Planning a back-to-back Princess Cruise. What happens on the day of?

[MCruiser30]

Do I have to get off the ship? Can I leave my stuff? Is it safe to leave stuff in the safe? How long should I expect to be off the ship? Do I have to go through security again? Recheck in, etc?

 

Thanks.

[fishywood]

You will receive detailed instructions a couple days before.

 

Your stuff will be fine, assuming you will be in the same cabin for both legs. The steward will know not to do the usually turnaround day clear-out (and not to leave your door propped open). If you are unable to get the same cabin for both legs they will assist you in moving your luggage.

 

Much of the rest depends on where in the world you are sailing from. In the USA it is mandatory that the ship be "zeroed out" between cruises. You will have the option of being escorted off the ship in a group with all the other B2B-ers and then being allowed back on as soon as the ship is verified as zeroed out (you do not have to go through the check-in procedure again) or you can leave the ship at your leisure as soon as disembarkation starts, but in that case you cannot reboard until general boarding has commenced.

 

In Europe the above is completely unnecessary, you can regard turnaround day the same as any port day.

[Coral]

It depends on where your cruises are.

[moki'smommy]

It depends on the port, whether or not you are staying in the same cabin, and whether you have booked something thru the cruise line for the turnaround day. It even has varied for us at the same port, different years.

 

The one thing that has always been consistent is that we get a letter in the cabin the day before, giving us all the details.

 

If staying in the same cabin, you don't need to do anything with your stuff. If changing cabins, it has ranged from "pack it all up and leave it inside" to "just leave things in the drawers and the closets and the stewards will take care of it." Bottom line--follow the directions.

 

If you are required to get off the ship (all US ports, Barcelona some years, etc). you'll either be instructed to get off yourself by a particular time OR to meet in a particular lounge and be taken off as a group. This depends totally on how many people are doing B2Bs. We've been the only cabin and we've been in situations where there were 125 cabins doing it...so the rules change. When you get off, you will have an "in transit" pass and be the first allowed to re-board. Sometimes we have literally gotten off, thru Customs, and walked right back onto the ship. Other times there was a wait till people were allowed to re-board. That's not an issue if you are exploring the port city or have other plans for that day.

 

You'll have access to your cabin as soon as you board. It also is a good day to do laundry or other dumb chores as those areas of the ship are basically empty.

[nukesubsailor]

Do I have to get off the ship? Can I leave my stuff? Is it safe to leave stuff in the safe? How long should I expect to be off the ship? Do I have to go through security again? Recheck in, etc?

 

Thanks.

 

Your cruise card that you get upon your original check in should show the dates of your entire cruise. If it only shows the dates of your first cruise segment then you will get a card for the second segment delivered to your cabin along with written instructions and an "In-Transit" card a day or two before the first segment of your back-to-back ends. If you want to go ashore or on an excursion take your In-Transit card, passport and cruise card with you. Go through the Immigration check and on to do what you want ashore. When you return to the terminal there will be a marked area for the In-Transit passengers to wait until they are allowed to board the ship. They will be the first allowed to board. You will be told of a time and place to meet if you don't plan on going ashore. Do not be late as nothing can proceed until everyone is there and has been scanned in. Then you will either be led off the ship to the Immigration officers or they will come to your meeting location. After they check your passport you will be free to do as you wish.

[skynight]

Do I have to get off the ship? Can I leave my stuff? Is it safe to leave stuff in the safe? How long should I expect to be off the ship? Do I have to go through security again? Recheck in, etc?

 

Thanks.

As stated, depends on where you are doing the turn around. At foreign ports turn around day is just like any other port day. Get on and off as you wish. At U.S. ports (except Whitter, AK when initial boarding is Vancouver), you must go through immigration. This involves getting off the ship with a staff member, walking through immigration and then walking backing on, or in some cases immigration may come on board. If you are doing the turn around at a U.S. port fully read and follow the instructions EXACTLY. They are very clear and simple.

At any port if you remain in the same cabin, you leave all your stuff, including the safe, just like any other day. Your cabin door remains locked and your steward cleans just like any other day.

