Doing a b to b sort of question

[LHC]

Okay booked a 14 day holiday cruise on the eurodam. It does a eastern and a western route stopping and starting in fll. Do you have to disembark between trips? Or is it possible to stay on the ship?

[sail7seas]

If you have the same cabin, you leave all your personal property in place in your cabin.

The last night of your first segment, you will receive a letter telling you the requirement for Immigration clearance, when and how to go and dining hours for 'turnaround day'.

 

You will have to exit the ship, go into the terminal with your passport and clear Immigration. You will not be permitted back aboard until the ship has 'zeroed down' meaning all who are meant to be leaving have done so.

 

You can choose to either go as a group following the instructions as to where to meet or you can go on your own. We always go on our own. There has been some negative conversation that you must go with the whole crowd but that is not true. In a very large number of b-to-b, we have always gone on our own and security at the gangway, CBP Officials in the Terminal, Shore Operations people in the terminal and Security when we reboard all have told us it is fine and never have we had a problem.

 

We always wait until they call the last of the disembarkation colors/numbers and go then as that usually should mean a short wait ashore. Our average wait has been in the range of 30-45 minutes but it can vary. If there is a selfish idiot who takes their sweet time about leaving despite repeated calls to disembark, no one can board until they leave.

 

You can reboard by just clearing through security but no need to go to the check in lines or get a 'number'.

 

You should bring the 'in transit card' that will be enclosed with the letter you receive and your ship's ID, as always.

 

B-to-b's are fabulous. We've done a great many and always enjoyed each and every one.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have also done quite a few Collectors Cruises (back-to-back).

As a rule breakfast will be over by 8 AM as the staff needs to get everything cleaned down before the new passengers get on the ship.

The letters we get the day before the end of the first cruise usually have us meeting about 9:15 - 9:30 AM in a lounge -- the time depends on how many Intransit people there are on your cruise.

We always arrive at the meeting place and wait with the others to be escorted off the ship by someone from the front office.

The ship has to be down to "Zero" count before Intransit passengers and new passengers can get on.

Very few times have we been able to get right back on the ship. usually wait about 20 minutes. But several times we have waited up to 1 1/2 hours before we could get back on the ship.

Remember to take your Passport and Intransit Card with you when you get off the ship.

[cheercoach10]

We are doing a collector's voyage in June. I have read that there may be benefits/rewards given on the second part of the trip. Is this true? Is it fleetwide or ship to ship? Nothing is needed or expected, but I am curious after reading. I will be in the Mediterranean for 24 days; that sound like a great benefit to me! 😊

[ToBe]

If you have the same cabin, you leave all your personal property in place in your cabin.

The last night of your first segment, you will receive a letter telling you the requirement for Immigration clearance, when and how to go and dining hours for 'turnaround day'.

 

You will have to exit the ship, go into the terminal with your passport and clear Immigration. You will not be permitted back aboard until the ship has 'zeroed down' meaning all who are meant to be leaving have done so.

 

You can choose to either go as a group following the instructions as to where to meet or you can go on your own. We always go on our own. There has been some negative conversation that you must go with the whole crowd but that is not true. In a very large number of b-to-b, we have always gone on our own and security at the gangway, CBP Officials in the Terminal, Shore Operations people in the terminal and Security when we reboard all have told us it is fine and never have we had a problem.

 

We always wait until they call the last of the disembarkation colors/numbers and go then as that usually should mean a short wait ashore. Our average wait has been in the range of 30-45 minutes but it can vary. If there is a selfish idiot who takes their sweet time about leaving despite repeated calls to disembark, no one can board until they leave.

 

You can reboard by just clearing through security but no need to go to the check in lines or get a 'number'.

 

You should bring the 'in transit card' that will be enclosed with the letter you receive and your ship's ID, as always.

 

B-to-b's are fabulous. We've done a great many and always enjoyed each and every one.

We will be on the Rotterdam and get on the ship in Rotterdam. The next day we pick up people in Southhampton. Is that considered a B&B? We then have another change in Greece. That is 12 days later. Another B2B? We end up in Singapore.

Do you think we will be doing the transit procedure both times? I am curious about a one day cruise.

