Post-COVID B2B Rules

[docandbird]

We have booked two 7-day Apex cruises B2B in January 2022 (in the same cabin on both). Has anyone done a B2B post-COVID? Will we need to disembark and re-check-in? Any new requirement to pack and remove our luggage to allow cabin sanitization?

[canderson]

You may or may not disembark.  Some cruises have dealt with CBP while aboard, and some at the pier.

 

If you aren't changing cabins, you don't pack up.  Everything stays where it is.

 

You will get a COVID test the day before the turn.  You must test negative to continue on the next leg.

[emmas gran]

canderson love the WD40 but we have found GT85  which has inbuilt PTFE 😀

[canderson]

3 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

canderson love the WD40 but we have found GT85  which has inbuilt PTFE 😀

Notice, please, the red circle and slash! 😉  LONG story, and related to a very old CC thread.

[canderson]

1 hour ago, docandbird said:

We have booked two 7-day Apex cruises B2B in January 2022 (in the same cabin on both).

By the by ... if you haven't been tuning in, watch for port changes on your first leg, Key West in particular.

[Jim_Iain]

I've done 2 B2B"s in the past month. 

 

The process is 95% similar than pre-Covid.   It was handled very professionally and took no more than 10-15 minutes.

 

The protocols will be based on the location where you turn around.   In FLL we met in a lounge and were escorted into Terminal 25 where we cleared CBC using facial recognition and then sat for about 10 minutes while the ship was zeroed out then escorted back aboard.

 

Nothing has changed on room.   If changing room just pack up items in drawers and loose stuff.  The staff will move that and all your hanging items to your new room.  They will advise you when your new room is vacant so you can transfer items in you safe.   If in the same room they do nothing.

 

I don't believe they are doing any special deep sanitation.     Your room is cleaned daily and they have been good about wiping down touch surfaces. 

 

I did a B2B in San Diego yesterday on Millennium.    All CBC clearance for ALL passengers both leaving and B2B was done in the Sky Lounge.    B2B were called to the Sky Lounge after the departing passengers were processed about 9:00 AM.    We were processed pretty quickly.    The agents used a hand held device similar to an iPhone and took your picture.   The icon spun for awhile and then a big green check mark popped up showing I was ok.    We were required to first show our passport. 

 

15 minutes later the ship was officially cleared and we were invited to enjoy our Private Yacht for the next couple hours.  

[Ipeeinthepools]

4 hours ago, docandbird said:

We have booked two 7-day Apex cruises B2B in January 2022 (in the same cabin on both). Has anyone done a B2B post-COVID? Will we need to disembark and re-check-in? Any new requirement to pack and remove our luggage to allow cabin sanitization?

 

One issue with the post-Covid rules concerns close contacts if someone tests positive.  If you are a close contact of someone who tests positive then you will not be able to continue your B2B even if you tests negative.  This is because you have been around someone that has tested positive.  One area that has been collecting a lot of close contacts are shore excursions.  It has been reported that everyone on a shore excursion with someone that tests positive is considered a close contact.  So you may want to consider avoiding Celebrity shore excursions on the first leg of your B2B.

[Northern Aurora]

We did a B2B last month and were in the same stateroom for both legs.  There was no new requirement to pack and remove luggage for cabin sanitization.

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

One issue with the post-Covid rules concerns close contacts if someone tests positive.  If you are a close contact of someone who tests positive then you will not be able to continue your B2B even if you tests negative.  This is because you have been around someone that has tested positive.  One area that has been collecting a lot of close contacts are shore excursions.  It has been reported that everyone on a shore excursion with someone that tests positive is considered a close contact.  So you may want to consider avoiding Celebrity shore excursions on the first leg of your B2B.

This is excellent advice.  I have read of a number of these situations as well.  Which in some ways I understand, and in others I feel it treats the current passengers with much more strict rules than the general public about to board.  Let's face it - when traveling by air, hanging out at an airport, riding in taxis, eating at restaurants, and staying at hotels virtually every single person boarding that ship who didn't just drive from home has likely been in "close contact" with someone who would test positive.

[jgmorgan]

On 10/20/2021 at 11:13 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I've done 2 B2B"s in the past month.

Hi Jim.  Did you check-in for the second leg as you normally would?  We have B2B cruises (same cabin) in January that were booked online with Celebrity but there has been nothing specific to identify them as B2B.  Do we need to communicate that to Celebrity (in advance or on-board) or do they just recognize that from the bookings?  Thanks for your help.

[phoenix_dream]

8 hours ago, jgmorgan said:

Hi Jim.  Did you check-in for the second leg as you normally would?  We have B2B cruises (same cabin) in January that were booked online with Celebrity but there has been nothing specific to identify them as B2B.  Do we need to communicate that to Celebrity (in advance or on-board) or do they just recognize that from the bookings?  Thanks for your help.

You do not need to communicate it to Celebrity.  They already know based on your bookings.  We've done a number of B2B and never had any issue with them knowing.

[Northern Aurora]

8 hours ago, jgmorgan said:

Hi Jim.  Did you check-in for the second leg as you normally would?  We have B2B cruises (same cabin) in January that were booked online with Celebrity but there has been nothing specific to identify them as B2B.  Do we need to communicate that to Celebrity (in advance or on-board) or do they just recognize that from the bookings?  Thanks for your help.

 

 

We rarely do a single leg, and generally do B2B or longer series of cruises.  Celebrity always knows who the B2b passengers are.  We also don't bother to print express passes for anything other than the first leg.  

 

But a quick question to @jgmorgan:  Have you linked the cruises for your B2B discount?  

[jgmorgan]

13 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

But a quick question to @jgmorgan:  Have you linked the cruises for your B2B discount?  

No, can you do that online or do I need to call?  Thanks for the heads up!

[wrk2cruise]

You need to call whoever you booked with and make sure they have them setup for the B2B discount.

[Jim_Iain]

On 11/19/2021 at 7:11 AM, jgmorgan said:

Hi Jim.  Did you check-in for the second leg as you normally would?  We have B2B cruises (same cabin) in January that were booked online with Celebrity but there has been nothing specific to identify them as B2B.  Do we need to communicate that to Celebrity (in advance or on-board) or do they just recognize that from the bookings?  Thanks for your help.

Hi -

I personally chose to do the online check-in for both cruises.   On the ship they have a list of all of the B2B's automatically but the Shoreside concierge either didn't know or didn't look and called me on one of my cruises.

 

You will get an invitation automatically for the B2B meeting and the Covid testing that is required at Celebrities expense .     On Equinox they did the testing on an E-Class in Cosmos and you were given a time to show up.   Even if you showed up at a different time they accommodated.      For Suites they had a 1/2 slot at the beginning of testing so there would be no delays.  

 

I found the only advantage to having filled out the second registration was they didn't have to take my picture again, while almost everyone else they took their picture.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

You need to call whoever you booked with and make sure they have them setup for the B2B discount.

Great thought  -  I forgot about that as my agent did it automatically.    $50 per segment is a nice little thank you. 

 

Also if you own RCL stock make sure you apply for the stockholder benefit credit.

Edited November 20, 2021 by Jim_Iain