Back-to-Back Cruises: How Do You Spend the Turnaround Day in Port?

[vacationfun]

Hi, This topic won't be for everyone, but we're taking our second back-to-back cruise this summer. First one was 10 years ago. Last time, we took the day in port to explore the ship and see what we hadn't been able to get to during the first week--library, some of the lounges, etc. Great time also to take pictures of the inside of the ship.

 

We also took advantage of all the cabins being open for cleaning to start down below in the cheaper cabins and work our way all the way up to the penthouse suite. As things went, there was a very friendly couple sitting with door open in the penthouse suite awaiting their call for disembarkation. They invited us in for the "grand tour." Wow, it was fabulous! It really helped us decide that on that ship (HAL Zaandam) there really were no bad cabins.

 

We disembarked to make a quick pay phone call to family (before the days of 9/11 and, of course, there wasn't widespread cell phone usage 10 years ago either. Not sure this would still be allowed today without going through tons of security).

 

And then we enjoyed a very leisurely lunch in an uncrowded dining room with the handful of other passengers who were doing the back-to-back too.

 

BEST OF ALL...we BASKED in the knowledge that we still had ANOTHER GLORIOUS WEEK to cruise again!!!

 

Would be interested in ideas from others as to how your turnaround day in port is spent.

[cincicruisers]

I cant answer your question,, just jealous that I will have to get off my cruise after one week and you will stay for another round.. No matter what you do that day, the wonders of another week at sea sounds great!

[K8sMom]

We used part of the day to wash clothes. No one using the washers and dryers on that day.

[happycruzer]

We are doing a back 2 back on the Jewel of the Seas next March and wondered if anyone can tell us whether or not we will still have access to our Cabin during the change over (we will have the same cabin # for both weeks)

 

The thought had never occured to me until I read that new pax cannot get into their cabins before 1 o'clock. Will we be the same? We will be in Fort Lauderdale and if anyone has any suggestions as to where to go or just to stay onboard and enjoy a quiet ship I'll be most grateful for their advice.

 

Many thanks in advance

happycruzer

[happycruzer]

Just thought that I'd bring this back to the top in hope of someone knowing whether or not we will be able to have full access to our cabin on the turnaround day of our B2B cruise on the Jewel of the seas.

 

Thanks to anyone who can answer this for us.

 

Happycruzer

[AnDeNo.UK]

Just thought that I'd bring this back to the top in hope of someone knowing whether or not we will be able to have full access to our cabin on the turnaround day of our B2B cruise on the Jewel of the seas.

 

Thanks to anyone who can answer this for us.

 

Happycruzer

 

 

We are doing a B 2 B in April '06............it seems we do have full access to our cabins..........we just need to go to the pursers desk to get another S&S card. Hope this helps:)

[happycruzer]

Many thanks Ann & Derek, we probably wont even need to go back to our cabin for anything, but you know what it is like when you 'cant' do something it is usually when you want to. We are actually looking forward to having the ship almost to ourselves for a wee while !

Hope you enjoy your B2B in April too. Where are you sailing from ?

We fly into MIA and have decided to stay in a hotel there for 2 nights (just to see what Miami is all about) then we sail from Fort Lauderdale and have also decided to stay on there for a further 5 nights before coming home to a damp and dreary March in the UK . We do love Scotland its just our weather we dont like lol.

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Happycruzer

[maryjohn]

Happycruzer

We have done back to back before and are doing another one in October. We had full use of our cabin on turnaround day - there was no difference to any other day. The even put on a special lunch in the dining room for back to backers which was excellent - think it was the only time we had lunch in the dining room though!

We were given information the day before about what was to happen and were given info about where to go the evening before to collect our new sea passes.

We are from Scotland too - ditto about the weather - as I type this it is lasshing rain outside - roll on October and some sunshine.

We are staying in Miami for two nights before we cruise so if you would like any info after we have been please feel free to ask.

Mary

[LuvMyVette]

Hi:

 

DH/I will be on our first B2B on Explorer of the Seas in Sept/Oct 2006 to celebrate my 40th birthday! :eek: When I was speaking to the agent at RCI, I was informed that we would have to get off the ship, take the shuttle back to check-in area to check-in again, take the shuttle back to the ship and then we can do whatever we want to do. Honestly that doesn't make sense to us. We will be in the same cabin for both cruises. Has anyone ever heard of this and is this really true? I like the idea of going to the Guest Relations to pick up the new SeaPass card. Besides the B2B, at the second part of the cruise we'll be Diamond members with RCI. If anyone has done a B2B on RCI, can you verify how this is done?

Many thanks!

[maryjohn]

Let's Party - As my earlier post stated we did not have to get off the ship. We are on b2b in October so will post when we return to let you know what happened or I can email you if you would prefer that. Definately don't think you would have to go and check in all over again at the check in area - have never heard of that!

