Back to back question

[Kerrupt]

When you book a back to back and it is turn-around day, what can you do with the day? Are you allowed off the ship? Can you book an excursion? Can you head out on your own for the day? If you do leave the ship how do you get back on? I would assume they handle you differently than the rest of the boarding passengers.

[Clarea]

When you book a back to back and it is turn-around day, what can you do with the day? Are you allowed off the ship? Can you book an excursion? Can you head out on your own for the day? If you do leave the ship how do you get back on? I would assume they handle you differently than the rest of the boarding passengers.

Your choice, you can leave the ship or stay on. You are given a new SeaPass card for the second cruise, so when you want to get back on, you bypass the check-in and just go right to the boarding area. If you want to get back on before general boarding has commenced for the second cruise, you will have to wait until they start boarding.

 

Regarding excursions, I'm not aware of any excursions specifically tailored to B2B guests. Most excursions on turnover day tend to end up at the airport, which might not be what you want. You may have to book an independent excursion.

[lady_cruiser]

When we did a B2B a few years ago we all met for breakfast in the Windjammer . After that we met up with a ship's official where we received our new SeaPass Cards, was escorted off the ship, went straight into the terminal and was rechecked in by homeland security. We then went through the terminal, by passing all the new passengers waiting to board and went back on the ship. This was especially fun because we did hear a few rumblings and not so nice comments from a few people that could not understand what made us so special that we were being allowed to board a couple of hours before them. :p

 

Once we were escorted back onto the ship we were brough to the main dining room where we had a special five course meal prepared by the executive chef. The Chef came by to make sure everything was going good with us. By then the other passengers were on the ship and after dessert we were allowed back into our cabins which were ready for us even though the other cabins were not yet available to the new cruisers.

[UandMe4Ever]

When we did a B2B a few years ago we all met for breakfast in the Windjammer . After that we met up with a ship's official where we received our new SeaPass Cards, was escorted off the ship, went straight into the terminal and was rechecked in by homeland security. We then went through the terminal, by passing all the new passengers waiting to board and went back on the ship. This was especially fun because we did hear a few rumblings and not so nice comments from a few people that could not understand what made us so special that we were being allowed to board a couple of hours before them. :p

 

Once we were escorted back onto the ship we were brough to the main dining room where we had a special five course meal prepared by the executive chef. The Chef came by to make sure everything was going good with us. By then the other passengers were on the ship and after dessert we were allowed back into our cabins which were ready for us even though the other cabins were not yet available to the new cruisers.

 

HI, Interesting and nice information. My TA said we'd have new sea-passes in our room the night before and not have to get off the ship at all...Your way sounds fun, so we'll have to actually see how EX does in near the end of 2013...Already excited and it's SO FAR away...

[Merion_Mom]

My second favorite turnaround experience was on the Allure last summer.

 

Complimentary lunch at Giovanni's Table. With wine.

 

:)

[mo&fran]

HI, Interesting and nice information. My TA said we'd have new sea-passes in our room the night before and not have to get off the ship at all...Your way sounds fun, so we'll have to actually see how EX does in near the end of 2013...Already excited and it's SO FAR away...

If the turn around occurs in a US port, you have to get off and back on again.

[CVU]

HI, Interesting and nice information. My TA said we'd have new sea-passes in our room the night before and not have to get off the ship at all...Your way sounds fun, so we'll have to actually see how EX does in near the end of 2013...Already excited and it's SO FAR away...

Sometimes you have to go to a meeting to get the new sea pass, it can vary but they will notify you of how they are doing it.

You are allowed back to your cabin after coming back onto the ship with the turn around. The cabin hall doors will be shut until 1 PM but you are allowed back into your cabin. Some ships put a sticker on your new Sea Pass Card or give you a coloured cardboard card to show.

If you are changing cabins they can do that for you. Ask your room Attendant and they will explain the procedure.

