BACK TO BACK 5 DAY CRUISES

[lmb84]

For those who have done a back to back cruise on a smaller ship (sensation)....how was it....just wondering ...never done b2b before....not sure about the islands on these short cruises....

[ddgg]

I've done several b2b's and I love them. Do you have any particular questions?

[ShakyBeef]

We're about to take our first B2B in January, on Elation (same class as Sensation).  The two legs of the cruise are identical 5-Day itineraries.  Not the best option, but really our only choice in this case.  In our situation, extended family are going on the second leg and really wanted us to sail with them.  It is not worth it to us to go all the way to Florida for a 5-Day, so we added on the 5-Day sailing just before the one the whole family will be on.

 

I'm a little concerned about the potential rowdiness / party crowd / booze cruise atmosphere times two, and the lack of some of our favourite Carnival venues (Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, Alchemy Bar, Red Frog Pub), and that Elation is a smaller ship than Pride (our usual ship), with more guests and less crew than Pride.

 

But we're going to go with with open minds and are looking forward to a new port of call for us (which we'll get to visit twice in 10 days), the Chef's Table (which we have not yet done), and cruising with our fun group of extended family again.  We'll take the bad with the good and hope that the good is better than the bad is bad.  But I like to be as prepared as possible for the bad, so thank you for starting this thread, OP, since it is so relevant for me.  And thank you to all those sharing their experience with this particular situation (B2B 5-Days).

[ShakyBeef]

35 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

IMO, two 5 day cruises will just mean a greater number of partiers on board. Were I in your shoes, I'd look for a 7 day cruise and a shorter cruise to attach to it.  We once did an 8 day and a 5 day b2b and I was really surprised at how the ship was staged for the 5 day cruise versus the 7 day cruise.  Even the cruise line knows the 5 day cruisers are going to be wild.

 

Could you give some detail on what you mean by this?  More bars open?  More rowdy deck games?  Less of non-alcohol related options?

[ShakyBeef]

2 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

Our 8 day cruise was first.  On turn-around day they closed the doors to the dining room so we didn't feel as comfortable checking our table for the 5 day portion.  Then we noticed they removed all the condiments from the tables around the pool deck. There were other things, but these were two that I remember. Yes, they seem petty now that I'm writing it down, but it just struck me as odd that the staff was whisking away all the condiments that had sat out for the last 8 days and they weren't to be seen again on the 5 day cruise.  And we always like to check out what table we've been assigned, but that option was also closed off to us.

 

It doesn't sound petty to me.  Thanks for elaborating.  I get it, little things add up and when those little things were there last week, but taken away this week, it is noticeable.  And you're probably right, the staff and crew know from experience the expected behaviour of the different cruise length demographics.   So they do a little proactive damage control.  It makes sense.

[MzOhioLady]

I just completed a 4 day cruise on the Carnival Elation out of Port Canaveral. I did not find guest on the ship to be Rowdy, Drunk, Falling All Over The Place, Making a Fool of Themselves or any of that. What I did find, were TONS of KIDS everywhere. They took over the Pool, Took over the Hot Tubs, running, Jumping in lines for the Waterslides, Sliding across the wet floors by the Waterslides, Running up and down the Halls-Playing-At least on our floor, Etc. I rarely saw parents controlling their kids or at least making them mind their manners. 

 

Not ALL short cruises are full with Bad, Drunk and Rowdy People. Not sure why short cruises get such a bad rap but if I could go on the Elation again, I would in a heartbeat. I think I'll continue to do majority of my cruising in the Fall when the Kids are back in school.

[ShakyBeef]

7 minutes ago, MzOhioLady said:

I just completed a 4 day cruise on the Carnival Elation out of Port Canaveral. I did not find guest on the ship to be Rowdy, Drunk, Falling All Over The Place, Making a Fool of Themselves or any of that. What I did find, were TONS of KIDS everywhere. They took over the Pool, Took over the Hot Tubs, running, Jumping in lines for the Waterslides, Sliding across the wet floors by the Waterslides, Running up and down the Halls-Playing-At least on our floor, Etc. I rarely saw parents controlling their kids or at least making them mind their manners. 

 

Not ALL short cruises are full with Bad, Drunk and Rowdy People. Not sure why short cruises get such a bad rap but if I could go on the Elation again, I would in a heartbeat. I think I'll continue to do majority of my cruising in the Fall when the Kids are back in school.