 

Temma

[sail7seas]

The zero down regulations only apply to U.S. ports.

 

Sorry, I should add that to the response I have posted here so many times.

I will try to remember to insert that into it next time I post it.

 

Rotterdam, Southampton, Greece...... obviously not U.S. and none of the zero down will apply.

[LHC]

I was just wondering if there would be time to do a diet coke, water, wine run or can you set up a delivery to the terminal?

[Linda&Vern]

If you have the same cabin, you leave all your personal property in place in your cabin.

The last night of your first segment, you will receive a letter telling you the requirement for Immigration clearance, when and how to go and dining hours for 'turnaround day'.

 

You will have to exit the ship, go into the terminal with your passport and clear Immigration. You will not be permitted back aboard until the ship has 'zeroed down' meaning all who are meant to be leaving have done so.

 

You can choose to either go as a group following the instructions as to where to meet or you can go on your own. We always go on our own. There has been some negative conversation that you must go with the whole crowd but that is not true. In a very large number of b-to-b, we have always gone on our own and security at the gangway, CBP Officials in the Terminal, Shore Operations people in the terminal and Security when we reboard all have told us it is fine and never have we had a problem.

 

We always wait until they call the last of the disembarkation colors/numbers and go then as that usually should mean a short wait ashore. Our average wait has been in the range of 30-45 minutes but it can vary. If there is a selfish idiot who takes their sweet time about leaving despite repeated calls to disembark, no one can board until they leave.

 

You can reboard by just clearing through security but no need to go to the check in lines or get a 'number'.

 

You should bring the 'in transit card' that will be enclosed with the letter you receive and your ship's ID, as always.

 

B-to-b's are fabulous. We've done a great many and always enjoyed each and every one.

Sail - I just wanted to point out one thing ... kind of the "exception." When on our Collector's Cruise in March (Westerdam) on turn-around day we were going to go off the ship alone (as you suggested) - but later decided to go with the group at the appointed time. We were very glad we did that because we did not have to do anything except scan key cards, go to the end of the gangway straight into a "room with folding chairs," wait 15-20? minutes, and go straight back up the gangway and scan our cards. There was no immigration check, no passport check. No security screening and no "in transit" card. I have to assume this abbreviated version was because we had been in a US port (Key West) the day before.

[sail7seas]

Sail - I just wanted to point out one thing ... kind of the "exception." When on our Collector's Cruise in March (Westerdam) on turn-around day we were going to go off the ship alone (as you suggested) - but later decided to go with the group at the appointed time. We were very glad we did that because we did not have to do anything except scan key cards, go to the end of the gangway straight into a "room with folding chairs," wait 15-20? minutes, and go straight back up the gangway and scan our cards. There was no immigration check, no passport check. No security screening and no "in transit" card. I have to assume this abbreviated version was because we had been in a US port (Key West) the day before.

 

 

We did Westerdam Thanksgiving week and week after and stopped in Key West, same as you. We had to show passports when we went ashore. I remember clearly because I was carrying a HAL tote and the CBP Offical asked what was in the tote bag. We, of course, were not making a custom's declaration as our trip was not yet finished.

 

We chose to leave the terminal and went to a hotel for several hours at the pool and lunch. When we returned, we were able to board immediately.

 

Same ship, same itinerary, not the same procedure.

 

[Linda&Vern]

We did Westerdam Thanksgiving week and week after and stopped in Key West, same as you. We had to show passports when we went ashore. I remember clearly because I was carrying a HAL tote and the CBP Offical asked what was in the tote bag. We, of course, were not making a custom's declaration as our trip was not yet finished.

 

We chose to leave the terminal and went to a hotel for several hours at the pool and lunch. When we returned, we were able to board immediately.

 

Same ship, same itinerary, not the same procedure.

Sail - I think the difference would be you left the terminal. We never left the small room at the end of the gangway. Literally step off the gangway into this room. No one was allowed to move from that room. I'm sure that was the difference.

[Alberta Quilter]

We are doing a collector's voyage in June. I have read that there may be benefits/rewards given on the second part of the trip. Is this true? Is it fleetwide or ship to ship? Nothing is needed or expected, but I am curious after reading. I will be in the Mediterranean for 24 days; that sound like a great benefit to me! 😊

 

I got home a week ago from a collector's cruise in the Med. on the Eurodam. We were onboard for 21 days, two different segments.

