Back to Back - HOw Does It Work

[paul929207]

My understanding is this is not true. I was specifically told you must attend all musters regardless. Especially after what has happened after various accidents in the last two years.

 

Also, we are doing a BTB in January and we have the same cabin both legs. From what I have been told we do not have to pack anything up, the Stewart will make up our room as normal, we just have to show up at the designated place, disembark, go give our customs card at customs and then either we can to to fort Lauderdale for the day or get right back on.

We were on a b2b on the Ocean Princess September to November and only had to go to one muster drill.

[IECalCruiser]

My understanding is this is not true. I was specifically told you must attend all musters regardless. Especially after what has happened after various accidents in the last two years.

 

Also, we are doing a BTB in January and we have the same cabin both legs. From what I have been told we do not have to pack anything up, the Stewart will make up our room as normal, we just have to show up at the designated place, disembark, go give our customs card at customs and then either we can to to fort Lauderdale for the day or get right back on.

We only had to do the first muster drill on our B2B last fall. We changed cabins, but only three cabins down the hallway. If you are staying in the same room you certainly don't need to pack anything. You do not clear customs until the end of the last cruise. You only need to go through immigration in the US on turnaround day.

[mrell345]

We only had to do the first muster drill on our B2B last fall. We changed cabins, but only three cabins down the hallway. If you are staying in the same room you certainly don't need to pack anything. You do not clear customs until the end of the last cruise. You only need to go through immigration in the US on turnaround day.

 

 

Ok, thanks for setting me straight. While they are doing the muster do you have to stay anywhere in particular or can you pretty much go where you want ? Do you have to keep the pursers letter with you in case the crew asks you why you are not at muster ? Kind of like a get out of muster free card ?:p

Edited December 1, 2013 by mrell345

[IECalCruiser]

Ok, thanks for setting me straight. While they are doing the muster do you have to stay anywhere in particular or can you pretty much go where you want ? Do you have to keep the pursers letter with you in case the crew asks you why you are not at muster ? Kind of like a get out of muster free card ?:p

I think we just relaxed in our cabins. Nothing is open during the muster drill.

[Astro Flyer]

I think we just relaxed in our cabins. Nothing is open during the muster drill.

We've done the same thing particularly if we have a balcony. Even though not attending another muster drill is authorized, I prefer to be less obvious to create less confusion for those who are required to attend.

[paul929207]

Ok, thanks for setting me straight. While they are doing the muster do you have to stay anywhere in particular or can you pretty much go where you want ? Do you have to keep the pursers letter with you in case the crew asks you why you are not at muster ? Kind of like a get out of muster free card ?:p

There will be no passenger services during the drill. I would stay away from the muster stations, but otherwise, you are free to more about

[beg3yrs]

Ok, thanks for setting me straight. While they are doing the muster do you have to stay anywhere in particular or can you pretty much go where you want ? Do you have to keep the pursers letter with you in case the crew asks you why you are not at muster ? Kind of like a get out of muster free card ?:p

 

We went to Lido deck for one of our B2B musters. It was really nice weather, there were no chair hogs and we did get bar service. The bar service may have been made available as there were quite a few passengers in transit so Princess kept us happy.

 

We stay away from the muster areas to avoid confusion. That's pretty much anywhere on the Promenade deck for most ships. If challenged by the crew all you have to say is you're in transit and they're good with it.

[skynight]

My understanding is this is not true. I was specifically told you must attend all musters regardless. Especially after what has happened after various accidents in the last two years. In January 2013 we were not required to attend the 2nd muster drill, but you could if you wanted. Services really don't close. If you want a drink at the Lido bar, a slice of Pizza, or a cup of coffee in the buffet you can get it. Some staff is assigned to the muster drill, so the areas are short handed.

 

Also, we are doing a BTB in January and we have the same cabin both legs. From what I have been told we do not have to pack anything up, the Stewart will make up our room as normal, This is correct, no packing, just a normal day. Your cabin could be one of the later ones serviced, this was our experience, as the steward has to get all the cabins ready for the new passengers first.

we just have to show up at the designated place, disembark, go give our customs card at customs and then either we can to to fort Lauderdale for the day or get right back on.You do not complete your Customs entry form to hand in. This is only done at the end of your entire voyage when you re-enter the U.S.. You don't go through Customs, only immigration. For this process you will require your old and new cruise cards, passports and intransit cards which are supplied by Princess.

