Back to back cruises

[ColleenMother]

We are sailing in Feb doing back to back cruises, have the same cabin for both cruises and I'm wondering what we have to do on the last day of the first cruise before starting the second. Can we leave our clothes, etc in the cabin and I heard we have to debark so was wondering when we can get back on. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[CWcruisers]

You will receive a letter the last night of the first cruise telling you where to meet the next day. Leave everything in your cabin and meet at the appointed place. Once everyone is off the ship, a ship's officer will escort you off to customs where you turn in your customs card. Then you will be escorted back on the ship and given a new Sail and Sign card.

 

Usually, you meet around 10:00 and get back on pretty quickly.

[luckycruzer]

they might change areas..I always ell my 1st CS that I'm a B2B....all you need to have with you will be..passport, SnS card, next cruze docs, . you will get a letter to tell u where to be @ a certain time, and will be lead thru to check in once again.Quickly tho, and get right back on..ship to yourself !

[dceeeee]

When you do a B2B, don't they have the same shows? Seems to me that it would be pretty boring, but there must be SOMETHING that draws people to do this...please explain?

[SkyMaster]

When you do a B2B, don't they have the same shows? Seems to me that it would be pretty boring, but there must be SOMETHING that draws people to do this...please explain?

 

I guess if you only sail for the shows, and you were able to see 'em all on your first cruise, then YES, it would be pretty boring the second cruise. I LOVE the shows, but can't always catch them all, and I've found that there are lots and lots of other things to do aboard, and in the ports, besides the shows. I personally, LOVE doing B-2-B cruises.

 

"SKY"

[TrqoisWtrs]

When you do a B2B, don't they have the same shows? Seems to me that it would be pretty boring, but there must be SOMETHING that draws people to do this...please explain?

 

Its nice to do a B2B on a ship that alternates itineraries. I've been on the Imagination where the 4 day goes to Key West and Coz, and then the next cruise does a 3 day to Nassau. Plus in that particular case, I only had to take a week off work, but it counted as 2 cruises towards the old way to Platinum. :D

[LittleJeanne]

I'm doing my 1st B2B later this fall. It will be my version of a B2B anyway.

 

I'm doing a 5 day on the Elation that debark on a Saturday. I'll be back at the port on Sunday morning to get on the Conquest. I found 2 great deals that I just couldn't pass up. I kept trying to decide which one to take and finally decided to book both of them.

[what to go here and there]

We are doing our first B2B --- Alaska

reason why-- it's a bucket trip and with the expense of our flight cost and flight time ... it will take us all day to get there.. it is not a 2 to 3 hour flight for us. We doubt that we would get back to do this trip twice-our bucket list is always filled. one done, one to replace it-- there is so much to see and do that we felt we could not do justice of this trip and only doing it all in 7 days.. I could careless about the shows -- for us it is all about the scenery .. Will we be bored.... not a chance, will we enjoy ourselves without a doubt we will ... We planned this trip 565 days out down to 13 days before we leave ... whoo ! :D

[okgirl]

It's also good to let Guest Services know that you are B2B sometime midweek of the 1st week. They have a list and you need to be sure that you are on it. On the Breeze we assembled in the main show theater and someone from Guest Services came and in batches took our S&S cards and then returned them to us along with our new S&S cards and an "In Transit" card. We were escorted off the ship turned in our customs card and got right back off the ship.

 

If I had wanted to go ashore, I could have used the In Transit card to come back into the terminal and go right onto the ship even if embarkation hadn't started.

 

My last B2B we got a nice fruit/cheese/wine basket from the Hotel director, and since I had just gotten my On Us card in the casino, I spoke to a casino host and ask if I would have to requalify the next week and she said no. Just come see her when the casino opened the 1st evening and she would give me one right then.

[Lovefuninthesun]

Boy, a B2B is on my bucket list!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Cruise Critic App

[okgirl]

Boy, a B2B is on my bucket list!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Cruise Critic App

 

I love them. I've only done two true B2B's, I did do a disjointed B2B, got off the Magic on Sunday and got on the Triumph on Monday.

