back to back cruises

this is my first back to back cruise . what happens when we arrive back at port. can we leave the ship? are we locked out of our cabins until they allow everyone into their cabins?

If you look around, (in your case, on the Princess board, if you are referring to your Crown Princess sailing) you will find MANY discussions on the topic. Again, assuming (dangerous, because not everyone can see your future and past cruises) you are referring to Princess, on the Princess board, you will find this very current thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2676477

Two things of importance. First, the port involved matters...a US port will have different rules from a non-US port. Second, ship and cruise line matters, as policies and abilities do vary.

this is my first back to back cruise . what happens when we arrive back at port. can we leave the ship? are we locked out of our cabins until they allow everyone into their cabins?

All of our B2B cruises even on Princess we have been allowed to go back to our cabins after the TAD requirements were completed.

A lot depends on where you are for turnaround day. If you are at a US port, there are usually immigration formalities that have to be suffered thru. There are two ways to do this. One is get off the ship for a tour or just an adventure by your self. When you return to the ship you will go thru immigration.

The other choice is to stay on board thru the immigration check. Princess will give you instructions a day or so before. Sometimes immigration will come on the ship and clear everyone left. Other times you will have to walk off the ship and circle around to get right back on.

In any case, you will be able to go to your cabin anytime.

We have done many b2b cruises and there has always been advance instruction on what will happen, and it has been a simple process.

We have done many b2b cruises and there has always been advance instruction on what will happen, and it has been a simple process.

Absolutely true. The cruise line does this to, first, make sure they meet the immigration and customs needs of the country they are in (The OP didn't specify what country this transition day would take place), and second, try to make the process as seamless as possible for the passenger.

The OP doesn't help by, a) stating what ship/cruise line they are on, and b), what country they will be in.

Checked out your itinerary.

I see that you will be sailing from Ft Lauderdale.

The last full day of your cruise you should receive a letter indicating what you need to do on "turn around day", i.e. like where and when to meet. You will have to go through immigration which may or may not require you to get off the ship to do this. If you do have to get off the ship, you will not be allowed back on until the ship has gone down to zero count -- meaning all passengers have gotten off the ship. Some times you sit only a few minutes in the terminal -- some times it takes a while before you get back on the ship. You will not have to go through security again unless you leave the terminal to go out and about in Ft Lauderdale. Once you are allowed back on the ship, you can do whatever you want.