Back to back question

[joelsmith101]

What is the drill for B2B cruises if the cabins will be different?

 

Do you pack your bags and move them yourself or have the steward move them? Can you move hanging clothes without packing them?

 

What do you have to do in the time between changing cabins?

 

Do you have to attend the fire drill on week 2?

 

Any other relevant information would also be appreciated. Thanks

[cruisebunny32]

I believe you pack and the steward moves your stuff. Although I am not sure. I guess you couldn't get the same cabin for both weeks.

 

I never have done B2B but some people were doing it behind us in line as we were going through customs last year. They had a pass to get back on the ship. They didn't have any luggage with them. You do have to get off the ship while they clean it and get back on. You will get new cards since they are per cruise and you have to get your picture taken again for security.

 

I guess plan something for the "in between" port

[Pat.bz]

DH and I have done B2B (and next cruises are B2B and B2B2B!). All B2B passangers are escorted off ship to a special waiting room for about 1/2 hr as I recall, and then can go back on ship. We have always been in same cabin, so I can't answer that part of your question.

[hajekfam]

Getting off the ship between back to backs depends on the itinerary. In Europe, we did not have to get off the ship at all if we chose not to.

We did move but to the cabin next to us so we just moved a drawer at a time. Our cabin steward told us that he would get that cabin ready as soon as it was vacated. As soon as it was ready, we started moving.

[ninkb]

Your cabin steward will help you with anything you need . . . moving the drawers from cabin to cabin, transporting your hanging clothes on a rack, . . . moving luggage with anything that isn't hanging or in a drawer . . .

 

You will receive detailed instructions at the end of the first leg, telling you what time to be off the ship, giving you your new cruise card (you'll need the old one to leave and the new one to enter), and providing your "in transit" card . . . Most times you do have to get off and the length of time off the ship depends on the length of the inspection to clear the ship before new passengers can embark.

 

You will be allowed on as soon as possible if you choose to not do something in the port area. When we had ours we were in San Juan and enjoyed a casual, at our own pace, day ashore with 3 others who were also doing a back to back. We shared a taxi into town from the pier, did some shopping and sightseeing, and were back on the ship (going to the head of the line) just as other passengers were embarking.

 

Enjoy!!!! It's so nice to not be heading home when the other passengers are wishing they could stay on the ship.

[Luckyladym]

Our experience has been the same as those posted above:

 

If you don't wish to get off the ship and spend the day ashore, you will be advised where to meet a ship's officer, who escorts you off, waits while you clear imigration or customs (I forget which) and then escorts you back on the ship.

 

You are issued new keys (seapass cards) and your steward will move all of your hanging clothes.

 

The one thing that has not been mentioned is that you might not have the same cabin attendant for the second portion. So, you will have to advise the new one of your likes and dislikes. Our experience has been that they have always been most gracious with their time and their assistance.

 

When is your B2B?

 

Happy cruising,

Marilyn

[szdiver]

We are doing our first b2b September 28 and October 5th on AOS. Can't wait to see how it goes.....did anyone know if we have to attend BOTH life boat drills?

 

Thanks for all the info we get here....

[happicruzer]

"did anyone know if we have to attend BOTH life boat drills"

 

Yes - everyone is supposed to attend ALL life boat drills. I overhead one individual in a wheelchair - as he was exiting his room - being told he didn't have to attend the drill; but otherwise, everyone is supposed to be accounted for at the drill. Also, if you are in a new room, you may be in a different life boat area.

 

Reminder - remember that many remove their vests after the drill is over and have trailing straps on the ground. Have watched many individuals trip over those straps, so please keep your eyes posted, especially if on the stairs. You don't want to sprain an ankle or break a bone at the beginning of your cruise.

 

We've done a couple of B2Bs now and do enjoy them. Frequently get to do one drive/fly with an extended cruise. Works very well for Eastern/Western Caribbean or Europe and the cruise lines finally recognize the potential and are now scheduling many cruises with alternating itineraries.

 

Re cabin change - you, or your TA, might also want to check with the cruise line just before departure, or the front office once on board, to verify that your cabin did not open up (cancellation/upgrade of next occupant) on the second portion of the B2B as you might luck out and be able to remain in your first cabin and not have to move.