 

My job made it difficult for me to be away for 2 weeks, but now I'm retired and my biggest consideration is the cost of getting to the embarkation port. If I have to fly, like I did on the Breeze in January I just go ahead and book a B2B.

[Cruisin'Doc]

B2B's are definitely the best!

 

Be sure your steward AND customer service know you are doing a B2B. As has been said, you will get a letter saying when/where to meet (10 am/lobby).

 

My experience was that when they were ready (ie. when there were around 100 people left on the ship), a ship's officer came to escort us off of the ship. We used our old S&S card to ding out (as normal), and she escorted us down to customs (she would stop lines of other passengers debarking to let us through). We went through customs (have your S&S card, customs declaration, and passport ready), and we were then escorted to the VIP check-in. This was regardless of whether or not you were Platinum, Gold, etc. This is just where they held the check-in for B2B guests. We were told we did not have to have our cruise docs since they knew we were returning and we were being escorted. They checked us right in (and gave us new S&S cards), though we had to wait a few minutes until everyone had cleared the ship to reboard. Then, they escorted us right back onto the ship.

 

-If staying in the same cabin, no need to pack or do anything. Think of it as a day in port.

-If staying in the same cabin, at some point it might be a good idea to find out if you are going to have the same steward if you intend to tip above/beyond the gratuities on your S&S card. Otherwise, your steward might move on during your second leg of the B2B.

-We were told there were two 'options.' The one I just described, or using the 'in transit' option. Using this option, we could exit at any time, however, we could only reboard after boarding started. However, it gives one time to explore the city, etc.

-We, as well, received the fruit basket/wine from the Hotel Director. I have heard that they sometimes forget, however, so I was not expecting it until it came.

 

Enjoy! It definitely makes you feel special, and it's a great experience!

[Lisa0719]

Have done 2 B2B and never received anything from the Hotel Director. Will be doing my next one in January on the Liberty . . .

 

On the first, we had to change rooms, but the second we didn't. Easy peasy. Loved having the ship to ourselves for about an hour or so before reboarding started.

[sand33647]

We have done b2b several times on the Paradise. Each time it was cheaper for 9 days than 7. Have stayed in the same cabin and also changed cabins. If you change cabins, let the room steward know and they will move everything for you. We did pack everything that was folded just to make it easier for the steward, but left the hanging clothes. We have never been required to disembark or go through customs. We got the letter with instructions to go to Guest Services during a certain time and have new S&S card done. We usually go to the Serenity deck out back with books in hand and watch the world go by. Occasionally a crew member will ask if we are b2b, but frequently they just smile and go on about their work. Love those b2bs!

[camarowesley]

We have done b2b several times on the Paradise. Each time it was cheaper for 9 days than 7. Have stayed in the same cabin and also changed cabins. If you change cabins, let the room steward know and they will move everything for you. We did pack everything that was folded just to make it easier for the steward, but left the hanging clothes. We have never been required to disembark or go through customs. We got the letter with instructions to go to Guest Services during a certain time and have new S&S card done. We usually go to the Serenity deck out back with books in hand and watch the world go by. Occasionally a crew member will ask if we are b2b, but frequently they just smile and go on about their work. Love those b2bs!

We are doing a B2B in October and have to change rooms. I know several threads have said the steward moves you, but do you pack all your belongs or does the steward, specifically toiletries, items in drawers, shoes , etc . We are also moving from starboard to port side, do we need to introduce ourself to the steward for the 2nd leg.

[Plant]

We have never been required to disembark or go through customs. We got the letter with instructions to go to Guest Services during a certain time and have new S&S card done.

 

I'm wondering how you did B2B's without getting off the ship and going through customs?? Were you cruising US ports? We've done many B2B's and ALWAYS have had to go through US customs.

 

We are doing a B2B in October and have to change rooms. I know several threads have said the steward moves you, but do you pack all your belongs or does the steward, specifically toiletries, items in drawers, shoes , etc . We are also moving from starboard to port side, do we need to introduce ourself to the steward for the 2nd leg.

