Has anyone tried back to back cruising?

[GlamorousGirl]

I love back to backs, especially when I can get 2 itineraries. I love the nearly empty ship in between voyages, and the way the staff treats you like a VIP!

[Hlitner]

We have done more then our share of back to backs, back to back to backs, etc. etc.  When one takes really long cruises (we are talking about measuring in months) it is usually referred to as segments of a longer cruise :).  One warning about back to backs in the Caribbean.  You will often find that you get mostly the same entertainment and dining menus.  Also consider you would have two welcome aboard shows (on ships that still do this) and two last nights.  While back to backs are fine, we prefer a cruise with a longer itinerary that does not repeat ports.   That being said, we actually have a Caribbean back to back (MSC Yacht Club) booked for this coming December.   We booked those cruises because we really enjoy our time in the YC and at Ocean Cay (both of the cruises stop at that island).  As to the other Caribbean ports, we will likely not even bother to get off the ship at most places.  On the other hand, with COVID-19 it is likely that many ports will not even allow cruise ships to dock or disembark passengers. 

 

Hank

[davekathy]

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

As I said  some cruise lines  are different   so best to check  when onboard

 

On Oceania  it is carried forward 

Exactly why you , others and I should have asked the OP what cruise lines they were considering since the OP didn't say.  

[Spif Barwunkel]

 

There are some things to consider before sailing back-to-back- cruises. If you have only cruised a couple of times, consider the length of those cruises and whether or not additional days on a ship would be enjoyable to you at this time. I believe that this is the biggest consideration.

 

Select the region where you want to cruise and pick the itineraries that are most attractive. Itineraries are important for us. Our first b2b fulfilled two items on our cruising bucket list. From Dublin, we sailed 8 days in Norway and 11 days in Iceland/Ireland. An overnight in Dublin between sailings gave us the opportunity to enjoy some sights in that great city. Previous to this b2b, our longest single cruise was 12 days. Because of the Norway/Iceland itineraries, we did not want to get off the ship after 19 days. In other words, we could have done these two cruises all over again.

 

You will want to make sure that you select the right cruise line, one that fits your needs and desires. A ships atmosphere and environment is always important, more so the longer you are onboard.

 

Heed what advice these experienced cruisers have to offer. Discern as best you can what seems to strike your fancy. Ask additional questions, if necessary. Most importantly, have no doubt when you are ready for your first back-to-back.

 

When next you cruise, only the best of times.   

 

[chloemonkey]

On 6/21/2020 at 7:15 AM, navybankerteacher said:

The only B2B which I think is truly absurd is one that repeats the same itinerary.  Also, having that day in the middle, when you have to debark, hang around, and then reboard a ship which is going through the changeover chaos is kind of a pain.  I would much prefer one single, longer, itinerary.  Lots of people book two or more segments of longer itineraries - which is similar to back-to-back without the hassle of that middle day - but usually involves different embarkation/debarkation ports.  

ON the CONTRARY!  Consider many who only have one week to visit ports on the Meditteranean cruises that only spend one day in Rome, one day if Florence, etc......not at all enough time to see all that these wonderful ports have to offer.  We have done many B2B cruises.   Some I research to ensure that they have different itineraries.....but we have also enjoyed a couple of the SAME itineraries that allow us to take different tours in cities that we visited twice within the two weeks.  Both choices are awesome and we now try to do this as often as possible.

And "turnaround" day - which is what it is called when the first cruise is ending and the next one is beginning.....is not at all "changeover chaos" as it usually involves only walking off of the ship and walking right back on.  OR as has been our experience the last two times....Customs and Immigration have brought their equipment onboard and we had only to go down to an area near where others were disembarking.....to be processed.  Not ONCE having to leave the ship!  

But we also sometimes take advantage of this day to tour the town.....even Miami!  As although we have been there tons of times....we still find places we want to visit/revisit or run to buy supplies.....and when it is a town like Barcelona, Venice, etc?  Who would not want to spend another day in these ports?

So my vote is a YES for B2B's........try it and see for yourself!