We love B2Bs!:D:D

[kc320]

If the turn around occurs in a US port, you have to get off and back on again.

 

Depends....I did a b2b on Majesty & did NOT have to get off...we met near customer service...got our new Seapass cards & were done...all we had to do was get a new picture made before 3...a couple we were sailing with had been doing a b2b2b2b2b....and on some of the returns they had to get off...and other's they did not...no clue what the reasons were why it changes...

[Galatz]

Depends....I did a b2b on Majesty & did NOT have to get off...we met near customer service...got our new Seapass cards & were done...all we had to do was get a new picture made before 3...a couple we were sailing with had been doing a b2b2b2b2b....and on some of the returns they had to get off...and other's they did not...no clue what the reasons were why it changes...

 

Was I the only one who actually counted those b's to see how long it was?

[mo&fran]

Depends....I did a b2b on Majesty & did NOT have to get off...we met near customer service...got our new Seapass cards & were done...all we had to do was get a new picture made before 3...a couple we were sailing with had been doing a b2b2b2b2b....and on some of the returns they had to get off...and other's they did not...no clue what the reasons were why it changes...

Were these 3/4 day cruises. You may get off once a week. Our first B2B from a US port ( San Juan), we did not, but later I heard of others who did. Since then , we have been on several B2B and always had to get off, but they were all 7 day cruises.

[mrsrosa]

I did a b2b on carinval from Miami and had to get off. It was very simple though. Took all of 5 mins.

[UandMe4Ever]

Was I the only one who actually counted those b's to see how long it was?

 

There were 4!! I wonder how long each was and did they do different ports...OMG, that's some amazing cruise(s) :)

[Merion_Mom]

There were 4!! I wonder how long each was and did they do different ports...OMG, that's some amazing cruise(s) :)

 

The Majesty does alternating 4 & 3 night cruises, and there were five "b"s, so that is two and a half weeks.

 

The itineraries have repeats. Nassau is in both, CocoCay is in both. The 3 night has one sea day and the 4 night has one sea day and Key West.

 

So that would have been five times in Nassau, five times on CocoCay, two or three times in Key West, and five sea days.

 

:)

[ALSEAU]

When you book a back to back and it is turn-around day, what can you do with the day? Are you allowed off the ship? Can you book an excursion? Can you head out on your own for the day? If you do leave the ship how do you get back on? I would assume they handle you differently than the rest of the boarding passengers.

 

You really need to be more specific with your question. Such as what ship, what the original embarkation location is and what the B2B disembarkation/embarkation location is. The port authorities at these locations are the driving force on whether you have to get off the ship or not.

 

All my B2B's have been done in US ports and I have always had to get off the ship and reboard through customs.

 

With RCCL I have never left the ship on my own and done a tour between cruises.

 

On a Carnival B2B out of Miami I did a ship tour that was offered to passengers that had a late flight out of Miami. When the tour was over the bus was going to head to the airport. Someone from the tour company showed up with a passenger car and drove us back to the pier. So far so good.

 

Because we left early with the tour group we were not officially processed for our second leg. Before we left we were told to go to the priority check in when our tour was completed. Sounds easy and clean. Problem was several bus load of passengers had just been left off and the line was out of the building. Security would not let us by pass the line to go to the priority check-in line. We waited 45 minutes in line before we were able to reach the break off to get to the non-existing priority check in line. I turned in our boarding paper work and we were sent to the hospitality room to wait another 30 minutes for our new boarding passes.

 

I would really need a good reason to get off the ship on my own again without already being processed for the second leg.

[NorbertsNiece]

Considering doing the El Yunque RCCL tour on turnaround day in San Juan on AoS. It includes the airport drop off and return to pier. As the RCCL pier is so far away from anywhere walkable the tour is even that more attractive. Not sure a nice lunch on turnaround day is a big enough draw for me to stick around.

