B2B Questions

[willise]

Hi there,

 

We are doing a B2B on the Getaway in April. Our first cabin is a B6 and then we move to a B1 for the second week.

 

I understand we have to get off the ship during the turnaround period, but I have a few questions about the process.

 

1. Is there a special area for people re-boarding the ship or do we wait in the lineup with all the new passengers?

 

2. What is the process with our luggage? Do we pack it up and leave it in our room for the room attendant? Does our luggage leave the ship again or just moved to the new room?

 

3. If we are allowed back on the ship early, can we also buy a spa or vibe pass at that time, or do we wait until general boarding has begun?

 

4. What happens with any duty free items we buy on the first week? I know they usually deliver it to your room on the last night of your cruise. Is this the same process for B2B passengers?

 

Thanks everyone!!

[Raleigh Traveler]

In reading previous posts on this subject, there seems to be some difference depending on ship, port and status (suite or non-suite). We did a b2b on the Sky in Miami and were unsure if we were keeping the same cabin. We were among the last to leave (had a specific place to wait and were escorted off by staff). We ended up in the same lounge as all the other passengers but as soon as we got there we approached staff, explained we were b2b and were let back on long before everyone else, but after everyone debarks and custom clears. Because we had the possibility of changing cabins, we put everything in our suitcases and were told staff would move it. As it turns out, we did not change rooms. Not much to do being on early except you have the ship to yourself. The hot tubs will definitely be empty, which is where we went.

[Demonyte]

We are doing a B2B on the Getaway in April. Our first cabin is a B6 and then we move to a B1 for the second week.

 

I understand we have to get off the ship during the turnaround period, but I have a few questions about the process.

 

1. Is there a special area for people re-boarding the ship or do we wait in the lineup with all the new passengers?

 

I'd say that it depends on the staff and situation on that specific day. When last doing B2B from Miami, those B2B passengers that stayed onboard were completely separated from new passengers the whole time and as soon as everybody was off the ship and the ship cleared, they could return to the ship.

 

2. What is the process with our luggage? Do we pack it up and leave it in our room for the room attendant? Does our luggage leave the ship again or just moved to the new room?

 

Yes, you will pack and inform your room steward about your new cabin.

 

In any case do not put your bags out the night before or you'll end up like our friends that got wrong information (or misunderstood) and were left without their luggage for most of our 12-night cruise that was their second leg of B2B.

 

3. If we are allowed back on the ship early, can we also buy a spa or vibe pass at that time, or do we wait until general boarding has begun?

 

Sure, you probably won't have more than an hour tops before the boarding begins.

 

4. What happens with any duty free items we buy on the first week? I know they usually deliver it to your room on the last night of your cruise. Is this the same process for B2B passengers?

 

Usually yes, we have done B2Bs where we got the purchases of first leg back at the end of it. There have been some reports here about the opposite but those have been really hard to come by.

[willise]

Great information!

 

Thanks!

[Cruiserbarbie]

We did b2b in Oct on Med/Adriatic cruise in Oct but kept the same cabin. We received a sticker that we had to put on that notified staff we were b2b. This allowed early exiting off the ship and access to ship differently than newly arriving pax.

 

I think you would be better served contact your booking agent or NCL directly for your particular situation.

[Demonyte]

We did b2b in Oct on Med/Adriatic cruise in Oct but kept the same cabin. We received a sticker that we had to put on that notified staff we were b2b. This allowed early exiting off the ship and access to ship differently than newly arriving pax.

 

 

 

I think you would be better served contact your booking agent or NCL directly for your particular situation.

 

 

B2B procedures in US are different from the rest of the world so your experience doesn't help OP.

 

Sales agents usually have absolutely no clue how immigration issues are handled in each port so I find that advise quite poor, people here with actual experience usually give much more accurate info that the guesses (ask three people, get three different answers) from NCL reps.

[cruise4kicks]

We've done two b2b on the Getaway. Both times we received special instructions a day or two before the end of the cruise. This will include your "In Transit" sticker to wear to indicate that you are a b2b passenger. Do not put out your luggage the night before; your cabin steward will transfer it to your new room. You will meet at a specified time and place. Once the ship is cleared you will be escorted through immigration and directly back on the ship. If the ship hasn't cleared all the pax off, you may have to wait a short time in the pier, but separated from incoming guests. You'll still be the first people onboard. I don't know about spa or Vibe passes. I guess it depends on whether guest services and the spa are set up and ready to do business when you reboard.

 

Another note of interest... Your customs allowances do not change, whether you do a single cruise or b2b.

[garycarla]

With a ship that big and a gazillion cabins, I find it hard to believe it is hard to find a cabin that is available on both cruises.

 

Okay, not that hard. It did happen to us, but on a smaller ship.

 

We kept watching open cabins and got one two doors down for the 2nd cruise. That made moving VERY easy. We talked with the stewards in advance and they made sure they got the "newer" cabin ready as early as possible, and we then dragged all our stuff over there. Even left the clothes on the hangers.

[willise]

With a ship that big and a gazillion cabins, I find it hard to believe it is hard to find a cabin that is available on both cruises.

 

Okay, not that hard. It did happen to us, but on a smaller ship.

 

We kept watching open cabins and got one two doors down for the 2nd cruise. That made moving VERY easy. We talked with the stewards in advance and they made sure they got the "newer" cabin ready as early as possible, and we then dragged all our stuff over there. Even left the clothes on the hangers.

 

When we booked a year ago, the B1 cabin for the first week was over $1000 more than the second week. So we booked a B6 for the first week, both cabins on deck 9. I was just looking on the NCL site, and noticed the B1 cabin is now the same price as we paid for our B6. Of course we are 68 days from sailing, so inside of the 75 day period. I am waiting for a call from our PCC to find out if we can move to the B1.

[ImADaneFan]

We will be on a b2b in September on the Dawn. The 1st leg is Boston to Quebec City, and the 2nd leg Quebec City to Boston. We were lucky enough to be able to keep our same suite on both legs.:D My question is about our on board account. Do we have to settle up at the end of the 1st week or can we settle at the end of the 2nd week?

Linda

[cruise4kicks]

We will be on a b2b in September on the Dawn. The 1st leg is Boston to Quebec City, and the 2nd leg Quebec City to Boston. We were lucky enough to be able to keep our same suite on both legs.:D My question is about our on board account. Do we have to settle up at the end of the 1st week or can we settle at the end of the 2nd week?

Linda

 

One both of our Getaway b2b our account remained open for the second leg and was settled after that. As with all things NCL, however, YMMV. :rolleyes:

[ImADaneFan]

One both of our Getaway b2b our account remained open for the second leg and was settled after that. As with all things NCL, however, YMMV. :rolleyes:

 

 

Thanks Becky, that's answers my question. We'll see what happens. :)

 

Linda