 

IMO, I'd pack up everything except your hanging clothes. You are correct that the Room Steward will move your stuff, but he/she isn't a butler (who would do all those things :)). Yes, you should introduce yourselves to your new Room Steward (if they don't beat you to it!).

[Elaine5715]

We are doing a B2B in October and have to change rooms. I know several threads have said the steward moves you, but do you pack all your belongs or does the steward, specifically toiletries, items in drawers, shoes , etc . We are also moving from starboard to port side, do we need to introduce ourself to the steward for the 2nd leg.

 

They move your packed luggage and garment bags. So you pack everything and put it all together ..I would put it on the luggage pad.

[BARBARA J.W.]

We are doing a B2B in October and have to change rooms. I know several threads have said the steward moves you, but do you pack all your belongs or does the steward, specifically toiletries, items in drawers, shoes , etc . We are also moving from starboard to port side, do we need to introduce ourself to the steward for the 2nd leg.

 

 

BTBs are great.......

Afew of my BTBs,I had to change cabins.....

I packed all of my belongings ..

I met the new Cabin Steward ,,,,,,he had my new cabin

cleaned early,,,,,I moved my luggage myself.....

Stewards are sooooo busy.................

[Sparky2]

Have done 2 B2B and never received anything from the Hotel Director. Will be doing my next one in January on the Liberty . . .

 

On the first, we had to change rooms, but the second we didn't. Easy peasy. Loved having the ship to ourselves for about an hour or so before reboarding started.

 

Hope you receive the fruit basket & wine on your January Liberty B2B. We're also doing B2B on Liberty - same cabin.

 

This will be our 3rd B2B. We've received the fruit basket/wine on both of the previous ones so hope we do again.

[Sparky2]

Both of our previous B2B cruises, we've had to disembark and go through customs and back on again.

 

In 2008 for our first B2B, there were only about 10 of us in the B2B group.

 

This past January there were about 80 of us doing B2B, probably to get their 10 cruises in to become Platinum. That's what we did.

 

By the way, even though we don't change cabins, I usually clear off the dresser & bathroom shelves so the steward can do a more thorough cleaning job without having to move our stuff. It's easy enough to just put the stuff in a drawer or on a shelf in the closet.

[sand33647]

Don't know why we have never had to go through customs at the end of the first leg on Paradise. Paradise out of Tampa goes to Cozumel on 4 day and Cozumel and Grand Cayman on 5 day. Every time we have been the only ones doing the b2b. I guess they could have made us get off and back on but they just gave us a time frame to be at guest services to get the new S&S card. It's quite nice to have the entire boat to ourselves!:)

[Powriv]

When you do a B2B, don't they have the same shows? Seems to me that it would be pretty boring, but there must be SOMETHING that draws people to do this...please explain?

 

 

I will be completing my second B2B this January. First one was a great experience.

 

To travel from Pacific West Coast to Florida isn't cheap so would rather fly once and cruise for 2 weeks than pay two flights for two cruises of one week each. Shows are great and may hit them both weeks, but there are lots of things to do every night to not be bored

 

A good thing about same itinerary both weeks is there is no great rush to go ashore on both times in same port...might be more fun to stay on board relaxing on pool deck

 

Try it, you might like it :D

[CRUZBUDS]

I'm wondering how you did B2B's without getting off the ship and going through customs?? Were you cruising US ports? We've done many B2B's and ALWAYS have had to go through US customs.

 

We've only done two B2B, both from San Diego. In that port customs is done in a lounge around 6:00. The only people that need to report there are non-US citizens and B2B. After all of those are cleared, they start calling numbers. Everyone else just hands in there custom forms as they exit the baggage area, or sometimes at the foot of the gangway.

 

We were not required to get off the ship. Our new cards were in our cabin the night before.

 

We are doing B2B on the Conquest in October. We told our T/A what cabins we were interested in and asked her not to present any that were not available for both legs, we are looking for easy and relaxing. :)

[GAHart]

Can you bring your allotted wine and drinks for both cruises at the beginning ?

[okgirl]

Can you bring your allotted wine and drinks for both cruises at the beginning ?

 

Yes, just have your boarding pass for both cruises when you check in for the 1st.