4 EASY steps to a Back to Back Cruise
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- What to expect if you ever take two cruises in a row on the same ship!
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Back-to-back cruises are wonderful. There is nothing so satisfying as watching thousands of passengers disembark the ship knowing that you're staying!
Sailed on Allure in September’23. Last night onboard we were strolling the Promenade after dinner at 150 Central. As we were about to pass the Next Cruise office, my wife says “Hey, let’s go in here!”.
Nobody else in there except the guy behind the desk and us.
My wife decides we want a B2B. The guy hooked us up with the same Owners Suite for both weeks and we got $300 on board credit for both weeks because we booked on board.
129 days!!! So excited!!!
Matt, my mom considers you part of our family because anytime she talks about cruising to me I say “Matt says to do this…ect” Now she says to me “how’s Matt?”😂
😆I love it
After cruising for more than 30 years,
I finally did my FIRST back-to-back cruise a couple of months ago.
The 1st was a 9-night with 4 ports of call, and the 2nd was a 10-night with 4 new ports of call!
It was great! Loved every minute of both of them!!! Oh, and it was
on CARNIVAL!!!!!
😁🤣😂🙃
I almost always do back to back--sometimes back to back to back. It's a great way to have a nice, long vacation. Also a great way to escape long, cold winters.
We have done several b2b cruises already.
It is sooooo great!
Sometimes it does not work out to stay in the same cabin, but even moving within the ship is so easy! The cabin Attendants are really helping an awful lot and are so lovely in giving tips and hints on "how to".
My wife introduced me to cruising. She had cruised before and was hesitant to introduce me to the cruising lifestyle. Leave it up to me she said. OK, no problem. We cruised the Caribbean for 7 days in January, loved every moment of it and with excursions Came back home, looked at her and said never again… We need at least 2 weeks. So…15 years of b2b….and always a balcony,. Gotta love the smell and beauty of the ocean., the beautiful ppl and food , on the ship and Islands. Yes I was hooked from day one. I ccould go on and on.
I’ve done a few B2B, even B4B. Last time was B2B on Harmony out of Galveston. We met in the Comedy club, Immigration came on and checked passports, then as we left the club we scanned out with old and in with new, and never left the ship. Easiest by far but rarely done that way.
I find that saving one airfare for doing two cruises is a nice way to reduce the second cruise fare. On B2B I pick one early and one late MDR, making it great to catch all the shows!
I am Elite on Princess, so I get FREE, unlimited laundry and dry cleaning. I can easily do a month with carry-on luggage only. That's the best perk in cruising.
Thank You as always Matt for the helpful information.
Perfect time to upload this as I’m about to go on a back to back cruise in less then a month
I have done back to back cruises on MSC and NCL. Both did book as one cruise and there was a lower price versus two cruises. I've done three on MSC in the past two years and you do not have to do the safety drill on the second cruise. These are great!
My Wife & I did a back to back cruise last year on a Carnival Cruise. It's unique because you experience a different crowd on each cruise. Met ALOT of first time cruisers on the 2nd cruise. We cruise both Carnival & Royal Caribbean! They even changed the procedure a little since we did it (February 2023).
Did my first b-to-b last year! So much fun knowing you don’t have to go home after the first cruise!
Timing couldn't have been better on this video. I just booked my first back to back 2 days ago. Thanks Matt!
Awesome tips Mat! Booked a B2B for Nov 2025. 515 days to go......
We have done 3 B2B cruises and we have one in July 2024 and then again in July 2025. WE LOVE B2Bs!!!!
Great info! We'll be doing a B2B on Allure next week. We couldn't get the same cabin, so we'll see how smooth that process is.
I've only done 1 back to back cruise and it was an Alaska one. Sadly, I couldn't book the same room. So I had to pretty much pack everything and got off like I would normally for the end of 1 cruise and went through the entire process again like you would going on it for the first time. Still loved it.
Thanks Matt! We’re travelling btb on Grandeur of the Seas next year and were wondering how it all worked. Now we know! Easy peasy!
