Back to Back not so special!!!!

[louv2000]

We had trouble with our B2B Feb 2/ Feb 9 on Oasis as well.

 

There was a meeting the day before where they laid out the procedure in detail. The meeting took approximately 1 hour. Would have been great if any of what they had told us had happened the next day! it was chaos.

 

We met in the Schooner lounge @ 10am There was no staff on hand to keep us updated. We waited til approx 11am and were then herded off the ship. There were 96 of us. We had been told that we'd be given our new SeaPass cards in the lounge along with an 'in transit' slip. We didn't receive anything.

 

I was a bit concerned leaving the ship with nothing in hand. We were then held in the terminal. 2 staff from the terminal then started walking around handing out the health surveys. While doing so, they double checked that we all had our passports. 4 passengers didn't and were then sent back on the ship!

 

We never saw them again.

 

We waited and waited.

 

Finally they passed out our new SeaPass cards--some of us got 'in transit' slips others didn't. I was told not to worry about it? Why they didn't pass out the new cards along with the health survey is a mystery to me. Totally disorganized.

 

We were back on the ship at 12:20pm after every one in the terminal had gone in. Our lunch was scheduled from 11:30 --12: 30 in the MDR. A group of us headed to guest services to complain. Never did hear anything more about it.

 

Lunch was slow and the menu was very limited. We walked out because of the slowness. My husband didn't want to waste anymore time and wanted to get up on the Flowrider!

 

If I had to do it again, I'd go to guest services early and pick up my new card. Exit the ship at my leisure and come right back on. I won't be joining the group again. There's no point.

[Langley Cruisers]

Definitely sounds like Oasis and Allure have had their problems with consecutive cruisers. :(

[Merion_Mom]

Nice...Now this is what I was hoping for..Any problem accessing your cabin as you came & went ? Also what did you do about breakfast since WJ is only open for so long and no roomservice I'm assuming ?

 

If you want breakfast, you have to get up early enough to catch the open hours of WJ or MDR.

 

If you are on a ship with a Café Promenade, that's a place to grab something after the closing time of the MDR/WJ.

 

Me, I'm not much of a breakfast person, so sleep as late as I can depending on when I have been told we must meet to deal with customs/immigration.

 

You are correct that there is no room service.

 

But you can be the first one in the WJ for lunch! ;)

 

I have never had a "difficult" B2B procedure. Some were smoother than others, but all within the parameters of "I'm on two cruises! So I'm happy!"

 

:)

[sjb317]

Our experience with B2Bs has varied widely depending on the ship or port. Usually it's pretty easy but not always!:D On Mariner in LA, we received a letter the day before telling us to meet in one of the bars at 900. We were to be led off the ship, given our new seapass cards & escorted back on. The letter implied it would be a very short time off the ship. Our escort the next morning said the same thing. WRONG! We left the ship, were handed our new cards, and then escorted outside the terminal where we had to wait for about 10-15 min with arriving people as doors to the terminal were not open yet. When the doors opened, we were escorted in before the those in line and taken over to another waiting area where we sat for a good 45 min. I actually think they forgot about us as we were finally escorted back on after one couple found a supervisor and complained (she had medication on the ship that she needed to take). I wouldn't have minded waiting if we had known in advance as I would have brought a sweater (it was very cold) and something to occupy my time. Several very angry couples in our group immediately went to Guest Relations when we got back on, we went to the hot tub as I was freezing!:D

 

Sherri:)

[ppg0270]

I am glad and sad to see that we weren't the only one having problems with the back to back transition information. I guess RCCL is getting to the point of saying one thing and doing something totally different.:(

[Ashland]

I am glad and sad to see that we weren't the only one having problems with the back to back transition information. I guess RCCL is getting to the point of saying one thing and doing something totally different.:(

"Getting to the point"...They've been there and back many times ;)

[crisndeefromde]

What ships (itinerary) that you were doing B2B's on were the easiest and most organized for you? I've been thinking about the southern caribbean out of San Juan but am sorry to hear we would have to get off the ship..Not changing cabins I was looking forward to this.

 

Just did our second b2b on the Adventure. the last day we had to go to meeting to get our package that had our new seapass and in transit card. If you wished to get off the ship we had to do it by 930 am. If staying on board we all had to meet at 1030? could have been sooner in Imperial Lounge. Then they would take everyone thru customs. Only with your passports...no custom form as you only fill it out at the end of your voyage. Both times they had lunch for the group. There was over 100 of us in our group. We elected to get off the ship and it was a piece of cake.

 

Very very easy to do.

[crisndeefromde]

I think it more of who is in the terminal doesn't know what is happening on board the ship. Now with budget cuts Customs can do what they want. Going to get interesting.

[kath00]

I am dying to hear the update on this week's B2B cruisers. We are going B2B on March 31st and April 7th on Allure and I am dreading the process a wee bit. I hate sitting in crowded rooms (read: phobia) so if they make us go out into the terminal and wait for hours, I am going to be very unhappy.

