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[didugger]

Help! We are going on our first b2b cruise Feb 27 on the breeze and I don't know what to expect. Any suggestions??? Thanks.

[wickedhangover]

order liquor the first week so it gets delivered at the end of the first cruise and you can drink it on the second :)

[LostPuppy]

Help! We are going on our first b2b cruise Feb 27 on the breeze and I don't know what to expect. Any suggestions??? Thanks.

 

order liquor the first week so it gets delivered at the end of the first cruise and you can drink it on the second :)

 

99% of doing a B2B is common sense. There are no "Tricks" or "Secrets" The only thing I suggest is contacting Guest Services during the first leg and tell them your plans. Also try to get the same cabin so one can skip the "pack/unpack" hassle of changing cabins. Finally, there is no such thing as "linking" your sail-and-sign. Billing is done as two separate cruises.

 

AFA Liquor purchased on the first leg for use on the second leg. No, that doesn't work anymore.

 

Enjoy your B2B, they are nice.

[ready2cruzagain]

It's a Breeze...hahaha...pun intended.

 

If you drink wine, you are allowed to carry on 2 bottles for each person over 21 in the room instead of just the one per person. Make sure and have a copy of both boarding passes for the terminal to check if questioned. Tell them you are on a b2b.

 

Are you in the same cabin?

 

Are you booked with Carnival or a TA. If through Carnival, call the 1-800 number and tell them you want your bookings linked to show that you are on a b2b. Call your TA if through them.

 

Also, wouldn't hurt to go to GS and make sure they have you listed as being on a b2b the middle of the first week.

 

If you have a different cabin for each cruise, say so and will help with that.

[wickedhangover]

 

AFA Liquor purchased on the first leg for use on the second leg. No, that doesn't work anymore.

 

Bummer, I ordered a bottle that will last me through both anyway.

 

Some other things come to mind...

 

Our last B2B, Conquest Feb 2015, we were not on the B2B list. Had to call guest services to find out where to go the night before. Calling guest services the night before debarkation of the first cruise can have mixed results meaning hold times or the phone ringing forever without anyone picking up. We leave for B2B next weekend and plan to make sure we're on the list early on. In any event, you usually gather in the atrium around 10:15.

 

Last year the room steward gave us a pass on going to the second life boat drill but many times we had to do it on each cruise which was a little lame.

 

We had extra tickets from the wine package and just asked for unopened bottles to make sure there wouldn't be a problem.

 

I've had different experiences with my room keys from the first cruise. The last time they took them and I had to go back to the service desk later than day to pick them up (if you like to collect your room keys). Other times we just got them right back after we got back onboard.

 

When you are escorted off and then back on for the second leg, there could be limited elevator use. They should tell you but they may forget, they tend to do elevator maintenance since they have a decent window without passengers on the ship other than the B2B crowd.

 

One comment about the switch from first to second cruise on Carnival, this is based on doing one or two B2B cruises a year since 2007. It always feels as if it is the first time they've had B2B guests. I mean it's gone smooth enough, but I always get this feeling as if nobody really knows what to do, including the customs officials.

 

I'm also shocked at how much more common it is. The first time we did B2B on the Miracle in 2007 it was us and one other couple. Last year on the Conquest there were 116 people. They did a big group photo with a B2B banner and we had a champagne/mimosa toast. I don't know if they still do this but it was the first time it felt a little more like they knew what they were doing and it was nice to see their appreciation for the B2B crowd.

 

Last thing, it's kind of fun to walk around at breakfast on the last day asking people why they have their suitcases and act as if you didn't realize you have to get off the ship.

[eedee]

We did a back to back on the Breeze last year. They did the Mimosa thing with us also. We took a photo with all the other b2b. There were about 15 of us.

The photos were delivered to our cabins later in the cruise along with a Huge fruit basket as a thank you gift.. It was really nice.

[fruitbat]

If you want to visit the port, what time can you leave the ship to do that? Is it a problem getting back on?

[thephillykid]

As far as the B2B liquor, carnival closed the loophole and you can't buy liquor on leg 1 for leg 2. But that being said.......make friends with a non b2b guest let them buy liquor for you before the end of the 1st leg and when they pick it up on the morning of the switch over, pay them cash for the liquor and then you're set.

[fourkittys]

order liquor the first week so it gets delivered at the end of the first cruise and you can drink it on the second :)

 

I believe they no longer deliver. You have to pick it up yourself in the morning. Don't know if you will have to go a security check again or not

[didugger]

Thanks for the help. Any hints on changing rooms? We had a Casino rate and booked our second room a month after the first. Also how long does the embarkation take?

[wickedhangover]

If you want to visit the port, what time can you leave the ship to do that? Is it a problem getting back on?