Any time you exit the ship you are subject to security.

You do not have to check in again. If you require new cruise cards they will be delivered to your cabin.

[moki'smommy]

We've done 3 B2Bs in Barcelona. The first time, we were not required to disembark or go thru any procedure other than to report to Passenger Services to get a new cruise card. On the next 2, we were required to disembark and there was a delay before we were permitted to reboard. No explanation as to why the difference

[paul929207]

The answer will vary.

 

Just look at the info Princess gives you. It will explain what you need to do and when you need to do it.

[moki'smommy]

The answer will vary.

 

Just look at the info Princess gives you. It will explain what you need to do and when you need to do it.

This is exactly correct and why the first couple of posts made reference to the letter you will receive in your cabin.

If you are planning to tour the port city on your turnaround day, that will be possible.

[sergeant655]

If you go with the group that is escorted off for immigration and then back on after zero count. You do not have to go thru the metal detector as you remain within the terminal secured area . Sometimes you are back onboard before the terminal evens opens to departing passengers

[geoherb]

We've taken back-to-back cruises twice from Fort Lauderdale. We had to exit the ship in a group both times. But when we did the Bon Voyage Experience after a cruise, we found out that the Immigration people had processed the passengers who were doing b2b cruises in the theater.

[Goldenpaw]

We got off in Port Canaveral on our turn around day and walked to a store to pick up a few things. Warning, the Walgreens nearest the pier is a rip-

off. Prices were much higher. We walked a couple more blocks to an Albertsons and did much better.

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

We got off in Port Canaveral on our turn around day and walked to a store to pick up a few things. Warning, the Walgreens nearest the pier is a rip-

off. Prices were much higher. We walked a couple more blocks to an Albertsons and did much better.

 

 

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Port Canaveral? We typically use the Publix there when we need something, but there really isn't anything that is walking distance from any cruise terminal we've used there. Are you sure you aren't thinking of a different port?

[neverbeenhere]

Inquiring minds want to know? What pier is Princess now generally using at Fort Lauderdale?

[moki'smommy]

Inquiring minds want to know? What pier is Princess now generally using at Fort Lauderdale?

On April 1, the Regal Princess was at terminal 2 and the Caribbean Princess was at terminal 19. Seems she was supposed to be at 4, but there was an issue with another ship so she was re-assigned to 19.

[neverbeenhere]

danke schoen

[paul929207]

Terminal 2 is the first Princess terminal. If there are more then two, they will use others.

[PlopPlop]

If you stay on board what can you do? Are the pools open? Is the spa open? Can you get drinks? How long do you have to wait in ‘the holding area’? Can I use the laundry facilities?

In Ft. Lauderdale, if you choose to leave the boat, do you need transport to get to a shopping area?

 

Sorry for the massive amount of questions. We are on a b2b in June and can’t decide what to do that day. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable on the boards. Thank you.

[moki'smommy]

If you stay on board what can you do? Are the pools open? Is the spa open? Can you get drinks? How long do you have to wait in ‘the holding area’? Can I use the laundry facilities?

In Ft. Lauderdale, if you choose to leave the boat, do you need transport to get to a shopping area?

 

Sorry for the massive amount of questions. We are on a b2b in June and can’t decide what to do that day. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable on the boards. Thank you.

Yes to laundry. I do put a note on the machine that I'm "in transit" so the crew doesn't think that someone forgot their stuff and turn it over to lost and found.

Pools are open when they have been cleaned. Spa is not open as they are cleaning and preparing for the open house. Fitness center is open. There is about an hour when the bars are closed. So if you want a beverage, plan on getting it before 10 or after about 11:15. How long you wait ranges from no time at all to over an hour. Typically it is in the little to no time range.

In Ft. Lauderdale, you will have to get off the ship unless there are so many people that Customs agrees to clear them on board.

 

You can work out, do laundry, chill out on deck with no one hogging the deck chairs, visit the library while it is well stocked, etc. Or you can get off and exit the terminal to use your cell phone for internet and phone calls (you can't use it in the Customs portion of the terminal). There is plenty to do in Ft. Lauderdale if you want to use it as an "excursion" sort of day, either on your own or thru the cruise line. Uber was cheap and easy. It is a great time to take photos of the ship without people in them.

