Back to Back Turn around day

[Cruise Arizona]

Well we finally made the decision to book the BTB Silhouette cruises for with our kids for next March. I want to thank all those posters who shared their thoughts and experiences to help us make a decision.

 

So now I have a few questions for those of you who have done BTB.

 

Do you close out your accounts at the end of the first cruise and then start over for the second?

 

We currently have the same cabin so we won't have to move, but if we find a deal on another cabin we might be tempted to take advantage of it. So what is the best way to handle the move?

 

How do you spend your turn around day? Do they do anything special like a concierge lounge or breakfast? We are Elite with Celebrity if that makes any difference.

 

Can we watch movies on Turn around day?

 

Any other tips???

[Denny01]

Do you close out your accounts at the end of the first cruise and then start over for the second?

Response: Yes, you’ll close your account out and get a new card and account.

 

We currently have the same cabin so we won't have to move, but if we find a deal on another cabin we might be tempted to take advantage of it. So what is the best way to handle the move?

Response: Only had the same cabin, but if you change cabins, the steward will help you move that morning. You’ll need to pack up your stuff in the drawers/BR and shoes. The steward will bring a cart to move your hanging clothes on. Very simple. It is easier staying in the same room, but if you get an offer…..

 

How do you spend your turn around day? Do they do anything special like a concierge lounge or breakfast? We are Elite with Celebrity if that makes any difference.

Response: Since this is a US port turnover, you’ll need to go through customs. The ship will have you meet with the other B2B’s and escort you off and through the lines. Usually quicker than others. Once finished, you are on your own. I’d suggest you enjoy the port as if it’s another port of call. Some B2Bers have reported that they couldn’t get back on until all had cleared, which can take a while. Ours was very quick, and we spent the day onboard. But you can enjoy the port as long as you wish and then just come back on with your new card you got the night before.

 

Can we watch movies on Turn around day?

Response: I guess so. Talking about in-room? Not really sure, but I don’t see any reason you couldn’t since you have an active account at the start of the day.

 

Any other tips???

Response: we stayed aboard and just enjoyed the ship a bit to ourselves. It was great. Ate at Bistro on 5, and wandered and relaxed.

 

Have a great double-cruise!

 

Den

[TeaBag]

Well we finally made the decision to book the BTB Silhouette cruises for with our kids for next March. I want to thank all those posters who shared their thoughts and experiences to help us make a decision.

 

So now I have a few questions for those of you who have done BTB.

 

Do you close out your accounts at the end of the first cruise and then start over for the second?

 

We currently have the same cabin so we won't have to move, but if we find a deal on another cabin we might be tempted to take advantage of it. So what is the best way to handle the move?

 

How do you spend your turn around day? Do they do anything special like a concierge lounge or breakfast? We are Elite with Celebrity if that makes any difference.

 

Can we watch movies on Turn around day?

 

Any other tips???

Yes you close your accounts. You also get a new seapass card. Any Internet minutes left from the previous cruise cannot be carried over. You are much better off with the same cabin as you can do something with your day as soon as you get the changeover details looked after.

Sometimes they have a special lunch, but we have done a B2B three times and have not had this (too many people, I guess)

Once, we did a tour of the port city, the other times we just hung around the port.

[Cruise Arizona]

Our turn around city is Ft. Lauderdale, so I guess we could go to the beach, but most likely we will just do the customs thing and then get back on the ship. Maybe we'll spend the day playing bocce ball or in room movies. Bistro doesn't sound like a bad idea either.

 

We are very excited.

[We're The Groupnors]

Have a wonderful time! If you have to wait to reboard, and you're wine drinkers you could always take a little shopping trip and replensh your 2 allowed bottles of wine for (re)embarkation. There are a few places near the port (Publix, a couple of wine stores). Other than that I would personally take advantage of a near empty ship and just relax.

[sammie1900]

Our turn around city is Ft. Lauderdale, so I guess we could go to the beach, but most likely we will just do the customs thing and then get back on the ship. Maybe we'll spend the day playing bocce ball or in room movies. Bistro doesn't sound like a bad idea either.

 

We are very excited.

 

Hi, the Fll port is a 15 minute cab ride from the Hilton Marina Hotel & out front of the hotel --under the 17 th street bridge is a water taxi stop. You could get a family ticket and do a round trip, stay on or hop off-- ticket is good all day. More info on water taxi web site with schedule. Have fun!

[Denny01]

One other neat thing about B2B's....the wine/liquor you buy on the first cruise and is 'saved' for you by the ship is returned to you the night before deparking of that cruise. It's like you are getting off, and you are not, which means you know have the wine and such for the next cruise. I was more than a bit surprised at this and asked, and was told that just the procedure and the ship is well aware you know have the extra bottles in you SR.

