B2B Cruises

[DJSteve552003]

I have been on 15 cruises but never a B2B. I'm curious, what do you do during the time of the passengers disembarking to the time of the new voyage? What happens to your luggage if you a staying in a different cabin? Do you have to disembark and go through the entire process again of check-in etc.?

 

Any other info would be helpful. :D

 

Steve

[petesweet]

I have been on 15 cruises but never a B2B. I'm curious, what do you do during the time of the passengers disembarking to the time of the new voyage? What happens to your luggage if you a staying in a different cabin? Do you have to disembark and go through the entire process again of check-in etc.?

 

Any other info would be helpful. :D

 

Steve

 

I've bookmarked the following site, which I find helpful and refer to from time to time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12844301#post12844301

 

Have a wonderful trip. What is your itinerary? We are leaving in a couple of months for our first B2B--Alaska and then Hawaii. Can hardly wait to spend 28 days in the SAME CABIN!!

[shrimp0]

On our recent B2B, we found the switch over day to be the most relaxing!!! We did have to get up a bit earlier then we had all week to get to breakfast, but we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast in the dining room. All the other passengers were fretting about this and that and getting off the ship... we knew we had a whole new voyage in front of us. Boy did we get some looks of envy when people would say throughout the morning that they wished they could stay on... and we said... Gee, we are!!!!!

 

Anyway, after a relaxing breakfast, we went out to the pool deck to hang out until 10 am when we were supposed to meet up with other B2Ber's in the champaign bar. At 10... we were met with a crew person who walked us down to dismembark ( and clear our cards from the system)... we then had to walk to the building that held immigration officials.... there, they checked our passports and had us wait to be sure the ship computer was cleared of all passengers. Once cleared, ( maybe 10 minutes at most), we were escorted back to the ship... popped our new sea pass cards in the machines ( which we were given a few nights before with the papers explaining the process) and we were free to be anywhere on the ship.

 

We went up to the pool deck and enjoyed about an hour of complete peace and quiet... just talking with another b2b couple. About 11:30 we heard the pages on the intercome to the crew announcing that new passengers would be embarking in 5 minutes. We stayed on the pool deck and watched as all the new passengers came on with the same " i am on vacation ... look at this ship" look that we had when we embarked a week prior. It was really fun to see the different type of crowd that embarked that day.... it was fun meeting new people once again and getting ready to start a whole new voyage!!!!

 

As for your luggage, if you will be moving to a different cabin... your steward will help you move some time in the morning. ( we didnt move so i am not totally sure on the logistics of this) The nice part of the day is that you dont have to wait for your luggage... you can go take care of your needs in your cabin as soon as it is cleaned. ( we did stay out of the cabin area while they were cleaning that morning... just to stay out of the way).

 

We spent the day hanging out at the pool, having lunch in the windjammer ( again watching the wided eyed look of new passengers) and just relaxing.... we didnt have to rush around to explore, we knew where our table was for dinner ( we discussed that a few nights prior with the head waiter) and we were totally rested when it came to sail away and other festivities through out the day!!!!!!

[rubrrick]

I've bookmarked the following site, which I find helpful and refer to from time to time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12844301#post12844301

 

Have a wonderful trip. What is your itinerary? We are leaving in a couple of months for our first B2B--Alaska and then Hawaii. Can hardly wait to spend 28 days in the SAME CABIN!!

 

 

We have experienced several b2b's and on some we moved to a different cabin, and on others we were booked in the same cabin. Somehow I missed the thread mentioned above and found almost every question answered there. Good stuff!!:)

 

Rick

[VillaHappy]

On our recent B2B, we found the switch over day to be the most relaxing!!! We did have to get up a bit earlier then we had all week to get to breakfast, but we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast in the dining room. All the other passengers were fretting about this and that and getting off the ship... we knew we had a whole new voyage in front of us. Boy did we get some looks of envy when people would say throughout the morning that they wished they could stay on... and we said... Gee, we are!!!!!

 

Anyway, after a relaxing breakfast, we went out to the pool deck to hang out until 10 am when we were supposed to meet up with other B2Ber's in the champaign bar. At 10... we were met with a crew person who walked us down to dismembark ( and clear our cards from the system)... we then had to walk to the building that held immigration officials.... there, they checked our passports and had us wait to be sure the ship computer was cleared of all passengers. Once cleared, ( maybe 10 minutes at most), we were escorted back to the ship... popped our new sea pass cards in the machines ( which we were given a few nights before with the papers explaining the process) and we were free to be anywhere on the ship.

