b2b turn around day bliss

[Redtravel]

Just did a b2b on the Summit. Having heard various stories about the inconvenience when changing cruises, I was amazed at how well the process was handled. We were asked to assemble in the Reflections Lounge at 9:45. As soon as the ship count was zero, CBP checked our new sea cards and passports, got new photos taken, and was ready to cruise again. Some people left the ship earlier with transit passes and did the check on when they returned to the ship. There were no long lines or wait to reboard.

[alcpa1]

Had the same experience in December.

The only issue is the lack of clear information preceeding the cruise and the different procedures for different ships and ports. Consistency would be a phenomenon across the fleet or is that too much to ask of Celebrity?

[Northern Aurora]

Had the same experience in December.

The only issue is the lack of clear information preceeding the cruise and the different procedures for different ships and ports. Consistency would be a phenomenon across the fleet or is that too much to ask of Celebrity?

 

We rarely do a single cruise leg; we almost always do B2B or B2B2B series. While the turnaround day procedures can vary greatly, we never have experienced a lack of clear information regarding the turnaround day procedure. We've always found the succinct instruction letter regarding the turnaround day to be very clear.

[kalypso333]

Cbp?

[SheriffJoe]

We are doing our 1st B2B on Solstice in May, so you are saying you didn't even have to get off the ship and they just handled everything onboard with the new cards etc? That would be awesome...

[cruisestitch]

CBP -- Customs and Border Patrol

 

In general when you are in the US on your B2B day, you must leave the ship, pass through the Immigration desk, and then can re-board the ship being the last people off and then the first people back on.

 

When not in the US, you often get your new SeaPass card on the last night of cruise 1 and don't need to do anything on turnaround day except move cabins if you don't have the same room for both legs.

 

However, anything is possible. You might be doing the B2B in the US and find that you don't have to leave the ship, but I wouldn't count on in.

[Keith1010]

In USA Ports everyone staying has to get off the ship because the ship cannot be cleared until you are off. That is a immigration requirement. Once cleared you can return.

 

In almost every other port outside the USA you can stay on board if you are continuing on for the next cruise or go off and come back as if you are in any port of call.

 

Keith

[misha1]

On our recent B2B in Fort Lauderdale on Connie, we met at a bar, recieved our new cards, were escorted off the ship (to the terminal hall where you would enter the walkway to the ship), we were met by immigration at that entrance, passports checked...walked back on, new picture...glass of champagne, went to the pool as the first on board. It was awesome. Also received a turn around day lunch in Bistro. 10 minutes tops

[Redtravel]

The b2b procedure is new this year. It makes doing a b2b cruise very easy. The b2b was in San Juan. United States. The US Customs and Boarder Control officials came on the ship and checked our id and passports in the lounge. We never had to get off the ship. Later that day, we did leave and go into Old San Juan. When we returned we did not have to stand in line or check in again.

[Redtravel]

We are doing our 1st B2B on Solstice in May, so you are saying you didn't even have to get off the ship and they just handled everything onboard with the new cards etc? That would be awesome...

 

No need to get off the ship. Just met in the lounge, turned in the old sea pass, received the new sea pass, had the US Customs Border Control officials check our passports, had our photo taken for the new sea pass, and left the lounge. It took 5 minutes total.

There was also a private luncheon for the b2b guests. We did not go to the lunch since we went into Old San Juan. We did hear that the lunch was very good.

This is one thing that Celebrity/US Customs has improved. Enjoy!

[MR_T]

No need to get off the ship. Just met in the lounge, turned in the old sea pass, received the new sea pass, had the US Customs Border Control officials check our passports, had our photo taken for the new sea pass, and left the lounge. It took 5 minutes total.

There was also a private luncheon for the b2b guests. We did not go to the lunch since we went into Old San Juan. We did hear that the lunch was very good.

This is one thing that Celebrity/US Customs has improved. Enjoy!