[cruisenfever]

Hi:

 

DH/I will be on our first B2B on Explorer of the Seas in Sept/Oct 2006 to celebrate my 40th birthday! :eek: When I was speaking to the agent at RCI, I was informed that we would have to get off the ship, take the shuttle back to check-in area to check-in again, take the shuttle back to the ship and then we can do whatever we want to do. Honestly that doesn't make sense to us. We will be in the same cabin for both cruises. Has anyone ever heard of this and is this really true? I like the idea of going to the Guest Relations to pick up the new SeaPass card. Besides the B2B, at the second part of the cruise we'll be Diamond members with RCI. If anyone has done a B2B on RCI, can you verify how this is done?

Many thanks!

 

My husband and I have done several b2b's. In fact, just did one this past April on Radiance. The way it is usually handled is that you will receive a letter in your stateroom on Thursday before disembarkation. You will pick up your new seapasses from Guest Relations. On disembarkation day, you will be told to meet in a certain area where you (and whoever else is also doing a b2b) will be escorted off the ship by a Staff Member, go through customs and immigration and then allowed back on the ship, activating your seapass like you did the first week. Should only take 15-20 minutes. But, you must keep in mind that turnaround day can be handled differently due to what ship you are on and what port you are in. You are now free to get off the ship and go wherever you want. They will tell you when to be back on. Normally, all fire doors are closed until 1:00PM, so that they can ready the rooms for the new passengers. If you want to get to your cabin for any reason, just open the door (and they are heavy). You will have to eat breakfast during the time period when everyone else is (usually 6:00 -8:30AM) and then lunch starts at 12:30. We have never had the luxury of having a private lunch prepared for us and others doing a b2b. Guess it just depends on the ship.

 

I am surprised that the RCI agent told you that you would have to be shuttled. Where is the Explorer sailing out of? Also, since you will become Diamond Members on the second week of your cruise, I would suggest that you contact the Loyalty Ambassador as soon as you board the ship on the first week and ask if you can receive the Diamond perks for the first week as you will be Diamond Members the second week. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

Hope this answers some of your questions.

[LuvMyVette]

:) Maryjohn ~ Thanks so much for response. You are more than welcome to email me (onyx66@hotmail.com). I'm curious to know what will happen with the B2B. What ship will you be on?

:) Crusenfever ~ The Explorer is leaving out of Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ) next year and we'll be on the same ship/same cabin for our B2B. The check-in/luggage area is quite a distance from the ship so you have to take a shuttle which takes approximately five minutes. DH/I will definitely talk to someone at Guest Relations to find out if we can get the Diamond perks for both cruises. It's free to ask and you never know. I guess each RCI ship handles things differently. We plan on staying on the ship and relaxing that day.

Thanks again for your responses!

[SqueakyDust]

We've done a b2b cruise in the caribbean and didn't have any bother.

Our ship was a British run one so I don't know if that made any difference.

 

We sailed from the Dominican Republic and all we did was treat the cross over day as another day in a port. It was a Sunday so a few things weren't open, but we just got a taxi along to a nearby Aquarium after having a long lie. It was an easy day for us and I don't remember having to disembark or anythign either.

 

However, times have changed and security is higher. We're off on a b2b again in December (again on a British run ship) this time via Barbados. We just plan to either hire a car and disappear for the day or book a tour, privately. I know there are ship tours available. It never crossed my mind that it may be difficult to get on/off the ship. I may contact the cruise line and see what they say.

[SUNANDSAND]

Hi,

Hubby and I are doing a b2b also this fall but we are not staying in the same room. We were able to snag a better room for the second week. What happens now. Who and when does our luggage get changed over? I once heard RCCL does all this for you. Any help here !!!

 

Thanks

[EJNutz]

I'm doing a B2B on the Radiance in November sailing from Miami. East & West Caribbean. On the changeover day are excursions organised such as going to the everglades or can you do this independently. Or in reality is there no time to do anything worthwhile. I'm quite happy to relax on board. It would be nice if there was a choice.Thanks for any info you can provide.

[maryjohn]

Letsparty - have taken a note of your email address and will contact you after our cruise to let you know what we did on turnaround day. We wil be on the Navigator this time - the largest ship we have been on to day so looking forward to it!!

Must be right about which ship you are - they must all have different procedures - we never had to get off before on turnaround day so will see what happens this time!

[happycruzer]

Thanks everyone for your help and answers, I look forward to hearing from you on your return from your own B2B's later in the year.

Perhaps my fellow brits will be able to pass on any helpful tips on their return, and I'm not sure if we will be any different at the turnaround day because we are not US citizens, just have to wait and see !

 

We have done a B2B before in the Caribbean but we sailed from San Jaun and the only thing we had to do was the day prior to disembarkation and that was to go at the crack of dawn into one of the lounges with our passports and have them checked/stamped again by immigration and collect new sea passes, I cant remember any restrictions to us at all, I do remember the ship being blissful with about 2 dozen people on board !

 

Jonty....I've had a look at RCI 's excursions and the only ones they seem to have are geared toward people heading home as they all end at the app airport. So I guess we are either on our own for an excursion or have a peaceful day on board with NO chair hogs lol

 

Look forward to hearing from my fellow scots/brits on their return.

