B2B Questions

[juneburke]

I have never done a back-to-back before (obviously) and I was wondering how that works? Do you have to get off the ship during debarkation even if you are staying in the same room? If you do have to get off do they let you stay in the terminal until you can get back on? Can you leave your stuff in your room? I assume that if you did have to get off the ship you’d have to check in all over again? And if you do have to check in all over again do some of you get a cab and find something to do to pass time around the port? If any and all could share what you know or what you have done on your b2b in the past that would be great. I can use all the info I can get. :confused:

[firefly333]

Usually you meet in the atrium, or near the purser's desk near the end of the time for the rest of the pax to debark. As a group they take you thru customs in about 10 minutes if you are lucky (once I wasnt lucky).

 

Once I got to show my credit card at the purser's desk and get my S&S for the next leg before we did the run thru customs, the other port, we had to stand in line and wait for this terribly old and slow lady to check us in...before we could reboard.

 

So, you do go thru, but you dont really go into the waiting area to sit and wait to reboard.

[Upandadam]

Assuming you have the same room on both cruises, you just leave your stuff there. As far as getting off, it depends on the port. We did a B2B in San Diego where we never did have to get off the ship at all. We merely reported to the pursers desk to get a new sign and sail card.

[deej696]

We just completed a B2B on Destiny, and the process altogether took about a half hour. We met in the lounge as mentioned, and then as soon as the last stragglers were off the ship, we were handed our new S&S cards and taken to customs. The customs official took all of our immigration forms, and then we went straight back on the ship. We had about an hour where there were no other guests on board. We can't wait to do a B2B again!

[martinchem]

We just completed a B2B on Destiny, and the process altogether took about a half hour. We met in the lounge as mentioned, and then as soon as the last stragglers were off the ship, we were handed our new S&S cards and taken to customs. The customs official took all of our immigration forms, and then we went straight back on the ship. We had about an hour where there were no other guests on board. We can't wait to do a B2B again!

 

This is how we have done it on Carnival too, with the addition of a welcome back basket of nuts, cheeses, crackers and fruit accompanied by a bottle of champagne.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

WE have done b2b you are the last one off the ship and you are taken to customes where you say hello and good by and then you are brought back on the ship it takes about 4 min. you are on the ship with other b2b for about 60 min before they start bording

[LHP]

Usually you meet in the atrium, or near the purser's desk near the end of the time for the rest of the pax to debark. As a group they take you thru customs in about 10 minutes if you are lucky (once I wasnt lucky).

Once I got to show my credit card at the purser's desk and get my S&S for the next leg before we did the run thru customs, the other port, we had to stand in line and wait for this terribly old and slow lady to check us in...before we could reboard.

 

So, you do go thru, but you dont really go into the waiting area to sit and wait to reboard.

 

 

I am really curious to see how the Triumph does it in October. We have done a B2B out of New Orleans...but it was on the Fantasy and we were the only people doing a B2B.

[Frequent Floater]

Our first B2B is on the Miracle out of Fort Lauderdale. Anyone done a B2B from there?

We have same rooms for both legs.

My plan to to get off the ship and hit a wine store to get more bottles for the cabin. Anyone tried this and how was it handled for the 2nd leg?

[LHP]

Our first B2B is on the Miracle out of Fort Lauderdale. Anyone done a B2B from there?

We have same rooms for both legs.

My plan to to get off the ship and hit a wine store to get more bottles for the cabin. Anyone tried this and how was it handled for the 2nd leg?

 

We did a B2B on the Splendor when she was still in Fort Lauderdale....

(actually us and 122 additional folks :eek:)

 

It was handled like any other B2B....

 

My only hestitation is that you will not be able to leave the ship until you get your NEW Sail and Sign card. And they can't issue those at the Guest Services Desk until the old cruise is closed out and the new cruise is implemented....(not seeing that happening before noon).

 

With your NEW Sail and Sign card in hand (and after you have your picture encrypted onto it)....ding out....grab a taxi....get the wine....grab a taxi back... go back through Security...and walk back on the ship, with the other masses boarding.

 

The only thing I remember about Port Everglades is the HUGE amount of traffic and how tight the loading /unloading area was.

 

By the time you pay for a taxi there and back....you could probably get a couple of bottles on the ship at the same price.

[LambKnuckles]

I've done a B2B... EASY PEASY!!!!

But, do check BEFORE you leave, that your cruise is listed as a B2B!! Then they have everything ready for you. There is a code that CARNIVAL adds to your booking when you're B2B... And that triggers the S&S card being ready for you before you debark to walk, without luggage through customs...

And, if you're in a different cabin, you put the new tags on your packed suitcases and leave them in the first week cabin, and remind the room steward about them... and they will take them to the new cabin...

PLUS... you get your liquor purchases from your first cruise, in your cabin for the second cruise... If that makes a difference... :)

[Frequent Floater]

I figured with the many ships in and out of that port, it would be more difficult and time consuming than its worth to do this.

Guess I will just have to beg someone from the 2nd leg roll call that is not on the first leg, doesn't drink and is willing to bring some on for me??

