Here's a couple of questions about B2B

[kasowell2]

I was wondering as I've never done a B2B cruise about leaving the ship on the turn around day. When thinking of this question it also made me wonder about leaving the ship on initial embarkation day.

We've always just gotten on the ship on the first day and enjoyed it but I was wondering if something arose and we forgot something could we leave like any other port and get it and get back on the ship? 

Also on turn around day I'm assuming we could disembark like the other travelers and come back through regular check in but could we also go through the process the ship does for taking the group off the ship and bringing them back on?

The port is Port Everglades in Florida not an European port. 

[Jim_Iain]

Normally you have two options. 

 

Leave the ship as early as you wish using the Transit Pass   You will have to leave at final call and before B2B Processing.   With this option you will not be able to re-board until full boarding begins.     When you return to the pier you go to a B2B desk where they will process you and give you your new sea pass.

 

The other option is that you stay aboard and after final call you meet B2B's in a specific location and they escort your off the ship for immigration and B2B processing (around 9:15-9:30) then back on the ship.    You can the either leave the ship using your new card or have free roam of the ship until general boarding.

 

I say normally because in some countries you can not leave the ship after you board (e.g. Australia).     Also some ports that I have been to like San Diego and Boston they have done immigration and B2B processing  on the ship without having to go ashore.

Edited January 27 by Jim_Iain

[Ox Fan Cruiser]

We did 1 B2B before. It was on Princess. It was the Southampton port in England. 1st cruise was a Scandinavian cruise followed by a West Bound Transatlantic.  There was on issue when I left the ship to go buy a new pair of sneakers. They might have given me a card or paper to show when I came back to the terminal to get back on.  

[cookiersmom]

We just did B2B in Japan and we got our new seapass the night before, and were free to leave the ship for the next day when we chose to, and then we came back a few hours later.  

It was all seamless.  

 

So, I guess it depends on the port and the country? (and the ship?)

[cruisestitch]

26 minutes ago, kasowell2 said:

I was wondering as I've never done a B2B cruise about leaving the ship on the turn around day. When thinking of this question it also made me wonder about leaving the ship on initial embarkation day.

We've always just gotten on the ship on the first day and enjoyed it but I was wondering if something arose and we forgot something could we leave like any other port and get it and get back on the ship? 

 

generally no, this is usually not possible

 

Also on turn around day I'm assuming we could disembark like the other travelers and come back through regular check in but could we also go through the process the ship does for taking the group off the ship and bringing them back on?  
yes

 

[Northern Aurora]

 

Before  turnaround day a succinct instruction letter regarding the turnaround day process will be delivered to your stateroom.  It will outline the process for you.  Also, a meeting for B2B passengers may be held where the procedures will also be discussed.

[kasowell2]

Has anybody had to get off the ship on original embarkation day after checking in? For example I left something in the car that’s needed. Would I just get off and get back on using the sea pass card

[cruisestitch]

As stated above this is generally not allowed on the embarkation day. 

Edited January 27 by cruisestitch

[zestyzorra]

So in Australia, can you leave after final call and then come back when general boarding begins?  I was planning to leave the ship around 11am and return around 2pm.  Sail away is at 6pm

[zestyzorra]

I was also wondering how repetitive trivia and game shows tend to be with B2B cruises, for those who are familiar.  I will be going on a B3B for the first time in March.

[baypeople]

On 1/28/2024 at 4:03 AM, zestyzorra said:

I was also wondering how repetitive trivia and game shows tend to be with B2B cruises, for those who are familiar.  I will be going on a B3B for the first time in March.

Sometimes the trivia question are the same.  Let the Activities person know that you're B2B and they'll use other questions.  It's much more fun that way.

