Back to Back tips?

[Boo2]

My hubby and I will be doing our very first B2B in December. I was wondering if any of you had any tips for B2B cruising? Things that us B2B newbies wouldn't think of.

I know that we have to get off the ship on debarkation day; we were thinking of maybe finding a laundromat and doing a few loads of laundry so that we can bring fewer clothes. I have read that some ships have end of cruise laundry specials but not all of them.

Any other tips or suggestions for us?

[Kathy & George]

Look for the shopping specials at the end of the first cruise, and you will have them with you for use on the 2nd cruise.

If you are wine drinkers when you get off from the first cruise go into town and get yourself two bottles for use in your cabin for the second cruise.

We have always been offered the discounted laundry on every cruise we have been on towards the end of the first cruise.

When packing, if you can't use it twice during your trip, leave it home.

[Fblack]

We have done several back to backs on Celebrity and never had to get off the ship between cruises. I think it depends on the itinerary and ports.

[Orator]

We have done several back to backs on Celebrity and never had to get off the ship between cruises. I think it depends on the itinerary and ports.

 

You may leave the ship and using your transfer pass reboard during the normal boarding time. If you decide to stay on the ship you may be required to walk in a group off the ship, go throught customs and reboard using your new seapass. Sometimes the new seapass card is distributed while you are on the ship. Sometimes it will be given to you while you are waiting in the Customs line. If you \leave the ship you will get it in the boarding area.

[jackdiamond]

If you are leaving out of Port Everglades, you may wish to take the shuttle to where your car is parked and deposit your first load of booze. This will allow your to do likewise on the second half, therey doubling the amount you can purchase duty free.

[dandylion]

can you keep the liquor you buy on the ship from the frirst cruise to use on the second?

[Fblack]

It still depends on your itinerary and the port. On my last Constellation b2b we were not required to leave the ship or clear any customs or immigration. They gave us an "In Transit" pass and we were allowed to leave and return any time we wanted. The only issue was that there was a time period when they were closing out our shipboard account and we were told not to use our old card or try to pay for anything until the new account was created.

[jackdiamond]

can you keep the liquor you buy on the ship from the frirst cruise to use on the second?

No. As a matter of fact, I am not certain that you could accomplish what I earlier indicated.

[Wayfairers]

We have considered a B2B but never done it. I was surprised to learn that you are not required to leave the ship. Are things on the ship open during the time between cruises?

[bubbachief]

No. As a matter of fact, I am not certain that you could accomplish what I earlier indicated.

 

They return any booze you buy or bring onboard on the last night of a cruise. Why can't you just keep it for the second leg of the B2B or does the onboard duty free store know you are on a B2B. Do they care?

[cruisestitch]

Are things open on the ship during the transition?

 

Mostly. The pools may close for cleaning for a while during the morning but usually re-open as the afternoon progresses. The casino & shops, of course, are closed because you are in port. The spa is open and you can book treatments.

 

Can you keep your duty free purchases from the first cruise to use on the second one?

 

Usually. There have been some reports of B2B cruisers not receiving their duty free liquor purchases until their final disembarkation, but in general, you do receive your liquor the night before cruise #1 ends. If you want to take it to your car in the parking lot, you can. Or you could keep it with you for cruise #2. Just don't plan on having it, in case you are in the rare situation where they continue to hold it until cruise #2 is over.

 

There actually is no limit to how much liquor you can purchase from the duty free store. There is a limit as to how much you can bring into the country without having to pay duty on it -- usually the first couple of bottles are free, then after that there is a flat rate of duty charged if you declare it. It is possible to buy whole cases of liquor on board, but once you exceed your allowance, duty may be assessed and collected by the customs agents ashore.

[TeaBag]

Try and get the same cabin for both cruises. It makes a huge difference.

[cruisestitch]

I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but I prefer to switch cabins. I stay organized that way. I can spread things out too much and even in a small stateroom, lose track of what needs laundered, where I stashed things, and so forth. The cabin attendants help me move, and I can start over in a new place. That's just me. YMMV.

[jackdiamond]

Cruisestitch, very interesting. Remember, for liquor purchased in St.Thomas, you are allowed 5 liters per person, not six which the stores will advise.

[Italy52]

Try and get the same cabin for both cruises. It makes a huge difference.

 

 

A HUGE AMEN to that suggestion! We were not able to do that last year for our Alaska B2B and it was an absolute nightmare when it came to changing rooms.

 

Karen

[cruisestitch]

I'm so sorry that your experience was a nightmare -- mine was as easy as pie. The stewards of the first stateroom and the second one coordinated, so our second room was ready early and they transferred all the suitcases and clothes and it was all done seamlessly.

[Orator]

Have done a few B2B cruises and have had to switch cabins many times. Usually quite easy. Once there was a slight problem when the cabin we were to switch to was not vacated. There was a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and the cabin steward told us that he would call us when it was vacated. After an extended wait my DW decided to call the cabin. No answer! Appears that the folks vacated early and failed to remove the sign. Had a bit of a laught and made the transfer easily.

