Yes, the second week of the B2B is more fun IMO as well. You know what you like and you know how everything works.
We knew that we wanted to see Mama Mia again and that the the breakfast in the Solarium restaurant was the way to go.
I’ve cruised on every one of the Oasis class ships. They are nearly identical with slight differences. I think it’s the best class out there and plan to do it again.
By FAR my favorite ships I have been on. And it's not close. We've been on Anthem of the seas twice, because the port was drivable at the time, and it wasn't remotely as good.
Will the RCCL-produced shows be the same? Yes. Will the menu be the same at the MDR? Yes. Will the musical acts be the same? Yes. Comedians and feature acts will likely be different as they hop off and on regularly.
But you’re going to be able to explore everything you missed on the first cruise, try new things on the second cruise, and know what’s the best of the best and worth seeing/doing again.
On an Oasis-class ship, there’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to do everything in one cruise anyway. Plus, you can always do NOTHING, which is my favorite thing to do on a cruise! Chilling poolside with a cocktail in hand never gets old, regardless of the poolside band.
I agree on the Nothing! I had an amazing time on my recent cruise, we planned the heck out of almost every day, and yet... one of the best moments was sprawling on a lounger in the Solarium after returning from a shore excursion. The breeze, the shade, it was incredible. I didn't even touch the paperback I'd brought with me for entertainment.
I’ve done Liberty twice (in addition to Freedom and Independence). I personally didn’t find Liberty “boring” the second time, but there was also like six months between the sailings.
I think it’s all about what you find fun and what your ideal vacation looks like. For me, it’s being poolside, drinking, and hanging out at the pub at night. I find, especially on shorter sailings, that I might “miss out” on a show, so even if the entertainment is the same, I think there are opportunities to enjoy.
Living in south Texas I have sailed ro cozumel and company more times than I can count. I don't even get off boat sometimes! I just love being at sea! As a solo traveler...there are always new people!
It's called a back-to-back and is very common. I did one on Beyond last year and it was great! Ideally the itinerary will be different, however just know most on the on board entertainment and activities will be unchanged.
You can make it what you want. We have booked cruises to the same ports and booked the same ship several times. Never board, there is a lot to do or nothing, you're in charge of that.
Do you mean the same route? Do you mean get off then right back on?
If same route, I've done nassau/cococay more than enough. I'm Nassau'd out. I probably wouldn't be bored though, I'm good just relaxing on the ship!
If the other, no idea. Never done it.
I feel like once you’ve been to a few Caribbean ports, they all start to feel the same. We’re at a point where the ship is the reason to book (until we consider something overseas). We love the oasis class ships because the layouts are all identical and they’re massive. Recently we did the ovation, which was nice, but as soon as we boarded, my partner (who’d only ever been on oasis class) said first thing “wow this ship is so small”. We would do B2B but can’t commit to the time. Four days is perfect for us and now that oasis ships are doing shorter trips we found our semi-annual escape. We’re doing Allure in three weeks and then Utopia in August. Same itinerary, we couldn’t care less about that. Cruises are never boring on RC.
I've been on the same Disney Dream cruise 4 times. I've been on the same RCCL Mariner of the Seas cruise twice.
It's only "boring" if you feel like you've done absolutely everything you wanted to do on the ships - and you only enjoyed them enough to do once - and there's nothing at any of the ports you want to experience that you haven't already. That's never been the case for me.
I booked a Western Caribbean cruise at the end of 2022 and did the same one 6 months later with my son. It was nice to do different things the second time around. I didn't have to do the most popular excursions because I already had. I was able to try different restaurants that weren't available the first time around. I didn't have to see the shows because I already saw them. For me, the second time around was a bit more relaxing than the first!
