Considering a B2B... What should I know?

[BAIC03]

I'm seriously looking at booking 2 5-day cruises back to back next summer (2018). What should I know before I do? What should Instay away from? What should I tell TA?

Thanks!

 

[lucas]

I believe there is an 11 nighter next June. That would save you coming back to FL.

 

[dcassetta]

I'm seriously looking at booking 2 5-day cruises back to back next summer (2018). What should I know before I do? What should Instay away from? What should I tell TA?

Thanks!

My best recommendation for doing a BTB is to keep the same stateroom if at all possible. It makes the transition day so much easier. BTBs are nice because they allow you to experience more of the ship. On the first leg, or on the second leg, you can choose to skip an MDR meal or a show because you know you can see it on the other leg. If those are five day double dips, that means 4 visits to Castaway Cay what a wonderful vacation!

 

[CamColt]

We have done B2Bs twice, with another booked for 2018. I agree with the above advice, keep the same stateroom. I don't think I would do it if I had to pack up and move.
And enjoy the last night of the first cruise when everyone is rushing around and putting out their bags and you don't have to! That is the best feeling knowing you aren't going anywhere.

 

[Trera]

We have our 4th B2B in 4 weeks from tomorrow. We love that we can do something we missed on cruise 1...........on cruise 2. Also get 2 stops at CC!!

 

[Quellman]

There are good and bad parts of booking back to back. We did a 3+4 last year and have a 3+7 later this year. To us, the cruise felt a bit more like a repeat. Same shows, same dinner menus, same trivia, etc. BUT you can certainly take a more relaxed pace.

When you do a back to back (port canaveral) you only pay for parking for your first cruise, so you get free parking for the second one. If you leave the terminal building for any reason after the first cruise, they will not let you back in until it officially opens. So you can't take advantage of early check in and boarding if you go to your car for any reason. You can basically get whatever dining preferences you want for the second cruise. The head server will come and confirm your second sailing. You can change servers, rotation, and dining time with no issue. We will be in the same room this time, where we were not last time. There was no problem transferring our luggage and our room was ready as soon as we got back on board the ship, as we had already met our new stateroom host. Many of the cruise staff will remember you so that is useful as well.

 

[ali_in_al]

Great question! Enjoying the feedback and tips!

 

[BAIC03]

Yes! The 2 cruises are back to back 5 days with 2 stops at Castaway Cay.
I was thinking of trying out different classes of rooms (one concierge) just to see different categories. Is it that much of a pain to move rooms? I thought the CMs would take your (packed) things and move them to the new room.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes! The 2 cruises are back to back 5 days with 2 stops at Castaway Cay.
I was thinking of trying out different classes of rooms (one concierge) just to see different categories. Is it that much of a pain to move rooms? I thought the CMs would take your (packed) things and move them to the new room.

If you change rooms on a B2B, you pack up your stuff, and the room host(s) see to getting them to your new room. So, you'll be packing/unpacking between cruises. And you'll still debark the ship between cruises to re-check in.

One other thing - B2B means that you'll have the same shows/menus for each leg. A 3/4 night B2B will have the same 3 shows repeated, and 3 same menus, plus the pirate menu on the 4 night cruise. A 7 night cruise will have 3 production shows, as well as individual entertainers on other nights, and 7 different menus (one each night).

 

[BAIC03]

One other thing - B2B means that you'll have the same shows/menus for each leg. A 3/4 night B2B will have the same 3 shows repeated, and 3 same menus, plus the pirate menu on the 4 night cruise. A 7 night cruise will have 3 production shows, as well as individual entertainers on other nights, and 7 different menus (one each night).

This, really is the only downer I see right now. And 4 stops at CC in 10 days is a real motivator! We were looking to sail concierge the second cruise so we could "experience" that on the second leg.

 

[Quellman]

This, really is the only downer I see right now. And 4 stops at CC in 10 days is a real motivator! We were looking to sail concierge the second cruise so we could "experience" that on the second leg.

Our 3+7 includes a double dip, so in our 10 days 3 will be at Disney's island! I say go ahead and split with concierge. It isn't much of a pain to pack and move rooms, because you actually don't have to pack the night before you get off the first cruise like everyone else. You can take your time and leave the bags out in the morning for the move. Concierge perks will give you the opportunity to snag a cabana for 1 or both days as well, a totally different way of spending your time at castaway!

 

[n2mm]

We've done 2 b2b cruises, both 3/4 and have the next ones booked for feb 2018 which is a 3/7 on the wonder. Same cabin booked. This won't be as much of a repeat since the 3 is Bahamas and the 7 is western Caribbean. We like doing the b2b cruises and find them relaxing. We go to some shows on one leg and other shows during the second leg. We also find the b2b cheaper for our dates. We often will book placeholders on each cruise for our next b2b.