How complicated are the Back to Back cruises?

[westjones]

We have a 3 day booked in September and we have one of the secret porthole rooms.

Well we were 'thinking' over the idea of going on the 4 day right before it and making it a day cruise, but wondered how complicated it would be.

First, our 3 day is booked with DVC points and we have a cat. 10.

Now if we booked the 4 day it would be through a TA and we would get a Cat. 11. So we would have to change rooms.

Would that be way too complicated? Would be just take our bags to the other room? Or would we have to get off the ship and reboard? Could we do laundry on the morning that everyone is getting off and on?

It would be SO cool to get to go to Castaway Cay twice and to have two chances to see everything! We would like to hang out on the ship most of the time anyway. But I am just not sure how 'messy' it would be to do this.

Anyone able to enlighten me on how a Back to Back cruise works? Thanks SOOOOO very much!

Debra
(BTW, I love this board, thanks to everyone for supporting my DCL addictions )

 

[inkkognito]

Not complicated at all! We loved our thre-peat and would do it again in a minute. We had booked our secret porthole room for all three, but the packing should be pretty painless and you'd most likely be able to move your things to your new stateroom early (you'd just have to wait until it was cleaned up from the previous occupants). Then, you can either disembark (I think you have to be off by 10), or you can hang out on board. We stayed on, took tons of photos, and relaxed on the deck 7 aft verandah. We tried the hot tub once, but it was COLD since it had just been filled. The only thing that drove me insane was what hubby refers to as "music to clean staterooms by." When all the guests are gone, they blast fast-paced music into the staterooms at high volume, presumably to "inspire" the cleaners. If I ever hear "We Built This City," "Whip It," or "Video Killed the Radio Star" again, I may have a psychotic flashback! But other than that, it was a very smooth experience, and it was so nice to know that we would be staying on rather than having to depart.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[raisin64]

Just did a back to back on Oct 6 Wonder. No problem at all
We did have to get off the ship and recheck in. They would not let us stay on board. I had the cabin hostess move my bags to the
other cabin ( unfortunately I could not stay in the same one). Do not put your bags outside the night before. The worse case if your cabin host cannot move your bags, if the other room is to far away you can store them at guest services in the Lobby.
Booked for a back to back in Feb again, this time I have the same room for both trips.

 

[westjones]

Thanks! It does sound like it would be neat to know you have two times at Castaway Cay AND that you had two chances to see each of the shows, etc.

Someone was asking me if the 3 day was worth going on, and what I told them is that it seems like they pack all the good stuff into the 3 day! Looking at the navigators on Barb's website it looks like all the main highlights of the trips is in each of the itenaries. So to do a 3/4 day together, you would have two opportunities to attend these wonderful programs!

I know for sure we are going on the 3 day in Sept. I just don't know if our schedule would allow for us to go on the 4 day with it until very close to our time of sailing. Fortunately, the September cruises don't seem to go up in price much. But that is why I know we will have to change rooms.

Gee it sounds like SO much fun. I would have never thought of doing back to back cruises if it hadn't been for this board!
Thanks!
Debra

 

[Howling Howie]

I'm confused. Why would combining two "short" cruises be preferred over one 7-day cruise? I'll be going on my first cruise December 1st and had every intention of booking a 7-day if (and given the opinions on this board and everywhere else and anyone else I've mention DCL's to) we found it as good as we hope/imagine/believe. Now I"m wondering how I should book. Any help?

 

[westjones]

We are considering it only because we know for sure we are doing a 3 day, and just in case we are able to get enough time off to do the 4 day with it, we would love the chance to cruise longer.

Also, we could go to Castaway Cay twice (our favorite part of the cruise). Also, we just like hanging out on the ship, so we wouldn't feel a need to get off (except at Castaway Cay).

DJ

 

[westjones]

OH! I forgot one other thing. I have heard of people doing both the Eastern AND Western back to back. NOW that would be a great cruise! We couldn't afford it, but if we could, that sure would be a wonderful trip!

So that would be another reason to book 'back to back'.
DJ

 

[nanc]

Our family was on the Magic in January and we wanted to take advantage of the $99 fall cruise coupon but couldn't bear the thought of only going on a 3 day so we've booked a 4 day along with it. I called DCL and was put on for awhile until the agent came back with the details for us:

1)Dont attend customs meeting the last day
2)Stay on board
3)Leave belongings in room if staying in the same rooms
4)Go to Guest Services to reprogram our cards for room entry
5)All restaurants, shops, and pools will be closed but can be out on deck (hopefully catching up on laundry if available)

We will be on the Wonder the 15th-22nd
DH (38)
DHM (63)
Me (40)
My mom (73)
DD-13, DD-10, DS-9, DS-5

Hope this helps anyone who is interested in the back to back cruises!! I will miss the ports on the Magic and warmer weather!!

nanc

 

[yensidfan99]

I just now made our final payment (ouch) on our Eastern/Western back to back in February. We are so excited and cannot wait to be on board for two weeks.

I am glad to hear you can stay on board. DW and I hope this is the case for us at our cruise as this would be the perfect time to do laundry. She thought we could just pack enough for two weeks. Guess who carries the luggage

Combining the 3/4 days sounds neat. I think that I would get a lot of time on Board as I've seen enough of Freeport and Nassau to last me a few years.

 

[inkkognito]

For us, we booked our three-peat rather than a 7-day because the days of the week worked out better for us, and also because we love the Wonder...we sail on it so often that we have gotten to know many of the crew members quite well. Also, we were looking for a relaxing trip, and we knew that it would be rush, rush, rush to get a lot done on the Magic. On the Wonder, we pretend that Nassau is a day at sea, and we loved multiple days at Castaway Cay.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[nanc]

Debra-
I would highly recommend that you call DCL directly and have them tell you exactly what they require of you to do since you are doing back to back cruises. Make sure you get the info from an informed person (I was put on hold twice because they were speaking to a supervisor for the info) and have a note pad handy and go put the notes in your luggage somewhere so you don't forget it!
I'm so glad we get to stay on board and found all the info out ahead of time. I will also make sure I check with Guest Services while on board so they are completely aware of the situation. I was worried that they would call our room # out when customs is done since we won't be reporting and they would miss us.

Hope it helps!!

Your two week trip sound sooooo wonderful!! I loved the ports on the Magic. Our family just loved Orient Beach at St. Maarten (we did it on our own-not an excursion).

Have a very very MAGICal time!!

 

[sanela]

what are the dvc points and how do you get them ?

 

[westjones]

DVC points = Disney Vacation Club points.

It is a time share type of program that you buy into. You buy a certain number of points and then pay an annul fee. You use the points to book vacations.

Debra

 

[Boomerwon]

Hi,

Our family did back-to-back Magic cruises in August. It was awesome! Just rebooked for another 2 weeker for next August. Everyone is so excited about it and can't wait.

Must say that Disney made it very easy for the 2 crusies, although we couldn't really figure out what to do for the few hours when no one was on board. Everything was closed and didn't want to get in the way of all the people cleaning. We did go to Guest Services and got a new KTW, did some laundry, etc. Worked hard to keep DS-5 & DD-2 busy and entertained, but out of the way.

This year we will probably go to the mall that is nearby, or see the Manatees for a few hours instead of staying on board. I would highly recommend any back-to-back because the best part is CC twice!!! HAPPY SAILING!!!

PS-I read on a post once - Lay everything out that you plan to take, then put at least half away - Can't agree with this more-we will be taking 1/3 of the clothes we took last time.