My first B2B I have ??

[Illinoisgal]

Ive been reading up on all the b2b info I can get. I have seen how it works etc but am wondering what is available to do during "turn around " time. We are 2 cabins and will be staying in same cabin both cruises. It is also in Europe if that makes a differance.

 

IM trying to decide if we are going to just rest and relax or book a side tour etc. OR find a laundrymat. ANy and all tips and info is welcome :)

[mutzy]

we just did a b2b in november- we decided to stay on the ship and just relax- they asked us to stay in one spot for an hr or so while they cked the fire doors and things- we hid out in the solarium.

 

we had thought about trying to find a laundramat- but decided to take advantage of the laundry service on the ship- wasn't that expensive

 

if you have enough b2bers (i think 20) they have a nice lunch for you in the dining room.

 

there is a meeting a couple of days before turn a round day and they tell you eveything you need to know about turn around- what you need to do about "punching out" and customs. all we had to do was go to the head of the gangway and give them our old sea pass card and then "punched us out" and returned them a couple of days later. on some ships you have to physically get off and go thru customs and then return-

each ship is different.

 

we are doing another b2b in feb. can't wait

[PH8]

Have done a few b2bs...and of course,every ship is different..........

 

some you get off the ship(escorted) and go thru customs and come right back on...........others,it is done on the ship........

 

the best part of turnaround day is just enjoying the quiet ship for the hour or so,no other passengers are on board......You are able to hang out in your cabin(since its the same one),but allow time for your steward to make up the room)........

 

Have been able to walk around the whole ship on my b2bs....

 

Have had b2b lunches on one,but not on another.........all depends......

 

I agree about the laundry.....let them do it on the ship......it really is a affordable and there are coupons ,if you are D/DP........really not sure about other levels..........sorry..

[Trumpeter]

I adore B2B's! They really are the only way to get a good 'long' voyage out of a line like RCCL. My last one was 24 nights total and turned around in Barcelona. We just exchanged Seapass cards at one point and had a lovely day in Barcelona. I might imagine that if your turn-around point is a US port, there might be some time getting through border security... but I haven't doen that yet so can't say for sure.

[jmraggs]

I adore B2B's! They really are the only way to get a good 'long' voyage out of a line like RCCL. My last one was 24 nights total and turned around in Barcelona. We just exchanged Seapass cards at one point and had a lovely day in Barcelona. I might imagine that if your turn-around point is a US port, there might be some time getting through border security... but I haven't doen that yet so can't say for sure.

 

Same here, once I thought outside the box!;)

[stones902]

Ive been reading up on all the b2b info I can get. I have seen how it works etc but am wondering what is available to do during "turn around " time. We are 2 cabins and will be staying in same cabin both cruises. It is also in Europe if that makes a differance.

 

IM trying to decide if we are going to just rest and relax or book a side tour etc. OR find a laundrymat. ANy and all tips and info is welcome :)

 

Hello Illlinoisgal,

 

We did a B2B in October on the Liberty in Miami. Our Cabin Steward let us sleep in (we didn't have to vacate the cabin until 9:30). After that we met in the Diamond Lounge and were escorted with 10 other PAX (including entertainers) through customs. All of us were given the option of leaving the ship to head into town or staying onboard in a public area. We choose to stay onboard and relax around the pool.

 

It was pretty cool seeing the very first passengers arriving onboard and wondering how the heck we beat them onto the ship when they were first in line.

[jmraggs]

It was pretty cool seeing the very first passengers arriving onboard and wondering how the heck we beat them onto the ship when they were first in line.

 

That is funny, we were in the pool one time when the first passengers boarded and they were all giving us looks on how we could have made it to the pool before them!:D That brief period where nobody is on the ship goes by way too quickly!

[stones902]

That is funny, we were in the pool one time when the first passengers boarded and they were all giving us looks on how we could have made it to the pool before them!:D That brief period where nobody is on the ship goes by way too quickly!

 

And it's also a little spooky in a weird kind of way!

[cruisenfever]

You'll get the best reactions when you are either returning from or going to your cabin and you were able to open those Fire Doors that are closed until 1 o'clock for everybody else.:D

[Illinoisgal]

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it. The only reason I thought about laundry was the weight limit for luggage/cost since we are going from the US To Europe. Also I thought they wouldnt wash shorts, capris etc?

 

IS the wash horrible for the clothing/skin? That was my only other concern about it since I am prone to allergy issues. We did use Carnivals and it was ok, so Im supposing they are similiar.

 

Funy is I rolled all the dirty laundry I did on CCL, and fit so much stuff in that one bag. Our stewart actually laughed and congradulated me as it took 4 bags when he brought it back ! I only got charged for one bag, it was like a game to see how much I could fit in. We are not tiny people either lol.