 

As stated above, the staff is very experienced at moving the customers and really can and do make it as effortless as possible for everyone involved. We've been moved but must admit staying in the same cabin is nice as you don't have to repack.

 

Since we were keeping the same cabin on our last B2B, we actually "hid" in our cabin (after the 'off/back on' process) for about 2 hours and let everyone do their thing onboard. We watched TV, read and napped till lunch time. Our room steward knew we were there, but it was better than being vacuumed around or sitting out in the sun at the pool with no way back to the room since they (or at least RCCL) like to close access to the rooms.

[Belle]

We did a b2b in Europe and did not

have to get off the ship, or change cabins.

Gave us passes if we wanted to get off.

It was so easy, maybe because it was

Rome to Rome(same port) then Rome to San Juan.

Next one Venice to Barcelona then Barcelona

to San Juan in November. This one might

not be as easy. Think just have to wait and see.

 

We had same room steward the whole cruise.

Also the same waitress, followed her to new table

for second cruise.

 

Yes you do have to do life boat drill each cruise.

Also you have to tip after each cruise. Even thro a b2b,

there considered two seprate cruises.

[hajekfam]

We did a b2b in Europe and did not

have to get off the ship, or change cabins.

Gave us passes if we wanted to get off.

It was so easy, maybe because it was

Rome to Rome(same port) then Rome to San Juan.

Next one Venice to Barcelona then Barcelona

to San Juan in November. This one might

not be as easy. Think just have to wait and see.

 

We had same room steward the whole cruise.

Also the same waitress, followed her to new table

for second cruise.

 

Yes you do have to do life boat drill each cruise.

Also you have to tip after each cruise. Even thro a b2b,

there considered two seprate cruises.

 

We did our back to back Venice to Barcelona and Barcelona to FLL and did not have to get off the ship in Barcelona. We were given our new cards and an "in transit pass" the last night. We also received an invitation to a special luncheon.

We actually stayed on until after lunch. Since there were almost 400 back to backers, they fixed a very special luncheon in the dining room for the back to backers. Since we had been to Barcelona several times before and it was a Sunday, we decided to stay for the luncheon. The food was similar to that served in the Olympic (specialty) restaurant and we were so glad that we stayed. After lunch we went out and walked on Las Ramblas and stopped at Cafe Zurich for some xocolate and people watching before heading back to the ship.

Also, you do have to go to the bank desk and arrange for payment of your shipboard account for the second leg. A lot of us weren't told that we didn't have to show our credit card again (even after I specifically asked) and a few days into the second leg were told to go to the bank.

We were asked by the maitre'd midway through the first leg where we would like to sit in the dining room for the second cruise. They do their best to fill your request.

[RMSeadog]

We are doing our first b2b September 28 and October 5th on AOS. Can't wait to see how it goes.....did anyone know if we have to attend BOTH life boat drills?

 

Thanks for all the info we get here....

 

RCCL rules differ form ship to ship if you must change rooms. Some RCCL ship require you to pack and send your bags ashore and then reclaim them before the second leg. Some require you to leave your stuff in the passageway at night and then deliver then to your new room, while others help you move as with X. Pot Luck I guess. - Ric

[CRUZBUDS]

Wow - My wife would be seroiusly P.O.'d if she had to pack mid-way through a B2B. That was one of the coolest things about doing a B2B was just relaxing the last day. Going to breakfast on the final moring - we're in shorts and flip-flops and everybody else in their traveling clothes dragging aroung carry on luggage. The next week it was not as much fun since we had to get off. :(

[Belle]

Hope we won't have to get off and reboard

in Barcelona too. Just a transit pass will be nice.

A luncheon sounds nice, last time we just got

a cocktail party for the b2ber's.

 

Everyone that's going on a b2b..you'll love it!

As someone said, it's so nice when everyone

has to get off and there you are "relaxing",

no worries and have an other cruise ahead of you!

[hajekfam]

Everyone that's going on a b2b..you'll love it!

As someone said, it's so nice when everyone

has to get off and there you are "relaxing",

no worries and have an other cruise ahead of you!

 

It is really fun on the last night of the first leg when everyone is rushing around trying to pack and get their suitcases out in the hall and you just sit in a lounge relaxing. And when people go up to thank the band in the lounge you hung out in and you go up and say see you tomorrow night.