[sross6019]

We did a B2B last April and it was a nightmare. They had a meeting the day before and we received the new cards. The following morning we met in one of the bars and had to wait till all others had departed, some did not want to leave so we were not taken down till close to 11:00. Then the new cards were activated. We when had to go to customs and the line they sent all of to was closed so we had to go to the back of the regular lines and wait. Once we finished this, we were escorted back through the pier and had to go through security with all of the ones trying to get on the ship. No lunch, no breaskfast, no nothing. There was only 25 of us and 1 staff, who disappeared at the custom line. The whole ordeal took about 2 hours, just in time so everyone could get into thier cabins. We have a B2B booked in 2014, hope it goes better. At least we will be on a cruise and not at work!

[Galatz]

The Majesty does alternating 4 & 3 night cruises, and there were five "b"s, so that is two and a half weeks.

 

The itineraries have repeats. Nassau is in both, CocoCay is in both. The 3 night has one sea day and the 4 night has one sea day and Key West.

 

So that would have been five times in Nassau, five times on CocoCay, two or three times in Key West, and five sea days.

 

:)

 

Coco Cay is fun, but that would be a bit too much. Nassua I have been to too many times too haha

[UandMe4Ever]

The Majesty does alternating 4 & 3 night cruises, and there were five "b"s, so that is two and a half weeks.

 

The itineraries have repeats. Nassau is in both, CocoCay is in both. The 3 night has one sea day and the 4 night has one sea day and Key West.

 

So that would have been five times in Nassau, five times on CocoCay, two or three times in Key West, and five sea days.

 

:)

 

 

Thanx for the clarification...I guess my eyes tricked me...Not sure I'd like doing all the times in Nassau, Coco or Key West..

[jconeil]

We were in Australia for our b2b on Radiance. We all had to meet up in a lounge where we waited and waited and waited.............We had to go thru customs, waited and waited and waited............ then we were taken up on deck where we waited and waited and waited............. By this time we were all grousing a bit, since we had planned to get off the ship in Sydney for a ferry trip. Finally it was explained that everyone on the first cruise had to leave before the new sea passes could be given out. They finally had to go get these last 4 people from their cabin and make them leave. :p

We then had our new pix taken, sea passes made and we could then leave the ship and get back on without waiting. The other b2b people who left the ship early without getting their new passes had to wait like everyone else to reboard. So I guess you can pick what to do. Knowing what I know now, I think we would take our ferry ride and deal with the reboarding later. We didn't have time for our planned trip, so just wandered around Sidney and picked up some refreshments.:D

[nivek82]

Did a b2b on Liberty last year out of port Everglades. Was the first time we had to get off on turnaround day (needed more baby stuff.). Was no problem getting off the ship except had to tell about 20 crew what we were doing and right the tons of people coming in. Made security nervous as they stressed over and over what time to be back.

 

Once back to port the line for security was at least an hour long. We asked the RCI agent in front if we were b2b if we could go in with the crew. They said no but got us right in the door. Funny part was as someone yelled to security at the port "hey I'm diamond plus why do they get in front of me!". The tsa looked at this person and yelled back "they were in this line last week now it's you're turn!". Classic.

 

Each port and ship are different have done 4 b2b and each one a bit different. Just not having to pack that first last night makes it all worth it.

[boewok]

Have done 4 b2b and never had the problems related here. Guess best advice is to read the letter from Guest Relations and ask lots of questions if there is any doubt how the procedure is working on this ship on this day.

 

Barb

[Galatz]

I never knew people doing b2b were so popular...I knew of it, but sounds like its more common than I ever imagined

[ARCruisinNana]

I never knew people doing b2b were so popular...I knew of it, but sounds like its more common than I ever imagined

 

There's nothing like really enjoying the last night of the first cruise and not having to worry about leaving in the morning:)

[mo&fran]

Plus you get twice the cruise for the same transportation dollar.

[ARCruisinNana]

Plus you get twice the cruise for the same transportation dollar.

Great point! Sometimes transportation to the port costs as much as the cruise itself.