Just booked a BTB from Sydney to Singapore, then Singapore to Hong Kong next year. Can’t wait
Love your videos, Matt. Just wanted to let you know, CBP is Customs and Border Protection, not Patrol. 😊
My bad
I like your suggestion of B2B in order to make the "one-way" Alaska cruises round trip!
Thinking about doing this with Utopia of the seas next year. Thanks for all your tips!
Our last several B2Bs have been out of U.S. Ports. They had us bring seapass cards and passports to the turn-around room, where we checked off the ship and back on (new seapass cards issued) and then pasport officials showed up to check those documents. Never left the ship, or even that room. So easy!
We did our first B2B in February and loved it. The lunch was amazing including the salmon. We are considering another one next year.
Best way to B2B is book the same room for the number of weeks you want ... we do 3 weeks at a time, works well for us no moving or changing rooms way better lol
Our first B2B was 7 days Alaska then reposition to Miami through Panama Canal LOVED IT. Although our B2B was a FUBAR but would still do it again.
Thanks! Good info! 3 B2B sailings next year and we haven’t done that before! So excited!
In UK we tend to take longer holidays so often we do back to back cruises. In Europe you don't have to get off the boat on changeover day, but we had to in Miami. Doing it again this year. Transatlantic on Oasis of the Seas Barcelona to Port Lauderdale, then 3 nights Caribbean so we can visit Coco Cay for the first time. Not that I'm excited or already in countdown mode!
I have a b2b in October that will last 21 days. Definitely will have to use the laundry services. First time I did b2b did not have the same room. Learned my lesson and have the same cabin this time.
Just a note: I have done many cruises and one thing you forgot to tell everyone is that they must bring their passports with them. It is true that you may stay on and a customs officer may come on board and check your passport. Or you get off the ship and scan your passport or facial recognition. Then you get back on the ship
Should have to tell anybody they need a pasport to leave the US. Common sense
Done two back to backs. One was great (Miami). One was organised poorly by RC with the hands dealt by Customs (TA-Med).
I have had them not know I was B2B before. As for muster drill, some of the letters have said you don’t have to redo if you are in the same cabin. YMMV.
Excited for my first B2B2B this December.
The cruise lines I tend to use for back-to-back cruises are P&O UK Princess Cruise and Cunard. Because these companies have launderettes on board, I can take washing powder and do my own laundry.
The process varies on the whim of Customs. Although I can’t prove this theory, it seems that ports that have facial recognition software, and sufficient Customs staffing, bring the Customs aboard. The B2B met in the MDR, we checked out with the old card and received the new card. Once everyone finished, they opened the door, passed out free drinks, and invited us to enjoy an empty ship for a few hours.
Here’s a hint if you are staying in the same stateroom on a back-to-back cruise.
On some ships there are security doors onboard that are closed between sailings. They block off the staterooms from guest access until the staterooms are available at which time the doors are reopened.
During your first cruise aak your stateroom attendant to show you how to open those doors so you can regain access to your stateroom.
If the stateroom attendant does show you this, be sure to watch closely and open the doors exactly as shown. Of course, you do this at your own risk so be extra careful. These are not ordinary doors.
We have done several B2B's on Royal Caribbean. I have noticed that the process varies slightly depending upon what port that you do the B2B at.
Cruising 27 nights B2B Seattle to Yokahama then Yokohama to Singapore in a GS. Same suite that our TA sourced.❤ Lots of sea days to get into that sea rhythm.😊🛳🏝
Us too! We hope we aren't forced to spend the entire day on the ship and not see Yokohama or Tokyo
In Australia, if you do an international cruise, followed by a domestic one, you have to pack up everything as if you’re leaving. You’re escorted to an area in the terminal until boarding time. Reason being that Border Force checks you, in case you’ve brought something in the country that’s not allowed.
This doesn’t happen the other way round, ie. domestic then international cruises.
Doing a SideXside in August then a B2B in December I do not have the same rooms in Dec, but I do have the same room as one of the August trips. This will be the first time, but it does save on airfair.
Thank you for this! I've never done a B2B but it always sounded tempting. I'm doing 2 S2S (?) cruises next February and I think the only question I had was about transferring from one ship to another in Ft. Lauderdale. I'll contact Royal but I would love a video that discusses tips for side-to-side cruises as well.
