Question for B2B Cruisers

We are going on our first B2B in September on the Freedom. As such, I am wondering what the process is the day our second cruise starts? We will be in the same cabin for both cruises, so hopefully that simplifies some things.

- Do we still need to disembark at the end of our first cruise? If so, how quickly are we back onboard?

- Can we stay in our cabin? If not, will we have access to it before the normal time on embarkation day?

- If we do have to disembark I'm assuming we can treat like any other embarkation day and just be back onboard by the designated time.

- Is there any type of B2B cruiser area during this process?

Any other tips or helpful info is much appreciated! :)

We are going on our first B2B in September on the Freedom. As such, I am wondering what the process is the day our second cruise starts? We will be in the same cabin for both cruises, so hopefully that simplifies some things.

 

- Do we still need to disembark at the end of our first cruise? If so, how quickly are we back onboard? Yes. If things go well, you should be back onboard in 10 minutes or so.

 

- Can we stay in our cabin? If not, will we have access to it before the normal time on embarkation day? You should be able to access your stateroom all day, except for when the stateroom attendant would be cleaning it.

 

- If we do have to disembark I'm assuming we can treat like any other embarkation day and just be back onboard by the designated time. If you don't want to get right back on the ship, then you would not be able to re-board until normal boarding begins for the new guests.

 

- Is there any type of B2B cruiser area during this process? Not sure what this means.

 

Any other tips or helpful info is much appreciated! :)

Answered what I could in RED.

Note that if they cannot get the ship cleared quickly, you may have to wait in the terminal building for a longer time.

- Is there any type of B2B cruiser area during this process? Not sure what this means.

As in, is there a gathering area for B2B cruisers? Like one of the lounges or other areas to hang out while others are embarking and disembarking.

They do have a place to gather, during the disembarkation, just like all the other passengers with certain tag numbers. It will tell you where your meeting place is, in the last nights compass.

They do have a place to gather, during the disembarkation, just like all the other passengers with certain tag numbers. It will tell you where your meeting place is, in the last nights compass.

Do you have to meet there to check-in or anything?

As in, is there a gathering area for B2B cruisers? Like one of the lounges or other areas to hang out while others are embarking and disembarking.

You should receive a letter in your stateroom at some point during the cruise that details the B2B process. It's a good idea to visit Guest Services early in the first cruise and confirm you are on the B2B list.

You should receive a letter in your stateroom at some point during the cruise that details the B2B process. It's a good idea to visit Guest Services early in the first cruise and confirm you are on the B2B list.

We'll be sure to do that!

We'll be sure to do that!

One note is that as many times as we have done a B2B, none have been exactly the same. Just pay attention to the guidance provided for yours and all will go well. Bon Voyage!

When doing a b2b it all depends on the Port Authorities whether you must disembark or not. We've experienced both. If you must disembark, you will be told to meet in a specific area and then you will be escorted off the ship, go through Customs and Immigration and then be escorted back on the ship. The time you are off the ship depends on how quickly the ship can record a "zero" count (all SeaPass Cards have been dinged out).

Depending on the number of consecutive cruisers, a meeting may be held the day or two prior to the end of each sailing giving you specific instructions on what will happen the morning of debarkation. Or they may just deliver letters of explanation to your cabin.

SeaPass Cards will either be distributed prior to the end of each cruise or you will receive them the morning of. We've experienced both.

Each cruise is handled independently and your SeaPass account is closed at the end of each cruise and a new account is started. There is no carry over of any unused OBC from one cruise to another.

Depending on the number of consecutive cruisers (and the ship), if there is a large number of returning guests, a special luncheon may be held in the MDR from noon until 1PM.

Once back on board you are free to return to your cabin. If the Fire Doors are closed, just open them up to get to your cabin, but make sure you closed them behind you.

If you want to leave the ship you will be given an "In-Transit" card that you will show the pier reps upon your return. This will allow you to bypass check-in.

