Back to Back 101 ?

[oakridger]

11 hours ago, shadow 123 said:

f it's on the same ship just link the rooms and you don't have to get off the ship to get back on again.

 

Not necessarily true!  Please don't post false information! 

 

Every time I have done a B2B in Port Everglades is was mandatory to get off (zero out) the ship!  Some people haven't had to.  You will get instructions for your cruise before the turn around day.

 

~Nancy

[Maria63]

52 minutes ago, oakridger said:

 

Not necessarily true!  Please don't post false information! 

 

Every time I have done a B2B in Port Everglades is was mandatory to get off (zero out) the ship!  Some people haven't had to.  You will get instructions for your cruise before the turn around day.

 

~Nancy

 

I have never experienced that any guest was allowed to stay onboard in Port Everglades either. One time (not HAL but Viking) I noticed that even the resident lecturer and the wife of one of the officers had to do the "leave ship - go to terminal for passport check - return to ship" -procedure, and this was a cruise that began as a TA to Ft Lauderdale and then continued onwards to the Caribbean, ie not the same round twice.

[shadow 123]

6 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Not necessarily true!  Please don't post false information! 

 

Every time I have done a B2B in Port Everglades is was mandatory to get off (zero out) the ship!  Some people haven't had to.  You will get instructions for your cruise before the turn around day.

 

~Nancy

Sorry, didn't realize it was false information. That's what I was told by holland America. If you have a problem you may wanna call them. But I've never ever had to get off the ship when my rooms were linked. And I've made several back to back cruises

[richwmn]

34 minutes ago, shadow 123 said:

Sorry, didn't realize it was false information. That's what I was told by holland America. If you have a problem you may wanna call them. But I've never ever had to get off the ship when my rooms were linked. And I've made several back to back cruisest

It will depend on WHERE the turnaround point is. In Fort Lauderdale you generally have to get off the ship. If all your b2b cruises have been outside the US, you generally can stay on the ship.

 

To expand a little, what you gave is not necessarily false information, but is instead information that can vary from place to place, and day to day. If you have never had to leave the ship, consider yourself lucky. Each time I have been on a B2B in the US and Canada I have had to leave the ship.

Edited December 10, 2023 by richwmn

[Maria63]

31 minutes ago, shadow 123 said:

Sorry, didn't realize it was false information. That's what I was told by holland America. If you have a problem you may wanna call them. But I've never ever had to get off the ship when my rooms were linked. And I've made several back to back cruises

 

As I haven´t done a B2B on HAL to/from Ft Lauderdale I´m speculating here, but it seems to me that HAL indeed has itineraries that are sold as one longer cruise, for instance 15 days, but this itinerary does one shorter 7-day itinerary in the Caribbean and then returns to Port Everglades, and then does another round of 8 days on the other side of the Caribbean. If you book the whole longer cruise, it probably counts as only one cruise and not technically a B2B, which means that the ship does not have to be cleared between the segments, you don´t need a new cruise card, and so on. However, you can also book only one of the shorter segments so it could certainly be said to consist of two separate cruises. For instance Rotterdam does these kinds of itineraries.

 

I don´t mean to argue, I was just confused but think I now may understand the circumstances.🙂

[richwmn]

11 minutes ago, Maria63 said:

 

As I haven´t done a B2B on HAL to/from Ft Lauderdale I´m speculating here, but it seems to me that HAL indeed has itineraries that are sold as one longer cruise, for instance 15 days, but this itinerary does one shorter 7-day itinerary in the Caribbean and then returns to Port Everglades, and then does another round of 8 days on the other side of the Caribbean. If you book the whole longer cruise, it probably counts as only one cruise and not technically a B2B, which means that the ship does not have to be cleared between the segments, you don´t need a new cruise card, and so on. However, you can also book only one of the shorter segments so it could certainly be said to consist of two separate cruises. For instance Rotterdam does these kinds of itineraries.

 

I don´t mean to argue, I was just confused but think I now may understand the circumstances.🙂

Unfortunately, at least in Fort Lauderdale and probably most of the US, it doesn't matter how many different ways the cruise is sold, the ship has to have a Zero (0) count of non crew individuals before anyone can re-board.

[CruiserBruce]

7 hours ago, Maria63 said:

 

I have never experienced that any guest was allowed to stay onboard in Port Everglades either. One time (not HAL but Viking) I noticed that even the resident lecturer and the wife of one of the officers had to do the "leave ship - go to terminal for passport check - return to ship" -procedure, and this was a cruise that began as a TA to Ft Lauderdale and then continued onwards to the Caribbean, ie not the same round twice.

We have gone through the procedures on board, at least twice. We have done 6 or 7 B2Bs at Port Everglades.