 

We went up to the pool deck and enjoyed about an hour of complete peace and quiet... just talking with another b2b couple. About 11:30 we heard the pages on the intercome to the crew announcing that new passengers would be embarking in 5 minutes. We stayed on the pool deck and watched as all the new passengers came on with the same " i am on vacation ... look at this ship" look that we had when we embarked a week prior. It was really fun to see the different type of crowd that embarked that day.... it was fun meeting new people once again and getting ready to start a whole new voyage!!!!

 

As for your luggage, if you will be moving to a different cabin... your steward will help you move some time in the morning. ( we didnt move so i am not totally sure on the logistics of this) The nice part of the day is that you dont have to wait for your luggage... you can go take care of your needs in your cabin as soon as it is cleaned. ( we did stay out of the cabin area while they were cleaning that morning... just to stay out of the way).

 

We spent the day hanging out at the pool, having lunch in the windjammer ( again watching the wided eyed look of new passengers) and just relaxing.... we didnt have to rush around to explore, we knew where our table was for dinner ( we discussed that a few nights prior with the head waiter) and we were totally rested when it came to sail away and other festivities through out the day!!!!!!

 

You sold me! I've added "go on a B2B" to our list of Must Do's. Just have to decide if we'll stay in the same cabin (less stress) or move to a new cabin on the second embarkation day...

[pmfan]

I have been on 15 cruises but never a B2B. I'm curious, what do you do during the time of the passengers disembarking to the time of the new voyage? What happens to your luggage if you a staying in a different cabin? Do you have to disembark and go through the entire process again of check-in etc.?

 

Any other info would be helpful. :D

 

Steve

 

Steve, the link that petesweet gave is full of information.

I know there are many unkind posts on your other thread and I'm sorry about that. I don't know why some posters feel the need to attack others and to question there motives.

I for one hope you enjoy your b2b and meet some amazing cruisers to hangout with. Maybe in the future you and your wife can do a b2b as diamond members. ;) :D

[sddsddean]

On our recent Med cruise on the Navigator, we did 3 b2b's. On one we went and saw some other bits of Barcelona that we had 'saved up' for changeover day. It was a bit manic getting back to the ship, what with 4 ships doing changeover and the local Spainiards pushing in at all of the bus queues, so we decided to stay on board for the second changeover day and 'catch some rays'. Of course, it chucked it down with rain! We stayed in the same cabin for all 3 cruises and had none of the 'getting on and off' hassle. Our new Seapass cards were left in our cabin on the last night and we just started using them the next day. Very civilised!

 

Simon

[cruisenfever]

Another point is that each cruise on a b2b is handled individually...........so at the end of the first cruise your SeaPass account is closed and a new account will be started for the second segment of your b2b.

 

Also we have found that when doing a b2b, we always print both SetSail Passes even though you will not need the second SSP for your second cruise.

 

We do this because if you want to get off the ship on turnaround day..........it is so much easier to show your SSP to the port agents. Each port will handle b2b pax differently.....and some port agents haven't a clue what a b2b pax is.

[biomedbob]

When having to change cabins for the second leg, we generally go and introduce ourselves to the new steward and ask him/her how they would like to handle the switch over. Usually the old and the new one are quite friendly with each other and work out the details.

 

We do the manual moving ourselves, with the hanging stuff moved to an available closet in the new area, our over-the-door hanging stuff intact to a new door and the loose stuff moved in suitcases. These moves are usually completed by 9:30-10:00.

 

If there are not alot of b2b'ers the lunch can include unlimited wine! :)

[megr1125]

first, make sure that RCs B2B desk links your 2 ressies...so you will get your new seapasses, etc.

 

we got a letter the night before...we would have been in the same cabin, bt we changed due to noise....the cabin attendant moved all our stuff. we didn't have to pack hanging stuff either...she moved it. we just had to pack folded things, and toiletries, etc.

 

we didn't get our new seapsses, nor were they linked to the CC we used, as the letter stated...so i would adivse you to go to guest relations at yOUR convenience the 1st or 2nd day of the 2nd leg to make sure....i found out hwne i went to get some ice cream! i told the people at GR that THEY had to fix it, i wasn't going to waste my vacation...(and my ice cream was melting..) Make THEM do it!

 

we had the same table and wait staff too..I asked the maitre d to arrange this, and he did. Our servers MADE the cruise.

 

It was cool seeing what happens on the ship....we watched a crew life boat drill, watched them bring on supplies, and watched the new passengers walk onto the ship in amazement! :D

 

We were told we could go to our cabin, but the hall monitors wouldn't let us. Having spent so long fighting on the 1st cruise for various reasons, we just wandered around the ship!