 

When we first boarded, we received a letter indicating that we would be receiving a pre-booked reservation for Tamarind because we were on a collector cruise. We were also entitled to discounts at the spa on port days. We did not have to zero down as Sail mentioned. However we chose to go off the ship in Civi for a couple of hours.

 

We were invited to a cocktail party with the captain and executives during the first segment. I don't know if this was because we were on a collector cruise or not. We were invited again on the second segment, too. That time, the invitation specifically mentioned the collector cruise whereas the first one did not.

 

On the second segment, we received a plate of chocolates, because we booked a collector cruise. I had read here of the nice tote bags that are given out on the night before the first port on the second segment. We did not receive that bag. I asked about it a few days later and finally received one a few days after that. I was told that was the last one on the ship which I found interesting because there were so many people who booked the same collectors cruise that we did.

 

I think that was all we got for booking the collector cruise. It was quite a bit; I was pleasantly surprised, particularly with the Tamarind dinner. I've read before and since that others did not get that much.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I was just wondering if there would be time to do a diet coke, water, wine run or can you set up a delivery to the terminal?

 

I see that you are on the Eurodam -- Ft Lauderdale.

You can not set up to have anything delivered to the terminal.

You will need to take a taxi -- there will be time.

Closet place for wine sodas -- Harbor Shops -- Publix and Total Wine. Next to the Embassy Suites.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are doing a collector's voyage in June. I have read that there may be benefits/rewards given on the second part of the trip. Is this true? Is it fleetwide or ship to ship? Nothing is needed or expected, but I am curious after reading. I will be in the Mediterranean for 24 days; that sound like a great benefit to me!

 

Others here have talked about getting free dinners, etc for booking Collectors Cruises.

We have not been that fortunate. One time all people doing the Collector's Cruise were invited to a special cocktail party. Another time we were invited to an Indonesian Lunch and we were led to believe that it was only for the Intransit people. It wasn't -- it was opened to the entire ship -- nothing special avout that.

Have never gotten a free dinner.

We have done quite a few Collector's Cruises and have see nothing special other than getting a tiny discount.

[cheercoach10]

Thanks Alberta Quilter and Krazy Kruizer! It seems you had different experiences! Like I said in my original post, I'm just happy that I'm getting to spend 24 days in the Mediterranean!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hope you get some nice perks on your Collectors Cruise.

[sail7seas]

We've experienced wide variance in Collectors Cruise treats.

We've been on some when we got nothing extra and been on one where we had free dinner in Tamarind, Cocktail party just for Collectors, Indonesian Lunches, chocoate strawberries, and always the Mariners Tote Bag. I think I heard recently they are discontinuing giving that nice tote. Happy we collected some as I really like them. :)

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Mariner totes are way nicer than the new blue ones - think we will leave them behind in the future.

[rogerthornhill]

The zero down regulations only apply to U.S. ports.

 

Sorry, I should add that to the response I have posted here so many times.

I will try to remember to insert that into it next time I post it.

 

Rotterdam, Southampton, Greece...... obviously not U.S. and none of the zero down will apply.

We recently did a collector's cruise that had a turn around day in a foreign county (not in Europe either). That country also required all passengers to disembark for the ship to 'zero down'. That regulation doesn't just apply to U.S. ports.

 

The only tote bag we received as during the first part of the cruise. That HAL bag makes the $1 bags available at our local grocery store look luxurious. Pitiful.

 

The box of chocolates, cocktail party, and Indonesian lunch were quite nice.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We recently did a collector's cruise that had a turn around day in a foreign county (not in Europe either). That country also required all passengers to disembark for the ship to 'zero down'. That regulation doesn't just apply to U.S. ports.

 

The only tote bag we received as during the first part of the cruise. That HAL bag makes the $1 bags available at our local grocery store look luxurious. Pitiful.

 

The box of chocolates, cocktail party, and Indonesian lunch were quite nice.

 

Box of chocolates??

Never got that either.