 

I don't mind not being the first to get back on the ship though. So there are a few people ahead of you when you reboard? Who cares. The moment you step back on, those people will vanish into the various spaces the ship offers and you won't know the difference.

 

Hanging out at the terminal with 500 others -- that's a whole different story. :rolleyes:

[sailinglisa]

How about b2b cruises out of Tampa? Will be on the Brilliance next January and wondering if it is going to be a big hassle or will it be a smooth, fast process. TIA!

[Merion_Mom]

I am dying to hear the update on this week's B2B cruisers. We are going B2B on March 31st and April 7th on Allure and I am dreading the process a wee bit. I hate sitting in crowded rooms (read: phobia) so if they make us go out into the terminal and wait for hours, I am going to be very unhappy.

 

I don't mind not being the first to get back on the ship though. So there are a few people ahead of you when you reboard? Who cares. The moment you step back on, those people will vanish into the various spaces the ship offers and you won't know the difference.

 

Hanging out at the terminal with 500 others -- that's a whole different story. :rolleyes:

 

My B2B on the Allure: Very smooth. We sat on some benches in an open area with big windows for about half an hour. Then we were led back onto the ship. You shouldn't have a "phobic reaction" on yours. :)

[Langley Cruisers]

How about b2b cruises out of Tampa? Will be on the Brilliance next January and wondering if it is going to be a big hassle or will it be a smooth, fast process. TIA!

 

That's where we had our B2B - Jewel repo cruise from Boston to Tampa and then a 4 nighter out of Tampa. Couldn't have gone smoother. It was wonderful. I guess there were about 80 of us, and it was seamless. Nice lunch in the MDR. However - can't say how yours will be on a different ship, but that was our experience.

 

.

[ALSEAU]

I have done a B2B on both Oasis and Allure. Process was about the same. Meet around 10:00 AM in a designated area and after all other passengers had disembark we were guided off the ship (ding) . Taken to an area to be held for a short period of time and given new Seapass cards. Shortly after that being told we could reboard. Led through customs and back to ship and (ding) told where and what time to meet for lunch. We could immediately go through the closed doors to return to our room.

 

We have done B2B's in the US on 4 different ships . Only thing consistent and the same (1) Had to get off the ship and a walk through US Customs (2) Once on board we could go to our stateroom. What is not consistent is where and when you get your new cabin key and where and if you get a special lunch. Have always been first to go back on board but I suspect that some handicap beat us aboard on one of the cruises. Not an issue just an observation.

[alaska_planner]

In San Juan we did not have to get off when we did our b2b on Serenade.

 

The easiest ports are those that are not controlled by the US Port Authorities because they are the ones that require the ship to have a zero count which means no passengers on board for at least 20-30 minutes. I've often wondered if some guy in a uniform actually stands on deck with a stop watch. :D

 

When we did our b2b2b on Radiance last May our first cruise was R/T Vancouver and we had to disembark the ship as a group. Have no idea why. But, the second part was Vancouver to Seward and we did not have to get off in Seward. Go figure.

 

gotta love those relaxed Alaskans!!!

[Mark_K]

In San Juan we did not have to get off when we did our b2b on Serenade.

 

The easiest ports are those that are not controlled by the US Port Authorities because they are the ones that require the ship to have a zero count which means no passengers on board for at least 20-30 minutes. I've often wondered if some guy in a uniform actually stands on deck with a stop watch. :D

 

When we did our b2b2b on Radiance last May our first cruise was R/T Vancouver and we had to disembark the ship as a group. Have no idea why. But, the second part was Vancouver to Seward and we did not have to get off in Seward. Go figure.

Whatever was done in Vancouver would have determined by the Canadian authorities. Most likely you did not have to get off in Seward because the ship's previous port was in the US so the ship was not entering the US from a foreign country.

[Clarea]

How about b2b cruises out of Tampa? Will be on the Brilliance next January and wondering if it is going to be a big hassle or will it be a smooth, fast process. TIA!

People have reported that sometimes in Tampa the customs people come on the ship, and B2B guests don't have to get off.

[BecciBoo]

You wouldn't do it again because lunch wasn't special? I'd do a b2b to have two weeks of cruising.

 

Woohoo, us too! We did one on Majesty and we felt special. We were back on before anyone else, got to eat our lunch in WJ all alone AND were sent an ice bucket with chilled champagne in our room. I thought it was very special.

[ppg0270]

Woohoo, us too! We did one on Majesty and we felt special. We were back on before anyone else, got to eat our lunch in WJ all alone AND were sent an ice bucket with chilled champagne in our room. I thought it was very special.

 

I guess next time we will do back to back on a smaller ship because from what I've read both Oasis and Allure is having problems treating their back to back cruisers.

