First B2B

How does this work if I'm changing cabins? Can I still stay on the ship? Are there areas that I'm restricted to?

I'm also getting the Premium drink package on the first leg and changing over to replenish for the second. Can I still have a mimosa (Or two!!) in the morning?

How does this work if I'm changing cabins? Can I still stay on the ship? Are there areas that I'm restricted to?

I'm also getting the Premium drink package on the first leg and changing over to replenish for the second. Can I still have a mimosa (Or two!!) in the morning?

Speak to your stateroom attendants (old and new) and find out their procedure on changeover day. You will normally have to pack everything but your hanging items, and they will move everything for you.

How does this work if I'm changing cabins? Can I still stay on the ship? Are there areas that I'm restricted to?

I'm also getting the Premium drink package on the first leg and changing over to replenish for the second. Can I still have a mimosa (Or two!!) in the morning?

Our first b2b was on CCL, but I've read that the process is pretty much the same. We had different cabins and we just packed our suitcases and the steward took them down the hall to our new cabin. Ordinarily, you would be among the last to debark and would be escorted off the ship, through customs, to the check-in desk for your new ID card, then back aboard. So I've read.

We had rented a car for the day and treated it like any other port day. We left the ship with everyone else and explored Anchorage. We returned a couple of hours before departure time and boarded as usual like all the other new pax (except no luggage). Either way, you have to get off.

As far as the drink package, I'm not sure what you're asking. Mimosas are included in the premium package, not in the RR (Royal Replenish). However, fresh squeezed OJ is included in the RR.

Here's what I'd do. Buy a bottle or 2 or 3 of champagne the first week using the wine by the bottle discount, then get fresh squeezed OJ on RR the second week and make your own mimosa.

You could also buy the champagne and/or a bottle of something else in the ship's liquor store or in port during the first week which would be delivered to your cabin the last night of week 1. Then you use your RR for mixers during week 2.

My Oasis b2b will be in February. I'll probably be getting the soda package both weeks.

Our first b2b was on CCL, but I've read that the process is pretty much the same. We had different cabins and we just packed our suitcases and the steward took them down the hall to our new cabin. Ordinarily, you would be among the last to debark and would be escorted off the ship, through customs, to the check-in desk for your new ID card, then back aboard. So I've read.

 

We had rented a car for the day and treated it like any other port day. We left the ship with everyone else and explored Anchorage. We returned a couple of hours before departure time and boarded as usual like all the other new pax (except no luggage). Either way, you have to get off.

 

As far as the drink package, I'm not sure what you're asking. Mimosas are included in the premium package, not in the RR (Royal Replenish). However, fresh squeezed OJ is included in the RR.

 

Here's what I'd do. Buy a bottle or 2 or 3 of champagne the first week using the wine by the bottle discount, then get fresh squeezed OJ on RR the second week and make your own mimosa.

 

You could also buy the champagne and/or a bottle of something else in the ship's liquor store or in port during the first week which would be delivered to your cabin the last night of week 1. Then you use your RR for mixers during week 2.

 

My Oasis b2b will be in February. I'll probably be getting the soda package both weeks.

What a great plan about the drinks!! That sounds good with what you did in Anchorage, but I live in NYC and the turn over is in Cape Liberty. Zero interest in getting off the ship, other than to clear customs if needed.

Good to hear that I won't need to schlep my bags around all day.

What a great plan about the drinks!! That sounds good with what you did in Anchorage, but I live in NYC and the turn over is in Cape Liberty. Zero interest in getting off the ship, other than to clear customs if needed.

Good to hear that I won't need to schlep my bags around all day.

It did work out well. We did a 7 - day northbound cruise followed by the 7 - day southbound. Same ports so we had 2 chances at each city in case of bad weather--not unlikely in May, but we were lucky with great, mild weather both weeks.

Done several b2b's and always try and have the same cabin, but have done a change too. As said, go and see your old and new stewards. Ask the 'old' one to do your room last and the 'new' one to do your new room first. Personally, we always move ourselves (then its our fault if we forget anything!). The stewards will lend you a hotel type trolley to make it easier. With no one on the ship its easier to use the lifts (elevators) if you are changing deck too...it normally only takes us 30 minutes or so and of course, you don't need to pack properly...just lay everything in suitcases and put your hanging stuff on the trolley.

We've done a b2b in Cape Liberty (only us and one Dutch couple out of the whole ship!) and you will have to go through Immigration off the ship. Usually get asked to meet at about 10.30am where you will be escorted, as you will be last off and first on. You can access your room no problem. The big stairwell doors are not locked, so just walk through (if before 1pm) and tell staff you are on a b2b...not a problem.

Don't forget each cruise is totally seperate, so make sure your first cruise account is correct and settled before you start the second. You shouldn't need a Setsail pass for the second cruise as they know you are on a b2b, but I always print it off just in case.

Lastly, remember to look really smug at breakfast...'cos you aren't getting off!!

Have fun.

Simon

Lastly, remember to look really smug at breakfast...'cos you aren't getting off!!

Have fun.

 

Simon

Ha!

We had our first B2B on the Serenade in March/April. Since we did not decide to do the B2B until we saw a big price drop for the cruise before one we already had booked. We decided why not?--since we were driving to the port.

We had a GS for the original booked cruise. [first for that, too] We booked a balcony cabin on the same deck. At the meeting for repeat cruisers we were told to move our items from the safe and that they would move the rest. [hang- ups stay on hangers and the rest in suitcases] They told us they would start moving us at 8 am. This process was described by Alice, one of the hotel supervisors.

On the way to breakfast on turn around day we walked by the GS and introduced ourselves to new cabin steward. He said suite was clear but not yet clean. [bed already made] He said we could move our items from the safe and we did.

When we got back from breakfast Alice was in the hallway and asked if we were ready. [around 7:30 am] We were. She moved all of our items. We said we would help--she said she did not need any. In 15 mins we were in the new cabin. It was clean by then. It was MUCH smoother process than we thought it would be.

We thought it would be more inconvenient.We will do this again if the right price appears.

I had a guarantee for both cruises. I just checked and was assigned the stateroom NEXT DOOR!! Calling to see if I can change (although probably the same attendant this way)

That worked!! One of the cruises had no space on that category, but the Bermuda one was able to be changed. Now I don't have to repack. Although it didn't sound like too much of an issue, though.

Excellent outcome! Now you will be able to have a late leisurely breakfast (so don't go to the Windjammer which will be like a zoo!)...we normally go to the MDR on changeover day. Then wait to be escorted of and on the ship and have the ship to yourself for an hour or so. If there are enough of you, you might get a free consecutive cruisers lunch as well.

Simon

Excellent outcome! Now you will be able to have a late leisurely breakfast (so don't go to the Windjammer which will be like a zoo!)...we normally go to the MDR on changeover day. Then wait to be escorted of and on the ship and have the ship to yourself for an hour or so. If there are enough of you, you might get a free consecutive cruisers lunch as well.

 

Simon

Thanks!! When you say "free lunch", do you mean in a specialty restaurant (as I'm assuming other lunches would still be free)?

Depends. Earlier this month on the Oasis, we had the lunch in Giovanni's Table as there were 29 of us. Limited menu (3 selections for each course I think), but very nice all the same. I think on some ships they have it in the MDR.

Simon

We've done several B2B's. Do yourself a favor and visit guest relations a few days before your first cruise ends. Confirm with them that you are B2B. A few times they did not know we were staying on board and it can create a problem. Enjoy your consecutive cruises!

Rick and Deirdra