 

So......

 

Den

[alishac]

One other neat thing about B2B's....the wine/liquor you buy on the first cruise and is 'saved' for you by the ship is returned to you the night before deparking of that cruise. It's like you are getting off, and you are not, which means you know have the wine and such for the next cruise. I was more than a bit surprised at this and asked, and was told that just the procedure and the ship is well aware you know have the extra bottles in you SR.

 

So......

 

Den

 

I like the way you think ;)

[Phxazzcruisers]

I like the way you think ;)

 

I do also!!!

[Denny01]

And it's not smuggling, sneaky or underhanded....which kind of takes away the fun of it all, but I'll somehow drown my sorrow.

 

We did keep some of them to take home because they were unique - bought some special wines in Santorini from their vineyard with these really odd basket-shaped vines...shaped to protected them from the wind and the sun since it gets little rain. Also had a bottle of Ouzo from Rhodes which you couldn't get off the island. Neat stuff.

 

Den

[Project_gal]

Our first B2B will be a Westbound TA into Fort Lauderdale followed by a Western Caribbean. We have done TAs ending in Fort Lauderdale before and know that arriving in the US for the first time in a season can make it a frantic day for the officers and crew. Has anyone experience of a B2B in such circumstances? Can you prepare us for the worst?

 

Sue

[jd1966]

Ignore post

[AntiHamstr]

Any Internet minutes left from the previous cruise cannot be carried over.

 

If you ask the Internet Manager, he may be able to carry over your unused minutes to the next cruise. I have done that, but YMMV.

 

You are much better off with the same cabin as you can do something with your day as soon as you get the changeover details looked after.

 

Totally agree. Unless you get an incredible deal for a much better cabin, don't bother with switching cabins.

[Islebcnu]

Our first B2B will be a Westbound TA into Fort Lauderdale followed by a Western Caribbean. We have done TAs ending in Fort Lauderdale before and know that arriving in the US for the first time in a season can make it a frantic day for the officers and crew. Has anyone experience of a B2B in such circumstances? Can you prepare us for the worst?

 

Sue

 

On the first leg of a b2b from Ft Lauderdale through the canal to San Diego, Immigration officials came on board in the middle of the last night before docking in San Diego.We had been warned two days before that this was to be a COMPLETE inspection and perhaps there would a delay in leaving the ship. The first passengers left the ship at 11:45. Since there was no time to do much sightseeing, we stayed on board and felt sorry for all the new passengers waiting in the heat to board and not being told what was causing the delay. On the up side, it was nice having the ship to ourselves and we got a chance to have a long conversation with the hotel manager and head chef.

[Cruise Arizona]

Thanks for all the tips and hints.

 

LOL I was talking to my Mom on the phone today and telling her all about the cruise and she reminded me of what she always thinks when leaving a ship:

 

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could just turn around and stay for another week?"

 

This will be a lot of fun for us. I assume the shows and activities are the same from week one to week two, so does any body have advice as to how to take it all in and spread it out among the different cruises.

[TeaBag]

Yes, walk slowly down your hallway at the end of the first cruise and enjoy all the bags set out in the hall!:D

[Cruise Arizona]

Lol

[Orator]

The sometimes have a special lunch for B2B guests, but this is a hit or miss thing. May first 4 B2Bs had a luncheon. One in Tuscan and three in MDR. Next two didn't. Then took one prior to a TA and they had a free lunch in Bistro on 5. Last several B2Bs no special lunch was served. They will tell you in advance if they are holding it.

You might check the hangers in your closet to see if the detach from the rod. If you move you'll need to request some wire hangers so that they will fit on the moving cart. A cart is not always available, but let your cabin steward handle the move if one is necessary. They do it all the time. They want you to be moved prior to visiting Customs. Your new cabin might not be available for your use until 1:00PM.

[dzcruisers]

The sometimes have a special lunch for B2B guests, but this is a hit or miss thing. May first 4 B2Bs had a luncheon. One in Tuscan and three in MDR. Next two didn't. Then took one prior to a TA and they had a free lunch in Bistro on 5. Last several B2Bs no special lunch was served. They will tell you in advance if they are holding it.

You might check the hangers in your closet to see if the detach from the rod. If you move you'll need to request some wire hangers so that they will fit on the moving cart. A cart is not always available, but let your cabin steward handle the move if one is necessary. They do it all the time. They want you to be moved prior to visiting Customs. Your new cabin might not be available for your use until 1:00PM.

 

We were surprised on our last B2B that we were allowed to move our things into the new cabin but then we had to leave it until after 1 .It's much easier to keep the same cabin!