Back to Back

[vicki2011]

We are talking about booking a back to back on Dream to the Bahamas. I think we have decided on doing the 4 night then 3 night. My question is do we actually have to disembark the ship after the 4 night or can we stay on? If we have to disembark do we have to take our luggage with us since we will be in the same stateroom?

[Kamloops50]

We are talking about booking a back to back on Dream to the Bahamas. I think we have decided on doing the 4 night then 3 night. My question is do we actually have to disembark the ship after the 4 night or can we stay on? If we have to disembark do we have to take our luggage with us since we will be in the same stateroom?

You'll only have to clear US immigration between cruises . You'll be given instructions the day before on what time to meet to taken thru immigration. If your in the same cabin you can sleep in , have a leisurely breakfast and relax on a deserted ship.

[vicki2011]

That's good news about being able to leave our suitcases. Now will we be able to board early, or will with have to board with everyone else?

[Kamloops50]

That's good news about being able to leave our suitcases. Now will we be able to board early, or will with have to board with everyone else?

Once the passenger count is zeroed out you'll be able to board.

[llachance]

did it in January. Since we were in the stateroom didn't have to pack etc. On the morning of Port Canaveral we were told to be off the ship with passports etc by 9:30. Got off at 9:00, sat in the terminal until about 10:30 or so when we were let back on. They won't tell you but you have to go sit in the area for the Suite and platinum folks. There is no separate call for reboarding.

[moki'smommy]

We've done 3 B2Bs and each time the instructions were slightly different. It depends on both the port and how many other families are doing B2B.

 

In Canaveral, you do have to get off the ship--no luggage. If in the same stateroom, don't pack; just leave your stuff out. Different stateroom, pack, leave luggage IN stateroom. Host will have it moved to new cabin.

 

Go thru Customs and upstairs back into terminal. As soon as they "close out" the old cruise on the computers, they'll call you to the counter to check in. Then you sit till the CM tells you that you can board. We were allowed back on the ship a few minutes after 10, before the terminal was opened to incoming guests. We were the only family doing B2B and there was one friend of crew member. Had a GREAT hour before boarding started taking photos and stuff without people in them. There is food available and you can use the pools as soon as they finish cleaning.

[vicki2011]

Thank you all for the information!!

 

We are still trying to decide on if we want to do a B2B or if we just want to do a 7 night. We have already been to Nassau twice, and to me once you've seen Nassau you really don't need to see it again. I do like the fact that we would have 2 days at Castaway Cay. However, doing a 7 night would take us somewhere we've never been, and I like the idea of that too. Also, we've been on the Dream twice, and I would kinda like to see the Fantasy. Price wise it's only about a $72 difference in doing a B2B, and a 7 night. So I guess we just need to make a list of pros and cons, and decide that way.

[rstout]

I would strongly recommend doing the 7 night over a B2B 3/4 night. We did a 3/4 night B2B on the Dream a few years ago, only because the Fantasy wasn't out yet. You do lose a couple of hours on the turnaround day meeting to get off the ship, going through customs, and waiting to get back on the ship. Plus, the ship is just sitting in Port Canaveral that day instead of sailing the ocean or going to an island. It doesn't sit empty long before they start letting passengers on. You repeat shows, and the dynamics on the 3/4 night cruises are a bit more rushed. You personally don't have to rush around as much on the second leg, as you've seen and done a lot, but others on the ship are trying to get it all in. The 7 day sailings are overall more relaxing and they have some extra activities. Your only benefit (IMO) to the B2B is an extra day at CC (and a second cruise on your record), but you will see additional islands on the 7-day. Finally, the Fantasy has some additional features that the Dream doesn't.

[moki'smommy]

Thank you all for the information!!

 

We are still trying to decide on if we want to do a B2B or if we just want to do a 7 night. We have already been to Nassau twice, and to me once you've seen Nassau you really don't need to see it again. I do like the fact that we would have 2 days at Castaway Cay. However, doing a 7 night would take us somewhere we've never been, and I like the idea of that too. Also, we've been on the Dream twice, and I would kinda like to see the Fantasy. Price wise it's only about a $72 difference in doing a B2B, and a 7 night. So I guess we just need to make a list of pros and cons, and decide that way.

 

No brainer--do a 7 night. The ONLY reason we did 4/3 was that we couldn't get to PC for a Sat. departure. 7 night = 7 menus, much more entertainment and on board activities, etc. 4+3 = repeat of all menus and shows + transition day which is never a great fun thing.

[NeilD]

Thank you all for the information!!

 

We are still trying to decide on if we want to do a B2B or if we just want to do a 7 night. We have already been to Nassau twice, and to me once you've seen Nassau you really don't need to see it again. I do like the fact that we would have 2 days at Castaway Cay. However, doing a 7 night would take us somewhere we've never been, and I like the idea of that too. Also, we've been on the Dream twice, and I would kinda like to see the Fantasy. Price wise it's only about a $72 difference in doing a B2B, and a 7 night. So I guess we just need to make a list of pros and cons, and decide that way.

 

May I ask what category?

[moki'smommy]

May I ask what category?

 

Dates will also affect the price variation.

[vicki2011]

September 2014 sailing-category 5A

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We've done 3 B2Bs and each time the instructions were slightly different. It depends on both the port and how many other families are doing B2B.

 

 

 

In Canaveral' date=' you do have to get off the ship--no luggage. If in the same stateroom, don't pack; just leave your stuff out. Different stateroom, pack, leave luggage IN stateroom. Host will have it moved to new cabin.

 

 

 

Go thru Customs and upstairs back into terminal. As soon as they "close out" the old cruise on the computers, they'll call you to the counter to check in. Then you sit till the CM tells you that you can board. We were allowed back on the ship a few minutes after 10, before the terminal was opened to incoming guests. We were the only family doing B2B and there was one friend of crew member. Had a GREAT hour before boarding started taking photos and stuff without people in them. There is food available and you can use the pools as soon as they finish cleaning.[/quote']

 

 

This was my experience on a back to back. We were not escorted at any point.

 

 

Sent from my iPad.

[moki'smommy]

On other B2Bs where there were more families doing it (10+), we were assigned a meeting place and time and WERE escorted off and thru Customs.

 

As I said above, it varies, and one of the factors that determines the process is the number of people involved.

[DISNEY FANTASY]

There were 18 people doing B2B on mine and we had an instruction letter and left to our own.

 

 

Sent from my iPad.

[moki'smommy]

As above, the two consistent things in our 3 or 4 B2Bs was that there are always instructions left in our room and that we didn't have to take off our luggage. We have done B2B with just our family + one CM (total 3 people doing it), up to 125 CABINS of people doing it. When it exceeded 10 cabins, there was an escort and a meeting place. I don't know if this is their cut off point or if that's just what happened.

 

Bottom line, there are always instructions placed in your cabin. All the guest needs to do is to follow the instructions and it is smooth and easy.