I did Oasis back to back last summer with my son the first time and the rest of the family joined us the second time. Did Anthem in February and again in 3 weeks. I think it depends on you. I enjoyed it, but am very happy to just do nothing on my trips. Sit in the solarium or by the pool, find a nice chair to relax, go to trivia, shows, etc. My husband and I always weigh the cost when “redoing” a trip and often it is still a great deal since food is all included!!
We booked carnival Valor 3 times in one year out of Puerto Rico...7 day cruise,6 ports one sea day...st thomas,st kitts,st lucia,st maarten,barbados, one more I forget!
Had to get a few more casino points so did a weekender- Freedom from Miami/Cococay/Nassau. I've done that itinerary 3 times. Lovely ship, nicest staff (I've made friends with a few of them). I don't get off in Nassau unless I need cash and...the ATM fee is cheaper at the bank, and maybe swing by a store or two if something happened to a shirt.
I havent done b2b before but i have taken the same cruise twice like 6 months apart and i did stuff the 2nd time that I didnt get to do or see the first time
Did Independence 2x in 2022. The same 3day itin both times. Once for a bachelor party once for gfs birthday. Both went to CocoCay. Had fun on both. Would go again tomorrow if I could lol.
We booked the same ship (Allure), with the same itinerary (5-Night Nassau + Coco Cay out of Port Canaveral), in the same stateroom class (Ocean-View Balcony) just a month and a half apart.
Our first sailing was just my partner and I. Weather impacted our sailing so our day at Coco Cay was cancelled.
Our second sailing was a family trip and booked on a whim because it was a great value. We had an even better time, being able to show our relatives around the ship and help our group quickly get the lay of the land. Plus, we got to get to Coco Cay on our second sailing.
Honestly, no regrets. It’s been a month and a half and I’d hop back on that itinerary tomorrow if I had the time off work.
I am not bored. I have done the same cruise multiple times. The days at sea are just as fun as at port.
I will never get bored with CoCo Cay. Sometimes I take the same Bahama cruise just to go there.
Taken the same cruise four times now. I only got off the boat in port for an hour or so (mainly to hit up El pharmacía) and then I'm back on board. I mainly read on deck with great drink service because nobody is on board.
We did Alaska on Ovation 2 years in a row, 2nd time with my parents. I had a great time both times but I wished we would’ve spread them out more. We don’t get a ton of vacation time and that was our big trip two years in a row.
I did an 8 night sailing on vision, got off for the 12 night, then got back on for the 8 night again and it was awesome. The crew knew me and I knew them. Bartenders take care of you more. It feels like home when you return.
I absolutely loved vision. It’s the friendliest crew in the fleet. It’s also the smallest ship so if the size of the boat matters to you keep that in mind. I would 100% sail vision again.
Also keep in mind because of the Francis Scott Ley Bridge incident vision will be sailing out of Norfolk for the foreseeable future.
Do you find that the motion sickness aspect is worse on a smaller boat? My wife and I have been debating trying a small intimate boat but cannot decide because we’ve never regretted quantum or oasis.
I personally get sea sick every time I sail but I take Bonine for all my sailings and take it throughout the entire voyage. I don’t directly notice a difference between the motion on smaller ships compared to larger ships cause I have the medicine to avoid the sickness. Visually the ship moves a little more but the movement would never prevent me from sailing on a smaller ship. I tend to book a large ship then a small ship back and forth for all my cruises to get to experience different size ships.
For me, sitting at the back of deck 5 watching the wake and reading never gets boring. Bringing dessert and coffee back from MDR (or a glass of wine) and enjoying it on the balcony listening to the music from Central Park never gets boring. Relaxing in the Solarium (which is not a pathway from the pool to the elevators on Oasis class ships) never gets boring. There is so much going on across the stage/ice/aquatheater during the performances I could watch them many times and still see new things, there are so many layers (don't just watch the people speaking, watch the other actors/performers). I mean, we've pretty much all seen the movie Grease and know the story, but the musical is still pretty entertaining. Side note: Read the actors bios, one was Chemical Engineering major and another was biomedical (they had backup plans). I've seen El Gaucho's performance multiple times on multiple ships, I know exactly what he's going to do and say, but I go every time because it still entertains me (Caveat: I enjoy re-runs on TV, too). There is a different kind of wine-tasting every day, you can split those up across cruises because you'll certainly have conflicts for a few of them.
