Back to Back Cruising?

[Three Beeps]

Hi,

 

This is my first post here. Hello to everyone. I've only been on three cruises, all with DCL, and ALL on the Wonder. (Two 7-day Mexican, one 4-day Bahamas.)

 

We're thinking of taking a back-to-back 5-day cruises this September, AGAIN on the Wonder.

 

I have questions and if you've done a B2B, please share your experiences. Would we be able to stay on the ship between cruises if we have a cabin-level change? Say we go from inside to verandah, for example. Also, should we really just maybe take a 7-day cruise on another Disney ship for the change? Or maybe do a 7-day on one ship, and then maybe a 4-day on another?

 

Thank you!

[moki'smommy]

We have done 4 sets of B2Bs, and each one was different. The ONLY thing that was consistent was that we got an instruction letter on the last full day telling us what to do the next day and we NEVER had to take our luggage off.

 

If you stay in the same cabin--no need to pack up. just leave your stuff as it is. If you are changing cabins, pack up all your stuff and leave the suitcases INSIDE your cabin The stateroom hosts will work it out and get your suitcases to your new cabin.

 

3 out of 4 times, we had to get off the ship (the rules depend on the port and the Customs rules). We typically were told to get off at 9:15 or 9:30 (sometimes to meet an escort at a specified place, other time to do it on our own--this depends on how many families are doing B2B). You get off, go thru Customs, go right back up the stairs into the terminal and sit for a short time. We were always checked in before the terminal opened to new guests and we were allowed to reboard before the terminal opened to others. Typical time off the ship was 45 minutes.

 

There is food on the ship--where depends on the situation. WHen just a few people, it was Cove Cafe for families and adult only. When lots of people, it was Cove Cafe for adults and Promenade Lounge for families with kids. You can use the pools as soon as they are cleaned.

 

You can go into your cabin, but we were asked to not run in and out once boarding starts (they don't want people asking why you can go to your cabin when they can't) If you are changing cabins, you can get into the new one at 1:30.

 

NOTE--each and every time we did it, it was different. And friends on other cruises told us of their experience which was different from ours. DCL does make it as easy for you as Customs will allow.

 

The all time easiest was in Barcelona--ALL we had to do was to pick up a new KTTW at Guest Services. Did not have to get off the ship at all.

 

A 7 night cruise is definitely better than a 4/3 B2B. But 10 days doing B2B is probably better than 7 days. Not sure how you would do 7 + 4 on different ships; that would involve getting off, spending a day at Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach, and then back to the ship. Guess trying out 2 ships is nice, and you would have different ports. BUT you are treated like royalty on B2Bs. The crew does know you are doing it. At the end of the first leg, dining services contacted us to ask if we wanted a specific rotation, wanted to keep our team or change, needed Palo reservations, etc. That was really nice.

Edited April 21, 2014 by moki'smommy

[Shmoo here]

We have done 4 sets of B2Bs' date=' and each one was different. The ONLY thing that was consistent was that we got an instruction letter on the last full day telling us what to do the next day and we NEVER had to take our luggage off.

 

If you stay in the same cabin--no need to pack up. just leave your stuff as it is. If you are changing cabins, pack up all your stuff and leave the suitcases INSIDE your cabin The stateroom hosts will work it out and get your suitcases to your new cabin.

 

3 out of 4 times, we had to get off the ship (the rules depend on the port and the Customs rules). We typically were told to get off at 9:15 or 9:30 (sometimes to meet an escort at a specified place, other time to do it on our own--this depends on how many families are doing B2B). You get off, go thru Customs, go right back up the stairs into the terminal and sit for a short time. We were always checked in before the terminal opened to new guests and we were allowed to reboard before the terminal opened to others. Typical time off the ship was 45 minutes.

 

There is food on the ship--where depends on the situation. WHen just a few people, it was Cove Cafe for families and adult only. When lots of people, it was Cove Cafe for adults and Promenade Lounge for families with kids. You can use the pools as soon as they are cleaned.

 

You can go into your cabin, but we were asked to not run in and out once boarding starts (they don't want people asking why you can go to your cabin when they can't) If you are changing cabins, you can get into the new one at 1:30.

 

NOTE--each and every time we did it, it was different. And friends on other cruises told us of their experience which was different from ours. DCL does make it as easy for you as Customs will allow.

 

The all time easiest was in Barcelona--ALL we had to do was to pick up a new KTTW at Guest Services. Did not have to get off the ship at all.[/quote']

 

Yes, typically, if the turnaround port is a US port, everyone must get off. In European port, you may be instructed to disembark for re-checkin or just do it onboard.

 

Our B2B (Barcelona) we were instructed to meet in Rockin' Bar D (there were over 300 of us) and we were escorted off the ship after everyone else was off. We went directly to check-in in the terminal and right back on the ship. We were off the ship about 10 minutes.

[Three Beeps]

Thank you both SO much. This is all very helpful information. I actually like that it changes with each cruise and location, this way if something seems off, we'll know it really isn't off, just different.

 

We're still in the planning stages and just can't make up our minds on what to do. I'd love to go to St. John, our friends live there and we haven't seen them in ages. But we also loved Castaway Cay and the ability to go maybe four times in one trip would be a total hoot.

 

:)

[vicki2011]

We are trying to decide on whether we want to to a 4/3 B2B or a 7 night. We love the idea of going to CC twice, but also like the idea of going somewhere new since we've already done Nassau twice.

[moki'smommy]

This is easy--do a 7 night.

 

A 3/4 gives you a repeat of all menus and shows as will as the general yuk of a 3 night cruise and the loss of a day with the transition (OK, not a full day, but you get the idea). 7 day = 7 menus, much more entertainment, more on board activities, better ports, and an all round nicer cruise with no repeats.

 

Positive on a 3/4 is that you can book 2 Palo, 2 Remy, etc. if you wish as well as 2 Castaway days.