks for the info.  Even though I usually cruise on a sister line to Carnival, the  web site for Carnival, other requirements to be cruise ready, etc are totally different - at least to me they are.

[LPut714]

On 8/14/2024 at 4:10 PM, jsglow said:

So there was a really good thread on this topic some months back as it pertains to Journeys cruises (think 14+ nights). Most people preferred the Journey but it does come with a few downsides, mostly associated with the average age aboard and sometimes the ship used. They are also often priced at a premium. I LOVE Journeys too but I made the point that they work best for me if new and exotic ports are involved. So last winter we got back to Dominica for the first time in nearly 20 years and Grenada for the first time ever. If there's not an 'exotic' destination, I might prefer an 8/6 or a 7/7 if the itineraries were different as long as I kept my cabin.

 

PS. Did anyone see JH's interview with 'Ed' this morning? 2533 cruise days (apparently #1 all time) and onboard Mardi Gras for 20 more weeks. I believe I've met him before without knowing his status. I'm such a rookie. 

We are doing a 16 day Journeys Panama Canal-have done it before. Not so thrilled about the number of sea days as it is an Elite Casino cruise-but just going to bring lots of books and enjoy the scenery and ship.