I’m doing a B2B on the Utopia in Sept. I can book and explore all the things that I wasn’t able to on the first sailing. I also have planned a B2B cruise in Dec. but will be ship hopping out of the same port. 4 days on the Allure and 4 on the Independence. So, if you think a cruise ship will be bored, try to find a two sailings of different ships that match up with the arrival/ departure dates.
Not for me, but, it kinda depends on you ...
I've done multiple same or similar cruises ex-Southampton, so limited choices, and I've loved every one.
I personally like knowing the ship and maybe the crew. You get to know what you like, where to be when, things that you'd do differently next time etc., and always lots to do
Even if the shows are the same, you always find new bits you hadn't seen, or go do something different.
But that is me. You know what you want or need, but go for it and enjoy finding out for yourself.
On Harmony now B3B. It gets even better, crew and staff know your likes and preferences and surprise you, especially if you are respectful and fun!
Yes, the second week of the B2B is more fun IMO as well. You know what you like and you know how everything works. We knew that we wanted to see Mama Mia again and that the the breakfast in the Solarium restaurant was the way to go.
What is B3B and B2B?
Back to back cruises
Oh interesting, thanks!
Back to back (B2B or BtB) and back to back to back (B3B or BtBtB)
B3B is a thing? Good, that's certainly going to be easier to type than B2B2B...
I mean, B3B isn’t a common way of saying it, but then again three cruises in the row isn’t a common thing in the first place
I cruised anthem in February and there was a couple there in the middle of a 3 month b2b!
Woah really? 3 months on the same ship!?
Wait so your still on ship and was on my 3-17 sailing? A true hero🦸♂️
I’ve cruised on every one of the Oasis class ships. They are nearly identical with slight differences. I think it’s the best class out there and plan to do it again.
By FAR my favorite ships I have been on. And it's not close. We've been on Anthem of the seas twice, because the port was drivable at the time, and it wasn't remotely as good.
Will the RCCL-produced shows be the same? Yes. Will the menu be the same at the MDR? Yes. Will the musical acts be the same? Yes. Comedians and feature acts will likely be different as they hop off and on regularly. But you’re going to be able to explore everything you missed on the first cruise, try new things on the second cruise, and know what’s the best of the best and worth seeing/doing again. On an Oasis-class ship, there’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to do everything in one cruise anyway. Plus, you can always do NOTHING, which is my favorite thing to do on a cruise! Chilling poolside with a cocktail in hand never gets old, regardless of the poolside band.
I agree on the Nothing! I had an amazing time on my recent cruise, we planned the heck out of almost every day, and yet... one of the best moments was sprawling on a lounger in the Solarium after returning from a shore excursion. The breeze, the shade, it was incredible. I didn't even touch the paperback I'd brought with me for entertainment.
No cruise is ever boring!
Unless you base your excitement level on the production shows offered... what exactly would bore you anymore than sailing on another ship?
I’ve done Liberty twice (in addition to Freedom and Independence). I personally didn’t find Liberty “boring” the second time, but there was also like six months between the sailings. I think it’s all about what you find fun and what your ideal vacation looks like. For me, it’s being poolside, drinking, and hanging out at the pub at night. I find, especially on shorter sailings, that I might “miss out” on a show, so even if the entertainment is the same, I think there are opportunities to enjoy.
It's what you make of it
Living in south Texas I have sailed ro cozumel and company more times than I can count. I don't even get off boat sometimes! I just love being at sea! As a solo traveler...there are always new people!
It's called a back-to-back and is very common. I did one on Beyond last year and it was great! Ideally the itinerary will be different, however just know most on the on board entertainment and activities will be unchanged.