[taglovestocruise]

On 6/21/2020 at 5:59 AM, dogs4fun said:

This is the major reason that we have enjoyed B2B cruises - especially TA cruises combined with med cruises, etc. - only had one R/T flight 

We have a one coming up. 7 nights in the Med and then 14 nights back to FLL. A one way flight from LAX to Barcelona and then a short FLL. to LAX.  

[Hlitner]

Since some have raised the issue of the length of cruises consider that some cruises are over 100 days and often book-up far in advance.  Our first really long cruise (over 30 days) was a 62 day cruise on a pretty small ship (580 passengers) and we had a few concerns whether we would like 23 days at sea.  The last night of that cruise I asked DW what she thought of the long voyage and she responded "I could do another 62!"   For those of us who cruise because we love being at sea, the length and sea days are not a problem.  For folks that only want a cruise to be like a ferry boat taking them from place to place we think that it can quickly get "old" if on a long cruise.

 

Hank

[drsel]

Our two most recent [2017 & 2019] were round trip transatlantic crossings - our upcoming cruise [sept 2021] is another round trip, visiting Southampton, Rotterdam, Brussels & Cherbourg  
 
We choose this option as we are local to the Brooklyn terminal [no airplanes, rolls or bridges] and have always found the ship and other passengers the main attraction as a vacation.

Which are these round trip transatlantic crossings? normally the transatlantics are in April and September

[drsel]

 

 

 

 

You also are invited to a consecutive cruisers lunch in the MDR on TAD .  

on our Costa B2B, we were not invited for any consecutive Cruisers lunch on the turnaround day.

 

I don't think Costa has anything like that

 

 

 

 

 

[davekathy]

11 minutes ago, drsel said:

on our Costa B2B, we were not invited for any consecutive Cruisers lunch on the turnaround day.

I don't think Costa has anything like that

Bummer. Limited but good menu on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean for the TAD lunch for consecutive cruisers. 

[navybankerteacher]

45 minutes ago, drsel said:

On 6/21/2020 at 11:37 AM, TheOldBear said:

Our two most recent [2017 & 2019] were round trip transatlantic crossings - our upcoming cruise [sept 2021] is another round trip, visiting Southampton, Rotterdam, Brussels & Cherbourg  
 
We choose this option as we are local to the Brooklyn terminal [no airplanes, rolls or bridges] and have always found the ship and other passengers the main attraction as a vacation.

Which are these round trip transatlantic crossings? normally the transatlantics are in April and September

Cunard’s QM2 has trans-Atlantic’s (many of them round trips from either Brooklyn or Southampton) through the year - with the exception of the January-March period when she is doing the long world itinerary.  Very few other lines offer round trips as their trans-Atlantics are primary seasonal repositionings.

[drsel]

Cunard’s QM2 has trans-Atlantic’s (many of them round trips from either Brooklyn or Southampton) through the year - with the exception of the January-March period when she is doing the long world itinerary.  Very few other lines offer round trips as their trans-Atlantics are primary seasonal repositionings.

Isn't that the same route as the Titanic, [emoji817] years ago?
Are the shows, entertainment and activities repeated on both legs?
What about food menus being repeated?

[navybankerteacher]

1 minute ago, drsel said:

 

 

Isn't that the same route as the Titanic, years ago?
Are the shows, entertainment and activities repeated on both legs?
What about food menus being repeated?

 

They both follow the economic great circle route- although Titanic’s would have been slightly different having sailed from Cork as her last port.   I believe there is som repetition on the menus - though they usually have a broader selection than other mass market lines - so I would not see it as a problem.

[drsel]

They both follow the economic great circle route- although Titanic’s would have been slightly different having sailed from Cork as her last port.   I believe there is som repetition on the menus - though they usually have a broader selection than other mass market lines - so I would not see it as a problem.

How many grand production shows do they have on each transatlantic leg and are the shows repeated on the return journey?

 

[TheOldBear]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

They both follow the economic great circle route- although Titanic’s would have been slightly different having sailed from Cork as her last port.   I believe there is som repetition on the menus - though they usually have a broader selection than other mass market lines - so I would not see it as a problem.

