Cruise Travel: Sailing back-to-back: double your vacation pleasure with consecutive sailings

In the last hours of a cruise, someone always says, "I hate going home just when I've figured out where everything is." Perhaps it was you.

A week just isn't long enough to sample all the activities, entertainment, dining venues, and other options on today's megaliners. If you're lucky enough to have leisure time to spare, you can extend your cruise vacation by booking two consecutive voyages, known as back-to-back cruising.

United States ports teem with ships, and many vessels now offer alternating itineraries. The most choices are probably available from Florida ports to the Eastern/ Western or Southern/Western Caribbean; lately, the ports of San Juan, New Orleans, and Galveston/Houston offer further options. Interesting back-to-back sailings can also involve itineraries to the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, East Coast/Canada, even Hawaii.

Hassle-free back-to-back cruising should be planned at least six months in advance to give you the best chance of getting the same cabin--after settling in, you won't want to move. On the other hand, if you play your cards right on the first sailing, you may snag an upgrade for the second.

To learn which ships offer alternate routes, check out the Cruise Calendar in Cruise Travel (page 45, this issue), or contact the cruise lines or your travel agent. Cruise lines' web sites can be frustrating because they typically group sailings by itinerary rather than chronologically. However, if a particular ship is your target, you're probably content to revisit ports to shop or sightsee. You can truly relax when yon don't have to cram everything into one visit. Book both cruises at once, and always ask about discounts. Cruise lines may reward your loyalty by adding perks to the deal.

The airlines hate this next benefit, but it's undeniable: You only have to fly once to your port of embarkation. Depending on the distance, this can save up to two travel days. Wouldn't you rather be lounging on your ship instead of sitting in airport terminals? Also, what you save on plane tickets alone might cover the cost of one cruise.

When it comes to reservation paperwork, back-to-back bookings go against the tide. To the cruise line, you're on two separate voyages, and you get tickets for each cruise. When you receive your documents, be sure to check every page thoroughly. I once received two seemingly correct tickets that properly placed me in the same cabin--but the dates were for the same voyage. With today's computers, such mistakes would seem impossible, but they happen. I lost my cabin for the second cruise because it was sold to someone else, but l could have been left standing on the pier if I hadn't caught the mistake and gotten the second ticket reissued.

If packing gives you a headache, rest assured that packing for a double cruise is not as bad as you think. First, you can wash some things if your ship has self-serve laundry facilities. For formal evenings, your tux or gown can do double duty because different people will see them.

Once onboard, time yawns before you like the sea itself. Sit back and watch other passengers trying to do and see everything with that "If its Tuesday, it must be St. Thomas" look in their eyes.

When you remain on the same ship, if you shop, remember that you will technically leave the U.S. twice, but you officially reenter only once. Your Customs allowance is the dollar amount for one cruise--it's not doubled.

The only way to get around this is to take your purchases ashore after the first cruise, then bring them back onboard or give them to someone onshore. This means filling out a U.S. Customs declaration form and going through debarkation as if you were going home (although you can leave your luggage onboard). Once you go ashore, you may not be able to return to the ship until the passengers board for the next cruise, which could be hours later.

If you aren't interested in doubling your duty-free allowance, as the first cruise winds to a close, ask the purser about your boarding pass for the second cruise, and how to circumvent Customs if you want to go ashore. You shouldn't need to go through debarkation and embarkation again.

This information may come to your cabin, but staying onboard isn't the norm, so it's wise to alert the staff so you don't get overlooked on debarkation day. Knowing in advance how it works lets you avoid the crush of departing passengers settling last-minute accounts.

Also, try to schedule a quick chat with the hotel director to let him or her know that you enjoyed yourself so much, you're staying. Complaints are continual, so passengers who take time to personally compliment management have been known to receive cabin upgrades or other onboard niceties.

Of course, a cabin upgrade means quick packing, but it's usually worth it. Just by being complimentary, I've been given spacious accommodations I could never otherwise afford. (Note: You may not be offered a move until after the ship has sailed; management must be sure cabins are truly vacant before they're reassigned.)

On the last night, if gratuities are recommended, tip just as if you were leaving. It doesn't pay to shirk or hand out verbal IOUs now because the same people may serve you again.

On debarkation day, follow the ship's schedule for departing passengers and have your "last" meal with them. The crew is focused on getting the ship cleaned and ready to sail again, so they will appreciate your holding any special requests and staying out of their way for a few hours, especially if you remain onboard. As you stroll the decks while everyone waits for U.S. Customs to clear the ship, you'll notice a green tinge on all your new friends' faces. It's not belated real de met, it's envy.

If you spend the day onboard, activities will be suspended until the next group arrives, so pass the time lying by the pool, or perhaps working out in the fitness center. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts.

When it's time for the lifeboat drill again, don't succumb to the temptation of hiding in your cabin. Security is tighter than ever, and the U.S. Coast Guard won't let the cruise lines tolerate passengers who try to beat the system.

Once the ship sails, be prepared for royal treatment from the crew. They always enjoy seeing familiar faces, but it's a real honor when passengers refuse to go home. If you have assigned seating in the dining room, your waiter will undoubtedly astound your new tablemates when he remembers you like fresh pepper on your escargots.

If you revisit ports, you may prefer to stay onboard and revel in having the ship to yourself, a luxury many passengers never enjoy. The shops and casino are usually closed, but you won't lose your chair by the pool, there won't be long lines at the buffet, and you might get discounted beauty services or spa treatments.

At the end of the second cruise, as you pack to finally go home, you'll look back and marvel at how your "endless vacation" flew by.

If variety is the spice of your life, book back-to-back cruises on different ships. You can do it at the last minute because all you need to know is which ships sail from the same port on the same day. However, you could even switch ports if you're sailing from nearby cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale, giving you a wider variety of ships from which to choose. Just remember to book your homebound flight from the right airport.

Speaking of flights, if you sail with two different cruise lines, you should book your flights yourself because neither line will take responsibility for you both coming and going. The only disadvantage of sailing on different ships is packing and going through embarkation again. But this pales when you consider the flying time you may have saved.

Also, you may find yourself and your luggage stuck at the pier for a few hours before you can board the second ship. To avoid this, stay on the first vessel as long as possible. If you're last to leave, you'll more easily find your luggage and miss the crowds at both ships.

On the second ship, your slate with Customs is clean because you had declared your purchases upon leaving the first ship, so you can double up on duty-free shopping. However, keep your first cruise ticket and merchandise receipts handy, just in case your luggage is searched and purchases from your first cruise are questioned.

So, with a little extra preparation, and the potential for significant savings, you can be guaranteed that your cruising enjoyment will double if you sail back-to-back.