Question for B2B cruisers

[flitter306]

For those of you that have done back to back cruises on Carnival - should I expect to have the same stateroom attendant? Or do those rotate week to week as well?

[judycruiser]

No experience on B2B on Carnival. But have read that they handle the same way as other cruise lines.

 

You may or may not have the same steward. B2B are counted as two separate cruises. Tipping, settling of accounts are done at the end of each cruise.

 

If your steward is scheduled for vacation or being transferred, you may not have the same one. Most likely, you will not have the same waitstaff in the dining room. It has been my experience the they usually change tables at the end of each week. The tables may even be re-numbered.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Judy

[zaandam_2]

i had the same room steward on my b2b, but different assistant stewards. there's no way to tell.

[pennme]

i had the same room steward on my b2b, but different assistant stewards. there's no way to tell.

We have been on several B2B's. We have always had the same steward for the room. However, this last week, our steward was planning on transfering to a different ship after our second week, so you could have a different steward.

 

The dinning room has always been different tables. This last time, while giving the Maitre D a tip (he was fantastic), we mentioned that we would be back the next week. He looked up our table for the next week, and then asked us where we wanted to sit. The original table was not against a window, and my wife wanted a table next to the window. He found us a different table, called the pursers desk to reprint the Sail and Sign for the next week with the new table number. They were fantastic.

 

The actual process at the end of the first week was very easy. We were the last people off the ship. They took us thru Customs, back past all of the check in (we did have to do a check in, but that was in the VIP lounge), and escorted right back onto the ship. We were back on the ship in 15 minutes. We were on 1.5 hours before any boarding. We were the only B2B, so we felt like we owned the ship.

 

You do have to get off, and back on due to customs. This is beneficial, since your customs limits reset for the second week. Also, all of the crew recognizes you as a B2B, and was even better than fantastic, if that were possible.

 

Another advantage to it being two seperate cruises is that it just adds up quicker to Platinum if you are not there already. We are, and it is very nice.

 

If you have any specific questions, E-Mail me at: CruiseCCL@InsightBB.com.

[stephandjim1070]

what if we booked the 2nd part of the cruise after the first . do we get the same room or differnet... do we have to take any luggage off if we have to switch rooms. we are doing a group cruise 10/13 and today we decided that we would like to stay and extra week and do the western caribean since we booth have time off. but booked with or regular travel agent and not with the group one... is this going tobe a problem... thanks for the input ...

 

 

steph and jim

[zaandam_2]

what if we booked the 2nd part of the cruise after the first . do we get the same room or differnet... do we have to take any luggage off if we have to switch rooms. we are doing a group cruise 10/13 and today we decided that we would like to stay and extra week and do the western caribean since we booth have time off. but booked with or regular travel agent and not with the group one... is this going tobe a problem... thanks for the input ...

 

 

steph and jim

 

if you booked a gty, it is likely you will have to change. tell you cabin steward and they will take care of moving your luggage.

[rucruizin]

 

You do have to get off, and back on due to customs. This is beneficial, since your customs limits reset for the second week. Also, all of the crew recognizes you as a B2B, and was even better than fantastic, if that were possible.

 

Tank you...that is something I wondered about.

 

Another advantage to it being two seperate cruises is that it just adds up quicker to Platinum if you are not there already. We are, and it is very nice.

 

This will be our 10th with Carnival...looking forward to the platinum perks:D

[kelz66]

We have been on several B2B's. We have always had the same steward for the room. However, this last week, our steward was planning on transfering to a different ship after our second week, so you could have a different steward.

 

The dinning room has always been different tables. This last time, while giving the Maitre D a tip (he was fantastic), we mentioned that we would be back the next week. He looked up our table for the next week, and then asked us where we wanted to sit. The original table was not against a window, and my wife wanted a table next to the window. He found us a different table, called the pursers desk to reprint the Sail and Sign for the next week with the new table number. They were fantastic.

 

The actual process at the end of the first week was very easy. We were the last people off the ship. They took us thru Customs, back past all of the check in (we did have to do a check in, but that was in the VIP lounge), and escorted right back onto the ship. We were back on the ship in 15 minutes. We were on 1.5 hours before any boarding. We were the only B2B, so we felt like we owned the ship.

 

You do have to get off, and back on due to customs. This is beneficial, since your customs limits reset for the second week. Also, all of the crew recognizes you as a B2B, and was even better than fantastic, if that were possible.

 

Another advantage to it being two seperate cruises is that it just adds up quicker to Platinum if you are not there already. We are, and it is very nice.

 

If you have any specific questions, E-Mail me at: CruiseCCL@InsightBB.com.

 

WOW!!! Thanks you answered alot of questions!!! :D

[rt63]

This is beneficial, since your customs limits reset for the second week.

 

:eek: Not to nitpick, but certain customs limits are based on a single absence in the past 30 days, and customs booklets even give examples of how you can "erase" your entire limit by driving through Canada and making a declaration. So technically, you'll want to "leave everything on the ship" after your first week and "import" everything at the end of the second week to avoid being stuck paying more duty. YMMV, but it's best to read the customs guidelines since on occasion, the purely technical stuff can bite you!

 

Here's a link to the "Know Before You Go" booklet. See page 13 for the example.

[kathy32259]

One other note about a btb - if you buy liquor on the ship or in port the first week of the cruise it will be delivered to your cabin the last day of the first week. You will have it available to you the second week.:D

 

We had the same cabin steward and assistant steward both weeks. Different tables at dinner. The first week we were assigned early seating - I went to the Maitre'd and he changed us to the late seating. The following week he automatically had us switched and I didn't have to ask. (They really do pay attention!!)

[kelz66]

One other note about a btb - if you buy liquor on the ship or in port the first week of the cruise it will be delivered to your cabin the last day of the first week. You will have it available to you the second week.:D

 

We had the same cabin steward and assistant steward both weeks. Different tables at dinner. The first week we were assigned early seating - I went to the Maitre'd and he changed us to the late seating. The following week he automatically had us switched and I didn't have to ask. (They really do pay attention!!)

 

Now that is a great point!!!!!!!:D

[kelz66]

One other note about a btb - if you buy liquor on the ship or in port the first week of the cruise it will be delivered to your cabin the last day of the first week. You will have it available to you the second week.:D

 

We had the same cabin steward and assistant steward both weeks. Different tables at dinner. The first week we were assigned early seating - I went to the Maitre'd and he changed us to the late seating. The following week he automatically had us switched and I didn't have to ask. (They really do pay attention!!)

 

Now that is a great point!!!!!!!:D

[flitter306]

My main reason for asking is that for the first week we'll be cruising as a couple enjoying their honeymoon, but for the second week some of our friends and family will be joining us. My best friend has booked the room next door to us and we'd like to have the balcony partition opened for that cruise.

 

I was wondering if I could let our steward know and she/he could open it for us possibly before our friends embark. Or if we would have to wait until our friends are onboard and then make the request together.

[BrendaB1]

My main reason for asking is that for the first week we'll be cruising as a couple enjoying their honeymoon, but for the second week some of our friends and family will be joining us. My best friend has booked the room next door to us and we'd like to have the balcony partition opened for that cruise.

 

I was wondering if I could let our steward know and she/he could open it for us possibly before our friends embark. Or if we would have to wait until our friends are onboard and then make the request together.

 

Sorry but you will have to wait. People from both cabins have to request at the same time.