[CruiserBruce]

25 minutes ago, Maria63 said:

 

As I haven´t done a B2B on HAL to/from Ft Lauderdale I´m speculating here, but it seems to me that HAL indeed has itineraries that are sold as one longer cruise, for instance 15 days, but this itinerary does one shorter 7-day itinerary in the Caribbean and then returns to Port Everglades, and then does another round of 8 days on the other side of the Caribbean. If you book the whole longer cruise, it probably counts as only one cruise and not technically a B2B, which means that the ship does not have to be cleared between the segments, you don´t need a new cruise card, and so on. However, you can also book only one of the shorter segments so it could certainly be said to consist of two separate cruises. For instance Rotterdam does these kinds of itineraries.

 

I don´t mean to argue, I was just confused but think I now may understand the circumstances.🙂

No, that is not true. In US ports, the "zeroing" has to be done, per CBP policies. And whether or not it is done on the ship, or ashore, is also the decision of CBP.

[shadow 123]

On 12/10/2023 at 8:37 AM, richwmn said:

It will depend on WHERE the turnaround point is. In Fort Lauderdale you generally have to get off the ship. If all your b2b cruises have been outside the US, you generally can stay on the ship.

 

To expand a little, what you gave is not necessarily false information, but is instead information that can vary from place to place, and day to day. If you have never had to leave the ship, consider yourself lucky. Each time I have been on a B2B in the US and Canada I have had to leave the ship.

That's where my back to backs go. From Massachusetts to Canada and then from Canada to Massachusetts. And never once have I had to get off the ship. In the beginning I thought that would be the case but Holland America advised me to link the rooms and I would not have to get off the ship ,and it worked. 

 

That's really all I can say about that. That's my experience.

Edited December 11, 2023 by shadow 123

[Haljo1935]

On 12/8/2023 at 10:41 PM, Gunther1 said:

I’ll be solo on cruise #1 and my sister will be joining in on #2.

 

I assume  I can leave the terminal if I wish…..was hoping to meet her at her hotel that am. 

Congrats and welcome to the world of B2B.

In FLL if the ship has to "zero out" you will have 2 choices - you can meet up w/other in transit pax to do the kindergarten walk (all follow in a line escorted through passport control & led back on board) or you can get off and spend time in port then get back on before All Aboard time. Yesterday we had 2 people doing that who joined our airport excursion and we took them back to port before we went to the airport.

Turnaround Day is special - enjoy!

[happytotravel]

1 hour ago, shadow 123 said:

That's where my back to backs go. From Massachusetts to Canada and then from Canada to Massachusetts. And never once have I had to get off the ship. In the beginning I thought that would be the case but Holland America advised me to link the rooms and I would not have to get off the ship ,and it worked. 

 

That's really all I can say about that. That's my experience.

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by happytotravel
This should be the quote for my question

[happytotravel]

Hi,

What do you mean by linking the rooms? 

Thanks, happytotravel

[Haljo1935]

On 12/9/2023 at 12:21 PM, shadow 123 said:

If it's on the same ship just link the rooms and you don't have to get off the ship to get back on again. That's what they tell me when I do my b2bs and I've never had to get off to get back on again. Also, if the cruises are linked any credit you have left over  on the 1st leg of your journey will carry over to the second part of your journey.. That's always been my experience.

@Gunther1 If your legs have different booking numbers, they will be linked in terms of HAL knowing you're staying onboard as an "in transit" passenger, but your onboard account will not roll to the 2nd week - OBC will be settled for the 1st leg and whatever was associated w/the 2nd leg will show on your statement. 

If booked as a single cruise under 1 booking number, the OBC rolls to 2nd week because it's all still the same cruise.

[shadow 123]

3 hours ago, happytotravel said:

Hi,

What do you mean by linking the rooms? 

Thanks, happytotravel

I believe basically what it means is when the rooms are linked it becomes 1 trip. Not 2 separate cruises. So you keep the room that you're in. As I mentioned, if you happen to have any onboard credit left over from the 1st trip it will carry over to the second. That's been my experience. I found that out from a Holland America representative when I 1st booked  my back to back to Canada and back again.

 

It's a trip I've made several times because it's convenient for me as I am right here in Boston. In reality it is 2 separate cruises. 7 days going and then 7 days coming back.

[shadow 123]

6 minutes ago, shadow 123 said:

I believe basically what it means is when the rooms are linked it becomes 1 trip. Not 2 separate cruises. So you keep the room that you're in. As I mentioned, if you happen to have any onboard credit left over from the 1st trip it will carry over to the second. That's been my experience. I found that out from a Holland America representative when I 1st booked  my back to back to Canada and back again.

 

It's a trip I've made several times because it's convenient for me as I am right here in Boston. In reality it is 2 separate cruises. 7 days going and then 7 days coming back. I've always had 2 separate booking numbers.

 

[RuthC]

7 hours ago, shadow 123 said:

That's where my back to backs go. From Massachusetts to Canada and then from Canada to Massachusetts. And never once have I had to get off the ship.