You will have to attend the muster drill for the second cruise, so please plan on being back on board at least 60 minutes prior to sail away. If you don't attend, you will receive a Nasty Gram in your cabin the next morning.

If you have to change cabins, I suggest that you meet your new cabin attendant sometime during the third cruise and let him know which cabin you will be moving to. Let your current attendant know you will be changing cabins also.

You will have to pack up loose items in your suitcase. Things on hangers will be moved for you by your cabin attendant. By letting your new cabin attendant know you are changing cabins, it may give them the opportunity to have your new cabin ready earlier.

One note is that as many times as we have done a B2B, none have been exactly the same. Just pay attention to the guidance provided for yours and all will go well. Bon Voyage!

I hear ya. All part of the cruising experience! Something is always different, but that's part of the fun. :)

Here is a link to a post I made regarding our b2b cruise on Oasis last May. It has the letter we received a day or two before turnaround day and lists the steps for staying in the same room or transferring rooms. Unfortunately for us the process took almost 90 minutes because they needed to deep clean the ship. Still loved being first ones back on the ship and they provided a free lunch for us at Giovanni's.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42945569&postcount=5

When doing a b2b it all depends on the Port Authorities whether you must disembark or not. We've experienced both. If you must disembark, you will be told to meet in a specific area and then you will be escorted off the ship, go through Customs and Immigration and then be escorted back on the ship. The time you are off the ship depends on how quickly the ship can record a "zero" count (all SeaPass Cards have been dinged out).

 

Depending on the number of consecutive cruisers, a meeting may be held the day or two prior to the end of each sailing giving you specific instructions on what will happen the morning of debarkation. Or they may just deliver letters of explanation to your cabin.

 

SeaPass Cards will either be distributed prior to the end of each cruise or you will receive them the morning of. We've experienced both.

 

Each cruise is handled independently and your SeaPass account is closed at the end of each cruise and a new account is started. There is no carry over of any unused OBC from one cruise to another.

 

Depending on the number of consecutive cruisers (and the ship), if there is a large number of returning guests, a special luncheon may be held in the MDR from noon until 1PM.

 

Once back on board you are free to return to your cabin. If the Fire Doors are closed, just open them up to get to your cabin, but make sure you closed them behind you.

 

If you want to leave the ship you will be given an "In-Transit" card that you will show the pier reps upon your return. This will allow you to bypass check-in.

 

You will have to attend the muster drill for the second cruise, so please plan on being back on board at least 60 minutes prior to sail away. If you don't attend, you will receive a Nasty Gram in your cabin the next morning.

 

If you have to change cabins, I suggest that you meet your new cabin attendant sometime during the third cruise and let him know which cabin you will be moving to. Let your current attendant know you will be changing cabins also.

 

You will have to pack up loose items in your suitcase. Things on hangers will be moved for you by your cabin attendant. By letting your new cabin attendant know you are changing cabins, it may give them the opportunity to have your new cabin ready earlier.

Thanks for the great info!

In previous cruises we haven't always stuck with our group when disembarking. We usually have breakfast and hang around a bit, then just get off at our leisure if we don't need to catch a flight right away. Is that possible as a B2B'r? Not sure if there is really anything to gain by that except for the fact if we get off with one of the last groups we won't have to sit in the waiting area until are passengers have been accounted for to get back on.

We do have a small amount of OBC on our first cruise, but I'm pretty sure there won't even be a penny of it left to worry about not carrying over. :p

Here is a link to a post I made regarding our b2b cruise on Oasis last May. It has the letter we received a day or two before turnaround day and lists the steps for staying in the same room or transferring rooms. Unfortunately for us the process took almost 90 minutes because they needed to deep clean the ship. Still loved being first ones back on the ship and they provided a free lunch for us at Giovanni's.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42945569&postcount=5

Awesome! Thanks!

So, in reality if things go well it's best to get off as soon as possible to get back on as soon as possible and hope you don't get stuck in the terminal for some reason.

