B2B Cruises?

[cathalane]

Hi All,

 

I hear alot about people doing back to back cruises... I'm curious, is this better than doing a longer cruise? Do you have to get off the boat and then get back on again between cruises? How does Carnival accomodate this? I bet B2B cruises are a great way to get to platinum status!

[Seydlitz]

We are doing a B2B in a week. This will be cruise 4 and 5 for me, and only one air fare.

[GoinCruisin]

We just did a B2B group cruise, a 4 and 5 day, it was GREAT!!! You get off the ship, but as long as you have the same cabin, you don't pack, you meet after everyone gets off, they walk you off and through customs real quick and you get back on... very easy. Only glitch is they didn't have our cards ready until after noon... but that wasn't a huge deal. I would do it again in a second.

[candigirl41]

I think it depends on the port if you get off and back on. In San Diego, I went through immigration with non-US citizens and never had to leave the ship. It was kind of strange being the only passenger still on the ship after everyone debarked.

 

Candi

[Bran8778]

I like the one airfare idea!!

 

Do you do a short cruise then maybe a long one or maybe 2 shorts???

[kujobie]

I like the one airfare idea!!

 

Do you do a short cruise then maybe a long one or maybe 2 shorts???

 

It depends. Some ships do alternating 3day/4day intineraries. And some do two 4 days followed by a 5 day. Two 7 days would be nice! So lot's of options. And you don't necessarily have to sail the same ship for both legs.

[13point1]

I like the one airfare idea!!

 

Do you do a short cruise then maybe a long one or maybe 2 shorts???

 

The variables are endless...

 

Some like to do the Fire and Ice cruises = Hawaii and Alaska B2B..thats 19 days. Other like to hook the last Euro cruise with the TA which can be 26-28+ days.

 

The more traditional is 7+7 with a Eastern/Western Combo.

[Bran8778]

I'm starting to really like this Idea!! I don't know why this never crossed my mind!!

 

I just have to assume most are done out of the same port?? Get off one ship and hop on to another. Not get off the ship fly to the next port and sail away!!

 

I guess like you said, the options are endless!!

[REDZONE]

I am doing a B2B on different ships. Two different ports. But taking an extended vacation. Hanging out in Orlando for several days first. My first B2B.

[denisey]

Hi All,

 

I hear alot about people doing back to back cruises... I'm curious, is this better than doing a longer cruise? Do you have to get off the boat and then get back on again between cruises? How does Carnival accomodate this? I bet B2B cruises are a great way to get to platinum status!

 

I want to say this very gently, so bare with me here....

 

We've been on a b2b (7 day Eastern then Western Caribbean, Paradise) and on 2 different 14 day cruises.

 

The biggest difference is the age of the crowds. It was a MUCH older crowd on the 2-14 day cruises. I'm not saying that is a BAD thing, it just made for a different cruise experience (empty disco, fewer people in bars, no chair hogs 'cause there was no one on deck....)

 

What we liked about the b2b was

less airfare than 2 cruises (we live on the West Coast)

it was neat being on an empty ship in between

The crew already knew us on the second leg, and we got spectacular service

Getting to see both sides of the Caribbean in the same trip

[big_duck]

I'm starting to really like this Idea!! I don't know why this never crossed my mind!!

 

I just have to assume most are done out of the same port?? Get off one ship and hop on to another. Not get off the ship fly to the next port and sail away!!

 

I guess like you said, the options are endless!!

 

Some even due different cruiselibra b2b.

[islndtme]

I saw some rates for 139/159 for a 3 and 4 day cruise out of Miami, thought it would be a good deal, $300 for a week, and yes, it would get you closer to vip! I think the itin is the same though, it would be neat to go on B2B with different destinations!

[Bran8778]

Some even due different cruiselibra b2b.

 

 

DUE ??? or DO?? :D

[zandmwiens]

We are doing a back to back in January out of two different ports. We will be on the Splendor out of Ft Lauderdale for 7 days from the 10th-17th then will get off the ship the morning of the 17th and take a taxi up to Miami for 7 days on the Liberty. This appealed to us because we are flying down from Oregon and wanted to do more than 7 days but did not want to go to the same ports again. This way we get to go to 7 different ports in 14 days. We figure party hard for the first 7 days and then relax for the next 7. :D

[Bran8778]

I'm not sure if this was said, but do you have to get off the ship then get back on??

