First B2B Cruise Questions

[Brandonlees]

We are cruising in January 1st b2b cruise ever we are staying in the same cabin for both cruises. Will we have to get off the ship inbetween cruises to go through customs? how does that whole process work? We are cruiseing out of Miami. Was wondering if anyone had any insight on the whole process.

[Alliezona09]

From what I understand you will be given a letter on where to meet the day of debarkation and they will escort you off the ship go through customs and get new S&S cards and right back on the ship~

[mondello]

You will get a letter in your cabin telling you where to meet the morning of the last day, all B2Bers will be escorted down to get their new S&S cards and back onto the ship. With same cabin, you will not need to pack, just take your ID and travel docs with you in case anything goes wrong. Process is usually quick and seamless.

[Brandonlees]

awesome thanks

[mondello]

Some people buy booze from the onboard shop the last night of the first leg; they let most PAX take it with them unless your account has been flagged as B2B.

[Brandonlees]

none of our docs say we are so we will keep that in mind also Thank you

[mondello]

none of our docs say we are so we will keep that in mind also Thank you

Your docs may not note it but it depends if its flagged somehow in their computer or on your S&S card. They should know you are B2B because you usually get a token gift the second leg like a bottle of wine, fruit basket, etc.

[flounder315]

we got our new sail & sign cards once we were back onboard the Magic in July. Mine changed to platinum for the 2nd week.

[serene56]

Some people buy booze from the onboard shop the last night of the first leg; they let most PAX take it with them unless your account has been flagged as B2B.

 

 

since each cruise is a separate booking there should be no flag in your account

[hockeyluver]

We are also doing our first b2b in February :D

 

 

The people that work in the shops wont have a clue that we are doing a b2b they are usually so busy in the shops the last day, they just want you in and out.

[NCTribeFan]

There was only one couple and me on my B2B on Fantasy a couple of weeks ago.

 

The actual process probably varies slightly from ship-to-ship and from port-to-port.

 

We met down by the lobby bar (in front of the service desk). Ship was actually empty by 9:20 - whatever it is that they do in Charleston with the Silent Debarkation is very efficient.

 

Received the letter in my cabin on the last day. You also have to fill out the customs form, but you wait until the last leg to list your purchases. You need your passport/ID, customs form, old ship card and new ship card.

 

We were taken down in the elevator, ding'd off the ship, allowed to enter the terminal through a back door, had our docs checked, reboarded using the new card. Had to return to the security area a couple of hours later once they were ready to start boarding to have a new photo taken for the new card.

 

It was all very painless. Really liked it. Just wish I'd had the ship to myself for a little longer time. Loved the greetings from so many crew/staff members when they saw you were still on the ship!

[douglinc@msn.com]

You will get a letter in your cabin telling you where to meet the morning of the last day, all B2Bers will be escorted down to get their new S&S cards and back onto the ship. With same cabin, you will not need to pack, just take your ID and travel docs with you in case anything goes wrong. Process is usually quick and seamless.

 

This is also what we were told by our TA. We are doing our 1st. b2b on the Triumph 1-28.

 

Doug

[dotshub]

Some people buy booze from the onboard shop the last night of the first leg; they let most PAX take it with them unless your account has been flagged as B2B.

 

They know who is b2b, and on our b2b on the Liberty in September, they did NOT deliver the booze at the end of the first week. Not until the last day of the second cruise.

[KruznKel]

They know who is b2b, and on our b2b on the Liberty in September, they did NOT deliver the booze at the end of the first week. Not until the last day of the second cruise.

 

 

Thats why you buy it the last night where you take it with you.. never ask to have it delivered ;)

[CRUZBUDS]

There are plenty of threads on this -- do not purchase liquor the first leg with the expectation of having it delivered to your cabin., It might arrive and it might not -- we have first hand knowledge

 

Go to the store the last evening and carry it out -- you shouldn't have any trouble. If you have trouble have a wad of cash in your pocket and ask another passenger to purchase it for you.

 

In San Diego B2B folks do not get off the ship for Customs - it is done aboard. Our new cards were delivered the evening before the turn around. It's kind of irrelevant since Carnival has pulled out of San Diego :mad:

[workn2cruise]

On our b2b they didn't have us listed as being b2b'rs. We only checked on the last day because we hadn't received the letter. I would stop sometime during the first leg to make sure you're on the list.

