Back to Back , what to do

[merinski]

We are going on the Regal Princess in Jan. for a back to back, we are wondering what the process is?

Do we have to get off? ....

Thank you,

[snoozecrooze]

Haven't done a B2B in Galveston before but this is my prior experience at other ports:

1) You will assemble in an area on the ship as indicated by a letter you get the night before (or before that).

2) You will then get off the ship together as a "B2B group" and go into the terminal to "clear immigration" (so bring your documents) and then you'll go out, back through security, and then wait in the holding area to come back onto the ship. B2B cruisers board before anybody else.

 

Are you changing your stateroom? Your steward will help. Most of it is done for you, including the clothes hanging in the closet, but try to organize your belongings to minimize the chance of anything getting lost. Bring anything personal and valuable with you in a backpack. You can also move your stuff over yourself -- just let your steward know beforehand. If you're not changing your room, you don't have to do anything with your belongings.

 

I think that's the gist. Feel free to ask any further questions.

Edited August 15, 2023 by snoozecrooze

[reedprincess]

1 hour ago, merinski said:

We are going on the Regal Princess in Jan. for a back to back, we are wondering what the process is?

Do we have to get off? ....

Thank you,

You'll have two option

 

1) leave during normal disembarkation and go enjoy Galveston as a port day. Return to ship any time after normal boarding has begun and board, etc. You'll have received an In Transit card in the packet of info of your choices; take this with you along with ID when disembarking - you'll show it at immigration and upon return for boarding, thus skipping the normal boarding procedures.

 

2) meet with the group of back to backers in whatever lounge or dining room indicated in your packet of info you received a few days prior.  Once all back to backers are accounted for, you'll either be cleared en masse by an agent right there aboard, or you'll be escorted off the ship as a group, cleared by immigration officials and await reboarding right there in the terminal. Once all clear is given by CBP, you reboard and go about your business..

 

Your choice on which option you go with. 

 

If you're changing cabins, pack up your drawers items and bathroom items in your suitcase and leave hanging items hanging up. Room stewards will move your belongings for you.. 

 

You'll get detailed instructions 2 or so days before turnaround day. It's all very clear. 

Enjoy. 

[merinski]

Thank you! Is there very much of a walk to catch a trolley or bus for Galvaston?

[damiross]

2 hours ago, snoozecrooze said:

Haven't done a B2B in Galveston before but this is my prior experience at other ports:

1) You will assemble in an area on the ship as indicated by a letter you get the night before (or before that).

2) You will then get off the ship together as a "B2B group" and go into the terminal to "clear immigration" (so bring your documents) and then you'll go out, back through security, and then wait in the holding area to come back onto the ship. B2B cruisers board before anybody else.

 

 

While with the other B2Bers, discuss the stupidity of having to go through customs if you had no plans whatsoever to leave the ship between cruises.

[snoozecrooze]

1 hour ago, merinski said:

Thank you! Is there very much of a walk to catch a trolley or bus for Galvaston?

You can walk out of the terminal directly into the city of Galveston. 

[merinski]

12 hours ago, snoozecrooze said:

You can walk out of the terminal directly into the city of Galveston. 

Thank you...

love Snoopy

[merinski]

We are keeping our cabin, so that sounds easy...It really helps to have an idea of what

to expect so thank you both for your help...🙂

[PescadoAmarillo]

Last winter on the Ruby, US Customs and Immigration came right on the ship, eliminating the need to do a walk off. It’s nice when that happens, but it is not guaranteed. 

[marden1970]

1 minute ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Last winter on the Ruby, US Customs and Immigration came right on the ship, eliminating the need to do a walk off. It’s nice when that happens, but it is not guaranteed. 

I wish they would always do that, my hubby needs wheelchair assist for getting off and back on.

[BlerkOne]

 

 

 

 

[memoak]

On our b2b out of Seattle in June we didn’t have to do anything. We got a note in our stateroom that we could get off or not whichever we wanted to do

[SargassoPirate]

2 hours ago, merinski said:

We are keeping our cabin, so that sounds easy...It really helps to have an idea of what

to expect so thank you both for your help...🙂

It's great that you don't have to pack up your drawers and other unmentionables. 😉

[merinski]

It is good that our travel agent was able to do that so we don't have to pack up.

I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but does anyone know if the Regal

has a bar that serves fish & chips, we had it on the Emerald Princess, it was really good...?

[snoozecrooze]

4 hours ago, merinski said:

does anyone know if the Regal has a bar that serves fish & chips

No bar specifically with that on the menu on the Regal, as far as I know. Not sure if Princess has brought back their pub lunch as we don't go, but that's usually the place to go for fish & chips. If there's no pub lunch, then check the buffet's daily assortment. There should be something along the lines of fish & chips on offer.

[merinski]

I did find out that they sometimes serve the pub lunch in other places, like the crown grill.

I guess we will see if they still do it and if it is still free. The fish & Chips were very good...

[marden1970]

We had pub lunch on the Crown in March.

[doghog]

23 hours ago, merinski said:

We are going on the Regal Princess in Jan. for a back to back, we are wondering what the process is?

Do we have to get off? ....

Thank you,

You'll receive a detailed letter in your cabin prior to your TAD explaining the entire process for your specific cruise. 

[merinski]

Sounds good

[Cabunit]

We have done half a dozen BtB cruises.  For what it is worth, here are our experiences:

1.  The process on each turnaround day has been different - no two the same.

2.  We have been mustered ashore for a number of hours and at the other extreme we have spent a few minutes in a bar to get our new identification.

3.  Read and head the letter you get with care, but be ready to have the actual process vary from what was written.  Regardless of what the letter says, bring something to amuse yourself with for a couple of hours.  Life happens...

4.  Find out in advance what the ship's policy is about in-transit passengers accessing their cabin when new passengers are not allowed into their cabins.  If they allow you through the doors, try to do so when new passengers aren't seeing you.  Or have your in-transit pass in your hand and your "elevator speech" about why it is OK ready.  If they don't allow you through the doors, then carefully plan when you are going to leave your cabin after the ship is cleared. 

5.  If your ship has passenger laundries and you wish to use them, turnaround day can be a good time.

6.  If you want to be first in line to sign up for limited availability activities, this is your chance.

7.  Some ships have a general announcement to crew right before new passengers are allowed to board.  Listen if you get a chance - it can be interesting.

8.  Finally, we have had nothing but good vibes from the crew when we were BtB.  Every BtB passenger makes their lives just a little bit easier. 

[BlerkOne]

How does the 1 bottle of carry on wine per voyage work on b2b? Can you carry on 2 bottles on the first voyage?