 

Thankfully, large numbers of out-of-control children will not be a concern for us.  We are sailing just after schools resume from Christmas Break.  In fact, our cruise coincides with midterm exams for a lot schools.  We never cruise during Summer or school holidays so as to avoid the large herds of improperly parented children.  I've seen enough bad behaviour from kids on our longer cruises during the school year that I would never cruise when school was out.

[MzOhioLady]

26 minutes ago, ShakyBeef said:

 

Thankfully, large numbers of out-of-control children will not be a concern for us.  We are sailing just after schools resume from Christmas Break.  In fact, our cruise coincides with midterm exams for a lot schools.  We never cruise during Summer or school holidays so as to avoid the large herds of improperly parented children.  I've seen enough bad behaviour from kids on our longer cruises during the school year that I would never cruise when school was out.

Yes I learned a valuable lesson from this cruise. However My Fiancée had a long weekend off his job so we added a day at Disney World onto the cruise. We just made a decision to go for it since the timing was right. To be honest I didn't think it would be so full of kids considering schools were just getting out for summer break.  I will think twice going forward about cruising when school is out!  

[lmb84]

Hmmm...lots to think about.  The dates my sister and I were thinking about on the Sensation were April 20-25 / April 25-30...The only thing I'm not sure about is the ports....we tend to enjoy the St. Islands more (Maarten, Kitts, Lucia, Thomas etc.)...These cruises stop at 1/2 moon cay, ocho rios....grand turk, grand cayman and nassau....but for sure...the last thing I want is a whole bunch of loud kids (I run my own home daycare, 5 children under the age of 3 !!!)...LOL...I THOUGHT b2b's are only 5 days and under unless it's 8 and 6!  which might be too long....p.s.  my sister LOVES TO GAMBLE...SO...on that note....too many days could get expensive LOLOL

[lmb84]

7 hours ago, ddgg said:

I've done several b2b's and I love them. Do you have any particular questions?

THANKS for your reply ddgg...Is it a pain getting off and getting back on?  I know you can stay in the same room if available when booking.

[lmb84]

7 hours ago, fyree39 said:

IMO, two 5 day cruises will just mean a greater number of partiers on board. Were I in your shoes, I'd look for a 7 day cruise and a shorter cruise to attach to it.  We once did an 8 day and a 5 day b2b and I was really surprised at how the ship was staged for the 5 day cruise versus the 7 day cruise.  Even the cruise line knows the 5 day cruisers are going to be wild.

I like the sound of a 7 and 5 day b2b...We enjoy the Eastern over the Western....There aren't any 7 day eastern out of florida anymore..Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa..how come?

Edited June 6, 2019 by lmb84

[MJSailors]

Can you consider one cruise of ten days or more ?

Longer cruises decrease the possibility of sharing a vacation with the party crowd type passengers and children due to the time frame.

[2011mom]

Back in 2013 my sister and I took a 4 day/3 day b2b because I wanted to get in my 10 cruises to become platinum before they changed the criteria to number of sailed days.  I can't remember the ship but it was fantasy class.  We had a terrific time.  It was so fun to be able to sit around on the turnaround day and know we were going on another cruise!  I've taken lots of short cruises and never found it to be a problem with partiers, and I'm definitely not a big partier myself!

[lmb84]

20 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

Can you consider one cruise of ten days or more ?

Longer cruises decrease the possibility of sharing a vacation with the party crowd type passengers and children due to the time frame.

I would love to do a 10 day in the caribbean...point me in the right direction because I can't find one...unless one wants to go in hurricane season...we like to travel in April or May

Edited June 6, 2019 by lmb84

[Mr2Scents]

My son and I did the Sensation in September and it was my absolute favorite cruise. I felt terrible that DW wasn't with me. The vibe was great fun. There were no fall down drunks or anything negative. The islands were great as well. Go find a great beach in Nassau that's not Paradise Island. HMC was amazing, our second favorite beach ever. Grand Turk snorkeling and swimming with the Ray's was great fun. Go and enjoy!


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[lmb84]

37 minutes ago, Mr2Scents said:

My son and I did the Sensation in September and it was my absolute favorite cruise. I felt terrible that DW wasn't with me. The vibe was great fun. There were no fall down drunks or anything negative. The islands were great as well. Go find a great beach in Nassau that's not Paradise Island. HMC was amazing, our second favorite beach ever. Grand Turk snorkeling and swimming with the Ray's was great fun. Go and enjoy!


