Back-to-Back Cruises; Because Two is Better Than One

Is there anything worse than the last evening of a cruise?  As you drag your suitcases into the corridor you wonder, how could the week have gone by so quickly?  Then the thought crosses your mind that maybe, if you duck out of sight in the morning while everyone else disembarks, you could possibly stowaway for another week!  For some, it’s not necessary to succumb to such sneaky thoughts- because they’re taking a back-to-back cruise!

A back-to-back cruise is exactly what the name suggests. It’s one cruise that follows immediately after another. The most common back-to-back cruises are booked on the same ship. This works especially well if the ship alternates its itineraries – for example, sailing the Eastern Caribbean one week and the Western Caribbean the next. By booking two sequential cruises with different itineraries, you’ll get to experience a diverse group of islands, as well as have more time to enjoy the wonderful amenities of the ship!

Another back-to-back option is booking cruises on two different ships. With so many vessels that share the same homeport, there are a lot of good choices out there.  The bonus is that you have the opportunity to enjoy two different ships, multiple dining options and a variety of entertainment venues!

Back-to-back cruises can also help maximize the value of pricey airfares to Europe or beyond. A pair of cruises, or more, can help you experience an exotic itinerary with just one open-jaw air ticket. A co-worker of mine recently completed a back-to-back-to-back cruise that took her halfway across the world! She flew to Barcelona, Spain to board a cruise that ended in Dubai.  From Dubai she cruised to Singapore, and the third leg of her voyage took her to Sidney, Australia.  After 44 glorious days traveling by cruise ship, she flew home.  Amazing!

If you take back-to-back cruises on the same ship, the procedure for transitioning from one cruise to another will differ a bit according to the cruise line and homeport. In general, you can expect to disembark (without your luggage, but bring your passport and other identification), clear customs and immigration, and then reboard the ship. If you are staying in the same cabin, you can leave your belonging there. If you are changing cabins, a steward will help you move your belongings to your new accommodations.

It doesn’t get easier then that that, and remember, two cruises are always better than one!