I recall hearing that the non wold cruise menu has a 45 day repeat interval for the main dining room. Some entrees may repeat more frequently but not the entire menu.

 

The standard routing is great circle, but when there are diversions for weather there is a magic of speed available to make up the time.

[TheOldBear]

34 minutes ago, drsel said:

How many grand production shows do they have on each transatlantic leg and are the shows repeated on the return journey?

 

So called “production” shows are usually only one or two nights, with other features for the rest of the crossing. When the NSO is on board, there are two live concerts.

Our only disappointment was for the 2017 westbound, there was an English stand up comic who appeared to have been a couple of decades past his ‘best used by’ date ( mass exodus about 15 minutes into his act”

[kochleffel]

I could also mention side-to-side cruises -- moving from one ship to another at the same port (or a nearby one, such as Fort Lauderdale to Miami). This is less convenient than returning to the same ship, because you have to remove all your luggage, but it's an option that could be useful if the first ship repeats the same itinerary, or continues to one that doesn't appeal to you. I'm considering adding a one-way Alaska itinerary on Holland America to an already-booked closed-loop on Royal Caribbean. They have some different ports, some the same, but the ones common to both have plenty to do.

 

[Hlitner]

As one who has done about 2 dozen TAs. a few Transpacifics and more then a few longer cruises (3-10 weeks) I want to talk about entertainment.  What happens really varies between cruise lines.  On long cruises the Production Shows are a relatively minor thing because the entertainers and ship are only prepared to do 3 or 4 shows.  On a 14 day crossing that is fine, but if you are doing a 60 day cruise you are still only going to get about 4 Production Shows.  Otherwise, you will have so-called Guest Entertainers (who will often do 2 different shows), perhaps some movies (especially on HAL), and you might even have a couple of "dark nights" when there is no show in the main showroom.  This can actually drive the production show staff nutz.  We did one 28 day Pacific crossing where that entertainment group could only do 3 shows.  The rest of the time they were pretty bored.  One of the entertainers teamed-up with a classical pianist and did a few opera recitals that were amazing.  But this caused some issue with the Hotel Manager because it was technically a contract violation.

 

Guest Entertainers are often the best shows on a ship.  On longer cruises or back to backs you can get lucky and get many different entertainers who come and go.  But on back to backs you might get a Guest Entertainer that is aboard for both cruises (or more if back to back to back) and repeats.   Our favorite entertainers on long cruises were piano bar entertainers...when they were good.  If you get a good band this can also be a very good thing on long cruises.  

 

Folks that do back to back 7 day Caribbean cruises are generally going to have a lot of repetition when it comes to entertainment and dining menus.  For those that love Production Shows you might want to consider that these shows are expensive productions require pre-recorded tracks,  real producers ashore, pre cruise training (for the cast) done ashore, scenery.  etc.  They cannot simply add a few different shows to please the masses.  

 

The best entertainment I have seen in many cruises happened on a 14 day Seabourn Soujourn cruise.  There was a small group (6 singers and dancers) who were loaded with talent.  They performed in a small theater with no scenary and it was all about their own talent as singers/dancers.  Seabourn hired top talent and this group was among the best we have heard in over forty years of cruising.  That is a small ship and I got to know a few of those entertainers over late night drinks in one of the bars.  These folks had amazing resumes (we are talking West End, Broadway, etc) and told me they loved the small intimate venue.  Several had worked on very big ships and were not fans of the experience.  On the smaller ship their talent was obvious and appreciated.  It often came down to a singer, their microphone, and some tracks.  They could not hide behind a large production group.  They belted out their songs with no production to cover-up any shortcomings.  We have seen many glitzy shows (on ships) with pre-recorded tracks (including singers), good lighting, special effects, etc.  On the Soujourn we saw singers and dancer doing their thing on a relatively naked stage within a few feet of the audience.  

 

I am not knocking the huge production shows seen on the mega ships of RCI and NCL!  But those are primarily 7 day cruises and the repertoire is aimed at a 7 night audience.  Put those same folks on a 30 day cruise and what would they do?  This is why Production Shows are not a major component of longer cruises.  On a 4 week cruise you might get 4 Production shows.  But how about the other 24 nights?

