Back to Back Cruise Question???

[JuniorCruiser]

Hubby and I just booked the 5 day Bermuda on Voyager and were already booked for the 9 day to West Caribbean. Question is do we have to get off the ship after we return back to Cape Liberty from Bermuda or do we stay on the ship. What about our luggage? We will be changing cabins so who takes care of that? How do we get our sea pass cards? Sorry for all the questions but we have never done a back to back before. Any info would greatly be appreciated. Happy Sailing Everyone :D Thank You in advance :)

 

~~Debbie~~

[KamloopsCruisers]

Debbie, I will try to answer your questions.

 

1. Yes, you will have to walk off the ship. You will receive a letter one day prior to the end of your first cruise letting you know where to meet. You'll be escorted off, given new seapass cards and then you're free to walk back on or stay ashore. If you decide to stay ashore and shop etc., you'll also be given an extra card. Show this card and you'll be able to avoid the long lines of new cruisers waiting to get on board.

 

2. Because you're changing cabins, you'll have to pack your suitcases. Whatever is hanging in the closet can stay on the hangers. Your room steward will move your suitcases and the hanging stuff to your new cabin.

 

Back-to-backs are grrrrrreat! If you do a search, you'll find several threads that will tell you more info if you need it. Otherwise, if you think of anything else, ask away.

 

Have a great cruise - or should I say, cruises!:D

[JuniorCruiser]

Kamloopscruiser....

 

Thank You so much for the quick response. Wow.. How cool is that about them taking your clothes that are hanging in your closet and bringing them to your new cabin. I'm so excited about these cruises. We are staying in a promanade then moving aft. I even talked my parents into going. Geez i really had to twist their arms ;) This is their first time on the Voyager so i'm hoping they have a blast. I'm sure they will though because she is a beautiful ship with lots to do. Thanks Again :)

 

~~Debbie~~

[KamloopsCruisers]

Oh, I forgot to tell you - let the staff know you're doing a B2B cruise - sometimes you can get an extra "perk" - dinner with the captain perhaps? Also, you may not have the same waiter both weeks, even if you keep the same dining table. I read somewhere where a passenger paid both weeks of tips at the end of his first cruise - only to have a new waiter for the second week. Pack light - yes, this is your chance to actually do it. Because you'll have different passengers for the second week, you can wear your formal outfits,etc. twice.:D

 

The final day of your first cruise is a great day to sit by the pool - you'll have your pick of almost any lounge chair, and to stroll around taking pictures of the ship. You'll be told where to meet - usually 10 - 11:00 am after all the other passengers are off, before you can leave and come back aboard. This is a bonus day to relax! Have a good breakfast because you won't be able to eat lunch in the Windjammer until 1:00 p.m. when the new passengers come aboard. (Sometimes a special luncheon is offered for B2B passengers, but this did not happen for us).

[brigidfreeman]

Kamloopscruiser: We're doing a B2B next year, trans-Atlantic then a Baltic cruise. We had hoped to have a rather full day in Harwich, England to see the area. Do we have to wait so late in the morning to get off and get new sea passes? We rather get off as early as possible to start the day. Do you know if that's possible or should we request an early time off from Royal Caribbean?

Thanks, brigid-

[KamloopsCruisers]

Kamloopscruiser: We're doing a B2B next year, trans-Atlantic then a Baltic cruise. We had hoped to have a rather full day in Harwich, England to see the area. Do we have to wait so late in the morning to get off and get new sea passes? We rather get off as early as possible to start the day. Do you know if that's possible or should we request an early time off from Royal Caribbean?

Thanks, brigid-

I'm sure you can get off right away and when you return just identify yourself as a B2B cruiser. I would check with the purser's desk while onboard during the first week to make the appropriate arrangements.

 

Your B2B sounds "fab". Enjoy! Enjoy!

[JuniorCruiser]

Is this all we need to know or is there anything else someone could help us with. I have read on another board that Voyager doesn't have laundry rooms to do your own wash is this true? What about a tip? When should i give our room steward a tip at the start of the cruise or when he has to move our luggage to our next cabin. Please Help :eek: Thank You again in advance :) How much of a tip should we give? No not cheap just want to be fair for his services :D

 

~~Debbie~~

[clivey]

I was on the VOS a couple of years ago and they didn't have laundry rooms but they had a great laundry service. The clothes came back so nice and it was very reasonable. I've already decided to send out all my everyday stuff before we get off the next one to have them do my laundry so I won't have to when I get home!

