Staying aboard during turn around day in Ft. Lauderdale

[Mrs. Walkinman]

For the first time, we will be taking a back to back cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. What is the turn around day at the pier like? I know we will have to disembark to clear immigration, but then can we get right back aboard, or do we have to go through the terminal like the new passengers?

 

I think it will be fun to watch the preparations for a new passenger group, while on a mostly empty ship!

[POA1]

For the first time, we will be taking a back to back cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. What is the turn around day at the pier like? I know we will have to disembark to clear immigration, but then can we get right back aboard, or do we have to go through the terminal like the new passengers?

 

I think it will be fun to watch the preparations for a new passenger group, while on a mostly empty ship!

 

You may not even have to get off. We didn't last year. It will depend on the # of in-transit passengers and the whims of the TSA/Immigration.

 

Here's a link to our turnaround procedure from last year, including a scan of the paperwork we got.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44909317&highlight=turnaround#post44909317

[iflyrc5]

For the first time, we will be taking a back to back cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. What is the turn around day at the pier like? I know we will have to disembark to clear immigration, but then can we get right back aboard, or do we have to go through the terminal like the new passengers?

 

I think it will be fun to watch the preparations for a new passenger group, while on a mostly empty ship!

 

We have done this multiple times and it has varied a little each time. Basically those that are on a B2B are told to meet at a certain place (usually the showroom at sea) at a certain time (usually 0930) with passport in hand. We are then escorted off and go through the emigration line - then depending on the circumstances sometimes we are moved to a location were we can sit and wait to get back on and other times we have just lined back up and are back on the ship in just a few minutes. We need to wait until the head count on the ship gets down to zero. We are normally back on the ship in less than an hour. Reminder that some things (like the gym) may not available on turn around days.

[POA1]

I should also add that it's a great feeling to see all that luggage out in the hall when the first segment is over and you realize that your suitcases aren't among them. :D

 

Not so much fun the next week when you have to get off though. :(

[POA1]

I don't know if it's clear from my post, but they zeroed us out while we were all in the show lounge. It would have been a quick procedure, but two passengers decided to ignore the instructions and security found them in the hot tub. The pax were eventually corralled and brought to the showroom in their robes and swimsuits. Security got a round of applause. The two passengers got other noises, none of which involved clapping.

[TrolleyGirl]

We too got to stay onboard on our last B2B. We went to the showroom as others have mentioned for about 40 minutes. After that we had the entire ship to roam nearly to ourselves. The cruise we were on the fitness center was getting all new treadmills. The new tread mills were lowered onto the ship via crane to the lido pool area. It was interesting to see how the ship handles these tasks we never even think about. From the aft pool area we watched the new shipments of food come aboard.

 

When we initially booked the B2B I thought I would feel as though I missed out on a cruise day on turn around day. But in reality I really enjoyed our turn around day. But I am a person who loves to know about the inner workings of any industry. I love factory tours and talking to people in all different vocations.

[ithaca gal]

The process on our B2B was just as Trolley Girl described. The process was completely painless.

 

(I know what you mean about enjoying factory tours. On our B2B cruise last year we met someone who invited us to visit them and the husband gave us a personal tour of the plant where he works! We had a great time and look forward to cruising with them again!)

[SeaBands]

and I hope that is now the procedure for FLL. They should take an early roll call so they can get the stragglers to show up so others don't have to wait. lose all pools and gym facilities and cabin stewards should tell the passengers to go to the lounge. The printed instructions should give a definate time to report. Maybe offer a drawing for those who show up on time.

[kazu]

and I hope that is now the procedure for FLL. They should take an early roll call so they can get the stragglers to show up so others don't have to wait. lose all pools and gym facilities and cabin stewards should tell the passengers to go to the lounge. The printed instructions should give a definate time to report. Maybe offer a drawing for those who show up on time.

 

Ha! ha! on the drawing of a prize for those that show up on time. I love that idea. Even if it is a pin, I bet that would motivate a number of people.

 

You really should send that idea off to HAL - it's a good one IMO ;)

[POA1]

and I hope that is now the procedure for FLL. They should take an early roll call so they can get the stragglers to show up so others don't have to wait. lose all pools and gym facilities and cabin stewards should tell the passengers to go to the lounge. The printed instructions should give a definate time to report. Maybe offer a drawing for those who show up on time.

I don't think that any incentives would have worked on our two stragglers. We had several hundred people who read their instructions and reported to the lounge. Two people did not. There's no good way to fix that. The good news is that the ship had coffees, waters, and snacks while we were waiting. We probably lost about 20-25 minutes due to the hot tubbers, but that's all. We were up in our cabana by 10:30.

[Fouremco]

I don't think that any incentives would have worked on our two stragglers. We had several hundred people who read their instructions and reported to the lounge. Two people did not. There's no good way to fix that. The good news is that the ship had coffees, waters, and snacks while we were waiting. We probably lost about 20-25 minutes due to the hot tubbers, but that's all. We were up in our cabana by 10:30.

I'd wager that they were late for muster drill too! :rolleyes:

[ON cruiser]

We have done 2 back-to-backs over the years. On the first we stayed on board. There was little to do, and we tried to stay out of the way of the busy crew. The second time we did a great tour, of the canals and historic area of Ft Lauderdale. It was a nice way to pass the time, and some of the real estate off the canals, which could be easily seen from our tour boat, was an interesting glance at the "one percent".

 

The best was going to the airport to drop off those departing, yet getting to return to the ship for another cruise. Of course as POA stated above, alas our turn to leave came all too soon!

 

Enjoy your turn-around day, however you spend it.

[serendipity1499]

POA Just read 13 pages of your B2B last year..Love Poohby Joe..:) Plan on reading the rest tonight..Thanks for sharing your cruise with us..

 

Hope our B2B on Eurodam is as painless in Fort Lauderdale next month & we'll be able to stay on board..

[sail7seas]

When we first started doing b-to-b cruises way back in the 90's, we often were among only 6-10 other guests who stayed aboard for another cruise. For many reasons, b-to-b's became so popular and so many people doing them, HAL started offering Collector's cruises which are two segments sold as one.

 

OP, to avoid disappointment, don't count on the ship being 'empty' and you being one of a few staying aboard. Most cruises these days, there are lots of people doing the same thing.

 

We often stayed aboard on turnaround day but also would go to a hotel where we have friends and would use their pool and lunch on their patio etc. Gave us a chance to visit with friends and if the weather was nice, it was a great day.

 

[sail7seas]

We have done 2 back-to-backs over the years. On the first we stayed on board. There was little to do, and we tried to stay out of the way of the busy crew. The second time we did a great tour, of the canals and historic area of Ft Lauderdale. It was a nice way to pass the time, and some of the real estate off the canals, which could be easily seen from our tour boat, was an interesting glance at the "one percent".

 

The best was going to the airport to drop off those departing, yet getting to return to the ship for another cruise. Of course as POA stated above, alas our turn to leave came all too soon!

 

Enjoy your turn-around day, however you spend it.

 

Water Taxi ride is a lovely way to spend some time on turnaround day. We did it a number of times and always found it very pleasant.

 

We would hop on at Hyatt Pier 66 Marina and either get off near Galleria or continue riding around for a while.