 

Not having to get up so early and head off with the masses is just going to be fantastic, it is really a selling point. I will prob run around taking pictures with no one in them. I bet it is spooky quiet though

 

Any other B2B or Europe tips are welcomed!!!

[north29]

I'm glad you brought this up, our first B2B is coming up. Do you need to print a additional set sail pass for the second leg?????

[Merion_Mom]

I'm glad you brought this up, our first B2B is coming up. Do you need to print a additional set sail pass for the second leg?????

 

You won't need it, because you don't go through pier check-in for the second leg.

 

Be sure that you are registered with the Consecutive Cruises department.

[mutzy]

my husband is very sensitive to laundry soaps and didn't have any problems- we only did his laundry once (took enough for one wk and then did the stuff a bag for underwear and tee shirts) i sent several outfits to the laundry and didn't have any problems with skin irritation.

 

the one thing i did and won't repeat is i sent a couple of outfits to the laundry on saturday- they didn't return them until monday and charged me double because they thought it was a rush order- a trip to guest relations took care of the extra charge.

 

we had the second set sail pass with us but they didn't ask for it.

they do close out any charges you have for wk one and you start fresh for wk two

 

i think b2b are great- make sure your TA does link the cruises together.

[dunblane.andersons]

You won't need it, because you don't go through pier check-in for the second leg.

 

Be sure that you are registered with the Consecutive Cruises department.

 

We're going on our first B2B (only second ever cruise!) and have been reading about them here. Thanks everyone. Merion Mom, what do you mean by Consecutive Cruises department? I have read that there is usually a meeting for B2B PAX and sometimes a lunch but where can we find the Consecutive Cruises department?

Thank you everyone.

[Merion_Mom]

We're going on our first B2B (only second ever cruise!) and have been reading about them here. Thanks everyone. Merion Mom, what do you mean by Consecutive Cruises department? I have read that there is usually a meeting for B2B PAX and sometimes a lunch but where can we find the Consecutive Cruises department?

Thank you everyone.

 

Fiona, this means NOW, before you cruise. Your two reservations should be linked as a B2B (RC is now calling them "consecutive cruises") officially in their database.

 

If you booked the cruise yourself directly with RC, just call them up and ask to be connected to the Consecutive Cruise people.

 

If you used a travel agent, ask him or her to see to the matter.

 

:)

[dunblane.andersons]

Fiona, this means NOW, before you cruise. Your two reservations should be linked as a B2B (RC is now calling them "consecutive cruises") officially in their database.

 

If you booked the cruise yourself directly with RC, just call them up and ask to be connected to the Consecutive Cruise people.

 

If you used a travel agent, ask him or her to see to the matter.

 

:)

 

Thank you for the prompt response Merion Mom. We'll get in touch with the TA and ask to be connected to the Consecutive Cruise folk.

[Illinoisgal]

my husband is very sensitive to laundry soaps and didn't have any problems- we only did his laundry once (took enough for one wk and then did the stuff a bag for underwear and tee shirts) i sent several outfits to the laundry and didn't have any problems with skin irritation.

 

the one thing i did and won't repeat is i sent a couple of outfits to the laundry on saturday- they didn't return them until monday and charged me double because they thought it was a rush order- a trip to guest relations took care of the extra charge.

 

we had the second set sail pass with us but they didn't ask for it.

they do close out any charges you have for wk one and you start fresh for wk two

 

i think b2b are great- make sure your TA does link the cruises together.

 

 

Thanks! Good to know . I feel ok using them for undergarmets and my husbands undershirts. Does anyone know the cost offhand of drycleaning/pressing of shirts and dresses? I would like to take one suit for hubby with 2 differant shirts, get them cleaned and pressed . Smae with my dress. He wears tommy bahama camp shirts like they are going out of style so if the price isnt so much to get those cleaned that would be great as well. Anyone had good experiances with dry cleaning etc?

 

this has been a very hard/stressful year for us so I am glad to be fortunate to have the opprotunity to go and get far away from it all lol.

 

It will be nice to know that I want feel so rushed at sressed to "see it all" since we are doing the exact same iten 2 weeks in a row. PLus I can kinda look around at the shops the first week so I know what to get

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks! Good to know . I feel ok using them for undergarmets and my husbands undershirts. Does anyone know the cost offhand of drycleaning/pressing of shirts and dresses? I would like to take one suit for hubby with 2 differant shirts, get them cleaned and pressed . Smae with my dress. He wears tommy bahama camp shirts like they are going out of style so if the price isnt so much to get those cleaned that would be great as well. Anyone had good experiances with dry cleaning etc?