We found that they didn't understand what we meant when we said we were back to back on our Radiance trip. Maybe it was our Aussie accent, or maybe we had an inexperienced service desk person.

There will be a person that is the coordinator, and they call you a "Consecutive Cruiser". Make sure you do touch base with the person that does this, don't just leave a message at the desk as we did thinking all would be ok!

You will get something like this, but as others have said, there seems to be different procedures for different circumstances and different ships. We had some Noro virus on the ship and we had to be off for several hours. When we came back we were treated like we were trying to get on early and got quite a bit of attitude, but we came back after the time we were instructed. Communication is not always good between staff.

Love B2B trips, have a great time!

We found that they didn't understand what we meant when we said we were back to back on our Radiance trip. Maybe it was our Aussie accent, or maybe we had an inexperienced service desk person.

 

There will be a person that is the coordinator, and they call you a "Consecutive Cruiser". Make sure you do touch base with the person that does this, don't just leave a message at the desk as we did thinking all would be ok!

 

You will get something like this, but as others have said, there seems to be different procedures for different circumstances and different ships. We had some Noro virus on the ship and we had to be off for several hours. When we came back we were treated like we were trying to get on early and got quite a bit of attitude, but we came back after the time we were instructed. Communication is not always good between staff.

 

Love B2B trips, have a great time!

Thanks for the info!

Like everything when cruising... YMMV. And, it seems that holds true with this process as well. :)

So, you boarded after 4:45? How was that handled?

As in, is there a gathering area for B2B cruisers? Like one of the lounges or other areas to hang out while others are embarking and disembarking.

They will send you a letter a few days before end of cruise one where to meet to do customs (if necessary) and give you a transit card and new room card

Depends on port of turnaround as to exact requirements but well managed

I wouldn't stay on the ship though as very little open on turnaround day

If noro outbreak on first cruise play dumb and ask to stay o. The ship

They will need you off for cleaning and then often give a free tour to get the b2b people off

Enjoy

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We just did a B2B on the Jewel out of San Juan. Here are some highlights:

I stopped by guest services on day 3 to confirm that I was on the B2B list. I also made sure our cabin steward was aware of us being in the same room. On Day 4, we receive a letter explaining the whole process. We were informed that the ship was doing a periodic "sanitizing" of the ship, and we would be exiting to the pier to let the ship personal work. All B2B cruisers were to meet in the Safari Lounge by 10:30am to be escorted off the ship through immigration. We would then be first onboard after the sanitation process was complete. On day 6, we received another letter confirming the previous letter along with our new sea pass cards. At the end of cruise #1, we slept in to about 7:30am (no alarm, we just woke up). We went to breakfast, and then went back to our room until about 10:15 (we put the do not disturb sign up to remind the cabin steward). We went to the Safari lounge until about 10:50, when we heard the announcement that the crew was to begin the sanitation process. At 11:00, we were escorted off the ship. I was told I was the last passenger off the ship:). We cleaned out our safe, but left all the rest of our belongings in the room. Required documents were old and new sea pass cards along with our passports. I did bring the documents I printed pre-cruise, but I did not need them. Immigration process took 10 Minutes. We sat in the terminal until 12:15pm, and as the first new passengers were let in the building, we were told we were welcome back on the ship. We were NOT permitted back to our room until 1pm, but we had received an invitation to a special 5 course lunch (with wine) for all B2B cruisers that was held in the main dinning room. YUM! :p

We just did a B2B on the Jewel out of San Juan. Here are some highlights:

 