[Xplode]

Just got off of the Carnival Freedom and many people were doing B2B (12+16 days) and some were doing B2B2B (12+12+16) and I don't believe they HAD to leave the ship as long as they had the same stateroom (I may be wrong though)

[OhioJeff]

I'm not sure if this was said, but do you have to get off the ship then get back on??

 

Yes, for about 20 mins or less

https://www.bookccl.com/irman/Booking_Procedures_Policies/sections/one%20way.html

 

Embarkation/Debarkation Procedures for the Back-to-Back Guest

Customs and Immigration procedures may differ between the various embarkation home ports. However, all BTB guests will have to go through the Customs/Immigration inspection in the cruise terminal at the end of each cruise.

Second Cruise Procedure

First debarkation process and second cruise registration/check-in

All BTB guests will need to present themselves (without luggage) to the Immigration/Customs inspectors located in the terminal at the end of their first cruise. They will gather in a designated area on board the ship as advised by the Purser’s Information Desk; a Purser will escort the BTB guests off the ship as the last disembarking group. These guests will be escorted back on board by the Purser and will register/check-in for their second cruise at the Purser’s Information Desk. At this time, they will receive their new Sail & Sign card. Note: The new Sail & Sign card allows the BTB guest to leave the ship while the ship is docked at the home port (much like a port-of-call).

Second Cruise: Change of Stateroom

If the guest needs to change staterooms for the second cruise, the Purser's Information Desk will send a bellboy to the stateroom to assist in moving the luggage to the new stateroom. This needs to be taken care of in the morning during debarkation and prior to the start of embarkation for the second cruise.

[JRock59]

Get of the ship - if you don't want to than no, you can just meet at the time they ask you to go through customs and get right back on. (I don't really consdier it getting off the ship as you never leave the embarkation bldg) Bad, this is as someone else said they don't have your cards ready for you until after noon. But if you want to go explore the area for a few hours you can get off go and come back. I think you go through VIP when you get back on. Check at the Pursers desk before you get off the ship they will be happy to answer any questions you have.

 

We did a B2B on the Holiday in September our first. Did the 2 five days and just loved it! And it ended up being less $$$ than some of the 7 days. We booked the two at different times but have a wonderful Carnival PVP who got us the same cabin for both trips. This is what we learned:

* The crew knows you by the end of the 1st Cruise and are happy to see you back again! :D

* Less travel costs (driving or flying) :p

* Do your research and find a ship that has at least one different port on the second leg.

* your Cabin Steward already know just how you like things:)

* You've already found the best Bartenders on the ship and they know just what you like and want:rolleyes:

* Any booze you buy on the first leg is delivered to you on the last night of the first leg. Meaning you can save a little on the second half by mixing your own drinks. Or means you can take twice as much home!

*If you love your waiter on the first night or two go to the MD and ask if you can have him/her for your second half. They will do their best to arrange it for you.;)

*IF you do have to change Cabins make sure you tell your CS with in the first day or two your doing a B2B and remind him/her the morning of the last full day. They will heither help you or find someone to help you and may be able to get you a porters cart to move with. This way you don't have to pack and unpack everything again which is really nice with your hanging items.:D

*You really get a chance to try out both the diningroom and buffet at Dinner time as the menu is usually the same the second leg as the first. And you know which nights are worth the extra effort of changing out of the shorts and swimsuit and which are not.

 

We really enjoyed our first B2B and now have our second one planned and booked. We're finding that we've reached a point where we want to sail out of different home ports for different stops. So doing a B2B just make more $$$$ sense for us. I say if you can take the time do it! But a warning once you've tried a B2B you may just be hooked on them!

[Bran8778]

Great Info!!! JRock

 

Thanks!!

[aggieastrosfan]

I would love to do one again, but I had a hard enough time getting DH on the last one (even though he enjoyed it). Don't think he would go for a 14 day cruise, I think the 9 was pushing it. :o

 

But it was a wonderful feeling on that turnaround day knowing you didn't have to pack up and leave!

[CRUZBUDS]

We were seated with another b2b couple on the Spirit and we had a very good wait staff. It didn't occur to us to arrange to stay at the same table for the second leg - Silly me I figured they wouldn't change us.

 

We got ou new cards the day before the turn around day and we had different tables. We got it changed so we could stay together, but, unfortunately the wait staff was laughably inept. Very nice, but incompetent.

 

In San Diego we didn't have to get off - I love b2b!