b2b cruise questions?

[janalovesandy]

We are doing b2b cruises on Glory starting on January 30th, and I would like to know what to expect on the day one cruise ends and the next begins. We are switching cabins. Do they make you get off early with all your luggage and reboard later with everyone? Or are you able to stay on a bit longer and then reboard right away. The person I booked through (not carnival) said that we may be able to leave our bags on board and have them moved but he wasn't sure. Would appreciate hearing how the in between day goes if anyone has done it!

[okgirl]

They had us meet in the lobby at 9:30 with our passports and we were walked around customs back into the VIP lounge where we got our new S&S card and had to wait about 15 minutes to reboard the ship. All in all we were back on the ship by 10am. Debarkation wasn't even finished yet.

 

We had the same cabin, but I've heard that you should tell both your 1st and 2nd cabin stewards that you are doing a b2b and they will help you load your belongings onto a cart then they will take your stuff to the new cabin as soon as it's ready.

 

Since we were in the same cabin our steward told us we could come and go as much as we wanted (even coming through the fire doors), but since you are changing cabins, and your new room won't be ready so early, you probably need to plan on hanging around in the public area's until closer to the 1:30 time frame. You could ask your 2nd cabin steward how soon he thinks he'll have the cabin ready.

[JRock59]

OKGirl has it right! :) We love b2b's just make sure your Cabin Stewart knows tell him/her on day one and remind him/her the last full day onboard. Since your changing cabins towards the end of the first Cruise try and see if you can catch your "new" steward and tell him/her your moving over to their section. This has always worked great for us. We leave the luggage all packed in the 1st cabin and they move it to the 2nd cabin. Take something to read or keep busy with as you'll have until boarding begins again with no services on the ship. (Great time to enjoy Lido deck as it's very quiet!) We usually keep a couple of bottles of water or soda with us along with a lite snack. If you do not receive a letter in your cabin the last day/night telling you where to be the next morning give the Info Desk a call or stop by they will tell you where to be and when. If there's anything else just ask we're all happy to tell you our experience with b2b's! :D

[iceleven]

On the topic of B to B's could someone tell me just how they work as far as how they are priced out? Is there some sort of discount for booking them. Is there a better price when you stay on the ship, i.e., the Dream's eastern and western itineraries than if your ships are in two separate ports, i.e., Miami/FtL? Just curious...I don't have the luxury of the time for taking a B2B but could consider one in the future.

[mrpayroll]

On the topic of B to B's could someone tell me just how they work as far as how they are priced out? Is there some sort of discount for booking them. Is there a better price when you stay on the ship, i.e., the Dream's eastern and western itineraries than if your ships are in two separate ports, i.e., Miami/FtL? Just curious...I don't have the luxury of the time for taking a B2B but could consider one in the future.

 

NO discount for scheduling b2b. Some people take them because they come from far away states ( or countries) and don't want to make 2 flights.

[CWcruisers]

The cabin steward are very helpful in this situations. The new steward will usually do your cabin as soon as the old occupants have vacated so you can get moved in. Just coordinate with both stewards.

[janalovesandy]

Thanks so much for your help! I'm so glad I asked here because I have been wondering.

We chose back to back because we are coming from far away and a lot of the cost/hassle of a trip is the flight. We figured that we might as well stay for a second week since it's our honeymoon and make it really special.

A few more questions.....

If we buy alcohol at the ports/on the ship do they deliver it to your stateroom on the last night? And would we get it on the last night of the first cruise or would they hold it until the end?

Also if we wanted to get off the ship to buy more pop/water/wine and then reboard would we still be able to have a priority boarding or would we be in the same boat as everyone else?

[yst347]

All booze being held for you on the first cruise will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the first cruise so you will have it on the second cruise.

 

Once you receive your new Sail and Sign card for the second cruise you are free to come and go as you please however there may be a short period before new passenger boarding begins when the ship prevents anyone from boarding but this will only delay you for a few minutes.

[serene56]

I would buy alcohol on the last sea day- they allow you to take it with you then.

[JRock59]

Thanks so much for your help! I'm so glad I asked here because I have been wondering.

We chose back to back because we are coming from far away and a lot of the cost/hassle of a trip is the flight. We figured that we might as well stay for a second week since it's our honeymoon and make it really special.

A few more questions.....

If we buy alcohol at the ports/on the ship do they deliver it to your stateroom on the last night? And would we get it on the last night of the first cruise or would they hold it until the end?

Also if we wanted to get off the ship to buy more pop/water/wine and then reboard would we still be able to have a priority boarding or would we be in the same boat as everyone else?

 

You may also want to check in the last couple of ports from your 1st half to see if you can pick up soda/wine/water. This way you don't have to go all the way off just through customs and pick up your new s&s card, return to the ship and enjoy the quiet time.

[ManyMore]

I don't think someone should be selling cruises if they don't know the answer to that question... just silly.

[JRock59]

I don't think someone should be selling cruises if they don't know the answer to that question... just silly.

 

 

Not really........if the person who sold her the Cruise had never been asked this question before or was new to his/her job they may not know the answer. Not every TA or person at Carnival knows all the answers to all the questions.

[serene56]

I don't think someone should be selling cruises if they don't know the answer to that question... just silly.

 

 

Not all those that work for cruiselines know even the simplest questions.

SOme have not even been on a ship -- ever

[CupKayke]

We recently booked a B2B and here is the exact email I got from my Carnival PVP... (luv her!) :)

 

 

Back-To-Back Cruise

Embarkation/Debarkation Procedures for the Back-to-Back Guest

Customs and Immigration procedures may differ between the various embarkation home ports. However, all BTB guests will have to go through the Customs/Immigration inspection in the cruise terminal at the end of each cruise.

Second Cruise Procedure - First debarkation process and second cruise registration/check-in

All BTB guests will need to present themselves (without luggage) to the Immigration/Customs inspectors located in the terminal at the end of their first cruise. They will gather in a designated area on board the ship as advised by the Guest Services Desk; a Guest Service Rep will escort the BTB guests off the ship as the last disembarking group. These guests will be escorted back on board by the Guest Service Rep and will register/check-in for their second cruise at the Guest Services Desk. At this time, they will receive their new Sail & Sign card. Note: The new Sail & Sign card allows the BTB guest to leave the ship while the ship is docked at the home port (much like a port-of-call).

Second Cruise: Change of Stateroom

If the guest needs to change staterooms for the second cruise, the Guest Services Desk will send a bellboy to the stateroom to assist in moving the luggage to the new stateroom. This needs to be taken care of in the morning during debarkation and prior to the start of embarkation for the second cruise.

[janalovesandy]

Thanks Cake & Tea for the email!

 

 

Just one more question, are you allowed to bring non-alcoholic beverages onto the ship from ports? I guess I was under the impression that that was only allowed when boarding. But if we can bring them whenever and get our alcohol back on the last night then there would be no real point in getting off in miami. I never thought of that. You folks are smart ;)

[Froufie]

You should be able to bring some soft drinks on board at the ports - have never had this be a problem!

 

As for PVP knowledge - I asked my pvp about b2b esp as I was turning platinum. She contacted someone at HQ and advised me of some 'fantasy' like your new S&S card will be in your cabin the night before......very weird? I actually had to straighten her out according to the information gathered here - and that NO ONE has ever reported getting an S&S card for their 2nd cruise the night before and told her what really happens (as per above).....I'm sure they will botch up my platinum card - but I am PREPARED! :D