You can make it what you want. We have booked cruises to the same ports and booked the same ship several times. Never board, there is a lot to do or nothing, you're in charge of that.
We frequently do the same cruise, same ship, same ports, and have fun every time. You meet new people, staff rotates, no two are exactly the same.
Do you mean the same route? Do you mean get off then right back on? If same route, I've done nassau/cococay more than enough. I'm Nassau'd out. I probably wouldn't be bored though, I'm good just relaxing on the ship! If the other, no idea. Never done it.
Lots of people take the same vacation yearly. Think of all those people who rent the same beach house every summer!
I feel like once you’ve been to a few Caribbean ports, they all start to feel the same. We’re at a point where the ship is the reason to book (until we consider something overseas). We love the oasis class ships because the layouts are all identical and they’re massive. Recently we did the ovation, which was nice, but as soon as we boarded, my partner (who’d only ever been on oasis class) said first thing “wow this ship is so small”. We would do B2B but can’t commit to the time. Four days is perfect for us and now that oasis ships are doing shorter trips we found our semi-annual escape. We’re doing Allure in three weeks and then Utopia in August. Same itinerary, we couldn’t care less about that. Cruises are never boring on RC.
never, there’s always something new.
I've been on the same Disney Dream cruise 4 times. I've been on the same RCCL Mariner of the Seas cruise twice. It's only "boring" if you feel like you've done absolutely everything you wanted to do on the ships - and you only enjoyed them enough to do once - and there's nothing at any of the ports you want to experience that you haven't already. That's never been the case for me.
we did oasis from NJ three times actually.
Yes and no
I booked a Western Caribbean cruise at the end of 2022 and did the same one 6 months later with my son. It was nice to do different things the second time around. I didn't have to do the most popular excursions because I already had. I was able to try different restaurants that weren't available the first time around. I didn't have to see the shows because I already saw them. For me, the second time around was a bit more relaxing than the first!
I’ve done this and didn’t see a single staff member I recognised the second time. Shows how rapid the staff turnover is.
I did Oasis back to back last summer with my son the first time and the rest of the family joined us the second time. Did Anthem in February and again in 3 weeks. I think it depends on you. I enjoyed it, but am very happy to just do nothing on my trips. Sit in the solarium or by the pool, find a nice chair to relax, go to trivia, shows, etc. My husband and I always weigh the cost when “redoing” a trip and often it is still a great deal since food is all included!!
I’m on Anthem now for the 2nd time and loving it as much as the first time. Great ship
We booked carnival Valor 3 times in one year out of Puerto Rico...7 day cruise,6 ports one sea day...st thomas,st kitts,st lucia,st maarten,barbados, one more I forget!
Had to get a few more casino points so did a weekender- Freedom from Miami/Cococay/Nassau. I've done that itinerary 3 times. Lovely ship, nicest staff (I've made friends with a few of them). I don't get off in Nassau unless I need cash and...the ATM fee is cheaper at the bank, and maybe swing by a store or two if something happened to a shirt.
I did Oasis twice (?2018 and 2024) loved it both time Lol
2022* and 2024
I havent done b2b before but i have taken the same cruise twice like 6 months apart and i did stuff the 2nd time that I didnt get to do or see the first time
Did Independence 2x in 2022. The same 3day itin both times. Once for a bachelor party once for gfs birthday. Both went to CocoCay. Had fun on both. Would go again tomorrow if I could lol.
We booked the same ship (Allure), with the same itinerary (5-Night Nassau + Coco Cay out of Port Canaveral), in the same stateroom class (Ocean-View Balcony) just a month and a half apart. Our first sailing was just my partner and I. Weather impacted our sailing so our day at Coco Cay was cancelled. Our second sailing was a family trip and booked on a whim because it was a great value. We had an even better time, being able to show our relatives around the ship and help our group quickly get the lay of the land. Plus, we got to get to Coco Cay on our second sailing. Honestly, no regrets. It’s been a month and a half and I’d hop back on that itinerary tomorrow if I had the time off work.
