My Experience of Sailing 5 Back to Back Cruises

This is my Review and What You Should Consider when doing Back to Back Cruises

As I write this blog we are finishing up our 5th Back to Back cruise on the Carnival Pride. We are just half way through our European vacation, and just half of our back to back cruises.

Yes we have 10 back to back cruises. 

There are so many factors that go into taking a cruise, but can you imagine how many more you need to consider when doing back to back cruises. 

Here is the list of items I would suggest you consider when staying on the same ship doing back to back cruises.

Should You Keep The Same Room on Back to Back Cruises?

On this 10 back to back cruise trip we are changing rooms EACH sailing. 

So far we have experienced 5 separate sleeping rooms. We have stayed on Deck 1, Deck 5 (3 rooms), and Deck 7. Tomorrow when we disembark and reembark we will go back to the last room we had on deck 5.

My favorite thus far has been my room on Deck 7. The location was midship which made it easy to reach all the areas on the ship.

PRO’S Of Keeping Same Room

1. You don’t have to pack until it is time to leave the ship!
2. You keep the same cabin steward/stewardess
3. You know where your room is located

Pro’s of Changing Rooms

1. If you are not happy with your room you only have to have it for 1 sailing.
   1. This was the case with the 2nd and 3rd room we had – the AC/heat was not working and had to keep requesting someone to check the unit.
2. Fresh new room with a new view

Con’s of Changing Rooms

1. Changing rooms is a pain.
   1. You have to pack all your stuff and then the room stewards will move your belongings.  We have been just moving our own belongings which has worked out just fine.
   2. Hint – If you have regular hangers – just leave your clothes hanging and move the clothes to the new room.
      
2. Forget what your room number is and the location of the room

What You Need to Know When Booking Back to Back Cruise

1. When you are booking your reservation, book all the cruises at one time.
2. Request the same room
3. Pay close attention to where your room is going to be located – this could make a difference when on a ship for a long time.
   1. Stay away from the Crew access area on the floor (loud and busy)  Example of this is Cabin 5129 on Pride.
   2. Stay away from the elevator bank
   3. Make sure your floor is between Guest rooms
      1. Not above the Night Club, or below the pool deck.
   4. If on a large ship try to go Midship, this will limit how much walking you need to do.

Dining Options

I am not a food person or a foodie, however there is something lacking when you eat the same foods week after week after week.

Budget some money to eat while in port. This will allow you to not only support the local economy where you are visiting, but you will enjoy some local cuisine. It will give you a break from the ships food too!

In port go to the local grocery store and pick up a few snacks for your room. This has worked out well for us.

Carnival Pride is a smaller ship and therefore does not have a large variety of dining options. The food menu repeats each cruise.

Hint: Look for a larger ship with more dining options when doing multiple back to back cruises. 

Dining Room

I always do anytime dining which means I do not get a set table. However, when you do a back to back cruise you can request a particular server as long as you are willing to wait for the table.

I enjoyed the dinner staff and after weeks of seeing me they would just bring my drink selections without my request.

It was perfect and that is a benefit to doing back to back cruises.

Entertainment

Shows -Playlist Performers

The Shows done by the Playlist performers are very entertaining. Unfortunately the shows remain the same cruise to cruise. So when doing back to back cruises you will see the same shows repeated.

Instead of attending all the shows on the first cruise of your back to back. Space out the entertainment over the course of your cruises.

 Comedians

Comedians typically are switched out during the cruises. However, If you stay on even longer than most, you will probably see the comedians more than 1 time.

Viva Variety

For this European cruise there was a Variety show that featured different entertainers over the last couple of weeks. I will say that was refreshing.

Games / Game Shows

The games and game shows are the same, however the people playing are different so they don’t necessarily repeat. The questions may repeat but the peoples responses will be new.

Piano Bar

There is always new request in the piano bar. A great way to break up the repeating activity.

Movies on the Big Screen

These are repeats too! This is across the fleet. If you are looking for movies you may want to download them to your device and bring on board.

Library

The books on board seem to have disappeared over time. If you are wanting to read something, I suggest downloading books to your device. The Library was lacking.

Games

Bring cards or games with you. If you are staying on board you will tend to find the others doing back to back cruises and can possibly have a group to play games.

If you are on the sailings face book page – make a post looking for people to play games.

Trivia / Cruise Games

There is an unlimited supply of Trivia Games. Some of the games repeat – you maybe a pro if you attend all of them over the series of cruises.

Port of Calls

Repeating ports of calls may seem boring to some people, however that was the reason we boked so many back to back cruises.

We knew we would be stopping in some ports of call multiple times.

That has worked out perfect. We have been able to spend time exploring the areas in greater depths.

5 Down and 5 More To Go!

We are going to be repeating some cruise ports over next two cruises and then our ship moves into the Mediterranean where we will have new ports of calls.

I will say Time Flies When You Are Having Fun! 

Checkout my other Blog Post

Back to Back Europe Cruises

Caribbean Cruise!

Cruise to Alaska