OP is asking about a turnaround day in the US. Rules in other countries are different. In most of the countries where I have had a turnaround day it was treated as any other port day. Japan is a notable exception. 
In the US, the ship has to zero out, with all passengers either off the ship, or the in-transit passengers accounted for. Which method is used is up to CBP, not HAL. 

In all my years and cruises on HAL, and all my years on CC, I have never before heard the word 'linked' in terms of two successive cruises; I have heard it in reference to dining companions, though. 
I have also heard of successive cruises linked together as 'Collectors Cruises'. I've taken many of them over the years. 

[happercamper]

After reading through all the comments I think the best advice for the OG poster is to read through the information that you will receive.  I have taken two B2B cruises this past year and the procedures were different for each but the instructions were very easy to understand and follow.

 

My FLL "B2B" was booked with one booking number and treated as a 14 day cruise instead of (2) 7-day cruises.  When we arrived in FLL on the turn around day we had to zero the ship so our choice was get off for the day with our "in Transit" card or meet as a group and do the "kindergarten" walk off ship for passport check and then be walked back onto ship.  We chose the later and the only issue was a group that did not read their instructions and we had to stand in formation for 20 minutes while the authorities went to find the group and escort them off to join us.  They looked pretty sheepish when they arrived.  

 

Our SD B2B involved two separate bookings with two different booking numbers.  The first was a Pacific Coastal and we cleared customs in San Francisco after visiting Ensenada.  When we arrived back to SD for our second (7) day cruise to Mexico we were given the option of getting off with our "In Transit card" or staying on board.  We stayed onboard which was a good thing.  Not only was it quiet but we avoided the craziness that can occur in SD when you embark.  Even with the in transit cards I was not sure you could jump the long lines for security/x-ray.  Our PCC said she "linked" the two bookings.  We only had one keycard for the entire 14 days and we were able to carry over OBC from our California cruise.  We also received tiles twice and mariner cocktail cards twice.  That did not happen with the FLL cruise.

 

Both times we were told we did not have to check in for the safety drill on the turn around day  but we did have to run the safety video on the TV in our room for us to access the actual TV programs.

 

Again, just my experience and as always best to read over the instructions you will receive 1-2 days before your turn around day.  Enjoy!  I love B2B cruises.

 

[Haljo1935]

On 12/11/2023 at 5:32 PM, RuthC said:

OP is asking about a turnaround day in the US...
In all my years and cruises on HAL, and all my years on CC, I have never before heard the word 'linked' in terms of two successive cruises; I have heard it in reference to dining companions, though. 
I have also heard of successive cruises linked together as 'Collectors Cruises'. I've taken many of them over the years. 

Yes, I was referring most recently to FLL needing to "zero out" requiring in-transit passengers to leave the ship - whether w/the group walking off and back on or by leaving then coming back on by All Aboard time.

 

I have not booked a Collectors Cruise nor have I linked diners to any of my bookings. HAL Reservations, various PCCs and onboard Guest Service agents have referred to my B2B bookings as being linked when they look up either booking number saying things like "I see there's a booking linked to this one, you must be staying on," or "I linked your other booking so they'll see it when you call about this one," or "your OBC won't roll to the next leg, but we can see it's linked to this one." 

 

Having only done about 15 B2B may not give me enough experience to discuss the process. 

[RuthC]

44 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

HAL Reservations, various PCCs and onboard Guest Service agents have referred to my B2B bookings as being linked when they look up either booking number saying things like "I see there's a booking linked to this one, you must be staying on," or "I linked your other booking so they'll see it when you call about this one," or "your OBC won't roll to the next leg, but we can see it's linked to this one." 

An educated guess tells me that this is new language following the covid shutdown, and the hiring of new people. The culture of the experienced workers was lost, and a new one---with its own language---developed. 

[Haljo1935]

19 minutes ago, RuthC said:

An educated guess tells me that this is new language following the covid shutdown, and the hiring of new people. The culture of the experienced workers was lost, and a new one---with its own language---developed. 

Seems likely. 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

On 12/6/2023 at 4:10 PM, regnig said:

I am doing a B2B2B on the Rotterdam in March. I understand that in FLL I can get an "in transit" card and leave the ship early to run a couple of errands. I have two questions for those of you who have done a B2B in FLL:

1. When I am ready to reboard do I need to wait until the ship is 0'd out before I can reboard?

2. Assuming I wait until the ship has 0'd out but the new boarding passengers are not yet being allowed to board just what is my procedure when I get back to the terminal?

TIA

Yes, you will not be allowed to board until ship zeros out, but then you can just show your in-transit card and scan your card to get back on.

[DaveOKC]

Two weeks ago in FLL I saw in-transits reboarding around 10:30 am - they just showed their cards and went right on.  The new passengers boarded at 11 am