 

Have a great trip

 

 

Happycruzer

[happycruzer]

Maryjohn...would love if you could e.mail me too please with some details, I'd be interested to know too how you get on with the security thing etc, Ive just had to buy some new suitcases (we already have expensive hard bodied cases but have read on the boards that the TSA -security- will burst them open if they want to check your cases) and another lady on the UK board was told she couldn't have her luggage checked all the way to Glasgow , she had to collect it at Heathrow and check it back in again !!

 

My e.mail address is sandward@blueyonder.co.uk . Look forwar to hearing from you and hope you have a great trip.

 

Thanks again

 

Happycruzer

[cruisenfever]

Hi,

Hubby and I are doing a b2b also this fall but we are not staying in the same room. We were able to snag a better room for the second week. What happens now. Who and when does our luggage get changed over? I once heard RCCL does all this for you. Any help here !!!

 

Thanks

Since we have always had the same cabin on both cruises I can only offer you some tips from what I have heard from other passengers that have had to change cabins. During the first week of your cruise, inform your cabin steward that you are doing a b2b, but will be changing cabins for the second week. Then, go and meet the cabin steward you will have for the second week and tell him/her that you are staying on. You will have to move your things yourself, unless the cabin steward can get you a cart to put your things on, so that you don't have to make many trips. You can usually start moving your things after breakfast even before the new room is made up.

 

I'm doing a B2B on the Radiance in November sailing from Miami. East & West Caribbean. On the changeover day are excursions organised such as going to the everglades or can you do this independently. Or in reality is there no time to do anything worthwhile. I'm quite happy to relax on board. It would be nice if there was a choice.Thanks for any info you can provide.

From our experience, they do not offer excursions for the folks that are doing a b2b. You are totally on your own on turn round day. After you have cleared customs and immigration and have activitated your seapasses for the second week, you are free to get off the ship and do whatever you like, making sure you return to the ship at the scheduled time.

 

Turnaround day can be a day of just relaxing on the ship or just watching all the new cruisers come on board and get confused as to where they have to go. Remember, you've been there a week, so you know where everything is! We love to do b2b's, because one week is just not enough time.

[AnDeNo.UK]

Many thanks Ann & Derek, we probably wont even need to go back to our cabin for anything, but you know what it is like when you 'cant' do something it is usually when you want to. We are actually looking forward to having the ship almost to ourselves for a wee while !

Hope you enjoy your B2B in April too. Where are you sailing from ?

We fly into MIA and have decided to stay in a hotel there for 2 nights (just to see what Miami is all about) then we sail from Fort Lauderdale and have also decided to stay on there for a further 5 nights before coming home to a damp and dreary March in the UK . We do love Scotland its just our weather we dont like lol.

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Happycruzer

 

Hi Happycruzer......

Just like you, we fly from Manchester UK to MIA, (flights sooo much cheaper), hire a car at the airport, drive to Fort lauderdale for a three nights stay at the Amerisuites. We've stayed in Miami on a couple of occasions, but only drove thro' FLL......so really looking forward to the whole thing. First time doing B2B ....can't wait:D

Ann

 

[LuvMyVette]

Hi Ann/Derek:

 

Where did you get your banner from? I've seen it on the boards but have no clue where to locate it. Would like to do something like that to my signature. Is there a web site for that? Any information you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy your B2B cruise. My first one will be on Explorer in Sept 2006 and I can't wait!

 

C YA!

[maryjohn]

Happycruzer - have taken a note of your email and will get in touch postcruise.

As regards security, we have never had any bother.

When coming back vie Newark(New York) last year we were told to leave our padlocks unlocked and if security wanted to check our bags, they would do so and then lock them for us.

My son has just returned from Boston via Dublin to Glasgow - his luggage was checked right through to Glasgow and he walked straight out - did not even have to clear customs! Good for him - but quite worrying at such blatant lack of security. Maybe depends on the airline?

[AnDeNo.UK]

Hi Ann/Derek:

 

Where did you get your banner from? I've seen it on the boards but have no clue where to locate it. Would like to do something like that to my signature. Is there a web site for that? Any information you could provide me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Enjoy your B2B cruise. My first one will be on Explorer in Sept 2006 and I can't wait!

 

C YA!

 

Dana, the group leader of Jewel of the seas did this banner, she's terrific.........I'm sure if you email her, tell her Ann & Derek directed you to her, she'll be able to help. Her email addy is : curly4dana@aol.com :)

I'm sure she has done the banners for other sailings.

[AnDeNo.UK]

Maryjohn...would love if you could e.mail me too please with some details, I'd be interested to know too how you get on with the security thing etc, Ive just had to buy some new suitcases (we already have expensive hard bodied cases but have read on the boards that the TSA -security- will burst them open if they want to check your cases)

Happycruzer

 

Since 9/11 we have used small tie wraps to secure our luggage, we always use bright coloured one's because, if they are opened and checked they always use black to secure them again (they do leave a notice in the case to say it has been inspected )..........

Ann

[LuvMyVette]

Hi Ann & Derek

 

That is too funny.. I know Dana from CC! What a small world it is. Will have to send her an email. Thanks for letting me know.

Hi Happycruzer

 

DH/I use cable ties to lock our luggage. It's better than nothing and I know if someone searched our luggage or not. Been doing that since 9/11 and never had a problem.