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.

 

[jimmymc]

Pro - you are the very first group back on the ship for the B2B day. You'll probably only spend 2-3 hours off the ship in total, between breakfast and lunch.

Pro - you get more stops at the Disney private islands

Con - you typically have two stops in Nassau and no other ports

Pro - you don't need to pack up if you're in the same room

Con - same activity schedule and dining room menus

I personally would prefer choosing a longer itinerary to get to some more unique stops if the prices were close. But if B2B were a lot cheaper, I'd still be happy.

 

[Erica1016]

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.

Did you have to do anything for the free coffee or did they just know that you were B2B because you were there so early?

 

[CamColt]

Pro - you are the very first group back on the ship for the B2B day. You'll probably only spend 2-3 hours off the ship in total, between breakfast and lunch.

I checked the times on the photos from my last B2B in 2024. We were meeting in Evolution at 9:42. I think we were told between 9:30-9:45 (I know we weren't late, but I forget exactly what time frame we were told). After walking off the ship together and through customs, we were back in the terminal at 10:10. We walked on the ship at exactly 11:00, so we were off the ship for about an hour.

 

[hardcorestitch]

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?

At least you’ll still get close to what you’re looking for on the back to backs! It’s still a week full of magic. Plus, you’ll get to go back on the ship unlike those folks leaving.

 

[DCL58]

Did you have to do anything for the free coffee or did they just know that you were B2B because you were there so early?

When we did a B2B on the Magic this summer, they gave us a coupon to use to get a free coffee in Cove cafe. When we did a B2B on the fantasy in January, we were told to just go to cove cafe for a free coffee. Different procedures on different ships.

 

[lmhall2000]

Did you have to do anything for the free coffee or did they just know that you were B2B because you were there so early?

I think it was listed in our note in our room on debarkation plan and I think they provided vouchers (my memory is sketchy) but it was such an easy process-we would definitely do it again- even if you can't keep your same rooms- they move all your luggage for you and your new room is keyed in when you show your card again.

 

[DCL58]

I think it was listed in our note in our room on debarkation plan and I think they provided vouchers (my memory is sketchy) but it was such an easy process-we would definitely do it again- even if you can't keep your same rooms- they move all your luggage for you and your new room is keyed in when you show your card again.

They take your keys at the end of the first cruise now, at least in PC. You have to go to guest services if you want to keep that key as a souvenir. On our last B2B, the new key to our cabin wasn’t ready when we boarded the ship again.

 

[katyringo]

Is there any where with just a list of all the ships sailings? I'm having a hard time just seeing all the options. I don't know if it's me but I'm struggling to see them in order somewhere