[cruisetarp]

We just did a B2B on the Voyager and did not have to get off the ship between cruises. We picked up our sea pass card from Guest relations on the morning of our turn around. We did have to go to have a photo taken for it on the first port day before we could leave the ship.

 

We stayed in the same cabin so cannot advise on that.

 

Enjoy your trips. We loved doing the B2B.

[cruisin-Trish]

None of the RCCL ships have laundry facilities for you to do your own clothes.But as someone said their charges are quite reasonable. If you just need something pressed the charge is one half the price of having it laundered. However, same day service is one and one half times the normal charge. I give the room steward our formal clothes for pressing the day we board.

When doing a back to back in Hawaii we were instructed to meet in a certain location at 10am. We were then given new seapass cards and could then leave the ship.

I would give the room steward an extra tip when moving the clothes. The amount would depend on the amount of clothes you need moved. (It would cost me a lot! :D ) Make sure he knows this is above the tip he/she will receive at the end of the cruise

[KamloopsCruisers]

Is this all we need to know or is there anything else someone could help us with. I have read on another board that Voyager doesn't have laundry rooms to do your own wash is this true? What about a tip? When should i give our room steward a tip at the start of the cruise or when he has to move our luggage to our next cabin. Please Help :eek: Thank You again in advance :) How much of a tip should we give? No not cheap just want to be fair for his services :D

 

~~Debbie~~

Laundry service is quite reasonable, I will try to find the list of pricing and post it here again for you. As for tipping - tip like other "regular" passengers on the final night of each cruise. We did not change cabins during our B2B, but I did move during another cruise due to a problem with the first cabin. Our first cabin steward moved everything to our second room, so we gave him cash for doing this. You shouldn't have to pay more than you would to a porter, unless you have a lot of stuff. If I remember, I think we paid him $10 which I thought was well worth him schlepping everything to the other end of the ship. Procedures change from ship to ship, so I would not suggest that you pay up-front at the start of your cruise. After giving you this advice, you may have your second steward do the moving. So pay whomever moves your "stuff" after the job is complete.

 

I'll finish my morning coffee and search for the laundry list.

 

Sue

[dh01498]

speaking of laundry does anyone have a price list of what it costs for washing and/or pressing? Great idea of having laundry done before leaving.. it sure saves a LOT of work when you get home. I may just try that this time!! LOL:D

[KamloopsCruisers]

Here's the laundry list:

 

SHIPBOARD LAUNDRY SERVICE

* All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice.

 

Men

Shirt/T-Shirt: $2.50

Shirt (dress): $3.00

Underwear: $1.20

Jeans: $3.00

Pajamas: $4.00

Handkerchief: $0 .75

Shorts: $2.50

Bathrobe: $3.50

Pants (wash): $3.50

Sweatshirt: $3.00

Socks: $1.00

 

 

Women

Blouse: $3.50

Dress (wash): $5.00

Skirt: $3.50

Nightgown: $3.00

Swimsuit: $2.00

Slip: $2.50

Housecoat: $3.50

Hosiery: $1.00

Slacks: $3.50

 

PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices

 

SHIPBOARD DRY CLEANING SERVICES

* All prices are in US. Dollars and are subject to change without notice.

 

Men

Suit: $7.00

Pants: $4.25

Jacket: $4.50

Tie: $2.00

Shirt: $3.50

Shorts: $3.00

Silk Pajamas: $4.50

Vest: $2.50

Sweater: $4.00

Coat: $7.00

 

Women

Evening Gown: $8.00

Dress: $7.00

Silk Blouse: $5.00

Silk Dress: $8.00

Suit: $7.50

Blouse: $4.00

Skirt: $4.50

Scarf: $2.50

PRESS ONLY - 50% of cleaning prices

Handwashing a some things in your bathroom sink works well too, especially if you have a balcony to speed up drying. I usually pack a small bottle of Zero or Woolite to rinse out swimsuits, undies, etc. I always send my better clothes and DH's dress shirts, tux, suit, etc. out to be pressed right after I unpack. Irons are not allowed on the ships, and no matter how I pack, pants and dresses are wrinkled. Prices on board are less than what I would pay here back home. Also, for T-shirts, etc. Downy Wrinkle Release works great to get out the wrinkles.