How does Back to Back work?

[Kazzykins]

Hi, gosh looking at all the cruise ships and destinations is mind boggling isn't it:eek: We like the Freedom Class (my son is addicted to flowrider!). Have seen a weeks cruise on Freedom in January to the caribbean but it doesn't do a 14 day cruise so my plan is a back to back (Eastern then Western), how does this work? Do you get off, hang around and then get back on the same ship, to the same stateroom? Sounds very confusing! Though if my past experience on Indy is anything to go by I would imagine would run very smoothly! Would love to hear any advice! Also, when we fly over from the UK do we check our bags in at Manchester and then we don't see them again until we are on board? Sorry to ask so many questions but thank you!:) Kaz

[cruiselovincouple]

Hi, gosh looking at all the cruise ships and destinations is mind boggling isn't it:eek: We like the Freedom Class (my son is addicted to flowrider!). Have seen a weeks cruise on Freedom in January to the caribbean but it doesn't do a 14 day cruise so my plan is a back to back (Eastern then Western), how does this work? Do you get off, hang around and then get back on the same ship, to the same stateroom? Sounds very confusing! Though if my past experience on Indy is anything to go by I would imagine would run very smoothly! Would love to hear any advice! Also, when we fly over from the UK do we check our bags in at Manchester and then we don't see them again until we are on board? Sorry to ask so many questions but thank you!:) Kaz

 

This is precisely what we're doing on the Freedom in September, only we're doing Western and then Eastern. We were lucky and snagged the same stateroom on both legs of the trip so we won't have to pack and unpack between itineraries. From all the info I've found on the boards, whether you have to disembark and re-embark on the turnaround day varies between ships. Some people report not having to do that, others say they've been escorted off and quickly back on. Some say it depends on how many other B2Bers are on the same journey with you, some say you have to get pics re-taken, some say you don't. All have said it's quick and easy and well worth it. I also think the general consensus seems to be to get the same stateroom if you possibly can, although some have reported that their steward has helped them move when they couldn't score the same stateroom. I would just hate to have to worry about that. For me the point of a B2B is a 14 day vacation and I wouldn't want to waste time packing and unpacking halfway through. Also, if you get the same stateroom, be sure to link your registration and put "No Upgrades" on your reservation or you could be moved on one or both trips. Upgrading is awesome, but if you want the same room it could be a bummer.

 

Do some searches on these threads too, there's tons of things you'll learn that you wouldn't have even thought to ask about. I'm super excited about our B2B and have learned TONS here. Love this website and all the posters so much!

 

~Lisa :p

[Sancho_proudfoot]

We did the East & West Carribean B2B on Freedom in December last year. We kept the same stateroom, so didn't have to pack or unpack.

 

We had booked for the Kennedy Space Center trip on there change over day, so left the ship as for a normal excursion - off through a different exit so didn't get tangled up with the actual disembarkees.

 

Got back to the ship after the trip, and to a B2B desk where we got our new Seapass cards (each cruise is separate, so two accounts, two bills, two different Seapasses) and back aboard with almost no delay.

 

For some reason, although we were sat with the same people in the MDR we had to change tables

[Trainman-2]

RCI has Back-to-Back experts. They call themselves Continuous Cruise Experts.

 

Call RCI and ask for the continuous cruise people. Apparently they have some special software that helps them help you.

 

Tell them what you want and they will find the closest available for you.

 

We have done a number of B-2-B's and they were well organized for the change over. They told us what time to meet at Guest Relations, handed us our new Sea Pass Cards and then an officer walked us ashore and back aboard because we had to be re-photographed by the "Boinger Machine" to validate our new Sea Passes.

 

The entire process took about 15 minutes.

 

Make sure you get the same cabin for both legs of the B-2-B. It is a pain to change cabins!

[Tagsalong]

Last Fall B2B Navigator, new sea-pass cards were given to us at the special meeting area on the ship the morning of the transition day. Then at approx. 10am we were escorted off the ship to go through a customs line (after everyone else had disembarked) and back on to the ship. Took less than 10 minutes. We were allowed back in our room immediately and did not have to wait till 1pm. A letter is sent to your room the night before re. the special meeting place and other details.

 

In Europe, we did not have to get off the ship. New sea passes were given to us the night before the transition day.

 

Hope this helps.

[ecmcm]

B2Bs are the only way to cruise! Be sure to get the same cabin as it will make things so much easier. Whether you have to walk off and back on the ship and whether you have to have new photos or not depends on the port. Either way it's so easy and quick you'll hardly notice. You will get the needed information sent to your cabin a few days before the end of the first week. As someone said you can book an excursion for your turnaround day or just leave the ship and do your own thing. Or you can enjoy an almost empty ship for a few hours which is a really special treat.

[Wilde_37]

"Also, when we fly over from the UK do we check our bags in at Manchester and then we don't see them again until we are on board?"

 

 

You have to clear customs when you land in the US - regardless of whether you are landing at your final destination airport or you are in transit. When you get off the plane you will have to go through Immigration first. Then you will collect your luggage from the carousel and go through Customs.

 

If you are going directly to the ship then you will take your luggage with you (If you have booked a transfer then you bring your luggage to the coach yourself).

 

Hopefully you won't have to spend too long in Immigration - it depends on how many other international flight land at the same time as you it could be anything from 15 minutes to an hour.

 

Thankfully here in Ireland we can clear Immigration and Customs in the airport here before traveling - the luck of the Irish to be allowed to do that.

[Kazzykins]

RCI has Back-to-Back experts. They call themselves Continuous Cruise Experts.

 

Call RCI and ask for the continuous cruise people. Apparently they have some special software that helps them help you.

 

Tell them what you want and they will find the closest available for you.

 

 

Will RCI still arrange flights, transfers and accommodation if we decide to fly out a couple of days beforehand ? Thanks

[cruisenfever]

RCI has Back-to-Back experts. They call themselves Continuous Cruise Experts.

The B2B Desk is now known as the Consecutive Cruises desk.

 

Will RCI still arrange flights, transfers and accommodation if we decide to fly out a couple of days beforehand ? Thanks

Call RCI and ask to speak to the Continuous Cruises desk. RCI will do your air and hotel arrangements for you and this will also include your transfers from airport to hotel to ship.

[Sequim88]

Very nice thread. Certainly has answered a lot of my questions about doing a B2B.

 

"Boinger Machine"

GREAT nickname. Perfect fit. I will have to remember to use it from now on.

[Albert Ross]

The B2B Desk is now known as the Consecutive Cruises desk.

 

 

Call RCI and ask to speak to the Continuous Cruises desk. RCI will do your air and hotel arrangements for you and this will also include your transfers from airport to hotel to ship.

 

The OP is in the UK - they do not have a Consecutive Cruises desk over here!

RCI can do flights and hotels but only for 3 days pre or post cruise - if you want a longer stay you can book your own hotel and they charge £20pp to deviate the flights.

[cruisenfever]

The OP is in the UK - they do not have a Consecutive Cruises desk over here!

RCI can do flights and hotels but only for 3 days pre or post cruise - if you want a longer stay you can book your own hotel and they charge £20pp to deviate the flights.

Oops, I knew the OP was from across the pond, but didn't realize that the consecutive cruise desk hasn't made it over there as of yet.:o

[Kazzykins]

Thanks for all the info, thats great. Have seen a cruise we fancy, Freedom from 8th Jan (8+8 night Caribbean) from Port Canaveral. Thinking of flying out a couple of days beforehand to see the sights. Not sure now though if it would be cheaper to book our own flights and accommodation or book via Royal Caribbean???:confused: