back to back cruise

[trub]

hi,

 

does anyone know if you have to get off the ship, when arriving back at fort lauderdale in the middle of a back to back cruise? I cant seem to find any info on the HAL website.

 

thanks , as always, in advance.

[momatibm]

hi,

 

does anyone know if you have to get off the ship, when arriving back at fort lauderdale in the middle of a back to back cruise? I cant seem to find any info on the HAL website.

 

thanks , as always, in advance.

 

On all my previous b2b/collector's cruises, we've had to leave the ship while it zeroes down, check in with immigration in the terminal and were then allowed back on board -- once clearance is given.

 

You will receive a letter the night before with instructions and an 'in transit' card.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes you do -- you have to go through immigration -- so you will need your passport.

The day before your first cruise ends you will get a letter indicating what you are to do the next day. You will also get "Intransit" cards which you need to take with you along with your passports.

You will be told where to meet and what time -- usually around 9:30. Intransit people are the last off the ship. As a rule someone from the front office will escort the entire group off at the same time. Then you will go down through the luggage terminal -- show your passport to the officials and procedd back up to the waiting room. Once the ship gets down to "zero" count -- no passengers left on the ship -- then you can get back on the ship. Sometimes we have waited only 15 minutes to back onto the ship. A few times we have waited nearly 1 1/2 hours.

Hopefully you have the same cabin. If not, your cabin stewards can help you move to your new cabin.

[KirkNC]

Since your turn around is in the US, yes you will have to get off. Outside the US you do not, it is just like another port day.

[trub]

thanks for the information , much appreciated

[sail7seas]

 

If you have the same cabin, you leave all your personal property in place in your cabin.

The last night of your first segment, you will receive a letter telling you the requirement for Immigration clearance, when and how to go and dining hours for 'turnaround day'.

 

You will have to exit the ship, go into the terminal with your passport and clear Immigration. You will not be permitted back aboard until the ship has 'zeroed down' meaning all who are meant to be leaving have done so.

 

You can choose to either go as a group following the instructions as to where to meet or you can go on your own. We always go on our own. There has been some negative conversation that you must go with the whole crowd but that is not true. In a very large number of b-to-b, we have always gone on our own and security at the gangway, CBP Officials in the Terminal, Shore Operations people in the terminal and Security when we reboard all have told us it is fine and never have we had a problem.

 

We always wait until they call the last of the disembarkation colors/numbers and go then as that usually should mean a short wait ashore. Our average wait has been in the range of 30-45 minutes but it can vary. If there is a selfish idiot who takes their sweet time about leaving despite repeated calls to disembark, no one can board until they leave.

 

You can reboard by just clearing through security but no need to go to the check in lines or get a 'number'.

 

You should bring the 'in transit card' that will be enclosed with the letter you receive and your ship's ID, as always.

 

B-to-b's are fabulous. We've done a great many and always enjoyed each and every one.

[trub]

thsnk you for your concise reply - it sounds like a breeze - yes looking forward to it as it will be nice to go round again as it were!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I see that you are from England.

There is the possibility that you may be required to have immigration on the ship -- happens sometimes - that information will be in your letter -- as you are a foreignor.

But you will still be required to get off the ship.

We like to go with the group -- get to meet others who are doing the back-to-back. One time we had such a large group they were serving cookies and coffee in the show lounge.

[sail7seas]

There were about 370 of us on Westerdam doing Collectors our last cruise. Surprising there were so many.

I remember the days when there was just a handful of us more often than not.

 

If it's a pretty day, we enjoy being outside rather than sitting inside the terminal. I'd rather be in the fresh air than hanging around inside.

 

Choices...... it's great to have choices. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Last year on the Noordam we had 520. Largest group we have ever had.

[OVgirl]

On our last Nieuw Amsterdam cruise there were over 1,000 people doing the B2B.

We also had to wait about 20 minutes extra, as they couldn't find 2 passengers.

[sail7seas]

On our last Nieuw Amsterdam cruise there were over 1,000 people doing the B2B.

We also had to wait about 20 minutes extra, as they couldn't find 2 passengers.

 

 

That's amazing.... around half the guests were on for two cruises. Wow.....

 

[PathfinderEss]

Since your turn around is in the US, yes you will have to get off. Outside the US you do not, it is just like another port day.

I'm not sure your totally correct on this one, we had to get off the ship in Vancouver, BC. and go back thru immigration before re embarking for the second part of our cruise.

[sail7seas]

In Montreal for our Maasdam turnarounds, we do not have to leave the ship.

We choose to as we love that city but it is not required.

[NMLady]

On all my previous b2b/collector's cruises, we've had to leave the ship while it zeroes down, check in with immigration in the terminal and were then allowed back on board -- once clearance is given.

