Back-to-Back Cruising

We have just booked back-to-back cruises on the Carnival Breeze in February. Our booking agent at Carnival was uncertain of the process to follow between the cruises. We have the same stateroom. Is it necessary to go through the entire boarding process when re-boarding the ship? Any feedback from previous back-to-back cruisers would be helpful. Thanks.

Process will vary ship to ship (and sometimes week to week), but it is usually very easy. Confirm with the service desk (a couple of days in so they're not too busy) that they're aware you're B2B. Normally the day before debarkation you'll get a letter asking you to meet in a certain room or area in the morning. When you meet have your ID and paperwork you'd need to board a cruise. They'll normally escort you off the ship, through customs, give you a new S&S card and bring you back on. The whole thing takes 10-15 minutes. Now comes the best part, for the next couple of hours you have a private cruise ship! You (and the few others) are the masters of your domain! Enjoy!

Usually there is a complimentary drink and photo of the b2b cruisers. :D

Confirm your credit card info is carried over to the second cruise! Last few b2bs we did, it was not. Could have been a hassle getting off the ship on last morning.

Usually there is a complimentary drink and photo of the b2b cruisers. :D

Confirm your credit card info is carried over to the second cruise! Last few b2bs we did, it was not. Could have been a hassle getting off the ship on last morning.

That must be new. We just meet where they told us to, and they escorted us off thru customs and back on. once we had one lady who didnt have her paper work ready and held the group up for a extra 20 minutes.

But the best part is having the whole ship to yourself, maybe half a dozen people on lido deck, just you and maybe a few others.

it feels so good, you wouldnt think so but it does to have the ship to yourselves.

We have just booked back-to-back cruises on the Carnival Breeze in February. Our booking agent at Carnival was uncertain of the process to follow between the cruises. We have the same stateroom. Is it necessary to go through the entire boarding process when re-boarding the ship? Any feedback from previous back-to-back cruisers would be helpful. Thanks.

They will escort you off thru customs and back on.

On my B2B in May on the Splendor - I was given a letter the day before with where to meet and when on embarkation morning. We met in one of the MDR's and turned in our S&S Cards. As a group we were escorted off the ship and brought to an empty customs room. We each turned over our customs declaration form and then were escorted back onto the ship. When we returned to the Lobby we were given our new S&S Cards as we boarded. In the Lobby Bar area they had champagne and mimosas. We all posed for a photo with a big banner along with some of the crew. Photo was delivered (complimentary) the next day to my cabin.

I did not have the same cabin - I booked the second leg several weeks after the 1st leg and the same cabin was not available. I was able to get a cabin just around the corner so the move was easy - I packed up my belongings and my cabin steward moved them to my new cabin for me while I was out having breakfast and enjoying the turn-around process

I LOVED doing a B2B! In addition to the longer vacation experience the crew made it special by remembering me and commenting on my second week and how nice it was to see me back.

Thanks for the input - we weren't sure what to expect............it sounds like a Breeze (which happens to be our ship!)

Thanks for the input - we weren't sure what to expect............it sounds like a Breeze (which happens to be our ship!)

Prepare to be hooked.

Hubby N I did our first B2B last year.

We had so much fun we booked again for this year.

Same ship, same time, and same cabin.

It is so relaxing.

We met in MDR. They had juice, coffee, H2O and pastry.

We got our new S&S cards. Off and through customs and back on the empty ship.

They took a group photo, which was delivered next day. For free.

We also got a fruit basket.

We go Platinum on 2nd half of this next cruise.

Can't wait to board.

:D Loving these replies about B2B's. After 43 cruises we finally booked our first B2B on the Sunshine for next month. Nov. 18 to Dec 5. Really looking forward to it thanks for the information. Do you really have to surrender your old S7S card? I have saved all of them from all our cruises.Thanks

I have done three B2B cruises and it is so amazing! The first cruise is so much more enjoyable because I wasn't so worried about trying to cram everything in, knowing I could simply try anything I missed on the second voyage.

You will love it!

One of the best things about B2B is that the Trivia seems to be easier on the second leg. ;-)

:D Loving these replies about B2B's. After 43 cruises we finally booked our first B2B on the Sunshine for next month. Nov. 18 to Dec 5. Really looking forward to it thanks for the information. Do you really have to surrender your old S7S card? I have saved all of them from all our cruises.Thanks

They took ours briefly and then returned.

Also they start to decorate for Christmas.

You might want to take an ugly sweater for the

ugly sweater party.

That must be new. We just meet where they told us to, and they escorted us off thru customs and back on. once we had one lady who didnt have her paper work ready and held the group up for a extra 20 minutes.

 

But the best part is having the whole ship to yourself, maybe half a dozen people on lido deck, just you and maybe a few others.

 

it feels so good, you wouldnt think so but it does to have the ship to yourselves.

And it's good to see you posting again, Firefly.

On my first B2B a few years ago, we had our pic taken with celebratory champagne or apple cider, and we never left the ship. Customs came to the atrium themselves and looked at our passports. We had to turn in our S&S card just so we could be dinged out of the first cruise, then it was given back to me along with a new S&S card for the 2nd leg. I don't remember saying anything about continuing credit card usage for the 2nd leg, I assumed it was automatic that the same card would be used.