[Hlitner]

Okay booked a 14 day holiday cruise on the eurodam. It does a eastern and a western route stopping and starting in fll. Do you have to disembark between trips? Or is it possible to stay on the ship?

 

The answer to your specific question depends on in which country you have your turn-around day. If it is in a US Port you will be required to disembark and go through immigration before returning to the ship (you will be held in a holding area until the ship has been "zeroed out" and cleared by the CBP Officials). In US Ports, if you plan on spending time ashore you would be allowed to leave the ship early in the morning and not return to near sailing time. If your turn-around is in other countries the rules can vary. In many European and Asian ports there is no requirement to disembark.

 

Hank

[SilvertoGold]

We've experienced wide variance in Collectors Cruise treats.

We've been on some when we got nothing extra and been on one where we had free dinner in Tamarind, Cocktail party just for Collectors, Indonesian Lunches, chocoate strawberries, and always the Mariners Tote Bag. I think I heard recently they are discontinuing giving that nice tote. Happy we collected some as I really like them. :)

 

 

"Wide variance": I like that term. Sums up HAL's general way of doing things, ship by ship, and not only in respect to Collector's cruises.

[PathfinderEss]

We did a collector cruise in March and did not have to vacate the ship between cruises. To say the least I was surprised but pleasantly. Was very nice not to get off the ship. It was Hawaii/Mexico cruise.

Now we just did a collector cruise Repo/Alaska and had to disembark. So it can differ from collector cruise to collector cruise.

As KK said there can be a wide variance in Collectors Cruise treats too. One time you can get nice bags, that seems to have stopped now. There can be VIP parties, luncheons, maybe a free dinner at the Pinnacle or Tamarind.

On our last Collector Cruise the first part was full of treats and the second part not so much. In fact it was like we weren't even on board for the second week. We didn't even get invited to the Mariners award presentation, even though we were the highest ranking Mariners on board.

 

[babyorca]

I read a lot about leaving and reboarding as soon as possible and going with the group. I want to do the opposite. In July I will be on Maasdam and turnaround day will be our one day in Boston. We had planned to start our trip in Boston and only cruise for a week but changed it to 2 weeks and starting and ending in Montreal, therefore much less time in Boston than I had originally wanted. All the other ports we will go to twice.

 

How can be make the most of this day? Can we get off as early as possible? Do we have to do anything different than how we would normally do at a port when we just walk off and later walk back on (going through the normal security etc).

Thanks

[Krazy Kruizers]

I read a lot about leaving and reboarding as soon as possible and going with the group. I want to do the opposite. In July I will be on Maasdam and turnaround day will be our one day in Boston. We had planned to start our trip in Boston and only cruise for a week but changed it to 2 weeks and starting and ending in Montreal, therefore much less time in Boston than I had originally wanted. All the other ports we will go to twice.

 

How can be make the most of this day? Can we get off as early as possible? Do we have to do anything different than how we would normally do at a port when we just walk off and later walk back on (going through the normal security etc).

Thanks

 

You will go through immigration in Bar Harbor since that is your first US port after leaving Montreal. Therefore in Boston you can get off the ship as soon it is cleared and deo whatever you want to do for the day.

Just remember to be back on the ship in time for the lifeboat drill.

The only thing you need to do is go through security -- you can skip the check-in line.

[sail7seas]

I read a lot about leaving and reboarding as soon as possible and going with the group. I want to do the opposite. In July I will be on Maasdam and turnaround day will be our one day in Boston. We had planned to start our trip in Boston and only cruise for a week but changed it to 2 weeks and starting and ending in Montreal, therefore much less time in Boston than I had originally wanted. All the other ports we will go to twice.

 

How can be make the most of this day? Can we get off as early as possible? Do we have to do anything different than how we would normally do at a port when we just walk off and later walk back on (going through the normal security etc).

Thanks

 

 

As soon as they begin disembarkation, you will be permitted to leave the ship and spend the day as you wish. Be sure to be back in time for life boat drill.

 

Bring your in transit pass and you will bypass check in lines, go directly to security and reboard when you return to the ship.

 

We have done your cruise in reverse a great many times. We board in Boston, turnaround in Montreal and return to Boston. :)