B2B Fort Lauderdale Port

[angel4daffodil]

Hello,

 

We are booked on the Nieuw Amsterdam on 2/16/14 for our first B2B. On 2/23/14 when we are back in Port Everglades there are going to be 15,000 people in port! A few questions...

 

Do we have to get off the ship for customs?

If so, is it at a different time from when everyone else is disembarking?

Can we get right back on the ship after customs and maybe just rent one of those cabanas for the day and avoid the crowds?

Has anyone ever left the ship for the day to explore for example, the Everglades, and had trouble getting back in time due to traffic, etc?

And finally, I would love an suggestions for the day as to how to spend our time?

 

Thanks so much in advance for any responses.

 

Caroline

[sail7seas]

I have previously posted this reponse:

 

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 with 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.

[sail7seas]

You definitely can plan to tour the Everglades or do anything else you wish for the day.

 

Our last turnaround day in FLL in November, we spent late morning and early afternoon at a hotel pool having lunch and seeing friends.

 

You must return to the ship in time for life boat drill. You must attend again despite having done it the week before.

[CruiserBruce]

First, 15K people is an average weekend day at Port Everglades. I think the record is almost 30K.

 

Second, the cabanas are technically not available until 3pm on a "new" cruise. On our B2B on N. Amsterdam, we were able to get into the cabanas at about 1pm, as the cabana stewards knew us, and allowed us in.

[lovetocruise2020]

I suggest doing the HAL Everglades Airboat tour if you are not inclined to sleep in late. We really liked it. But do not do it on your own, not on a day like that, I would hate for something to happen and you miss the ship... We did it on our own before leaving to the airport one day and we really liked it.

[grandgeezer]

One other point, we've done three B2Bs out of Ft. Lauderdale. In each case,we were let back on the ship 1/2 to one hour before general boarding. This made for a nice quiet, relaxing lunch at the buffet.

[BrightyB]

I have been a check-in agent with HAL for the past 5 years at Port Everglades. You will be required to debark with your passport but will be the last ones off. You may be able to re-board ASAP as long as all of the debarking guests have left. For sightseeing, there is a water-taxi available approx. 2 miles from the port. For shopping, the Sawgrass Mills Mall, approx. 30 minutes from the port is worth seeing. Enjoy!!

[taxmantoo]

Time for a visit to Total Wines to reload and back to the ship ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have also done quite a few Collectors Cruises (back-to-back) out of Ft Lauderdale (and other ports).

They are wonderful.

We always report to the designated area at the designated time to be escorted off the ship to go through immigration (not customs). It usually happens around 9:30. The letter you get the day before will give you all the instructions.

Breakfast will be early for everyone and even the Lido closes down by 8 so that they can get everything cleaned before the new passengers get on the ship. Many times the pools are closed as well.

We have waited anywhere from 1/2 hour to 1 1/2 hours to get back on the ship.

Do remember to take your passport and Intransit card with you.

[ibfishing2]

I wasn't the one asking the question but I was interested in the answers. Thank you all for taking the time to pass on this info.

[motherchic]

Hi Caroline, so glad you asked. Excellent question.

this will be our first back to back. I guess we will know who all the B to Bs are because we will be the ones with the BIG smile on our faces :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

One time there was only 3 of us.

Another time we had over 500. Because of the large number, immigration decided that it would be better for them to come onto the ship and have us go through the procedure there. The terminal would have been packed with just us alone. The staff on board set up tables to check off our cabin numbers and we passed through the show lounge. Went very quickly.

People who wanted to get off the ship and do something else could do so.

[sail7seas]

One time there was only 3 of us.

 

Another time we had over 500. Because of the large number, immigration decided that it would be better for them to come onto the ship and have us go through the procedure there. The terminal would have been packed with just us alone. The staff on board set up tables to check off our cabin numbers and we passed through the show lounge. Went very quickly.

 

People who wanted to get off the ship and do something else could do so.

 

 

We also have done many b-to-b's and among other ports have turned around in Port Everglades dozens of times. The largest number of b-to-b'ers I remember being a part of was something like 350 - 400 guests. It was Thanksgiving cruise if I remember and we all went to the terminal and then waited to reboard. It was a beautiful day so DH and I waited outside vs being crammed into an interior waiting area in the terminal. We enjoyed the pretty weather and when we saw they started the embarks, we went directly to security and were back aboard very quickly.

 

[angel4daffodil]

Thanks so much everyone for all the responses. Since cabanas won't be available until a little later, maybe we could opt for a ship sponsored excursion to the Everglades. Our gang has already enjoyed the water taxi experience a few years ago so was hoping to do something a little different.

 

Good night!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also have done many b-to-b's and among other ports have turned around in Port Everglades dozens of times. The largest number of b-to-b'ers I remember being a part of was something like 350 - 400 guests. It was Thanksgiving cruise if I remember and we all went to the terminal and then waited to reboard. It was a beautiful day so DH and I waited outside vs being crammed into an interior waiting area in the terminal. We enjoyed the pretty weather and when we saw they started the embarks, we went directly to security and were back aboard very quickly.

 

 

Our big group -- for a cruise we did in February/March.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks so much everyone for all the responses. Since cabanas won't be available until a little later, maybe we could opt for a ship sponsored excursion to the Everglades. Our gang has already enjoyed the water taxi experience a few years ago so was hoping to do something a little different.

 

Good night!

 

We did the Everglades excursion quite a few years ago -- really loved it.

[JamesEM]

DW and I will be doing a B-2-B cruise on the NA this Oct/Nov, does anyone know if we would be allowed to walk to 17th St., or will be required to take the crew shuttle or a taxi?

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is a very long walk to 17th street. You can not cut through the freight / ship areas.

Take a taxi -- not the crew shuttle -- to go wherever you want to go.

[sail7seas]

DW and I will be doing a B-2-B cruise on the NA this Oct/Nov, does anyone know if we would be allowed to walk to 17th St., or will be required to take the crew shuttle or a taxi?

 

 

We've had the conversation about crew shuttle being used by guests and there is lack of agreement. Some of us think it inappropriate for guests to ride the crew shuttle but others think it fine. We would not think of using transporation which by its very title indicates it is for crew.

 

We take a taxi when we want to get to 17th Street from the dock.

You may be permitted to walk but in sections, there are no sidewalks and it's not really a 'smart' place to be walking IMO

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

I agree.

We would never think about using the shuttle that is intended for the crew.