New Margaritaville Islander set sails out of Tampa this Friday. 176 days and counting until Adventure of the Seas. One port stop is Haiti 🇭🇹. I hope that I don’t get kidnapped.
Random cabin check, please make a video about it ! All you know, no hiding, thanks
All our B2B have been on the same cabin, I don’t think I would like a change of cabin deal. The one we have enjoyed the most, was Odyssey!
Not allowed: back-to-back 1 way cruises where 1st cruise starts in a US port to a foreign port & 2nd ends in a different US port--Jones act violation (No foreign flag transport between 2 different US ports)
Example: end of season Alaska cruises. #1 Seattle to Vancouver. #2 Vancouver to Hawaii or Los Angeles.
Matt, I am so excited we found your channel. My wife and I call you, “the guy who talks really fast” (but we are from Georgia soooo 👀) But thanks for all you do and I did have a question. We are 48 days from Utopia and your B2B cruise suggestion was intriguing to say the least. Can we assume Utopia alternates 4 and then 3 and then back to 4 to make the B2B Utopia experience make sense from a 7 day cruise standpoint? Also do you know why the app doesn’t count down for you? Bummer to have to log into the desktop site from my phone to get the countdown. You may have nothing to do with that or even know but wanted to ask just in case. God bless
I usaly get crusies thriugh casino offers and have to wait for offers that cover the different date that I want and so the chances of geting the same cabin is very slim i just talk to the cabin steward on the frirst day and arange for my stuff to be moved for the next cruise they are always very helpfule. Also I cruise out of galveston and I think there has only been one time that I had to get off the ship most times You just wait in the designated loung and customs comes onboard and checks Your passport then the crew just give You the new room key and tells You when the cabins will be open.
I am planning a B2B to/from Seattle to Alaska. Leaving it to my travel agent for the logistics.
How do you actually find or book a back to back? We did one by accident. It was listed as an 11 day cruise, and when we came on the ship, they gave us instructions for getting off and on! And yes, they offered a special brunch. It was nice. Oh, two browsers! Thanks for the tip. The only negative is that the menu repeated!
Yep did B2B on symphony and one week was western then eastern next week completely different ports
I’m booked on a charter cruise which is a 3day, then later we booked a Mexico cruise which is before which would make it a b2b cruise would there be any difference from what you said? We are in different rooms for each cruise but on the same deck
If I booked with my parents and picked different balcony rooms on utopia central park view and didn't pick my rooms how likely will it be that our rooms won't be lose to another ?
Hey Matt, have you tried back-to-back cruising on two separate ships? You disembark on one and sail on another. Of course you might have to stay at a hotel between them but have you tried it?
I havent, but it's a thing and called a "side to side"
Our change-over is in Yokohama. It's a big rip off if we are forced to wait until everyone is off the ship before leaving the ship then we need to be back on the ship just a couple of hours later! How can we do excursions in Yokohama / Tokyo?
does doing this mean you have to pay for trip insurance twice
This applies to ALL lines For an FYI
We are doing a B2B next summer where the debark/embark is at port (Ravenna) we won't be going to otherwise. Are we able to get off and have time to look around before re-embarking?
Will Royal do anything to assist you with a b2b cruise fare on two different ships? I have a b2b booked out of Orlando over Christmas; 6 day Adventure followed up by a 3 day on Utopia after.
Thanks Matt. Any advice for parking at the terminal for a B2B? My experience at Port Canaveral is that the gate at entrance gives you the choice to select the cruise you're going on and charges accordingly - and then you put the ticket in your windshield. I assume they wouldn't tow you? Just pay the difference on exit I hope?
I have been unable to get an answer to this parking situation, would not want my car towed
@@jimwarnock-j7h My back to back isn't until next year but I just got off a cruise where a fellow passenger said they won't tow you - you just pay the difference on exit.
Nope im getting off and walking to a Laundromat to do laundry.
If your loyalty status changes between cruises do you get the updated status for the second cruise?