 

 

This sounds great, we are doing a B2B in March so hopefully this will be the system being used in Miami... [emoji4]

[davekathy]

Just did a b2b on the Summit. Having heard various stories about the inconvenience when changing cruises, I was amazed at how well the process was handled. We were asked to assemble in the Reflections Lounge at 9:45. As soon as the ship count was zero, CBP checked our new sea cards and passports, got new photos taken, and was ready to cruise again. Some people left the ship earlier with transit passes and did the check on when they returned to the ship. There were no long lines or wait to reboard.

 

That also has been our experience on all of our B2B Cruises. We always have the same cabin for both legs of the B2B Cruise.

[jules815]

We've done several B2B's with RC. Always a smooth procedure. Best night of the trip is that last night of the first week. :)

[flyingv4me]

Interesting.

 

A few weeks ago on Silhouette we met at the Passport Bar (86 of us from what I heard), then were led off ship once everyone else had finally left. They took our old card from us after its final "donk" and returned them to us via our stateroom attendant the next day. Once off the ship, we waited a rather long period of time (unknown reason). Someone from Celebrity came around and distributed our new cards and we were allowed back on board with a new picture taken with our first "donk". :)

 

Lunch was provided for all B2B people interested in Blu. Very nice meal. We also received a free bag of laundry a few days before the end of the first cruise, which was greatly appreciated.

 

Overall, the process was painless. We like to keep the same stateroom for both cruises, so turnaround day is actually a pretty fun day!

[Barwick Cruiser]

No need to get off the ship. Just met in the lounge, turned in the old sea pass, received the new sea pass, had the US Customs Border Control officials check our passports, had our photo taken for the new sea pass, and left the lounge. It took 5 minutes total.

There was also a private luncheon for the b2b guests. We did not go to the lunch since we went into Old San Juan. We did hear that the lunch was very good.

This is one thing that Celebrity/US Customs has improved. Enjoy!

 

This is great info, Redtravel, thanks! We are boarding on the 13th for a b2b and glad that we don't have to actually leave the ship on turnaround day. Do you remember where the private luncheon was held?

Cathy

[chemmo]

Only ever done one B2B so far...It was so relaxing last night of first cruise when others were discussing packing, transport to airport....We had a relaxing breakfast in our room and from the veranda watched others leave. We completed the escorted disembark/re-embark and again stood on our veranda and watched new people come on board....We went to dine in Olympic and were treated as old friends...

 

What is not to like about B2B, wish we could do more!

[MR_T]

Hi, would be interested to hear of any recent B2Backers and their experience of the change over day... Especially on the reflection! We board on the 5th so hopefully what was reported a couple of post ago that you no longer have to get off is now the standard process... [emoji4]

Edited February 17, 2016 by MR_T

[davwen81]

If you have a private tour or want to get off early can you do this too? We are doing b2b next year on Infiniy and want to go to Colonia de Sacramento by ferry on changeover day, so we'd have to catch a ferry at 8.30 am. Would this be doable or should I look for a later departure??? Thanks Wendy

[maherp]

We did B2B on Reflection in February. We wanted to explore Miami on changeover day so collected our passes from Guest relations. The only downside was that we had to queue with all other passengers getting off to go through Immigration.

Once we came back on board we showed our new passes and Security took our photos at the gate.

[MR_T]

We did B2B on Reflection in February. We wanted to explore Miami on changeover day so collected our passes from Guest relations. The only downside was that we had to queue with all other passengers getting off to go through Immigration.

Once we came back on board we showed our new passes and Security took our photos at the gate.

 

 

Do you know what the process was for people wanting to stay onboard? Did they have to get off to clear customs or was it done onboard?

 

Thanks

[flyingv4me]

Do you know what the process was for people wanting to stay onboard? Did they have to get off to clear customs or was it done onboard?

 

Thanks

 

We had to get off the ship for customs in January on the Silhouette out of Ft. Lauderdale. YMMV.

[davekathy]

Do you know what the process was for people wanting to stay onboard? Did they have to get off to clear customs or was it done onboard?

 

Thanks

 

We've done B2B Cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and San Juan. At all 3 locations we elected to stay on the ship but we were still required to get off the ship to clear customs. Fast and easy.