 

Please see above

[ctemkg]

You don't go through Customs, only immigration. For this process you will require your old and new cruise cards, passports and intransit cards which are supplied by Princess.

 

What is the difference between going through customs and going through immigration? Here in Los Angeles, I have only seen one area where they check your passport and customs form. So I thought the customs and immigration were basically the same process.

[Pam in CA]

What is the difference between going through customs and going through immigration? Here in Los Angeles, I have only seen one area where they check your passport and customs form. So I thought the customs and immigration were basically the same process.

Customs is the inspection of what you are bringing into the US. Immigration inspects your citizenship documentation. You always go through Immigration when returning to the US. You technically go through Customs when you hand in that form. They have the right to stop you and inspect your luggage. If you've returned from a short CA coastal or Mexican Riviera cruise, they are less likely to conduct inspections. If you're returning from South America or Asia, it'll be much more than just handing in the form. Edited December 3, 2013 by Pam in CA

[ctemkg]

Customs is the inspection of what you are bringing into the US. Immigration inspects your citizenship documentation. You always go through Immigration when returning to the US. You technically go through Customs when you hand in that form. They have the right to stop you and inspect your luggage. If you've returned from a short CA coastal or Mexican Riviera cruise, they are less likely to conduct inspections. If you're returning from South America or Asia, it'll be much more than just handing in the form.

 

Thanks Pam for the explanation.

[Sea Fan]

Pam or who ever might know, I have a friend doing a 26 day b2b but was upset because his TA did not make it a continuous cruise. He get's the military benefit and says he will get it for each cruise. I'm wondering if this is why the TA did not make it continuous?

To be honest I hadn't heard of a cruise being referred to as a "continuous" on a b2b

 

Just curious..

 

Thanks,

[Astro Flyer]

Pam or who ever might know, I have a friend doing a 26 day b2b but was upset because his TA did not make it a continuous cruise. He get's the military benefit and says he will get it for each cruise. I'm wondering if this is why the TA did not make it continuous?

To be honest I hadn't heard of a cruise being referred to as a "continuous" on a b2b

 

Just curious..

 

Thanks,

I know Pam...does that count? :p

 

We have a March cruise that could be booked as a single 31 day cruise which may have been slightly less expensive than as a 14 & 17 day b2b.

 

However for this cruise we doubled my military & shareholder OBCs which that alone will give me $500 of more OBC. If he booked as a single cruise his military OBC would be $250 vs. $500 as a b2b. Adding other OBCs (FCC, Loyalty, TA) it was considerably cheaper for me to book this crusie as a b2b.

 

That's not always the case & is why we look at the complete price which many times is less expensive as a b2b vs. a single cruise. So your friend's TA most likely did him a favor by booking as a b2b & he should be thankful for an additional $250 of OBC and not upset with his TA.

 

My experience has been that whether booked as one cruise or as a b2b some perks are still given multiple times such as minibars on each segment for Elite members & additional internet minutes for Platinum & above.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Astro Flyer

[jrzebird]

I just did a b2b in November and our turn around was in Houston. We did have to fill out customs declarations and hand them in when we went through customs/immigration. If you didn't have one, they gave you one to fill out. We went right through and back on the ship, no waiting with any other group to reboard. You only have to wait to reboard if you opt to get off the ship and tour the area.

 

We did not have to go to the second muster drill, but if you were changing muster stations as a result of a cabin change, it was strongly recommended that you go. I sat in my cabin, read a book and straightened up my cabin (I do that a lot so the steward doesn't have a mess).

 

Some people use the time between re-boarding and sail away to do their laundry. I was going to do that this time but the laundry was shut down because we needed to load more water. I swear, that's what the sign said. So, I enjoyed a nice lunch in the dining room instead.

 

All of my charges from the first leg showed up and were added to my invoice for the 2nd half (you can go to the purser's desk and pay the first invoice if you wish). My internet minutes left over from the first half were credited to me and I also got my free platinum minutes for the 2nd half. Even my coffee card was considered a first cruise card and I could get brewed coffee as well as specialty brews.

 

I booked the b2b as 2 separate cruises, not one. The only thing that really changed for the 2nd leg was my dining room table and servers. It was not a fully booked cruise by any means and they put all 2nd seating people in one area and closed off the other areas.

