Ruby Princess disembarkation process and B2B process

[HaveDogWillTravel]

I am doing a B2B on the Ruby (Nov 22 & Nov 27). I will be moving cabins from Aloha aft to Caribe forward. DH is disembarking. GF is getting to join me for another 10 great days. I know I was very curious about the B2B process that is occurring NOW on the Ruby before we set sail so thought I’d post this info for anyone who is interested. The new bit regarding disembarkation that I really like is that full suite passengers no longer have to go to a staging area and wait. You simply disembark whenever you want to during the disembarkment time. Love, love that new full suite perk on the Ruby. 
‘here’s the pics of the docs. And a cool pic from my balcony last night. 

[caribill]

16 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

The new bit regarding disembarkation that I really like is that full suite passengers no longer have to go to a staging area and wait. You simply disembark whenever you want to during the disembarkment time. Love, love that new full suite perk on the Ruby.

 

 

In the past any B2B passenger could simply disembark once disembarkation started and then reboard once embarkation for new passengers started. This was not a full-suite perk. It was the SOP for everyone.

 

 

 

[susancruzs]

I've never had a staging area with Princess, have with RCI.  However, I've never done a B2B in the U.S., mine have always been overseas ports for cruises + TA, or TA + cruise.  It seemed to me their process was easier than RCI.

 

I'll be on the Ruby in April, coastal cruises.  I'll find out how they handle it in San Francisco.  It will be a new experience, two 7 day cruises, haven't taken a short cruise like this in a long time.

Edited November 27, 2021 by susancruzs

[capriccio]

5 hours ago, caribill said:

 

In the past any B2B passenger could simply disembark once disembarkation started and then reboard once embarkation for new passengers started. This was not a full-suite perk. It was the SOP for everyone.

 

 

 

That has been our experience too.  The only 'staging area' was for all B2B passengers not intending to disembark for a day in port.  Since embarkation of new passengers cannot begin until the passenger load is zeroed out (everyone accounted for as disembarking) all staying on board must meet and be escorted off and back on together.  We had almost an hour wait on one cruise with 800 B2B passengers waiting (which meant standing in the luggage area at terminal 2 at Port Everglades) to reboard because a couple had to be hunted down on the ship.  I'm thinking the Medallions will help solve that problem.

[ghgeckos]

Thanks for posting disembarkation times for the Ruby in SF. Great information for approximate times for my April cruise.

[caribill]

4 hours ago, capriccio said:

We had almost an hour wait on one cruise with 800 B2B passengers waiting (which meant standing in the luggage area at terminal 2 at Port Everglades) to reboard because a couple had to be hunted down on the ship.  I'm thinking the Medallions will help solve that problem.

 

Which is one reason we always tour (either on our own or with the cruise line) on turnaround day in any city.

[capriccio]

5 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Which is one reason we always tour (either on our own or with the cruise line) on turnaround day in any city.

We do too except in Fort Lauderdale since that is home.