[douglinc@msn.com]

On our b2b they didn't have us listed as being b2b'rs. We only checked on the last day because we hadn't received the letter. I would stop sometime during the first leg to make sure you're on the list.

 

Good idea.

 

Doug

[mommom of 7]

Also make sure to tell your cabin steward. They will do your cabin first & then lock it up. They normaly just leave them open untill all done & then do a final check & then close & lock.

We are doing our third B2B in three week's. A 5-5 this time.

Every thing else has already been covered.

Char:)

[nitro2448]

We will be leaving Dec. 6 for our B2B out of NOLA. Can't wait

[martinchem]

On our b2b they didn't have us listed as being b2b'rs. We only checked on the last day because we hadn't received the letter. I would stop sometime during the first leg to make sure you're on the list.

 

Ditto on our last b2b, we also didn't get a gift from the hotel director for the first time, I was really disappointed cause they have spoiled us so much in the past.

[shukapaw]

We sailed B2B out of Fort Lauderdale this past June. On the final morning of week one, they instructed us to meet at a certain lounge location where they had some pastries/coffee for us. There were 10 or 12 people doing the B2B. We ended up sitting for a very long time awaiting further instructions. Finally, one of the Ship's officers came and escorted us off the ship. However, the process was reminiscent of a keystone cops movie... very unorganized. There was some sort of disagreement between the officer and the customs people on shore and we stood around while they tried to get things sorted out. What should have been a 5- 10 minute process probably took 1 1/2 hours. Overall, not impressed with that procedure but hopefully you'll have better luck.

 

Also, we will not do B2B on the same ship again. Although it was nice to have the same waiters, cabin attendant, etc, it was like being in the movie "Groundhog day" (That is where Bill Murray's character wakes up and every day is a repeat of the prior one) I say this because you will have the exact same shows in the showroom, the same comedians in the club, the exact same menus as the previous week, etc. The CD's talks and patter are all verbatim from one week to the next (same jokes, etc). The only upside is that you know the answers to the trivia questions during week 2 ;)

 

We have no aversion to cruisng for multiple weeks but will do so on different ships (or cruiselines) in the future. In fact, next year we sail from Alaska to Vancouver with Princess and then jet to San Juan, Puerto Rico for another week with carnival.

 

Brian

[bonnys]

We are doing our first b2b this Christmas on the Imagination. Since it is a 3 day and a 4 day we are hopeful it won't be too repetitive. That is actually one reason we chose to do the shorter trips. If we like it we will be booking more.

[77sue]

We did a b2b on the Fascination in October. I just sent Carnival an email letting them know about the b2b, they sent back an email and I brought it with us. we were the only ones, got the letter the night before and went to the lobby. Officer came to get us, dinged out with our old sail and sign cards. We were escorted off by another Officer, took us into the terminal, Customs cleared us and we walked back onto the ship with our new cards. They took our picture for the new cards at that time. It took maybe 15 minutes. We had to change cabins-we had let the room steward know that we were back to back and I also attached new luggage tags with the new cabin-he said he'd call new room steward and they would transfer our luggage. When the rooms were ready-we had our luggage and a bottle of champagne waiting for us. Wandered around the ship-weird when you are the only passengers on the ship. It's amazing watching how much cleaning/maintenance is done at this time. It seems like they are always cleaning during the cruise--but between cruises it goes into overdrive. :)

[Pom Lover]

We are doing our first B2B this month on the Breeze and we can hardly wait. We are doing the 8 day/6 day and we are thrilled! We are most definitely looking forward to watching everyone get off after the first 8 days knowing we get to stay. We were also fortunate enough not to have to change cabins so no packing then unpacking. Woo Hoo!

[mcjigs]

We did our first b2b last summer on the Breeze, it was a wonderful experience. We got our liquor from the store once they were letting you carry it out and not delivering it, so we were set for the second part of our cruise. We didn't get a letter so we went up to the desk the last night (after we got our booze) and found out we weren't on the "list". Most likely since we didn't book them both at the same time. They were very nice about it and told us where to meet in the morning after we slept in :p, walked off the ship, talked to customs, walked back on the ship. Was only 15 minutes long. We loved going the second time and made sure to do all the things we said we meant to do on the first leg. It was great and we are doing another one this summer.:D