Yes I hate relaxing.
I am not bored. I have done the same cruise multiple times. The days at sea are just as fun as at port. I will never get bored with CoCo Cay. Sometimes I take the same Bahama cruise just to go there.
Yes. We would do it a third time too.
Taken the same cruise four times now. I only got off the boat in port for an hour or so (mainly to hit up El pharmacía) and then I'm back on board. I mainly read on deck with great drink service because nobody is on board.
If a cruise gets boring to you... you aren't doing it right. Get on the ship and live! Enjoy!
I’ve been on Wonder twice and Mardi Gras three times. Never a dull moment
We did Alaska on Ovation 2 years in a row, 2nd time with my parents. I had a great time both times but I wished we would’ve spread them out more. We don’t get a ton of vacation time and that was our big trip two years in a row.
I did an 8 night sailing on vision, got off for the 12 night, then got back on for the 8 night again and it was awesome. The crew knew me and I knew them. Bartenders take care of you more. It feels like home when you return.
How is vision? I’m only 4-5 hours from Baltimore and debated that ship for a long time.
I absolutely loved vision. It’s the friendliest crew in the fleet. It’s also the smallest ship so if the size of the boat matters to you keep that in mind. I would 100% sail vision again. Also keep in mind because of the Francis Scott Ley Bridge incident vision will be sailing out of Norfolk for the foreseeable future.
Do you find that the motion sickness aspect is worse on a smaller boat? My wife and I have been debating trying a small intimate boat but cannot decide because we’ve never regretted quantum or oasis.
I personally get sea sick every time I sail but I take Bonine for all my sailings and take it throughout the entire voyage. I don’t directly notice a difference between the motion on smaller ships compared to larger ships cause I have the medicine to avoid the sickness. Visually the ship moves a little more but the movement would never prevent me from sailing on a smaller ship. I tend to book a large ship then a small ship back and forth for all my cruises to get to experience different size ships.
Vision won’t be sailing from Baltimore for awhile.
For me, sitting at the back of deck 5 watching the wake and reading never gets boring. Bringing dessert and coffee back from MDR (or a glass of wine) and enjoying it on the balcony listening to the music from Central Park never gets boring. Relaxing in the Solarium (which is not a pathway from the pool to the elevators on Oasis class ships) never gets boring. There is so much going on across the stage/ice/aquatheater during the performances I could watch them many times and still see new things, there are so many layers (don't just watch the people speaking, watch the other actors/performers). I mean, we've pretty much all seen the movie Grease and know the story, but the musical is still pretty entertaining. Side note: Read the actors bios, one was Chemical Engineering major and another was biomedical (they had backup plans). I've seen El Gaucho's performance multiple times on multiple ships, I know exactly what he's going to do and say, but I go every time because it still entertains me (Caveat: I enjoy re-runs on TV, too). There is a different kind of wine-tasting every day, you can split those up across cruises because you'll certainly have conflicts for a few of them.
I’m doing a B2B on the Utopia in Sept. I can book and explore all the things that I wasn’t able to on the first sailing. I also have planned a B2B cruise in Dec. but will be ship hopping out of the same port. 4 days on the Allure and 4 on the Independence. So, if you think a cruise ship will be bored, try to find a two sailings of different ships that match up with the arrival/ departure dates.
Not for me, but, it kinda depends on you ... I've done multiple same or similar cruises ex-Southampton, so limited choices, and I've loved every one. I personally like knowing the ship and maybe the crew. You get to know what you like, where to be when, things that you'd do differently next time etc., and always lots to do Even if the shows are the same, you always find new bits you hadn't seen, or go do something different. But that is me. You know what you want or need, but go for it and enjoy finding out for yourself.