Sent from my Lenovo TB-X304F using Tapatalk
 

Thing is....we have repeated all of those islands....done a lot of catamaran snorkelling excursions in grand turk, been to half moon cay, prob ....3 times...nassau 3 times....I just have to tell my sister, to leave it to me to book LOL

[KmomChicago]

2 hours ago, lmb84 said:

Hmmm...lots to think about.  The dates my sister and I were thinking about on the Sensation were April 20-25 / April 25-30...The only thing I'm not sure about is the ports....we tend to enjoy the St. Islands more (Maarten, Kitts, Lucia, Thomas etc.)...These cruises stop at 1/2 moon cay, ocho rios....grand turk, grand cayman and nassau....but for sure...the last thing I want is a whole bunch of loud kids (I run my own home daycare, 5 children under the age of 3 !!!)...LOL...I THOUGHT b2b's are only 5 days and under unless it's 8 and 6!  which might be too long....p.s.  my sister LOVES TO GAMBLE...SO...on that note....too many days could get expensive LOLOL

 

Pricing often equates to kid ratios. By the end of April, Spring Break may be all finished, depending on when Easter falls.  If so, you'll see the price drop, and likely the kid ratio will fall right along with it.  The first couple of weeks of May should be a shoulder season with few kids onboard.  Even though Sensation is a low priced ship, it still fluctuates with the school schedules.

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, lmb84 said:

I would love to do a 10 day in the caribbean...point me in the right direction because I can't find one...unless one wants to go in hurricane season...we like to travel in April or May

 

Next May Carnival Legend has 3 Journeys cruises, one 13-night from Tampa to NY with partial Panama Canal transit with unusual ports, then two 9 nights round trip from NY to Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas.

[lmb84]

I saw the 9 day out of New York, but am a little skeptical as I have heard flying into New York and getting to the different ports sounded sooooo confusing....How many ports are there in New York ?

[MJSailors]

I think Carnival goes out of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal ,possibly Pier 88 or 90.

I am not certain where you live,but flying  into NY doesn’t have to be intimidating.

There are two airports-LaGuardia and JFK. Both are located about a half hour or more drive into theCity- depending on traffic.

 

[lmb84]

HMMM, I'M FROM TORONTO

[MJSailors]

Continuing....

It would be better to hire a car service to pick you up and drive into the City rather than take a taxi. Uber may also work

One car service company that is often mentioned on CC is Carmel.

If you plan to arrive a day or two before the cruise,there are several hotels close to theManhattan Cruise Terminal. There is a Holiday Inn Express within walking distance to the Terminal as well as the hotel Ink.

Another idea....

Consider other cruise lines. Princess offers fourteen day Caribbean cruises that should be available in April. These cruises leave from Ft Lauderdale.

Also look at NCL and Royal Carribean,both have cruises leaving from Florida ports.

Good luck with your vacation planning !

 

[ddgg]

14 hours ago, lmb84 said:

THANKS for your reply ddgg...Is it a pain getting off and getting back on?  I know you can stay in the same room if available when booking.

 

Not at all. They gather all the b2b people and an officer escorts you off the ship, through customs, and back on the ship. You won't have to take your luggage off or stand in long lines.  You usually have an hour or so when you have the ship all to yourself before the next bunch of passengers board. It's great!

 

If you're sailing again in the same cabin, you don't have to pack anything. I usually tell the steward not to bother cleaning my cabin until last because they have a LOT of work getting the cabins ready for the new passengers.  If you are changing cabins, pack everything except your hanging clothes.  The steward will move everything to your new cabin.

 

I've done several b2b's on different ships, but never the Sensation until this year. I'm doing a b2b on her in September and then again in March.  I'm in my 60's and I cruise solo. Sometimes the crowd can be rowdy, but I haven't encountered that very much. Plus, I love to sit with a drink and "people watch", so I'm prepared for any type of crowd.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Diane

 

 

[lmb84]

Thank you Diane for your reply.  Trying to talk my sister into doing the 10 day b2b...Just can't convince her of the islands....She thinks most of them are boring....but when you have been on 12 Carnival cruises...it gets very repetitious....I am to the point that I just love being on the ship and getting off at the ports....I've been to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Aruba a NUMBER OF TIMES.....UGH