 

In hindsight though, we would do a B2B again....like, hmm...this afternoon????

 

have fun!

[cruisenfever]

If there are not alot of b2b'ers the lunch can include unlimited wine! :)

Of all the b2bs we have done............we have never been lucky enough to have a lunch provided. We've had as few as 6 and as many as 156 pax staying on with us.

 

On our recent Splendour cruise where there were 156 pax staying on board, we did get a free excursion in Santos (Sao Paulo Brazil). A trip to a mall that didn't open until 3:00 and we arrived at 11!

[crazy 4 cruising]

Also we have found that when doing a b2b, we always print both SetSail Passes even though you will not need the second SSP for your second cruise.

 

We do this because if you want to get off the ship on turnaround day..........it is so much easier to show your SSP to the port agents. Each port will handle b2b pax differently.....and some port agents haven't a clue what a b2b pax is.

 

HI Patty.

 

We did our first B2B in may & LOVED it; hope to do more in the future. We had to have both Set Sail passes. ACtually when we first checked in, since this was our first, I gave both to the agent and she did not know what to do with them either. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE 2ND ONE. Anyuway, it was a little bit of a hassle on the 2nd leg when we did not have it to check back in with, but not much.

 

On the Monarch, we were escorted off by an agent--all 4 of us--and went by everyone standing inthe customs line and went right into the building and went through customs. we then were walked right back through by the agent.

 

I love the looks on the crews' faces when they see you again!!!! We were delayed in getting off (dont remember why now) but it was fascinating sitting there watching the crew get ready for the next cruise!!!

 

ENJOY

[jbond]

On our recent Splendour cruise where there were 156 pax staying on board, we did get a free excursion in Santos (Sao Paulo Brazil). A trip to a mall that didn't open until 3:00 and we arrived at 11!

...and when we got back to the ship they made us stand in line with the other passengers checking in, wanted to open new on board accounts and they also omitted to activate our seapasses. Not one of RCI Guest Relations better moments.:mad: :mad:

[cruisenfever]

...and when we got back to the ship they made us stand in line with the other passengers checking in, wanted to open new on board accounts and they also omitted to activate our seapasses. Not one of RCI Guest Relations better moments.:mad: :mad:

See, if you all would have come back when we did............you wouldn't have had to wait in line................as we raised enough of a commotion, that they opened a counter just for us!!:p

 

Unfortunately, like you, our SeaPasses weren't activated either.

[cruisenfever]

HI Patty.

 

We did our first B2B in may & LOVED it; hope to do more in the future. We had to have both Set Sail passes. ACtually when we first checked in, since this was our first, I gave both to the agent and she did not know what to do with them either. I SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE 2ND ONE. Anyuway, it was a little bit of a hassle on the 2nd leg when we did not have it to check back in with, but not much.

 

On the Monarch, we were escorted off by an agent--all 4 of us--and went by everyone standing inthe customs line and went right into the building and went through customs. we then were walked right back through by the agent.

 

I love the looks on the crews' faces when they see you again!!!! We were delayed in getting off (dont remember why now) but it was fascinating sitting there watching the crew get ready for the next cruise!!!

 

ENJOY

Hey there Brenda, how are you?

 

In all the b2bs that we have done we have never had to submit our second SetSail pass for the second leg of the b2b. That's until we did our b2b on Splendour. Even though we were assured that the agents in the terminal were very familiar with b2b pax..............they had no clue when 156 people tried to reboard.

 

Did you book the b2b with the b2b desk or did you book each independently?

 

I always print out the second SetSail pass just in case we are in a port where we can get off for a few hours and walk around. Seems that at some ports, the agents have no idea what a b2b pax is......or a new SeaPass card is for that matter.:(

[crazy 4 cruising]

Hey there Brenda, how are you?

 

In all the b2bs that we have done we have never had to submit our second SetSail pass for the second leg of the b2b. That's until we did our b2b on Splendour. Even though we were assured that the agents in the terminal were very familiar with b2b pax..............they had no clue when 156 people tried to reboard.

 

Did you book the b2b with the b2b desk or did you book each independently?

 

I always print out the second SetSail pass just in case we are in a port where we can get off for a few hours and walk around. Seems that at some ports, the agents have no idea what a b2b pax is......or a new SeaPass card is for that matter.:(

 

we were in SAn Pedro and we have yet to sail out of there--4 cruises now--without something going different!!!;) we did not book as a b2b, BUT the ressies were linked before we came. there were fellows pax with us who had done b2b out of LA & they had their 2nd set sail with them. WHO KNOWS.