[Wayfairers]

I've heard you get a multi-cruise discount when booking a B2B.... is that true?

 

On one of our cruises, we learned that there were some on board that had booked the boat for the year. How many weeks of consecutive B2Bs have you booked?

[Italy52]

I'm so sorry that your experience was a nightmare -- mine was as easy as pie. The stewards of the first stateroom and the second one coordinated, so our second room was ready early and they transferred all the suitcases and clothes and it was all done seamlessly.

 

 

Since this was to be our first time with Celebrity I had asked the people on the CC Celebrity board for some input on how B2B cabin exchange worked. I was given the information like you mentioned above. Had it worked, it would have been great. Unfortunately for us, it didn't. We told our first stateroom attendant about our situation and he told us he didn't do that and we had to check with Guest Services and they would handle the transfer. Add to the mix that we had Noro Virus on both of our B2Bs so there was even more confusion as everyone was very busy with extra cleaning responsibilities. Guest Services and the two stateroom attendants didn't seem to know what to do. After many frustrating calls, the situation was handled and we managed to get off the ship in time for our excursion.

 

Although we presume this was an isolated incident, we don't want to repeat the situation again so we now book the same cabin for our B2B cruises.

 

Karen

[cruisestitch]

The cruises are booked separately, no B2B discount that I am aware of. Perhaps others can chime in, but I think that this is not something offered on Celebrity.

 

My longest booking was b2b2b for a total of six weeks.

[Orator]

I've heard you get a multi-cruise discount when booking a B2B.... is that true?

 

On one of our cruises, we learned that there were some on board that had booked the boat for the year. How many weeks of consecutive B2Bs have you booked?

 

Totally UNTRUE! The only benefit is the joy of a longer cruise. The staff may get to know you and you may receive some extra attention. I did a B2B2B2B and became close to the Captain. Invited to his table several times and to the Bridge for sailaway.

[lcmslady]

Can you use the booze from week 1 on week 2? I did - got the booze in the cabin at the end of week 1, went down to the store on the pier, bought soda and had an almost 0 bar bill week 2.

 

We did have to get off, walk through customs, wait till the passenger count went to 0 and then got back on.

 

Some parts of the ship were closed for awhile - including the hall to the cabin. NO biggie -just hung out at the pool.

 

Enjoy - wish I could do another one!

[TeaBag]

Like many of you, we switched cabins once too. We were promised help but it never came so we had to do it ourselves. On the last B2B where we had the same cabin, we just left the ship in the morning and went on a tour which was delightful. I think it gives you more time to sight see.

[PeggySand]

We did a b2b several years ago on another line and we are doing one for our next cruise leaving 11-05-11 out of San Juan on the Summit. We have the same cabin booked for both legs, as we did on our first b2b. Our previous experience was that they held a special "get-together" for all of us that were doing a b2b, and then for the debarkation day they had us meet in one of the lounges and walked us through the process of getting our new ship card for the next leg. We were given the option of staying on the ship or leaving for some sightseeing if we wished. We left the ship for a few hours, then by-passed all embarking guests to board as though it was a regular port stop. I am hoping that any liquor we might purchase on the first leg will be brought to us on the last evening of that first leg so we may enjoy some of it during the second leg. However, if it doesn't work out that way, no big deal. It was a unique experience on the last night of the first leg watching & listening to everyone who was disembarking the next morning, knowing our cruise was only half over. We were sorry to lose some great people we met, but were looking forward to meeting new people on the second leg. Another perk was the ability to try different entrees in the dining room each week or sticking with an entree that we really loved the first week because the menus are the same for both weeks. The same applies to entertainment and activities, for the most part. You don't have so much pressure to pack everything into the first 7 nights. Anyway, enjoy the experience and don't sweat the small stuff.

Peggy

[jagoffee]

We enjoyed our B2B on the Eclipse in 2/12. If you meet some nice people on the first leg you can have them buy the Duty Free booze and give it to you if you are concerned about getting it on the last night.

 

Although we enjoyed it a lot of the last day when most people were packing and we were relaxing it was a little noisy on the first day of the second cruise. Everyone was really excited and partying on their first day and we were more mellow and relaxed. If given a choice between two seven day cruises or one 14 days, we would book the 14 day cruise.

 

We had to get off the ship (just slightly off) and then return immediately after they cleared the ship. We actually had to a while because two passenger had not departed the first cruise. They gave us our new cruise cards and we were back on the ship.

 

Another suggestion would be to remember the meals that you particularly liked and do the speciality restuarant on different days of the week. The menus were the same for us. The big shows are the same, but the smaller acts might be different.

 

Have a great cruise and it is a great feeling to know that you do not have to end your vacation with everyone else.