B2B what happens on the last day of 1st week

[iamwhatiamnot]

Sailing out of San Juan and returning to San Juan at end of 1st week. What happens to us we are in the same JS for both weeks so I know we do not need to pack our bags and move. Have heard that the MDR and Windjammer is only place for breakfast and that all pool and bar areas are closed. Is this the case? If so it is a bit unfair as we have paid for the facilities for that day and do not get to use them. Do we have to go through the boarding system again? Or can we go off for the day. Do they make us do the emergency drill again.

[Alexis]

Sailing out of San Juan and returning to San Juan at end of 1st week. What happens to us we are in the same JS for both weeks so I know we do not need to pack our bags and move. Have heard that the MDR and Windjammer is only place for breakfast and that all pool and bar areas are closed. Is this the case? If so it is a bit unfair as we have paid for the facilities for that day and do not get to use them. Do we have to go through the boarding system again? Or can we go off for the day. Do they make us do the emergency drill again.

 

Having done many B2B's, you will only be kept from using some of the facilities until the ship is cleared by Security. That is usually done by around 10:30 at the latest.

They have to make sure all the passengers disembarking are off of the ship.

Turn around day is a very busy day for the help on board the ships.

Once the ship is cleared you are free to come and go as you wish. ;)

[pauly]

I never thought of that. I guess it would be unfair and a major drawback to have paid for the day, and have everything closed all morning.

[cruisenfever]

Sailing out of San Juan and returning to San Juan at end of 1st week. What happens to us we are in the same JS for both weeks so I know we do not need to pack our bags and move. Have heard that the MDR and Windjammer is only place for breakfast and that all pool and bar areas are closed. Is this the case? If so it is a bit unfair as we have paid for the facilities for that day and do not get to use them. Do we have to go through the boarding system again? Or can we go off for the day. Do they make us do the emergency drill again.

Yes, you will be required to do muster drill again.

 

Yes, the MDR (until 9AM) and WJ (until 8:30AM) are the only places to get breakfast and you must eat during the times specified.

 

You will get a letter in your cabin giving you instructions on turnaround day. You will get your new SeaPass cards the day before debarkation. I hope that you have linked your cruises through the b2b desk to make the transition from the first to the second cruise a smooth one. All information, included credit card information and photo ID are automatically transferred from the first cruise to the second.

 

We have done many b2b's and have found that the pool area and lounges will open up shortly after embarkation has started. The WJ will open with its Welcome Aboard lunch at noon. When in port, the MDR is rarely opened for lunch until the ship is calling on one of it's private islands and a beach barbeque is planned. So you are still getting your moneys worth.

 

Both cruises are handled separately, so at the end of the first cruise your account will be closed and a new account is started. If you have any unused OBC it will not be carried over from the first to the second cruise.

[cruisenfever]

I never thought of that. I guess it would be unfair and a major drawback to have paid for the day, and have everything closed all morning.

The ship must get all facilities ready for the new pax boarding as there are always more new pax boarding than old pax staying on.:D

[shrimp0]

We found the turn-around day to be a quite enjoyable day.

 

yes, as stated, you will have to have breakfast by a certain time that morning. (I think before 9am). Then, usually the back to back group is given a time and place to meet in the morning when the ship log is cleared. On ours, we were walked of the ship to customs .. had our documents checked (passports) and then walked back to the ship. At this time, we were really free to move about the ship as we wanted...just staying out of the way of the cleaning crew. We found a quiet spot on the pool deck and watched as the crew readied the ship. It was exciting to hear the announcements to the crew that new passengers were boarding soon... even more exciting to see all the wide eyed new passengers walk about the ship.

 

It is a totally relaxing day.... your luggage is already unpacked ... so you can totally enjoy sail-away and dinner without needing to go back to your cabin. You can sit poolside or on any deck and watch all the new people walking around. it is also a great day to go around and get pictures of different parts of the ship.

Dont think of it as being restricted to certain areas of the ship... think of it as a whole ship to yourself.