 

Life is a bit interesting right now. my mom has had some health issues and we moved her to a nursing home near my brother & I, cleaned out her house in Corpus and put it ont he marker--all within a 1 week time frame:eek: . now I just have to find room for the 1/4 of the "treasures" that I brought home. I NEED acruise in the worst way. thanks for asking & you guys, how are y'all?

[CruisenLexie]

Do you need to participate in the muster drill on the second half of the B2B?

[megr1125]

Do you need to participate in the muster drill on the second half of the B2B?

 

 

Yup......!

[crazy 4 cruising]

Do you need to participate in the muster drill on the second half of the B2B?

we did. I have read onCC where folks did not, BUT we had to.

[cruisenfever]

we were in SAn Pedro and we have yet to sail out of there--4 cruises now--without something going different!!!;) we did not book as a b2b, BUT the ressies were linked before we came. there were fellows pax with us who had done b2b out of LA & they had their 2nd set sail with them. WHO KNOWS.

 

Life is a bit interesting right now. my mom has had some health issues and we moved her to a nursing home near my brother & I, cleaned out her house in Corpus and put it ont he marker--all within a 1 week time frame:eek: . now I just have to find room for the 1/4 of the "treasures" that I brought home. I NEED acruise in the worst way. thanks for asking & you guys, how are y'all?

San Pedro can be a real PITA sometimes. When we embarked there in 2006 for our R/T cruise to Hawaii...........they not only wanted the SetSail Pass, I also had to give them the Emergency Contact Form that is included in your docs. Had the same flippin information on it that the SetSail Pass did, but they insisted. I think we were the only ones..........unless this particular check in agent was new and he wanted to cover all his bases.

 

Sorry to hear about your mom. Sending you good thoughts. And you only brought back 1/4 of her treasures!:eek: Wish I could say the same after we cleaned out my folks, my MIL and my uncles houses.

 

You better take good care of Chris and Martha on your upcoming TA. They can be a handful!!:p

[crazy 4 cruising]

San Pedro can be a real PITA sometimes. When we embarked there in 2006 for our R/T cruise to Hawaii...........they not only wanted the SetSail Pass, I also had to give them the Emergency Contact Form that is included in your docs. Had the same flippin information on it that the SetSail Pass did, but they insisted. I think we were the only ones..........unless this particular check in agent was new and he wanted to cover all his bases.

 

Sorry to hear about your mom. Sending you good thoughts. And you only brought back 1/4 of her treasures!:eek: Wish I could say the same after we cleaned out my folks, my MIL and my uncles houses.

 

You better take good care of Chris and Martha on your upcoming TA. They can be a handful!!:p

 

yeah San pedro is interesting that is for sure. we have had a problem every time we have sailed out of there, oh well...

 

Thanks for the good thoughts, can use all of those we can get.

I only had to bring 1/4 of the stuff because I have 3 siblings to SHARE the "wealth" with:p ;) :D

 

I am sooooooooo looking forward to meeting Chris and her sister. we are table mates & down the hall from each other

[cruisenfever]

yeah San pedro is interesting that is for sure. we have had a problem every time we have sailed out of there, oh well...

 

Thanks for the good thoughts, can use all of those we can get.

I only had to bring 1/4 of the stuff because I have 3 siblings to SHARE the "wealth" with:p ;) :D

I am sooooooooo looking forward to meeting Chris and her sister. we are table mates & down the hall from each other

OMG..........Jewel will never be the same again!!;)

[DJSteve552003]

thanks to all that responded. The information that you posted/linked was very helpful!:D

 

Steve

[DJSteve552003]

I've bookmarked the following site, which I find helpful and refer to from time to time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12844301#post12844301

 

Have a wonderful trip. What is your itinerary? We are leaving in a couple of months for our first B2B--Alaska and then Hawaii. Can hardly wait to spend 28 days in the SAME CABIN!!

 

I am just doing short cruises of the Bahamas 3 day & 4 day so I can achieve Diamond status. The only difference is Key West is aded on the 4 day.

 

Steve

[DJSteve552003]

I've bookmarked the following site, which I find helpful and refer to from time to time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12844301#post12844301

 

Have a wonderful trip. What is your itinerary? We are leaving in a couple of months for our first B2B--Alaska and then Hawaii. Can hardly wait to spend 28 days in the SAME CABIN!!

 

I am just doing short cruises of the Bahamas 3 day & 4 day so I can achieve Diamond status. The only difference is Key West is added on the 4 day.

 

Steve