 

Hank

 

 

[kochleffel]

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I am not knocking the huge production shows seen on the mega ships of RCI and NCL!  But those are primarily 7 day cruises and the repertoire is aimed at a 7 night audience.  Put those same folks on a 30 day cruise and what would they do? 

 

I've taken two 7-night cruises on the same ship, in different years, for which the production shows were identical. I liked them  well enough, but not so much that I wanted to see them a second time. On the other hand, there was one passenger who was in week 4 of four cruises on that ship and went to all of them every week, sometimes twice in the same week. Go figure.

[LHT28]

7 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

I've taken two 7-night cruises on the same ship, in different years, for which the production shows were identical. I liked them  well enough, but not so much that I wanted to see them a second time. On the other hand, there was one passenger who was in week 4 of four cruises on that ship and went to all of them every week, sometimes twice in the same week. Go figure.

Did they not have something else you could do  on night  where the show was the same ?

 

 We may sit & chat with new friends/go to the casino/ take a walk on deck or just enjoy  some of the other venues  onboard

[navybankerteacher]

Attending shows is not mandatory - we will take a look at the schedule and often opt for an evening of music, enjoying the deck, reading, playing backgammon, you name it.  I do not think I have ever been on a cruise when I went to every show - many of them are not that good, and some are very good -but choice rules over routine.

[kochleffel]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Did they not have something else you could do  on night  where the show was the same ?

 

 We may sit & chat with new friends/go to the casino/ take a walk on deck or just enjoy  some of the other venues  onboard

 

Well, yes, of course. This was on a large ship with music in several venues, comedy, etc. In the second cruise, the demographics broke in a way that caused those I was most interested in to fill up early, and I couldn't get in for some of them. I'm no spring chicken, but most of the passengers were older than I am and tended to line up very early for everything. Some days there would be more than a hundred in line for bingo an hour before it was to start (not that I like bingo).

 

Walking on deck wasn't an option, because the ship was the Norwegian Epic, which has no promenade deck. Even the running track is on only one side of the ship, and to the extent that runners use it, a leisurely stroll is awkward. What generally works best for me if there is no show that I'm planning to see is to have dinner in the very middle of the evening, overlapping both shows.

[LHT28]

27 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

Well, yes, of course. This was on a large ship with music in several venues, comedy, etc. In the second cruise, the demographics broke in a way that caused those I was most interested in to fill up early, and I couldn't get in for some of them. I'm no spring chicken, but most of the passengers were older than I am and tended to line up very early for everything. Some days there would be more than a hundred in line for bingo an hour before it was to start (not that I like bingo).

 

 

I am glad we do smaller ships  LOL

 

We walk around the pool deck  usually empty in the evening when people are eating or at the show

[kochleffel]

27 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I am glad we do smaller ships  LOL

 

We walk around the pool deck  usually empty in the evening when people are eating or at the show

 

This lining-up early was a surprise. In my previous cruise on the Epic some smaller venues would fill up, but not until showtime. That cruise had a lower average age - more passengers between 30 and 50 than over 60, it appeared, and lots of port days.

 

On smaller ships there is typically less choice of entertainment and I've been on some where little of it was to my taste. In one cruise, the only entertainment I liked was a jazz ensemble drawn from the theater orchestra on nights with no shows. However, it fit with dinner in the middle of the evening since the ensemble usually played earlier than that.

 

Does anyone go on a cruise specifically for the entertainment? I don't mean choosing one line or ship over another because of that season's entertainment, but going on cruises primarily for the entertainment?

[drsel]

 

 

 

 

  

Does anyone go on a cruise specifically for the entertainment? I don't mean choosing one line or ship over another because of that season's entertainment, but going on cruises primarily for the entertainment?

 

I do. that's the number one most important factor for me, after the price of The Cruise. 

my next three Cruises are to ports I have been to many times.

 

 

I am going just to try out and checkout different Cruise lines and ships and what shows entertainment and activities they offer.