Back to Back cruise advice needed

[CruisinginCT]

Hi - I am taking my family on a back-to-back cruise in July 2015 on the MSC Orchestra from Kiel. My question is this: what procedure does MSC follow when the first 7 day cruise ends? Do we have to vacate our cabins and disembark? (note: we have the same cabins booked on both cruises)

Any comments and advice welcome!

Thanks!

[GOLDENBONNY]

Hi - I am taking my family on a back-to-back cruise in July 2015 on the MSC Orchestra from Kiel. My question is this: what procedure does MSC follow when the first 7 day cruise ends? Do we have to vacate our cabins and disembark? (note: we have the same cabins booked on both cruises)

Any comments and advice welcome!

Thanks!

 

In USA yo uhae to go ashore but all your belongings stay in cabin .

[FireEater]

I have only heard of people having to leave the ship to only sign back in at the port, then be escorted back onto the ship. no wait, no fuss.

 

If staying in same cabin, all stuff stays there. Not sure if they want you out of the cabin for a few hours though so housekeeping can swoosh in and tidy up the place.

 

I have no experience...It is just what I have read on here.

[riclop]

I have only heard of people having to leave the ship to only sign back in at the port, then be escorted back onto the ship. no wait, no fuss.

 

If staying in same cabin, all stuff stays there. Not sure if they want you out of the cabin for a few hours though so housekeeping can swoosh in and tidy up the place.

 

I have no experience...It is just what I have read on here.

 

You are correct.

[CruisinginCT]

Thanks very much for the replies - much appreciated!

 

Anyone with specific MSC Europe experience?

[American Bear]

Here's a suggestion of what we did on the Miami port day between our B2B, we took the Big Bus tour around Miami, they have 2 routes, and a boat ride around the area of the port!

You can buy the tour onboard at the excursion desk on the Divina!

They pick you up in the AM right at the exit to the ship, drive you to their terminal over by the mall, and you get on, get off the rest of the day as you want! A bus comes by about every 20-25 mins. at stops you'll see on a map they give you!

One route goes to Miami Beach, the other goes inland to little Miami, etc.!

Cost about $20.:D a person! Bring sun tan lotion, I made the mistake of forgetting mine, got a real bad sunburn!:eek:

[CruisinginCT]

Here's a suggestion of what we did on the Miami port day between our B2B, we took the Big Bus tour around Miami, they have 2 routes, and a boat ride around the area of the port!

You can buy the tour onboard at the excursion desk on the Divina!

They pick you up in the AM right at the exit to the ship, drive you to their terminal over by the mall, and you get on, get off the rest of the day as you want! A bus comes by about every 20-25 mins. at stops you'll see on a map they give you!

One route goes to Miami Beach, the other goes inland to little Miami, etc.!

Cost about $20.:D a person! Bring sun tan lotion, I made the mistake of forgetting mine, got a real bad sunburn!:eek:

 

 

 

Thanks - but unfortunately Kiel is in northern Germany - your Miami advice will be of little use to me... :) :)

[VenusLady]

Here's a suggestion of what we did on the Miami port day between our B2B, we took the Big Bus tour around Miami, they have 2 routes, and a boat ride around the area of the port!

You can buy the tour onboard at the excursion desk on the Divina!

They pick you up in the AM right at the exit to the ship, drive you to their terminal over by the mall, and you get on, get off the rest of the day as you want! A bus comes by about every 20-25 mins. at stops you'll see on a map they give you!

One route goes to Miami Beach, the other goes inland to little Miami, etc.!

Cost about $20.:D a person! Bring sun tan lotion, I made the mistake of forgetting mine, got a real bad sunburn!:eek:

 

I'm doing the same b2b on Davina, and I've booked to do the Everglades trip on the middle weekend when docked in Miami. Thought it would be a great opportunity while there :)

My flight back isn't until 6pm, but might do the bus tour on the last day, so thanks for the idea!

