Back-to-Back Cruise, Have You?

[GeauxCruise]

Hello fellow cruisers!

 

I'll be sailing on my first B2B on the Carnival Dream Oct 19 - Nov 2.

 

I called Carnival to inquire about my debarkation/embarkation process between cruises and was told I will have to get off the ship - escorted by Carnival personnel - and go through customs. I have different stateroom for each cruise.

 

I'd appreciate any tips, hints, info or experiences anyone has to share!

[Momis2]

You get off the ship and they "ding" your sail and sign card which is now just a keepsake. You will be issued another one for the next leg of your cruise when you come back aboard.You are escorted off the ship and thru customs ,usually with other B2B cruisers, and a Carnival employee. You turn right around and get back on the ship and go to your new cabin where your luggage has been moved already. Since you are getting a new cabin, you will have to pack everything up the night before. I used a carry-on to hold any last minute toiletries(toothbrush, toothpaste etc). If you have an excursion booked for this day, you just go and enjoy. All will be explained in better detail by someone from the ship probably the day before you are due in port. If you find that you like the B2B cruising, try to book the same cabin for each cruise next time. That way you only unpack once...you can just leave eveything in your cabin.

[Annietoo]

Yes, carnival is aware that you are b2b and it is very easy. Just wait for directions from the ship and enjoy.

[live2cruise2011]

Hello so we are just home this evening from a b2b on the dream.

 

as said before we met at guest services at around 10 on turn around day. we were there a little before due to listening to the announcements we knew they were running ahead of schedule. when all b2b'rs were present one carnival employee walked us down to customs we showed our documents and then walked through the crowd and right back on our ship. When we got back on they had mimosas, champagne and ginger ale waiting for us they took a picture which was delivered to our state room later in the week and we were off to wait or enjoy the pool our choice of what to do next... in changing rooms just talk to your room steward and they will secure a luggage cart to move your things. you may call and see if you can change so that you can have the same cabin both weeks it really does make it nice not to have to pack it all up. Enjoy your first b2b once you do one it is hard to turn back... lmao

[Anyislandwilldo]

Call carnival and make sure they have your B2B linked on your profile. Just for peace of mind so nothing goes wrong. You will need to provide your boarding pass for the next leg of the cruise. If you like your dining table, talk to the maitred on your first leg and request the table for the next leg.

[RWolver672]

And make sure you don't put your luggage out in the hall the night before the end of the first cruise. Keep them in your cabin.

[GeauxCruise]

Awesome!! So far, very good info that I would not have considered!! Thank you everyone!! :D:D

And keep it coming if others out there would like to share. :cool:

[okgirl]

My next B2B I have to change cabins, and I'm going from the very front to the very back and changing decks as well.

 

I'm going to make sure that both of my cabin stewards know that I'm B2B. I don't really expect the 2nd cabin to be ready when I get back on the ship, but I'm sure it will be quickly because we're Diamond and it should be among the 1st of the cabins made ready.

[meatloafsfan]

Make certain Carnival knows you're on a B2B (they didn't know we were - we received luggage tags, et al the night before debarkation).

 

If you want a bottle of liquor for the second leg, go down to the funshops after 6-7pm on the last day - you can carry your bottle back to your cabin.

 

We received a nice fruit basket and bottle of sparkling wine with a letter from the CD due to the b2b.

 

Dining room staff were great when they realized we were still on the ship - at the end of the week, they were joking with us - "how about 1 more week?" lol.

 

It was also nice to be able to pick other activities the second week (first week for me was mostly spent in the casino - tried to branch out the second week). And try different items (or our favourites) in the MDR on week 2.

[TennesseeTater]

When I did my B2B I had to move cabins. I was told that my cabin steward would move my luggage for me. I was told to leave my luggage in my old cabin and either my current or new cabin steward would move it. After we walked off the ship, turned in our customs forms and walked back on the ship we went back to our old cabin and saw our luggage still sitting there so we just took it to our new cabin ourselves.

[tunes3540]

We did a b2b on Carnival Magic out of Galveston.

 

I double checked with guest services the last night of the first week, just to make sure they knew we were b2b. The did not know. I was glad I checked.

 

I picked up some liquor at the shop, took it back to the cabin, and put it in my bags.

 

We had to fill out a customs declaration form, even though we were not bringing anything off the ship.

 

We told our stateroom attendant the last night of the first week. We put our luggage tags for the new room, on our bags. We left the bags in our room, and took a carry-on with us the next morning. We had to leave our room early just like the rest of the passengers.

 

We met at 10:00am at guest services/atrium area. They took our sail and sign cards, and gave us new ones. After the last passenger was off the ship, they led us off, and through customs, then right back on. They took a new security photo with the kiosk upon entry.

 

When we got to our new cabin, the bags showed up there.

 

We headed straight to the Red Frog Pub and were the first there. Got our free beer and picture taken.

 

Also keep in mind, when you reboard, they are moving baggage and none of the elevators are available. They all have the X on the display.

 

Back to back is so cool. We could skip an event the first week, and catch it the next time. We told a lot of the staff about our b2b and they seemed extra friendly and made it even more fun.

 

We mainly did it because we wanted to see Nassau, and realized we could extend our cruise to see that port. We ended up seeing 6 ports. Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Key West, Freeport, Nassau.

[SummerXU]

I can't wait to do a B2B! I think my next cruise will be a southern route and then I want to do an eastern/western B2B. These are all great tips and I'm filing them away in my memory for future reference.

[sewut]

Our next cruise(s) are B2B on the Magic. My question is about the boarding picture. I have a special album for boarding pictures and S&S cards. Do they take a boarding picture the second time around? The first boarding picture we will wear Carnival Bon Voyage t shirts. On turnaround day, we will wear Keep Calm and Cruise On t shirts. I was thinking we could stand back to back for the picture.

[LostPuppy]

Our next cruise(s) are B2B on the Magic. My question is about the boarding picture. I have a special album for boarding pictures and S&S cards. Do they take a boarding picture the second time around? NO.The first boarding picture we will wear Carnival Bon Voyage t shirts. On turnaround day, we will wear Keep Calm and Cruise On t shirts. I was thinking we could stand back to back for the picture.

 

You might ask and they may allow this but on the 2 B2Bs I've been on, no boarding picture was offered.

[SadieN]

Only way to get a boarding picture for the second cruise is to wait for it to open. (But you could ask about it.)

 

When changing cabins we attach our new cabins luggage tags Makes it easier for everyone.