Talk to loyalty ambassador on the first cruise
Does RC automatically know you're doing a b2b or do you need to note it somewhere?
Im sure, regardless, a good travel agent would make sure it's known.
They’ve known about it every time I’ve done it. As I said in the video, doesn’t hurt to talk to guest services on first cruise just to confirm
Can’t you just get off the ship, go do your laundry and get back on?
one of my wishes when I retire.
We did a B2B a couple of years ago with eastern and western Caribbean on the 2nd and 3rd week of cruising by Wonder of The Seas.
Next spring, I'm doing a Transatlantic from NJ to Rome on Odyssey of The Seas following up with a Greek Isles cruise from Rome and back. That's 21 nights in a row. Not that I'm excited, but this starts in 316 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes, and 13 seconds
It's not easy to do like y'all UA-camrs , IT COST MONEY FOR US REGULAR PEOPLE , ( REALLY) 😂
I'm doing a back 2 back on Symphony of the Seas in February. I'm glad I found this video because I had so many questions.
In june 2025 I'm going on my first b2b cruise northern Europe on carnival. I'm booked in the same room. The first leg is a 9 days starting and ending in dover london. The second leg is a 12 days totally different ports. Same ship. Total 21 days. I think the food and entertainment will be the same.
Question. Do you know when Icon of the Seas will be added to casino offers? Or the QR codes in the casino?
I did a b2b on the princess carribean and it was the worst idea i have ever had. on the way back we had the same entertainment, comedians, activities and movies. I was bored out of my mind. I would definitely do a side by side.
Love back to back cruises. Also the side by side cruises are fun because you experience two different ships.
We are doing a different type of back-to-back. We have a Celebrity sailing coming up, then we'll be getting off that ship and onto a Royal ship same day. Not a same line back to back, but still counts in my book! I DO want to do a same-ship back to back at some point though!
This is called a "side by side" cruise. We did it with Icon then walked the pier to get on the carnival horizon last month.
Hi Matt what's the better way for booking cruises with an agent or with RCCL? They use to have personal cruise planners now they don't.
A good travel agent is the right decision
We did a B2B on Jewel OTS Aug-Sep 2022 out of Amsterdam. 1st cruise 9d Norwegian Fjords - visited Olden, Flam, Geiranger, Alesund & Kristiansand. 2nd cruise 10d repositioning Spain & Portugal - visited Bruges, Vigo, Madeira, Malaga, Valencia ending in Barcelona.
B2B out of Amsterdam was the best! We reported to the theater to "sign out", got our new key cards, "signed in", received our transit cards, and walked out to check out Amsterdam (well, also did our laundry in a nearby walkable laundromat). Back in 2022, the ship docked at the Amsterdam Cruise Terminal right by the city center - it was GREAT!
These itineraries were fabulous, our Activities Manager Graeme was a Scottish dreamboat 😊, our captain was wonderful - he even announced into our staterooms at midnight to go outside and check out the Northern Lights as we sailed through Storfjorden Fjord. We were absolutely lucky - on that itinerary, we saw the Northern Lights 3 nights in a row, in early September!
Thanks for the tips! My sister and I will be doing a back to back next year in Europe ( Spain/Portugal and Norway). So hearing what to expect is very helpful.
Never thought about B2B as a way of optimizing air fair and travel. Matt you always enlighten us with your videos. I’m sure many already knew this benefit of b2b but myself and those who didn’t … THANK YOU!!
Doing our first B2B later this year. We have the same inside cabin, but did a Royal up to get a balcony for one week.
I’ve never done a back 2 back cruise on RCL, but have done several on Princess and have never had to do the muster drill on the 2nd cruise.
I'll be joining the B2B club late next year. It's not on Royal.
I was lucky enough to get a back to back to back for Star’s first 3 sailings, all in the same cabin!!!!
I love back to back cruises. I am no longer rushing to do everything during the first cruise because I know I will have another cruise to do what I missed. Another bonus is I get to form better connections with the crew.
On symphony of the seas right now disembark tomorrow at 9 AM already talked to people that are doing this
What about doing a side-by-side cruises?
Bayonne to Quebec and back. 21 days.
In my dreams 😊