[AmoMondo]

Thanks - but unfortunately Kiel is in northern Germany - your Miami advice will be of little use to me... :) :)

 

Sorry I have no,personal experience of doing a B2B anywhere. However I think you could find the answer to your question over on the solo forum. There was a lovely man called Egon (sadly no longer with us) who spent a year doing continual B2Bs on mInly the Poesia but occasionally changed ships. There is a thread over there that has extracts from his blogs. I'm sure you'll be able to find out from that what the process is in Europe, perhaps even Kiel. Think the thread was called "Never too old"

[CruisinginCT]

Sorry I have no,personal experience of doing a B2B anywhere. However I think you could find the answer to your question over on the solo forum. There was a lovely man called Egon (sadly no longer with us) who spent a year doing continual B2Bs on mInly the Poesia but occasionally changed ships. There is a thread over there that has extracts from his blogs. I'm sure you'll be able to find out from that what the process is in Europe, perhaps even Kiel. Think the thread was called "Never too old"

 

 

Thanks very much! I will look for those threads!

[American Bear]

Thanks - but unfortunately Kiel is in northern Germany - your Miami advice will be of little use to me... :) :)

 

Sorry, didn't notice you mentioned Kiel, have fun!:)

[Janet&Carl]

Hi

 

We have done 3 back to back with MSC - every time you treat it as if it is a shore excursion day - no vacating cabins except for those leaving the ship - stay on board or leave on an excursion its is just the same as any other cruise day for you :)

Edited January 8, 2015 by Janet&Carl

[CruisinginCT]

Hi

 

We have done 3 back to back with MSC - every time you treat it as if it is a shore excursion day - no vacating cabins except for those leaving the ship - stay on board or leave on an excursion its is just the same as any other cruise day for you :)

 

 

 

Thank you - do you have to get off the ship and reboard? Also, do they issue new cruise cards for the second leg? If so, do you first have to settle your account for the first leg?

Thanks! :)

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Thank you - do you have to get off the ship and reboard? Also, do they issue new cruise cards for the second leg? If so, do you first have to settle your account for the first leg?

Thanks! :)

 

They will issue a cruisecard valid for both weeks when you check-in for your cruise in Kiel. You will settle your total account in the end of your cruise. You don't have to participate in the Emergency Drill for the second week either. It's like a 14 night cruise, no hassle :) In Miami it's a custom and immigration requirement to leave the ship and reboard the ship after the first leg. I can't imagine that's the case in Kiel. To be sure, just ask when you check in. The terminal in Kiel is very centrally located. Have a great cruise on the lovely MSC Orchestra.

[Uggediebug]

Hi,

last August we did 5 back to back cruises, in fact we went to Kiel 3 times.

You can stay on board or disembark what ever you wish, the buffet is open as normal. Many people stayed onboard to take advantage of the peace and quiet and to grab a sun lounge.

Your room attendant will know you are staying and will clean your cabin as normal. The shopping area is very close to get any needed supplies, very nice port, remember you still need to go through security when returning.

One tip , the line of people to disembark was horrendous and first time we waited about 20 minutes, when we told someone they were so surprised, Apparently you just walk to the head of the queue and just mention the magic words " we are in transit!" And watch everyone starring at you. This is not communicated in the information they give you, they need to communicate better!:)

[Janet&Carl]

Thank you - do you have to get off the ship and reboard? Also, do they issue new cruise cards for the second leg? If so, do you first have to settle your account for the first leg?

Thanks! :)

 

No - it is treated as one cruise - one cruise card which takes you the whole way through and one big bill at the end.

 

We have never been required to vacate the ship and have just treated each day the same. When everyone else is getting off you have a day like any other cruise day. There will be lots of others on board too. Some do three back to back - there are lots of "grand voyages" sold which are back to back. Lots of people stay on for the next cruise.

Edited January 18, 2015 by Janet&Carl

[Janet&Carl]

Hi,

 

One tip , the line of people to disembark was horrendous and first time we waited about 20 minutes, when we told someone they were so surprised, Apparently you just walk to the head of the queue and just mention the magic words " we are in transit!" And watch everyone starring at you. This is not communicated in the information they give you, they need to communicate better!:)

 

On our last back to back they had a different exit for disembarking guests so when we tried to use it we were sent to the other one for guests in transit. So it may be that you need to look out for which exit the excursions are getting off and avoid the ones where people have hand luggage.