Ahoy there, Rachel!
How exciting that you’re heading out on your very first back-to-back sailing—and on the
Disney Dream, no less! My family and I have had the pleasure of doing a few back-to-back cruises, including two on the Wish, and we’re counting down the days to another next year on the Destiny. There’s something magical about knowing that when others are packing to leave, you still have more Disney magic ahead of you!
Now, when it comes to getting that professional embarkation photo for your second sailing, here’s the scoop: From my experience, it’s a gamble if you’ll catch the photographers in the terminal, as you’ll typically reboard the ship before the general boarding process begins and before the photo stations are set up. So, my best tip is to plan on getting your embarkation photo taken during your first sailing to ensure you don’t miss out on this keepsake.
Let’s talk about the
back-to-back process so you can know what to expect and enjoy every moment of this unique experience. It is important to note that the process and timing will vary from port to port. On the last night of your first sailing, you’ll receive a letter from Guest Services outlining the instructions for back-to-back Guests. This letter often includes a colored card that identifies you as a consecutive cruiser, and it will tell you where and when to meet the next morning. On our back-to-back on the Wish, we met at The Bayou at 9:30 AM.
The next morning, you’ll gather at the designated spot, where a Cast Member will escort you off the ship. You’ll head through customs, which is usually a very quick process since it’s only for back-to-back Guests. After clearing customs, you’ll be escorted back to the terminal waiting area. At this point, you’ll check in for your second sailing at the customer service desk and receive your boarding tickets. Once all back-to-back Guests are checked in, you’ll be among the first to reboard the ship—often before new Guests even arrive at the terminal! It took us about 45 minutes to an hour from the time we disembarked the ship to reboarding again.
One of my favorite parts of back-to-back sailings is having the ship practically to yourself for a short time before the next round of magic begins. This is the perfect opportunity to snap photos of a mostly empty ship, enjoy the pool deck, or grab a complimentary specialty coffee or beverage at
Cove Café (if offered in your instructions).
Rachel, your back-to-back cruise is going to be a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you’re capturing memories through embarkation photos, sipping coffee while exploring the quiet ship, or diving back into the Disney magic, it’s bound to be a dream come true.
Wishing you smooth seas, endless magic, and double the pixie dust on your back-to-back adventure!
Sea ya real soon with pixie dust and ocean breezes,
Dustin