Well.. tell me about a back to back.

[katyringo]

I find myself a bit frustrated that in searching for 7 night cruises in February and March 2027 to find there is only one option that goes to both Disney islands and it's on the destiny and it's more than I want to spend.

I think we spoiled ourselves with our first cruise being 7 days, both islands and it was a one way from Galveston to San Juan and we paid under $5000... oopsie.

I'm not against trying new ports I'm just a very happy with predictably person and we loved both Disney islands.

So now we are looking at a 5 night cruise with a couple days at WDW or doing a back to back on the dream with a 3 night and 4 night.

Can I get pros and cons about back to backs?

 

[DCL58]

We do B2B’s a lot now that the fantasy doesn’t sail 7 nights anymore. Pros - more time on the ship, more visits to CC and LP. Cons - same menus, same entertainment and you lose half a day getting on and off the ship on turnaround day. You also could have to pack up and move staterooms between cruises unless you book the same one for both.

We enjoy B2B cruises - we are doing two 5 night cruises on the Fantasy in a month.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

We do B2B’s a lot now that the fantasy doesn’t sail 7 nights anymore. Pros - more time on the ship, more visits to CC and LP. Cons - same menus, same entertainment and you lose half a day getting on and off the ship on turnaround day. You also could have to pack up and move staterooms between cruises unless you book the same one for both.

We enjoy B2B cruises - we are doing two 5 night cruises on the Fantasy in a month.

Basically says it all. I wouldn't hesitate to do a B2B if that is what fits my schedule/cruise goals, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do one either. You do get a short bit where you are back on the ship (if you do the direct B2B and don't go spend the day in port between sailings) where there are few people, and they are all new and headed to the buffet (it seams) so you can see other areas of the ship practically empty.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I find myself a bit frustrated that in searching for 7 night cruises in February and March 2027 to find there is only one option that goes to both Disney islands and it's on the destiny and it's more than I want to spend.

I think we spoiled ourselves with our first cruise being 7 days, both islands and it was a one way from Galveston to San Juan and we paid under $5000... oopsie.

I'm not against trying new ports I'm just a very happy with predictably person and we loved both Disney islands.

So now we are looking at a 5 night cruise with a couple days at WDW or doing a back to back on the dream with a 3 night and 4 night.

Can I get pros and cons about back to backs?

We've done several B2Bs. My choice wouldn't be 3/4 night B2Bs. You're going to get the same shows/menus/activities all in the same week. Our B2B cruises were longer ones (14/11 nights; 21/20 nights; etc) so the things that repeated were spaced out.

If those were my only choices I'd probably pick the 5 night with WDW stay.

 

[lmhall2000]

We did a 3night plus a 4night and got to keep our rooms- so, we just left everything in our rooms and walked off- waited about 45 minutes and walked back on. We were offered free coffee at one of the cafes- we went to our room before others could and relaxed before lunch was open- With little kids- so easy- we loved two CC stops.

 

[CamColt]

We have done B2Bs (3/4 nights) 4 times and will be doing it again this summer (5/4) and next summer (3/4). We obviously enjoy doing it.

I don't feel the in between day is a waste as we have everything unpacked already and aren't waiting for the luggage. This gives me the freedom to go up on deck and relax by the pool without constantly checking and hoping it's done before the muster drill.

The repeat shows and menus work to my advantage too. Having 2 chances to do things like that gives me the flexibility to do other things during those times, or skip dinner (go to Palo, or just a low key deck food dinner). You can take things slower and not try to fit it all in.

As Pearl members we get 1 complimentary Palo each cruise. Doing B2Bs allows us to do dinner once and brunch once, both complimentary.

In general I don't care about the ports, except for CC, and now LC ranks up there too. Depending on the itinerary you can get multiple stops there. This summer with a total of 9 days, we will be at CC 3X and LC 2X. This seems like the perfect itinerary to me.

 

[katyringo]

Thanks all-

I'm struggling to pick a cruise. We want to go back to both islands, but we night have to give up lighthouse and try a non Disney port or heck just stay on the ship...

 

[Mathmagicland]

Thanks all-

I'm struggling to pick a cruise. We want to go back to both islands, but we night have to give up lighthouse and try a non Disney port or heck just stay on the ship...

Have you considered a side-by-side? There are many 5-night Fantasy that end or start on a Friday; you could pair it with a 3-night or 4-night Wish since the Wish almost always has a Friday end or start.

Yes, you have to pack up between them and move your luggage from one to the other. But Disney makes it very easy as they provide the transfers between the two. You gather to be some of the last off the first to transfer to the second, and boarding the second one is same as B2B where you are ahead of all other regular boarding groups. Benefit is two different sets of evening shows and entertainment, plus the different onboard experiences. And lots of island stops options to choose from & combine between the two.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We did a 7 night B2B-same room. That was pretty sweet. Did not mind the repetition and I got to try things in the dining room I might not have had a chance to try. Two trips to Palo for us-one each week , as we are platinum. If I missed a show or rather soak in the hot tub-two opportunities. All quite relaxed. Not sure I would have done it if I had to change rooms-the packing up to me would have been annoying, I think if you can find the right combo at the right price. Totally worth it.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I would do the 5 night over the 3/4 also.

 

[CamColt]

We did a 7 night B2B-same room. That was pretty sweet. Did not mind the repetition and I got to try things in the dining room I might not have had a chance to try. Two trips to Palo for us-one each week , as we are platinum. If I missed a show or rather soak in the hot tub-two opportunities. All quite relaxed. Not sure I would have done it if I had to change rooms-the packing up to me would have been annoying, I think if you can find the right combo at the right price. Totally worth it.

I totally agree about having the same room. The best feeling is the last night of the first cruise when you know everyone else is rushing/packing, and you see bags out opinion the hall…and you don’t have to!

 

[Pixarfans]

Only did it once. Wasn’t a fan of the change over day. Yes it was great being first on but really nothing was open. Also we had the 7day vacation vibe but everyone else was on a 3 or 4 day vibe, so it just wasn’t as enjoyable as a typical 7.