The pics from the turnaround were delivered in a few days to my cabin, 8x10 size.

Enjoy your cruises!

We have back to back cruises scheduled on the Pride in April to Bermuda and Caribbean. We were told we can just stay on board after the first cruise ends and enjoy having the ship practically to ourselves until the next group boards. Please keep in mind that certain floors will probably have blocked off areas to facilitate embarkation and debarkation. We plan to avoid this by going up on deck and avoiding interior areas.

Some day, when I grow up (LOL), I wanna do a B2B!

We did a BtoB on the Paradise a few weeks ago. It was 2 five day cruises, the first to Cuba, then Key West. For some reason the previous cruise did not finish disembarking till 12:30. We got a glass of champagne and the picture taken. By the time we were escorted off the ship, it was almost 1:30 and people were coming onboard. So no time alone on the ship. By the way you need to do both muster drills! The head of guest services gave us a bottle of wine and 2 steakhouse selections in the dining room because of the difficult time we had. We also got a fruit basket and another bottle of wine in our cabin. It was a good day!

We did a BtoB on the Paradise a few weeks ago. It was 2 five day cruises, the first to Cuba, then Key West. For some reason the previous cruise did not finish disembarking till 12:30. We got a glass of champagne and the picture taken. By the time we were escorted off the ship, it was almost 1:30 and people were coming onboard. So no time alone on the ship. By the way you need to do both muster drills! The head of guest services gave us a bottle of wine and 2 steakhouse selections in the dining room because of the difficult time we had. We also got a fruit basket and another bottle of wine in our cabin. It was a good day!

Our Paradise cruise was probably the one before yours. The reason for the delay was that there were only two customs agents working for the first two or three hours. When they finally added two more, things went a lot faster.

We, too, have enjoyed the leisurely morning & being last off, first on. Enjoy the pool & hot tub & a quieter lido deck.

I'm getting excited! We're doing our first B2B on the Sunshine in March. Hubby still doesn't know about the 2nd leg. I'm going to try to keep it a secret until the last day of the first leg. We will be Platinum on the first leg. I love reading these posts!

We did a Dream B2B last year and loved it! We told out steward a few days before not to worry about our room on changeover day. She asked if she could change the sheets the day before then. I didn't mind, and it made it easier on her the next day as one less room to strip clean. She did however come in and check the room....she said she did leave us till last though.

Cant wait to the kids leave school and we can do more B2B's without missing school!

Process will vary ship to ship (and sometimes week to week), but it is usually very easy. Confirm with the service desk (a couple of days in so they're not too busy) that they're aware you're B2B. Normally the day before debarkation you'll get a letter asking you to meet in a certain room or area in the morning. When you meet have your ID and paperwork you'd need to board a cruise. They'll normally escort you off the ship, through customs, give you a new S&S card and bring you back on. The whole thing takes 10-15 minutes. Now comes the best part, for the next couple of hours you have a private cruise ship! You (and the few others) are the masters of your domain! Enjoy!

Can you go to your room after you go through customs and get a new S&S card, or have to wait until 1:30?

We are doing three b/2/b.

Do we have to return to the ship after clearing customs? How long does this process take?We are planning to spend the day in port with friends.

Lorraine

Can you go to your room after you go through customs and get a new S&S card, or have to wait until 1:30?

If you are keeping the same room, you should be able to go back to your room immediately after getting back on the ship because the steward won't have had to do a complete turnaround of your room.

If you are changing rooms, I would suggest talking to your new room steward during the first leg to make sure he/she is aware you're doing a B2B so he/she can try to have your room ready by the time you get back on the ship.

We are doing three b/2/b.

 

Do we have to return to the ship after clearing customs? How long does this process take?We are planning to spend the day in port with friends.

 

Lorraine

10-15 minutes. In my experience, the big variable will be the time when the last non-B2B passengers debark. The B2B letter in your cabin will specify a meeting place and time, but be prepared to wait there if debarkation is running late and/or if debarking passengers are being difficult/obstinate in not leaving the ship.

You are allowed to spend time in port and reboard later in the day. Just be prepared for clueless contract Carnival employees who can't fathom the fact that you are already checked in and have a S&S card when you try to get back in the terminal.

We have just booked back-to-back cruises on the Carnival Breeze in February. Our booking agent at Carnival was uncertain of the process to follow between the cruises. We have the same stateroom. Is it necessary to go through the entire boarding process when re-boarding the ship? Any feedback from previous back-to-back cruisers would be helpful. Thanks.

Just off a B2B on the Magic, they sent us directions the day before in our cabin which was,,,,meet in the center dining room, there was a small buffet set up of pastries, muffins, coffe, tea, juices, for us, about 18! They showed up, gave us new S&S cards, waited until the ship was empty of passengers, walked us down to security where they quickly looked at our cards/passports, then walked us back on the ship where we took a photo which was delivered to our cabin a couple days later for free, gave us a mimosa, and the ship was ours, about an hour before they started boarding!:D