 

this has been a very hard/stressful year for us so I am glad to be fortunate to have the opprotunity to go and get far away from it all lol.

 

It will be nice to know that I want feel so rushed at sressed to "see it all" since we are doing the exact same iten 2 weeks in a row. PLus I can kinda look around at the shops the first week so I know what to get

 

Most things that you want to know like this are readily available on Royal Caribbean's website:

 

Laundry Services & Prices

[jonbgd]

We just did our first B2B on RCCL

If it is a port you want to see, get off the ship before your meeting time(our next cruise cards and instructions were left in our cabin by our steward) for the other B2B cruisers and enjoy the day. Than when back in the terminal ready to reboard the ship you just show them your in-transit card and they send you past everyone(still need to go thru security and than also get photo retakin) but goes really fast

On Board ask room steward what day laundry bag will be and plan it that way fore doing extra laundry but dont put anything in the bag you think is delicate we also bring clothes pins and a small bottle of detergent and wash them in the sink and rinse in shower and hang on clothes line

 

Good Luck and enjoy

[north29]

I just saw laundry mentioned and I do some laundry, in the sink as well, I buy quick dry under wear etc. Anyway, I posted this some where else and no comments LOL, I guess no one admits to doing some, not all laundry.

Here is a neat gadget for hanging laundry I now take with me, folds up and light. If you have a Ikea store near you.

Here is the link until they change their catalog http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80189663

[dunblane.andersons]

Fiona, this means NOW, before you cruise. Your two reservations should be linked as a B2B (RC is now calling them "consecutive cruises") officially in their database.

 

If you booked the cruise yourself directly with RC, just call them up and ask to be connected to the Consecutive Cruise people.

 

If you used a travel agent, ask him or her to see to the matter.

 

:)

Hi Merion Mom

My FIL contacted our TA asking to do this. Apparently they phoned RC who knew nothing about it (I think we may have asked for the wrong thing). All our TA should be doing is making sure that our reservations are linked to B2B is that right? Right now on the RC website they are listed as two separate bookings.

Because we are going through the TA, I think she asked for the Consecutive cruise people but RC said that didn't exist? Do you have a specific extension number that you know of?

Really appreciate your advice

Regards and a Happy New Year when it comes from a wet and miserable Scotland

Fiona

[CruisenLexie]

I can offer one word of advise. No matter what RCI says, make sure you check with the pursers desk when the 2nd leg of the trip begins and make sure your credit card is registered. It only takes a minute and it beats being called into a room and held up for about 45 minutes when you are trying to disembark at the very end of the cruise. My mother was mortified because some busy bodies walking by liked to make comments that she must have tried to get off the ship without paying for her charges. You would think after being on a relaxing cruise people wouldn't be so nasty but I guess not.

 

We have only done one b2b. It was so nice at the end of the 1st week knowing we did not have to pack and we could relax and know we had another week to go :)

 

Have an EXCELLENT cruise times 2 :D

[mutzy]

when i viewed my cruises on line it did not show them tied together they were treated at two different cruises- but some how in their system they tie the cruises together.

 

we have another b2b in feb and they also show as two seperate cruises but they are tied together in rccl system.

[cruisegirl1]

I only have one B2B experience and hope we can sail this a type of vacation again. We had a small glitch or two.

We were assured by RCCL that our reservations were linked as back to back but we never received any written instructions. We received different verbal instructions from everyone we asked. Some told us to report at 7:00AM for customs, some told us not to bother. Basically after breakfast on turnover day we waited in the concierge lounge, we then learned that RCCL did not have us linked and someone from the ship went ashore to get our new sea pass cards. We never presented any credit card, but we had registered the card prior to sailing. After it all – I am a little surprised that when we stayed on the ship, there was no “red flag” that we were still there. The morning of turnover day, we were invited to a B2B lunch but when we arrived at the dining room we were told it was cancelled.

 

We put a few things in the suitcase and the room steward took the case as well as the hanging clothes to the new cabin. No problem. There were some other B2B that ran into some problems getting their things moved.

 

We basically had the run of the ship all morning. I must say, relaxing in the empty Solarium and hot tub at 11:00 am - was real treat.

 

Enjoy

M

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

Question for experienced B2Bers: We are booked on the Mariner 14 Oct 2011 Holy Land and will continue on Mariner on 26 Oct 2010 TA to Galveston.

 

Because we booked on board a Voyager TA very late in the cruise, we could not get the same cabin for the entire run.

 

When is the best time to start asking for reassignment, if available, to the same cabin; right now or should we wait until early on the 14 Oct Holy Land cruise?

 

Just thinking that it might be nicer to talk to on-board folks rather than by phone to RCCI from stateside.