Galveston B2B, can we stay on board?

[DreadPirateRobert]

Wife and I contemplating a B2B on Freedom in the Spring. Do the port authorities allow us to just stay on board or do we have to pack up, disembark and reboard? PVP said it varied from port to port.

Thanks...

[tandemcruzr]

Our experience is that if you are in the same cabin on both legs, you don't have to pack but you will typically meet at Guest Services on the turn around morning with your passport or BC, ID and a completed Customs Form. You will be escorted off the ship, go through Customs and return to the ship with your new S&S cards.

 

If you are in different cabins, you will have to pack and get your Cabin Steward help you move to your new cabin. You do not have to take your luggage off the ship. You will then do what is described above.

 

If you want to explore the home port, you are given an In Transit Pass to use for return to the ship after exploring the home port. You still have to have your Customs Form, ID's etc. to depart.

 

That's the way we've done it in Jacksonville, Port Canaveral and Tampa.

Edited August 12, 2015 by tandemcruzr

[Troublemaker47]

We're doing a b2b 4/9/16 & 4/16/16 on the freedom; I was told we'd meet in a certain place onboard, be escorted thru customs then back on board. Before anybody else boards. We are in the same cabin both legs, so we won't have to pack.

 

 

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[gadan1]

It is generally the same across ships: You'll get a letter the last day with information on where to go and when on "turnaround day." Check in with guest services mid-cruise to make sure you are on the B2B list. It's usually 10:30 or so assuming a normal 8am arrival. They will then probably give you your new sign and sail cards (both ours did, then walk you off and through customs and back on board, stopping to put your new picture on the card. If you are staying in the same cabin, you can leave everything as is. Just grab your passport and current sign and sail and customs form as you go to the meeting spot. If you are moving cabins, you will need to pack up and move (a steward can help with that) cabins.

[DreadPirateRobert]

Thanks everyone. We are just waiting for the PVP to call back and we're going to book it. It sounds like the changeover isn't that difficult.

I have always wanted to do a B2B, and have envied those people who do them.

[Troublemaker47]

Thanks everyone. We are just waiting for the PVP to call back and we're going to book it. It sounds like the changeover isn't that difficult.

I have always wanted to do a B2B, and have envied those people who do them.

I'd look at the dates we are. None of the ports repeat, that's what sold us on it. Mahogany bay, Belize, Cozumel, then Key West, Nassau, Freeport. Several cabins (same for both) on deck 9 Fwd open. I usually ck 2-3 times a week for price drops. We took deck 9 so closer to lido deck activities.

 

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[DreadPirateRobert]

I'd look at the dates we are. None of the ports repeat, that's what sold us on it. Mahogany bay, Belize, Cozumel, then Key West, Nassau, Freeport. Several cabins (same for both) on deck 9 Fwd open. I usually ck 2-3 times a week for price drops. We took deck 9 so closer to lido deck activities.

 

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We settled on an aft balcony on 8.

Several years ago we did Bahamas and KW. This trip will be all new ports except for Cozumel.

[okgirl]

Hey Dread, long time no see you on here.

 

I've done a B2B in Galveston and also had to change rooms. We only had to pack our folding cloths and toiletries. Our hanging cloths were left on the hanger.

 

We were only moving across the hall, so by the time we met in the lobby to be walked off/on through customs our new cabin was ready and our steward had already moved everything.

 

Say hello to Beth.

[ja_martin]

Thanks everyone. We are just waiting for the PVP to call back and we're going to book it. It sounds like the changeover isn't that difficult.

I have always wanted to do a B2B, and have envied those people who do them.

 

Back to backs are the best. Just book the same cabin so you won't have to repack.

 

Enjoy!

[cruiser fanatic]

Our experience has been the same as the others that posted above. On the Valor out of Port Canaveral, we met the other B2B guests at Guest Services at 10:15, they took us to customs, and came right back to the ship. You have to complete a Customs form and show them your passport/birth certificate. We had a blast on our B2B and we will do it again next year.

[DreadPirateRobert]

Hey Dread, long time no see you on here.

 

 

 

I've done a B2B in Galveston and also had to change rooms. We only had to pack our folding cloths and toiletries. Our hanging cloths were left on the hanger.

 

 

 

We were only moving across the hall, so by the time we met in the lobby to be walked off/on through customs our new cabin was ready and our steward had already moved everything.

 

 

 

Say hello to Beth.

 

 

Hi Janey! Yeah it has been a long time. Our only cruises in the last few years were land/ cruise packages that didn't require much research. It's our first B2B and we wanted to make sure it wasn't much of a hassle.

Hope all is well!

[D4]

B2Bs are the best! There is only one downside ... they are addictive!

 

We have to fly to every cruise. High airfares are the reason why we started doing B2Bs. We were hooked after our first set.