The only thing I love more than taking a cruise is taking two cruises! Known as a back to back (or B2B), taking two cruises in a row on the same ship is an ideal way to really unwind, and make the most of your time on board. Admittedly, I can’t frequently take two week vacations, but when I can, I like to fill at least a portion of that time with a cruise. The entire two weeks? For me, even better!
My most recent B2B cruise was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. We never considered just a seven night cruise on a ship so large and chock full of stuff to do. Our planning revolved around a B2B, Allure’s alternating eastern and western Caribbean itineraries appealed to us, and we could not have been happier. In fact, over 200 of our fellow cruisers elected to do the same thing, though I think we were definitely the youngest!
Why B2B
What makes a B2B so satisfying? During week one, you’re still a little wound up from work. By week two…. you’ve let go, and are really unwinding. Not to mention, there’s an almost giddy feeling knowing that when all the other poor souls have to leave the ship you get to stay for another week… or more. Yes, I met a couple on Allure that were on a B2B2B2B cruise. Yes, that’s four weeks of cruising if you’re counting at home. However, if you only have a week to enjoy you can still take advantage of a B2B opportunity. The short three and four night Bahamas cruises from Florida ports offer some of the most affordable cruises. If you aren’t port particular, and are really looking to just take an affordable get away, combine a three and four night Bahamas cruise into a B2B and enjoy a reasonably priced seven nights of cruising. Here’s a little video courtesy of Royal Caribbean International to wet your B2B appetite.
B2B Logistics
There’s nothing special about booking a B2B. Call the cruise line directly to help arrange for the same stateroom and note your reservations as consecutive or use a travel agent. Then go cruise! The logistics of “turnaround day” on your B2B vary by cruise line, and even by the home port of the ship. Typically, you’ll get a letter on the last evening of your first cruise that contains your onboard charge card/room key for the following cruise. The letter will explain how customs formalities will be handled. If you booked a different stateroom for your second week (try not to, but it happens), you’ll need to pack your belongings and leave them in your stateroom when you exit to clear customs. Your bags will magically appear in your new stateroom. If you have the same stateroom (Yay!!), no need to worry about packing.
On turnaround day, there are one of a few possibilities most of which will include waiting in a lounge until everyone except those on the next cruise have disembarked the ship. Then a crewmember will walk you through customs. Some ports will even send a customs inspector onboard to collect your blue card, and you won’t even have to leave the ship. Wish they all did that. Once you are back on board, you may have the ship to yourself for a bit, or you may just barely beat the new guests on. During a B2B turn in Miami a few years ago, we were alone by the pool for nearly an hour before any other guests were allowed on board. The few minutes of quiet were nice…interesting even.
In summary, a back to back cruise is a wonderful way to maximize your cruise vacation. Try to keep the same stateroom for both cruises if you can. Part of the joy of not needing to leave the ship should also include not needing to pack on the final night of the first cruise! It’s a good idea to book your B2B cruise on the phone with the cruise line, or have your travel agent handle things for you to ensure the cruise line knows you are on a B2B sailing. Enjoy your cruise!
-MJ, May 22, 2013
Do you have experience regarding on board credit promotions with back to back cruises? I tried to book a back to back cruises with HAL when they had an on board credit promotion, a $200 credit per cabin. Logic says I would get $400 for two back to back cruises, but I was told my booking will be considered as one, and I will only get $200 credit. What’s your take and what’s your experience?
@CY,
Hmmm. Haven’t had that happen, but the B2B’s I’ve done did not involve an OBC specific to the cruise like that. Do the terms and conditions of the promotion have a specific exclusion for a the 2nd part of a B2B?
if you are on a B2B do they deliver your duty free to your room at the end of week 1? If so would this be an opportunity to stash my duty free ready for week 2 and save a lot of money?
Haven’t personally experienced that, but my understanding is that yes, they tend to deliver at the end of week 1.
We have done a couple b2b cruises; Tahiti on the Paul Gauguin twice about eight years ago, and then Dubai to Athens, Athens to Istanbul on Regent last year. Both b2b we got 5% discount off cruise price for booking b2b. Only niggle was we had to change state rooms for each leg–no worries, the room steward and hotel director handled this (our clothes–we moved our valuables) seamlessly. And as MJ posts, truly a giddy/warm feeling knowing your remaining on board and not disembarking with pax who were on the first back/leg.
I have a 7 day cruise for four booked in June that I paid for entirely with UR Points. It was simple to do thru the UR travel people. Saved 20% using points too. Probably not the best redemption value but the wife was happy to cruise for free. This cruise leaves out of Puerto Rico so I used Southwest points to get us there and Club Carlson points for the hotels.
@Jerry,
That’s awesome! Happy wife = happy life. Enjoy your cruise.
Some friends said they once met people on a cruise who basically live on cruises b/c it’s cheaper than maintaining a home somewhere. (Depending on cruise line, I can see it, with the food included and all.)
That would be much too much cruising for me, and my snobbery probably would not permit living on a cruise line that’d be cheaper than a home, but I’d probably enjoy a few B2Bs. Now, finding the time is another matter.
@Brant,
Sounds like an awesome time. By the way, the Master of Norwegian Breakaway is American…..just saying. 🙂
Any chance you can share how you’ve used points or FF miles to pay for cruise? Even which point earning cards are best? Any special ways to earn on board credit, specialty restaurant vouchers etc?
@Steeler,
Miles are a challenge, but I recently wrote a post on using Ultimate Rewards. I’ve got posts on other points currencies in the works.
http://mjontravel.boardingarea.com/2013/05/06/ultimate-rewards-cruise/
Just got off NCL Pearl from her first Alaska cruise of the season. We booked the three bedroom Garden Villa. Words cannot describe. Anyway- to add to your theme here- there were some Austrailians on board for a total of 40 days- doing B2B from the Caribbean (eastern then western) then through the Panama Canal up the West coast and a trip through Alaska. Talk about unwinding.
@SK,
I wouldn’t say there are specific benefits beyond those. Depending on stateroom category and cruise line, you might wind up with an extra onboard credit….just depends.
Is there any other benefits of doing this compared to doing a full 7 day cruise (3+4 day) or a full 14 day cruise (7+7) (if available)?
Hardly! 🙂 You’ll note my Allure B2B was a Western Caribbean followed by an Eastern Caribbean.
Maybe I need to do a post just on turnaround day…..
I am ignorant about cruising but arent you wasting time in coming back to the home port and then disembarking and embarking?