 

Anyway, that's just some of my very recent experiences (and those I had a year ago on the b2b) with turn around day. Hope it helped.

 

Maureen

[Sea Fan]

Thanks so much Astro Flyer and since you know Pam I will take it as the gospel :). That's pretty much what I thought, and since I recommended his TA (and like her) I needed back up to explain this.

 

jrzebird, Thank you for the tips, this has been a great thread,

 

Dianne

[caribill]

Pam or who ever might know, I have a friend doing a 26 day b2b but was upset because his TA did not make it a continuous cruise. He get's the military benefit and says he will get it for each cruise. I'm wondering if this is why the TA did not make it continuous?

To be honest I hadn't heard of a cruise being referred to as a "continuous" on a b2b

 

 

First question is did Princess even offer the 26 days as a single cruise or just as seperate cruises?

 

If not offered as a single cruise, then the TA had to book them seperately.

 

If offered both ways, what was the duration of each segment? That would determine if it would be more beneficial OBC wise to book it one way or the other.

 

For example, two segments of 13 days each would give $100 military OBC each segment for a total of $200. But if it could be booked as a single 26 day cruise, the military OBC would be $250.

 

On the other hand, if one segment was 14 days and the other was 12 days, booking them as two cruises would get $250 military OBC for the 14 day one and $100 for the 12 day one for a total of $350 which would be better than the $250 if booked as a single 26 day cruise.

[Kinkacruiser]

I've read though this thread but couldn't find any specific information about turnaround day in Southampton. We have booked the B2B as 2 separate cruises and have the same cabin for both.

 

Will we be required to disembark ?

 

Where/How do we receive a new cruise card?

 

If we go ashore, will we have a transit card?

 

Thanks for your help.

[CCFC]

Where are you sailing to as that can affect the answer.

 

The new cruise cards will be put outside your door the day before disembarkation.

[Kinkacruiser]

Where are you sailing to as that can affect the answer.

 

The new cruise cards will be put outside your door the day before disembarkation.

 

We will be cruising to the Western Mediterranean after the Baltic cruise.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Kinkacruiser

[paul929207]

I've read though this thread but couldn't find any specific information about turnaround day in Southampton. We have booked the B2B as 2 separate cruises and have the same cabin for both.

 

Will we be required to disembark ?

 

Where/How do we receive a new cruise card?

 

If we go ashore, will we have a transit card?

 

Thanks for your help.

We did a turnaround in Dover and did not have to get off.

 

New cruise card is usually delivered the last night of the leg.

[Working 2 Cruise]

I'm doing a 14 day on the Ruby in December (yes, 326 days from now!). This is booked as one cruise but it can be booked as 2 7-day cruises. Will the same procedures apply to us?

[Astro Flyer]

I'm doing a 14 day on the Ruby in December (yes, 326 days from now!). This is booked as one cruise but it can be booked as 2 7-day cruises. Will the same procedures apply to us?

Nina...hope your knee feels better. Where is your transition day?

 

In Copenhagen & Venice we didn't have to exit the ship. We got our cards before arrival & had the option to activate onboard or could activate when getting off the ship. It seems to vary in US ports...didn't have to disembark in Whittier Alaska when arriving from Vancouver but we did when arriving in Port Everglades from Europe.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[Working 2 Cruise]

Frank, my knee is much better..just soaked it in the hot tub!

 

We will be doing the Caribbean 14 day Ruby with a nice deposit from our 4 dayer!

 

So, it will be Ft. Lauderdale!

 

We are definitely stepping out of our comfort zone!

[Astro Flyer]

Frank, my knee is much better..just soaked it in the hot tub!

 

We will be doing the Caribbean 14 day Ruby with a nice deposit from our 4 dayer!

 

So, it will be Ft. Lauderdale!

 

We are definitely stepping out of our comfort zone!

Glad you're doing better & hopefully someone will have a b2b Caribbean experience to share with you. If I recall correctly from reading posts you'll be escorted off to clear immigration before reboarding the ship. I've read that will be the procedure for our turnaround day in SP.

[caribill]

I'm doing a 14 day on the Ruby in December (yes, 326 days from now!). This is booked as one cruise but it can be booked as 2 7-day cruises. Will the same procedures apply to us?

 

Yes.

 

You will have a new cruise card for the second segment no matter how it was booked and any required turnaround procedures will also apply.