I stopped by guest services on day 3 to confirm that I was on the B2B list. I also made sure our cabin steward was aware of us being in the same room. On Day 4, we receive a letter explaining the whole process. We were informed that the ship was doing a periodic "sanitizing" of the ship, and we would be exiting to the pier to let the ship personal work. All B2B cruisers were to meet in the Safari Lounge by 10:30am to be escorted off the ship through immigration. We would then be first onboard after the sanitation process was complete. On day 6, we received another letter confirming the previous letter along with our new sea pass cards. At the end of cruise #1, we slept in to about 7:30am (no alarm, we just woke up). We went to breakfast, and then went back to our room until about 10:15 (we put the do not disturb sign up to remind the cabin steward). We went to the Safari lounge until about 10:50, when we heard the announcement that the crew was to begin the sanitation process. At 11:00, we were escorted off the ship. I was told I was the last passenger off the ship:). We cleaned out our safe, but left all the rest of our belongings in the room. Required documents were old and new sea pass cards along with our passports. I did bring the documents I printed pre-cruise, but I did not need them. Immigration process took 10 Minutes. We sat in the terminal until 12:15pm, and as the first new passengers were let in the building, we were told we were welcome back on the ship. We were NOT permitted back to our room until 1pm, but we had received an invitation to a special 5 course lunch (with wine) for all B2B cruisers that was held in the main dinning room. YUM! :p

That sounds like quite the plan to be the last passengers off the ship! :p

I like the idea of a 5 course meal with wine! :D

Thanks for the info!

 

Like everything when cruising... YMMV. And, it seems that holds true with this process as well. :)

 

So, you boarded after 4:45? How was that handled?

No, that was the latest you could be back, we were supposed to be allowed back after 10.45am, and we came back at 11am and had to wait. Then we were allowed to go through where the crew comes on, and the staff there asked how we had come through. Well obviously the staff at the other end told us to! We were not trying to sneak on, seriously :)

It was great being one of the first few on, but deep cleaning, not sure what happened besides a lot of spraying around the place. The lift we went in still had grime smeared on the doors. Yuk! The rest of the ship was good though. We didn't know anyone that had Noro on either trip.

We're also first time B2B cruisers for the same weeks!

Thanks everyone for the info. It feels like this cruise will never get here!

Here is a link to a post I made regarding our b2b cruise on Oasis last May. It has the letter we received a day or two before turnaround day and lists the steps for staying in the same room or transferring rooms. Unfortunately for us the process took almost 90 minutes because they needed to deep clean the ship. Still loved being first ones back on the ship and they provided a free lunch for us at Giovanni's.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42945569&postcount=5

Thank you. This was extremely helpful and well presented.

Roy

We found that they didn't understand what we meant when we said we were back to back on our Radiance trip. Maybe it was our Aussie accent, or maybe we had an inexperienced service desk person.

 

There will be a person that is the coordinator, and they call you a "Consecutive Cruiser". Make sure you do touch base with the person that does this, don't just leave a message at the desk as we did thinking all would be ok!

Funny, I had the opposite experience. I went to Guest Services to tell them I'm a Consecutive Cruiser and the person frowned for a moment and then said "Oh, you mean Back to Back". However, I agree that you need to be prepared to use either Consecutive Cruiser (official term) or Back to Back (slang).

Funny, I had the opposite experience. I went to Guest Services to tell them I'm a Consecutive Cruiser and the person frowned for a moment and then said "Oh, you mean Back to Back". However, I agree that you need to be prepared to use either Consecutive Cruiser (official term) or Back to Back (slang).

There is also s Consecutive Cruise department that you can speak with to have your bookings linked prior to departing.

When you call and ask for the Consecutive Cruise Desk (the new term), the person answering the phone will have absolutely no idea who you are talking about. They will come back with, "do you mean the B2B desk"??:D

There is also s Consecutive Cruise department that you can speak with to have your bookings linked prior to departing.

 

When you call and ask for the Consecutive Cruise Desk (the new term), the person answering the phone will have absolutely no idea who you are talking about. They will come back with, "do you mean the B2B desk"??:D

Go figure :rolleyes: :D

We usually just go with the flow(rider) and expect the unexpected at some point. It's kind of like going to a movie with high expectations only to be disappointed in parts that you would have otherwise not worried about had you gone in without any preconceived ideas regarding the quality of the movie. Granted wasting a few dollars at the movies and being disappointed is not quite as comparable to a disappointing cruise. :p But, you get my point.... I hope. :)