B2B questions - Bermuda

[Russiamomm]

Hi everyone.  I know there’s been a lot of discussion on the Bermuda sailings, but I have a specific question for B2B cruisers on these sailings.  I’m booked on the October 10 sailing.  Prices have dropped so much and I’m seriously booking the Oct 17 sailing as well.  How does that work as far as the COVID testing and Bermuda TAs go?  Also, I would be changing cabins.  How does it work on any B2B sailing?  Do I have to get off the ship?  How is your luggage moved, etc.?  Any insight is appreciated!  

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, Russiamomm said:

Hi everyone.  I know there’s been a lot of discussion on the Bermuda sailings, but I have a specific question for B2B cruisers on these sailings.  I’m booked on the October 10 sailing.  Prices have dropped so much and I’m seriously booking the Oct 17 sailing as well.  How does that work as far as the COVID testing and Bermuda TAs go?  Also, I would be changing cabins.  How does it work on any B2B sailing?  Do I have to get off the ship?  How is your luggage moved, etc.?  Any insight is appreciated!  

Based on what I've read on the Crystal board about B2B cruisers you will have to undergo a second round of COVID testing and pay for a second Travel Authorization. Since the timing for the COVID testing is a bit tricky IIRC Bermuda was willing to have the swab for the second cruise's PCR test taken while the ship was in Bermuda and when you got that test result back you could file for the Travel Authorization. I may have left out a detail or two so you may want to check on the Crystal board for reports of how that was handled.

 

On a B2B if you're changing cabins you pack your belongings and your steward will take your bags from your first cruise's cabin to the second. I'm pretty sure you don't have to pack any clothes that are hanging in the closet as they will move them on their hangers.

 

You will have to get off the ship and go through an immigration check, presumably under today's procedures have the pre boarding COVID antigen test plus have the swab taken for the second PCR test, then wait until the ship is cleared before being allowed to re board. Usually the B2Bers are among the first, if not the first passengers allowed on board. You will get a letter from guest services giving you the procedures that will be in effect for B2Bers on that cruise. They'll tell you where and when to meet, how to get your room key for the second segment, and you'll be escorted as a group into the terminal. If you want to go ashore instead, you can disembark (sans luggage but with your passport) at your choice of time but be sure you're back in time to go through your required COVID testing.

Edited September 25, 2021 by njhorseman

[Russiamomm]

53 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Based on what I've read on the Crystal board about B2B cruisers you will have to undergo a second round of COVID testing and pay for a second Travel Authorization. Since the timing for the COVID testing is a bit tricky IIRC Bermuda was willing to have the swab for the second cruise's PCR test taken while the ship was in Bermuda and when you got that test result back you could file for the Travel Authorization. I may have left out a detail or two so you may want to check on the Crystal board for reports of how that was handled.

 

On a B2B if you're changing cabins you pack your belongings and your steward will take your bags from your first cruise's cabin to the second. I'm pretty sure you don't have to pack any clothes that are hanging in the closet as they will move them on their hangers.

 

You will have to get off the ship and go through an immigration check, presumably under today's procedures have the pre boarding COVID antigen test plus have the swab taken for the second PCR test, then wait until the ship is cleared before being allowed to re board. Usually the B2Bers are among the first, if not the first passengers allowed on board. You will get a letter from guest services giving you the procedures that will be in effect for B2Bers on that cruise. They'll tell you where and when to meet, how to get your room key for the second segment, and you'll be escorted as a group into the terminal. If you want to go ashore instead, you can disembark (sans luggage but with your passport) at your choice of time but be sure you're back in time to go through your required COVID testing.

Thank you so much.  This is very helpful and doesn’t seem too onerous.  I didn’t see on the Crystal thread if NCL charges for the onboard test for the second TA.  Does anyone know or have any other comments/hints/guidance?

[Heronymous]

This is directly from NCL. By the way, I’m not sure if the procedure changed due to Covid but previously if you were B2B, you received a letter telling you to meet at a specific place such as the theatre or O’Sheehans, and they would walk you off the ship through customs and back on. A few times they even had customs come onboard and go through their routine on the ship and we didn’t even have to get off.

 

 September 24, 2021
Dear Valued Guests:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: BERMUDA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
  Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has important information for guests with back-to-back reservations on sailings to Bermuda abord Norwegian Breakaway.
At this time, the Bermuda Government requires that all guests take a COVID-19 PCR test within 96-hours prior to their sail date. All guests must then register on the Bermuda Tourism website and upload their negative test result within 72-hours of embarkation. A travel authorization number is then issued by Bermuda once approved.
All guests staying onboard for more than one voyage must take a COVID-19 PCR test, submit another travel authorization application and receive a new travel authorization number for the 2nd voyage. A PCR test will be conducted onboard through our medical center. Guests will also undergo the pre- embarkation COVID-19 testing process prior to the start of the 2nd voyage.
As government regulations evolve, our health and safety protocols will evolve as needed to ensure compliance. This may mean different protocols from ship to ship based on local state or port requirements or in an abundance of caution to keep our guests and crew as safe as possible.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard! Sincerely,
Katty Byrd
Vice President, Guest Service

[Russiamomm]

44 minutes ago, Heronymous said:

This is directly from NCL. By the way, I’m not sure if the procedure changed due to Covid but previously if you were B2B, you received a letter telling you to meet at a specific place such as the theatre or O’Sheehans, and they would walk you off the ship through customs and back on. A few times they even had customs come onboard and go through their routine on the ship and we didn’t even have to get off.

 

 September 24, 2021
Dear Valued Guests:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: BERMUDA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
  Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has important information for guests with back-to-back reservations on sailings to Bermuda abord Norwegian Breakaway.
At this time, the Bermuda Government requires that all guests take a COVID-19 PCR test within 96-hours prior to their sail date. All guests must then register on the Bermuda Tourism website and upload their negative test result within 72-hours of embarkation. A travel authorization number is then issued by Bermuda once approved.
All guests staying onboard for more than one voyage must take a COVID-19 PCR test, submit another travel authorization application and receive a new travel authorization number for the 2nd voyage. A PCR test will be conducted onboard through our medical center. Guests will also undergo the pre- embarkation COVID-19 testing process prior to the start of the 2nd voyage.
As government regulations evolve, our health and safety protocols will evolve as needed to ensure compliance. This may mean different protocols from ship to ship based on local state or port requirements or in an abundance of caution to keep our guests and crew as safe as possible.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard! Sincerely,
Katty Byrd
Vice President, Guest Service

Thank you so much!  This is consistent with what I’ve heard.  I also confirmed with NCL that there was no charge for the PCR test they do onboard for the second leg.

 

I booked it this morning.  😃