 

You will receive a letter the night before with instructions and an 'in transit' card.

 

On our b2b, ta then Western Caribbean, from Dover England we landed in Port Canaveral and did not have to leave the ship. Immigration check was done on board. That was on NCL though so maybe that made the difference? Or was it the port that made the difference?

[bishop84]

I'm not sure your totally correct on this one, we had to get off the ship in Vancouver, BC. and go back thru immigration before re embarking for the second part of our cruise.

 

Was that for Canadian Border Services or for US Customs & Border Protection? Just asking as CBP usually clear you Alaska when you board in Vancouver.

[Joline21]

We are on a 14 night fly cruise from the UK going from Ft Lauderdale. We notice that we return to Ft Lauderdale 7 days later and then on to other ports for the next 7 days. Does this mean this cruise is a back to back one? If that is the case do we also have to get off and go through immigration again. Our Travel Agents have not told us this. Also, will we keep the same cabin?

[sail7seas]

We are on a 14 night fly cruise from the UK going from Ft Lauderdale. We notice that we return to Ft Lauderdale 7 days later and then on to other ports for the next 7 days. Does this mean this cruise is a back to back one? If that is the case do we also have to get off and go through immigration again. Our Travel Agents have not told us this. Also, will we keep the same cabin?

 

Yes, you will have to go into the terminal on your turnaround day and clear Immigration.

 

Your TA may not have a grasp of U.S. law entitled Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) and may have not thought to mention it. There is no reason she needed to, actually. If you don't wish to stay off the ship for the day or any extended amount of time, you will be permitted back aboard as soon as all who are going ashore have done so. That normally happens by about 10:30-10:45 at the latest....WITH EXCEPTIONS. Just wait to leave the ship until they are calling the last numbers/colors for disembarkation. You then will not have to wait long to reboard.

 

If you wish to remain off the ship to enjoy FLL, you can go as soon as they begin disembarkation.

 

You likely have the same cabin but you have to confirm that with your TA.

[Joline21]

Thank you sail7seas for your helpful comments. We will be wanting to spend the day in Ft Lauderdale. When do we go through Immigration, before we go into FL or on our arrival back to the ship?

[momatibm]

Thank you sail7seas for your helpful comments. We will be wanting to spend the day in Ft Lauderdale. When do we go through Immigration, before we go into FL or on our arrival back to the ship?

 

You will go before you go out of the terminal. When you come back, since you will have an 'in transit' card, you can bypass everything except security to get back on the ship

[sail7seas]

When you enter the terminal from the ship, you will be directed to Customs and Border Patrol Immigration. They will check you passport and you will then be free to go out and about around FLL. Be sure to return in time for lifeboat drill. It is now required we attend the drill the second week of b-to-b's.

 

When you return to the ship, show your 'in transit card' and your ID and you will go directly to x-ray security check and back aboard. You will bypass the check in lines. You will have to show your ID again when you proceed for reboarding but it is not an Immigration check..... it is the usual ID we show everyday in port when we return to the dock.

 

Enjoy. :)

 

[Joline21]

Thank you everyone. It's good to be pre-warned about all of this. This is our first time on Holland & America and the Westerdam. Really looking forward to it.

[Joline21]

Thank you everyone. This is our first cruise on Holland & America on the Westerdam and we are really looking forward to it.

[RonJoan]

SAIL,

We read your response for Joline. We hava a similar situation but ARE NOT starting from outside the U.S. We will fly from CA to Tampa and board the Ryndam for 2 weeks for leg 1 and return to Tampa for 1 day and then leave Tampa the same day for 7 days on the 2nd leg. While in Tampa between the two legs we want to leave the ship and spend time in the Tampa Aquarium. Help us please understand what that means for us and any special actions we must take.

 

RonJoan

[sail7seas]

IF I understand you correctly, the end of your first cruise segment has you returning to Tampa, where you started? You then sail same day on your second segment?

 

IF that is the case, you will have to clear Immigration in Tampa when the first cruise ends. As an 'in transit', which means you are continuing on the next voyage, you can leave the ship and clear Immigration as soon as they start disembarkation.

 

Take your passports, in transit cards (which you will be given) and your ship's ID. Clear Immigration and go on your way out and about around Tampa as you wish. You will be free to enjoy whatever activities interest you.

 

When you return to the ship, you will only have to show your in transit card and ID/ship's card and you go directly to security x-ray and do not have to stand in check in line.

 

Be sure to return to the ship in time for life boat drill. You will have to attend it again on your second segment.

 

You will receive a letter in your cabin the last day of your first cruise which will give explicit instructions as well as breakfast/lunch hours etc

 

It is really very easy. Nothing confusing about it.

Enjoy...

Tampa is a nice port from which to sail. We sailed from there 3 times and really liked it as pre and post cruise port.