 

I never did it, but the last time they gave us a little card that indicated we were already checked in onboard so we didn't have to wait in any lines with those embarking. My upcoming B2B has us in San Juan from like 8am to 10pm so I hope it is as painless as it seemed to be in the past.

[wickedhangover]

Thanks for the help. Any hints on changing rooms? We had a Casino rate and booked our second room a month after the first. Also how long does the embarkation take?

 

No idea about changing rooms.

 

But the embarkation goes pretty fast, figure about 45 minutes from when you are supposed to be in the atrium, So if they say 10:15, figure by 11 you'll be done.

[Canadian_J]

I believe they no longer deliver. You have to pick it up yourself in the morning. Don't know if you will have to go a security check again or not

 

Please see the above posts. They do not deliver, you do have to pick up, BUT they know who is B2B so you cannot pick up until the end of your last leg. This loop hole has been closed.

 

As others mentioned, just make friends on the first leg and pay them to buy you a bottle and give it to you before they debark! :)

[mommom of 7]

Another couple things that we have found. Don't try to start your wash ( body or cloth's ) for the first hour after the ship clears. The water pressure goes way WAY down & have had it turned off twice. I can answer just about any question you have as we have done at least 25 B2B's.

They really screwed us up with the new booze rule but oh well look at all the money we saved. :o over the years :rolleyes:

 

Changing cabins is not to bad just the hassle of throwing it all in a case our steward's always helped us the couple times we got a nice upgrade on one week & not the other.

 

Enjoy it is so cool to walk back on ship with your escort & be greeted with a drink & picture.

Char

[wickedhangover]

Please see the above posts. They do not deliver, you do have to pick up, BUT they know who is B2B so you cannot pick up until the end of your last leg. This loop hole has been closed.

 

As others mentioned, just make friends on the first leg and pay them to buy you a bottle and give it to you before they debark! :)

 

just to make sure, is this the same whether you buy onboard or carry back on? I only ask because I remember that they changed things where they only deliver it when you buy from them. I did experience this last year where the bottle I bought onboard came to me the night before the end of my first cruise but the 3 bottles I carried back on could not be picked up until the end of the second.

 

Sorry to belabor a simple topic.

[didugger]

We will really appreciate all the hints. Do you get the same table in the dining room or is that changed. I have emailed the maitre d and requested a table for 2. He answered within 1 hour and said he would take care of it. Wow! What great service. This is the 4th time I've tried the email process. I've never gotten a response but always got the table for 2.

[ohiogymrat]

just to make sure, is this the same whether you buy onboard or carry back on? I only ask because I remember that they changed things where they only deliver it when you buy from them. I did experience this last year where the bottle I bought onboard came to me the night before the end of my first cruise but the 3 bottles I carried back on could not be picked up until the end of the second.

 

Sorry to belabor a simple topic.

 

All bottles are distributed the morning of debarkation regardless if its bought onboard or in port.

[mommom of 7]

We will really appreciate all the hints. Do you get the same table in the dining room or is that changed. I have emailed the maitre d and requested a table for 2. He answered within 1 hour and said he would take care of it. Wow! What great service. This is the 4th time I've tried the email process. I've never gotten a response but always got the table for 2.

 

No since you are on a NEW cruise, but they really try to keep us B2B's happy. Seems like if you ask they will bend over backwards for you.

If you want your same waitstaff just ask for them not the table you had. They change sections a lot. Don't know why.

 

Also you will get to know so many of the staff & crew. That is also fun & makes you feel really important ;)

 

Char

[DallasGuy75219]

As others mentioned, just make friends on the first leg and pay them to buy you a bottle and give it to you before they debark! :)

 

Do you plan on doing this on your Victory B2B? If so, can I put in an "order" for the second Leg? :D

[Canadian_J]

Do you plan on doing this on your Victory B2B? If so, can I put in an "order" for the second Leg? :D

 

 

Let's discuss on the Roll Call :) let me know what you'd like, I'm sure we can help!

[maritaysa]

Any tips on what to do on the day between at Port Canaveral? We'll be with our 2 LOs and want to stay within walking distance. Thanks!

Edited January 11, 2016 by maritaysa

[ggirl003]

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but... Is the reason that you do B2B cruises is that you want to go to a specific port but want to cruise longer than the cruises available? Or is there another reason that I am not thinking? ALso, do you get a better rate by doing B2B's?

Edited January 12, 2016 by ggirl003

[RubyGold]

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but... Is the reason that you do B2B cruises is that you want to go to a specific port but want to cruise longer than the cruises available? Or is there another reason that I am not thinking? ALso, do you get a better rate by doing B2B's?

 

For me it's airfare from the UK. Also, why vacation for one week when you can do 3?!?

 

It's just a nice holiday for us, seeing things that we normally don't.

[maritaysa]

For our family of four, it's airfare.