[cruisestitch]

On 1/28/2024 at 3:01 AM, zestyzorra said:

So in Australia, can you leave after final call and then come back when general boarding begins?  I was planning to leave the ship around 11am and return around 2pm.  Sail away is at 6pm

Yes you can do that

[BytownMatt]

10 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Yes you can do that

So perhaps it can vary (e.g., whether the cruise is staying in Australia or ending in New Zealand) but that's not the case on the current Edge sailing. All guests are required to leave the ship and go ashore in Sydney by 9:30am. Consecutive cruisers can reboard between 10:45am (when Australian Departure Immigration opens) and 3pm with a 5pm departure.

[kasowell2]

I  Think I figured out the reason you can’t get on the ship is the US and then go back and get something is that technically you’ve left the United States and there is no customs officials to clear you.

[zestyzorra]

20 hours ago, BytownMatt said:

So perhaps it can vary (e.g., whether the cruise is staying in Australia or ending in New Zealand) but that's not the case on the current Edge sailing. All guests are required to leave the ship and go ashore in Sydney by 9:30am. Consecutive cruisers can reboard between 10:45am (when Australian Departure Immigration opens) and 3pm with a 5pm departure.

We will be doing the RT from Sydney to NZ and back. Does that affect the timing? 

 

Honestly, we don't mind going at 9:30am. We have plans from noon to 2pm and can hang out in the Rocks area before, if needed.

[Cruisechick59]

We did B2B on Beyond in Rome. They had a meeting to explain and then morning of we took our passports and room key to one of the dining rooms and they gave us our new key. We were switching staterooms and all we had to do was pack our stuff and leave in stateroom. We were told to keep the clothes on the hangers and leave on bed and they would move along with suitcases. Super easy!

[BytownMatt]

The process seems to depend on the port where the turnaround is taking place. On my previous back-to-back sailings where the turnaround ports were Rotterdam and Rome/Civitavecchia, the process was very simple and there was no requirement to leave the ship. That wasn't the case on the Edge today in Sydney where everyone was required to disembark, wait for some time before going through Australian immigration and reboarding the ship. We also had to pack everything (no leaving clothes on hangers), probably due to the high number of consecutive cruisers. I suspect it is Australian immigration/border control requirements mainly dictating the process and I won't hazard a guess whether today's process is typical or not (others with more experience may have more insight). As others have indicated, wait for the back-to-back process to be announced by Celebrity and be prepared to be flexible on turnaround day. Enjoy!

[zestyzorra]

3 hours ago, BytownMatt said:

The process seems to depend on the port where the turnaround is taking place. On my previous back-to-back sailings where the turnaround ports were Rotterdam and Rome/Civitavecchia, the process was very simple and there was no requirement to leave the ship. That wasn't the case on the Edge today in Sydney where everyone was required to disembark, wait for some time before going through Australian immigration and reboarding the ship. We also had to pack everything (no leaving clothes on hangers), probably due to the high number of consecutive cruisers. I suspect it is Australian immigration/border control requirements mainly dictating the process and I won't hazard a guess whether today's process is typical or not (others with more experience may have more insight). As others have indicated, wait for the back-to-back process to be announced by Celebrity and be prepared to be flexible on turnaround day. Enjoy!

Did you have to pack because you switched staterooms or because it was Australian policy?

[hopeless holiday booker]

If you're B2B and changing rooms, how does that work or shall I wait until the meeting!

[BytownMatt]

Sorry if my previous response was unclear - the packing was because I was changing staterooms on the B2B not due to Australian policy. The stateroom attendants will move your belongings to your new stateroom on turnaround day. Sometimes Celebrity says that you can leave clothes on hangers while other times they will ask you to pack everything in your bags. My guess is that it's a convenience issue for the room attendants - if there are 550 consecutive cruisers, it's probably easier/faster if everything is in suitcases. 

 

So in this case, I left my suitcase and backpack in my first cruise stateroom around 8am, went for breakfast, went ashore in Sydney around 9am, came back onboard around 2pm and my luggage was in my new stateroom. The details will be explained at the B2B meeting and in a document that is distributed a few days before the end of the first cruise.