San Juan back to back questions

[bostonfred]

Never done a back to back before. As U.S. citizens what would be the procedure during turnaround day? Must we present ourselves to customs, can we leave and board ship? Do we assemble as a group?....thank you, hopefully we will all be sailing soon..😎😎

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, bostonfred said:

Never done a back to back before. As U.S. citizens what would be the procedure during turnaround day? Must we present ourselves to customs, can we leave and board ship? Do we assemble as a group?....thank you, hopefully we will all be sailing soon..😎😎

The usual procedure in US ports is that you have to present yourself for an immigration (not customs) check. Exact procedures may vary from port to port, and I haven't done a b2b in San Juan, but if you're just intending to go through the formalities and then reboard typically NCL will have the b2b passengers gather at a set time at Guest Services and then you'll be escorted to the immigration check point after most other passengers have disembarked, and after the check by CBP you'll be escorted to a waiting area in the terminal and will be the first (other than say a wedding party if there is one) to be allowed board the new sailing. No one is allowed to board until the ship has reached a zero count... in other words all passengers from the previous cruise have disembarked. 

 

If you are intending to go ashore for the day and don't want to be part of the b2b herd you can disembark on your own . 

 

In either case you don't check in again at the pier. You'll get your new room key cards from Guest Services before  you disembark the first cruise.

[mugtech]

On the Gem in November, 2016, we were not required to leave the ship, got held in the theatre until the ship count went to zero, and then checked back in while wearing our issued "Still on Vacation" badges.

[maja651]

We did a back to back out of San Juan last year. We stayed on the ship. We met in one of the restaurants and the Customs agents came on and checked us there.  We then were able to roam around, or go back to our room as we did. We also did not have to go to the Muster drill the second week.

[bostonfred]

Thank you for replies...

[Budget Queen]

You will be given written instructions.   There are several variations possible.   I’ve done multiple b2b’s and there isn’t just a single procedure.    There can also be policy changes.