[iamwhatiamnot]

Thanks for all your info. I need to check that we have a linked account. What we really wanted to do was go ashore and look around San Juan as when we arrive for our first week we do not get to the hotel until midnight so will not get the chance to see anything before we are taken to the ship to board. Having said that it may be really nice just to sit by the pool and relax and do the people watching thing. One more thought can we order breakfast in our room for that morning if we do not want to go the the MDR.

[cruisenfever]

Thanks for all your info. I need to check that we have a linked account. What we really wanted to do was go ashore and look around San Juan as when we arrive for our first week we do not get to the hotel until midnight so will not get the chance to see anything before we are taken to the ship to board. Having said that it may be really nice just to sit by the pool and relax and do the people watching thing. One more thought can we order breakfast in our room for that morning if we do not want to go the the MDR.

If you plan on seeing San Juan on turnaround day, make sure that you get a card that says "in transit". This will identify you as a consecutive cruiser and you will not have to stand in a long line to check in when you return.

 

Unfortunately you can not order room service for the morning of debarkation.

[Alexis]

I never thought of that. I guess it would be unfair and a major drawback to have paid for the day, and have everything closed all morning.

 

We people who do B2B cruises, do not really pay extra for that day. ;) It works out with the next cruise.

Our first cruise ends just like everyone else's does, that morning.

We are escorted off of the ship by an officer to go through the process of customs and our second cruise starts when we re board with the officer who takes us on again and checks us back in. (It is not always done that way. It depends on the port.)

By then the new passengers are also coming aboard.

The Windjammer opens for lunch at 12:00 for the new passengers and that is when I consider our next cruise starting. Everything is open by then, so what are we missing? Pools and bars are open. Only thing closed is the hallways to the rooms.

[BMT]

If you explain to a member of staff, they will allow you access to your cabin before 1.00pm.

 

We have done many B2Bs and occasionally, they will prepare a special lunch in a small dining area. This is a very nice touch. So far, we have always booked so far in advance, that we keep the same stateroom.

[Albert Ross]

What happens to a wine package that you have ordered for the first week and not finished..can you carry this over?

[Murphy]

What happens to a wine package that you have ordered for the first week and not finished..can you carry this over?

 

Yes, you can carry it over to the 2nd week, but you need to work it out with your waiter/head waiter. When we did it, they needed to balance out the first week's wines (which makes sense if you think about it), so on the last night, they asked us what bottles of wine we wanted to finish out the package and they took it out of their stock and labeled it with our table number on it for the second week. Since I always ordered the same kind of wine it was fine for us to do that. I'm not sure how they would handle it if you didn't know which wine you planned to order the 2nd week.

[Missus Makkem]

recently on our back to backs there has been a nice lunch laid on in the Dining room for those guests staying on for another cruise,but you do not have to attend if you want to explore san Juan....the Ralph Lauren factory shop is my fav place!

[iamwhatiamnot]

recently on our back to backs there has been a nice lunch laid on in the Dining room for those guests staying on for another cruise,but you do not have to attend if you want to explore san Juan....the Ralph Lauren factory shop is my fav place!

 

 

Is the Ralph Lauren factory easy to find can you get a taxi to take you straight there - just my sort of shop. Oh thanks for the info on lunch.

[Albert Ross]

Is the Ralph Lauren factory easy to find can you get a taxi to take you straight there - just my sort of shop. Oh thanks for the info on lunch.

 

It is an Factoryoutlet on Calle del Cristo. There is also a Hilfiger and Coach on the same street!!!

 

And thanks for the info on wine!

[iamwhatiamnot]

It is an Factoryoutlet on Calle del Cristo. There is also a Hilfiger and Coach on the same street!!!

 

And thanks for the info on wine!

 

You have just made one lady very very happy and given her beloved hubby heart failure. Arrrrrrr bless he'l live.

[cruisegal3]

Yes, you will be required to do muster drill again.

 

Yes, the MDR (until 9AM) and WJ (until 8:30AM) are the only places to get breakfast and you must eat during the times specified.