[PlopPlop]

Yes to laundry. I do put a note on the machine that I'm "in transit" so the crew doesn't think that someone forgot their stuff and turn it over to lost and found.

Pools are open when they have been cleaned. Spa is not open as they are cleaning and preparing for the open house. Fitness center is open. There is about an hour when the bars are closed. So if you want a beverage' date=' plan on getting it before 10 or after about 11:15. How long you wait ranges from no time at all to over an hour. Typically it is in the little to no time range.

In Ft. Lauderdale, you will have to get off the ship unless there are so many people that Customs agrees to clear them on board.

 

You can work out, do laundry, chill out on deck with no one hogging the deck chairs, visit the library while it is well stocked, etc. Or you can get off and exit the terminal to use your cell phone for internet and phone calls (you can't use it in the Customs portion of the terminal). There is plenty to do in Ft. Lauderdale if you want to use it as an "excursion" sort of day, either on your own or thru the cruise line. Uber was cheap and easy. It is a great time to take photos of the ship without people in them.[/quote']

Thank you so much! I would have never thought to place a note out when doing laundry! Great wealth of information! Much appreciated!

[caribill]

How long do you have to wait in ‘the holding area’? If you are part of the group processing it normally would be about 30 minutes. However, you are not allowed back onto the ship until 100% of the passengers have been processed. Sometimes one or more passengers doesn't realize this applies to them and it can take longer until that person or persons can be found and processed.

 

 

In Ft. Lauderdale, if you choose to leave the boat, do you need transport to get to a shopping area? Much depends on which terminal you are docked at. If at terminal 2, it is a short walk to the nearest port exit and then a few blocks to shopping. If you are at, for example, terminal 19 it is too long to easily and safely walk to the exit.

 

Sorry for the massive amount of questions. We are on a b2b in June and can’t decide what to do that day. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable on the boards. Thank you.

 

see above in red

[paul929207]

We were at terminal 2 and it was an easy walk to the shops on 17th street. It took 10 or 15 minutes each way.We went to Total Wines & more to resupply. :)

[kennicott]

Never did a B2B with a US turnaround. Done a number of them though on Princess and other lines overseas. Only one time did we have to change cabins, and they helped us with the move. Most of the time you hardly notice that you are remaining on while others are disembarking, except there is a lot more room in the buffet and on deck. On Princess, for elites, you receive another free mini-bar setup and have the opportunity to receive new free internet time as if you were just beginning the voyage, plus you get credit for any unused internet time you bought on the first segment.

One area to watch though, is your cruise card. More often than not your original cruise card is dated for both segments. However, not always, sometimes they give you a new one. On one B2B I was talking to a fellow who had been on one and gotten off for a shore excursion or something, when it got time to get back on they wouldn't let him, his card had expired with the first segment. At the time he was relating this story, I was just about to get off and do some port shopping. I looked at my card, and sure enough, it had expired.

[Desert Cruizers]

Since we have sailed mainly RCCL, when we did a b2b, we got new cards. Since they are considered separate cruises, I wouldn't think your Card would carry over unless Princess handles them differently. it has been my understanding your first cruise is closed out and you start back to $0. We were coming off a Transpacific so got our new cards early AM in Honolulu then could exit the ship and do whatever we wanted, returning around 3 PM for the 12 day Hawaii portion. We did customs in Lahaina as that was our first US Port.

[moki'smommy]

On a B2B on Princess, your card may carry over and your folio account will also carry over. Any leftover internet minutes that you purchased on the first leg will also carry over, but might take a trip to the internet cafe to make it happen. I'm not sure about free minutes based on platinum or elite status.

 

You will also get your new infusion of free minutes as well as any OBC tied to the second leg. All of this happened to us on a cruise that was booked as a B2B and was never sold as a single cruise.

 

True. on other lines things were treated as 2 totally separate cruises--new cards, new folios, no carry over of any sort. That was not our experience on Princess.