[Paul65]

I guess next time we will do back to back on a smaller ship because from what I've read both Oasis and Allure is having problems treating their back to back cruisers.

 

Interesting. I've never done a back to back cruise, but would have never guessed that a special lunch in between cruises or the swiftness of getting back on the ship would be major attractions for doing b2b. I thought it was just about extending the overall vacation and maybe getting to experience more ports on those ships that have alternating itineraries.

[filmstar40]

We did b2b on Liberty in Dec 11 and the entertainment was excellent.

At the meeting beforehand an older Lady Cruiser loudly informed the Guest Services Officer she was not getting off the Ship. He did not take her seriously.

 

True to her word the next day she refused to gather with the group in the Diamond Lounge. This delayed the 20 or so b2b'ers from being processed. Eventually some large Security guys escorted her from her room and met us at the Gangway. She was allowed to the front of every queue etc in an attempt at appeasing her. No-one cared but it passed the time for the rest of us, laughing at her strops directed at all the RCI staff.

 

Why do b2b if you have so many issues on getting off the ship?

 

no special lunch, think a coffee in the lounge was it - didn't expect anything more. Lunch was WJ before the rest of the guests boarded.

[lady_cruiser]

We did a B2B on The Navigator Dec 1, 2012 and Dec 8, 2012. We had delayed boarding the first week, with everyone else, because over 200 people had the norovirus the week before us. And the ship was in deep cleaning mode.

 

The second week, between our B2Bs, we were delayed early boarding again because 20 people on during first week came down with the norovirus so the ship had to do another deep cleaning. We were the first ones on the ship this time but within 15 minutes the other passengers began boarding so you can say we really didn't have the ship to ourselves nor were we able to get in our cabins early, as promised.

 

We did have our special Chef's luncheon but my sister and I left after viewing the menu. Why? Because I have diverticulosis and couldn't eat anything so we headed to the Windjammer so lunch.

 

Was I upset because all this happened? No. Things happen that sometime is out of our control and we either learn to work around it or be miserable and I refuse to be the latter.

 

Would I book a B2B again? In a heartbeat if I and when I can afford it.

[ppg0270]

Interesting. I've never done a back to back cruise, but would have never guessed that a special lunch in between cruises or the swiftness of getting back on the ship would be major attractions for doing b2b. I thought it was just about extending the overall vacation and maybe getting to experience more ports on those ships that have alternating itineraries.

 

Its not the special lunch or being the first one back on the ship, we were told of the process the night before of how things were going to progress and they didn't fall through; if you read some of the other comments on here. It is the beginning of saying one thing and then doing another.

[travelplus]

I like the Trans Atlantic 14-15 day cruises its better than a Back2Back because you get to stay in your cabin until the end of the cruise. While a B2B can be good customs can be delayed and if the cruise needs to be cleaned you may be delayed to reboard.

 

What I think would be a good way to handle Back2Back cruises is if the cruiseline keeps your same reservation# and SeaPass card if you are keeping your stateroom. At a designated time you are asked to go to a venue to hand over your passports and then the assigned customs agent can process Back2Back cruisers. At the pier when you chekced in for your cruise your SeaPass is activated until the end of the B2B.

 

The Back2Back cruisers are asked to vacate their staterooms for cleaning but can re-enter after the cleaning is done. In the mean time you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard or get off the ship if you so desire.

[Paul65]

Its not the special lunch or being the first one back on the ship, we were told of the process the night before of how things were going to progress and they didn't fall through; if you read some of the other comments on here. It is the beginning of saying one thing and then doing another.

 

 

Perhaps you should re-read what the OP wrote. (I know...that was you. ;))

 

The conclusion was "If this is just a single incident pleased let me know but if this is how things are, we will not do it again."

 

Saying that this is a deal-breaker and would keep you from ever doing a b2b cruise again is a lot different than saying you just didn't like the fact that things didn't go quite as smoothly as you expected, based on what they'd told you the night before.

[ppg0270]

I like the Trans Atlantic 14-15 day cruises its better than a Back2Back because you get to stay in your cabin until the end of the cruise. While a B2B can be good customs can be delayed and if the cruise needs to be cleaned you may be delayed to reboard.

 

What I think would be a good way to handle Back2Back cruises is if the cruiseline keeps your same reservation# and SeaPass card if you are keeping your stateroom. At a designated time you are asked to go to a venue to hand over your passports and then the assigned customs agent can process Back2Back cruisers. At the pier when you chekced in for your cruise your SeaPass is activated until the end of the B2B.

 

The Back2Back cruisers are asked to vacate their staterooms for cleaning but can re-enter after the cleaning is done. In the mean time you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard or get off the ship if you so desire.

 

If I am told to attend a meeting the night prior to departure and that it was how it was going to be, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Just as long as they do what they say, not leave anything up to chance.