 

You will get a letter in your cabin giving you instructions on turnaround day. You will get your new SeaPass cards the day before debarkation. I hope that you have linked your cruises through the b2b desk to make the transition from the first to the second cruise a smooth one. All information, included credit card information and photo ID are automatically transferred from the first cruise to the second.

 

We have done many b2b's and have found that the pool area and lounges will open up shortly after embarkation has started. The WJ will open with its Welcome Aboard lunch at noon. When in port, the MDR is rarely opened for lunch until the ship is calling on one of it's private islands and a beach barbeque is planned. So you are still getting your moneys worth.

 

Both cruises are handled separately, so at the end of the first cruise your account will be closed and a new account is started. If you have any unused OBC it will not be carried over from the first to the second cruise.

 

 

 

Is the b2b desk onboard or do you link the 2 cruises before you get there?

 

Thanks---

[cruisenfever]

Is the b2b desk onboard or do you link the 2 cruises before you get there?

 

Thanks---

When making your reservation either directly with RCI or a TA, you would tell them at that time and then if booking directly with RCI you will be directed to the b2b desk.............booking through a TA, they will talk with the b2b desk.

[cruisegal3]

When making your reservation either directly with RCI or a TA, you would tell them at that time and then if booking directly with RCI you will be directed to the b2b desk.............booking through a TA, they will talk with the b2b desk.

 

 

I just booked my b2b 3 days ago, direct RCI, and the rep never told me to talk to the b2b desk! Good thing I saw your post. And thanks so much for the info!

[cruisenfever]

I just booked my b2b 3 days ago, direct RCI, and the rep never told me to talk to the b2b desk! Good thing I saw your post. And thanks so much for the info!

Your welcome........goes to show you how much the reps know. :rolleyes: Thank goodness you didn't mention that you are doing a consecutive cruise (aka b2b) heaven only knows where they would have directed you.:D

[cruisegal3]

Your welcome........goes to show you how much the reps know. :rolleyes: Thank goodness you didn't mention that you are doing a consecutive cruise (aka b2b) heaven only knows where they would have directed you.:D

 

 

I'll call them today and have the cruises linked! (IF they know where to send me!!!)

[davekathy]

This is great info as we've booked our first B2B Cruise on the Lberty for March 2011.

[Desert Cruizers]

Patti if you go thru your TA will the linking of the two cruises be done by your TA & RCL or Cruiselines you going on. Thank you for all your great help, I have learned alot in reading your posts as I know others have. Never mind saw your answer in previous post, that your TA will take care of the linking and contacting theproper Dept.

 

Gay

[PSCruiser]

Our one B2B was not the fun day that most people describe. We did a TA on the Independence and B2Bed it with a Caribbean. Maybe it was because of it being a TA, but we were led off the ship as a group, and ended up standing in the terminal (the "warehouse" part where you pick up luggage) for nearly 2 hours, supposedly while customs cleared the ship. Then, when the ship was ready for new passengers, they at first told us just to stand in line and go through embark (except we already had our new cards), until we collectively flipped out, and they ended up escorting us back on as a group. I think this was all due to a few jr. officers that were with us and really didn't know the procedure. Of course back on the ship, the crew did their usual great job of moving our luggage (room change) etc.

[Dragster13]

Our one B2B was not the fun day that most people describe. We did a TA on the Independence and B2Bed it with a Caribbean. Maybe it was because of it being a TA, but we were led off the ship as a group, and ended up standing in the terminal (the "warehouse" part where you pick up luggage) for nearly 2 hours, supposedly while customs cleared the ship. Then, when the ship was ready for new passengers, they at first told us just to stand in line and go through embark (except we already had our new cards), until we collectively flipped out, and they ended up escorting us back on as a group. I think this was all due to a few jr. officers that were with us and really didn't know the procedure. Of course back on the ship, the crew did their usual great job of moving our luggage (room change) etc.

 

Last year we did a B2B out of San Juan and they were just as bad then. You would think they might get it right one of these days.

 

What is suppose to happen is this. You go off the ship touch the dock then go back on the ship. You do not go through custom as you are not getting off the ship, but are what is called " In transit". Now if you decide to go somewhere while in San Juan you can then go off ship and through customs.