If all else fails I hear that IF we purchase stuff in duty free it is delivered the last night of leg 1 and we have it for leg 2? All it not lost

[triplee]

I have never done a back-to-back before (obviously) and I was wondering how that works? Do you have to get off the ship during debarkation even if you are staying in the same room? If you do have to get off do they let you stay in the terminal until you can get back on? Can you leave your stuff in your room? I assume that if you did have to get off the ship you’d have to check in all over again? And if you do have to check in all over again do some of you get a cab and find something to do to pass time around the port? If any and all could share what you know or what you have done on your b2b in the past that would be great. I can use all the info I can get. :confused:

 

1. If you have visited foreign ports, then yes, you have to go through customs and give them the declaration form.

2. If you have the same cabin, you can leave all your luggage in your cabin. Your room steward will take care of things.

3. You will assemble in the Atrium area with other passengers who are also going on the back to back. You will be escorted off the ship, through the customs area, and you will be issued your new "sign & sail" cards. You are then allowed to board the ship again, ahead of the new cruise passengers.

 

4. On our first back-to-back, my wife ran out of Nicorette gum. No foreign port had the gum, so we got off the ship when we returned to Port Canaveral. We grabbed a cab, went to the nearest drug store while the cab waited for us. By the time we got back, we had to go through the regular line for the new cruise passengers. The short of it: Yes, you can do it, but unless you really need something, I wouldn't do it again!

 

You are going to have a wonderful time!

 

If you want to remain at the same table for dinner, speak to the Maitre d' as soon as you reboard the ship for your second leg of the cruise. He will do his best to accomodate your request. However, on our last back to back, the wait staff was assigned to a different set of tables. I guess staff is rotated to different tables now?

[Frequent Floater]

For the tip on the wait staff thing. We are picky about ours so would like to keep them if they are great.

[scperk]

Our first B2B is on the Miracle out of Fort Lauderdale. Anyone done a B2B from there?

We have same rooms for both legs.

My plan to to get off the ship and hit a wine store to get more bottles for the cabin. Anyone tried this and how was it handled for the 2nd leg?

Before you think about getting off and going to a liquor store, I always buy my liquor on the first week and they usually deliver it to your cabin the last night of the first cruise....And then you can enjoy them on your second cruise, but you can get off and get a cab to take you to a liquor store in the home port and re-board on your new sign and sail without having to stand in line......:)....Dennis

[deej696]

Before you think about getting off and going to a liquor store, I always buy my liquor on the first week and they usually deliver it to your cabin the last night of the first cruise....And then you can enjoy them on your second cruise, but you can get off and get a cab to take you to a liquor store in the home port and re-board on your new sign and sail without having to stand in line......:)....Dennis

 

Yes this is what we did. I also bought a bottle the last night that, just in case they were smart and realized I was a B2B and didnt deliver my first purchase...

[Essiesmom]

If you plan onn going into port after the red tape is taken care of, ask at Guest Services for a transit pass. Then when you return, go through the line for crew. You still have to do security, but you won't have to wait in line. EM

[Frequent Floater]

If you plan onn going into port after the red tape is taken care of, ask at Guest Services for a transit pass. Then when you return, go through the line for crew. You still have to do security, but you won't have to wait in line. EM

 

I hoped that there would be a better way to re-board than with the masses.

Thanks

[juneburke]

Before you think about getting off and going to a liquor store, I always buy my liquor on the first week and they usually deliver it to your cabin the last night of the first cruise....And then you can enjoy them on your second cruise, but you can get off and get a cab to take you to a liquor store in the home port and re-board on your new sign and sail without having to stand in line......:)....Dennis

 

 

Thank you all for answering my questions and then some, I never thought about getting my liquor the first week for the second what a great IDEA can't wait to try it out when we get a chance to do a b2b.

[duchessuta]

Wow! I've never done a b2b, but now I really want to!! :)

[NavarreCruiser]

We've done 3 b2b and each one the booze from the first cruise was brought to the cabin the night before the end of the first cruise. I would never get off the ship between cruises. Way to much hassle with traffic and crowds. Lynda

[ManyMore]

I LOVED doing a B2B! We did ours in NO last September, It was a quick and easy as everyone says. We were meeting a friend at Riverwalk around 1 and stayed with her for about an hour so getting back on the ship was just going through security and walking back on since they had long started boarding.

[CRUZBUDS]

In San Diego we didn't need to get off the ship. We were instucted to report to customs with the non-U.S. citizens at 6:00 AM. The custom guys asked if we were staying aboard and we said yes. That was it. He didn't want our declaration form.

 

We had gotten our new cards the day before. We had to activate them as we got of the ship - (get our security picture taken). San Diego has many nice things within an easy walk of the terminal, so even though we live here, we got off for a while latter in the day. In the morning we enjoyed feeling sorry for everyone getting off -- lugging around their carry-on bags. It was pretty cool!

 

We're doing it again in October! :D

[sabba]

Just curious, what are the reasons for doing a B2B cruise?

 

For example, is it less expensive to do two B2B 5 day cruises, then to do one 10 day?

 

Or is it because there aren't longer options for that particular port, ship, etc?

 

Thanks!

 

Sabba :)

[Essiesmom]

Just curious, what are the reasons for doing a B2B cruise?

 

For example, is it less expensive to do two B2B 5 day cruises, then to do one 10 day?

 

Or is it because there aren't longer options for that particular port, ship, etc?

 

Thanks!

 

Sabba :)

Some other cruise lines package two 7 day cruises (or longer) as one 14 day (or 20, etc.) and sell them for less than the two booked separately. Carnival does not, so you don't save anything by booking a b2b, unless you are flying to the port. then you save the cost of flying twice...IK booked my first, on elation when she was in Port Canaveral, because I wanted a cruise longer than 5 days. EM

[Molly BPOE]

I have never done a B2B...but boy I wish I could!