Booked my first B2B. Now...how exactly does a B2B work on the same ship/cabin???

[rene194215]

I am checking off a few firsts on my cruises this year. I am doing my first (of many hopefully!) B2B. And also they will be solo!!

 

My question is this however. When The ship comes back to Tampa, I am told I have to actually get off the ship. My cabin is the same so I do not have to pack up anything. But how does the rest work?

 

My thoughts are I need to get off the ship, take my passport, boarding pass for leg 2 and re check in?:confused: How long would I have to be off the ship? And what time would I have to get off? I was hoping I could just stay in my cabin and sleep!

 

Anyone who has done this please help!! I mean I know I can always check with guest services once on board but I guess right now I would like to have some peace of mind!:D

 

Thanks!!!

[christmas]

I am checking off a few firsts on my cruises this year. I am doing my first (of many hopefully!) B2B. And also they will be solo!!

 

My question is this however. When The ship comes back to Tampa, I am told I have to actually get off the ship. My cabin is the same so I do not have to pack up anything. But how does the rest work?

 

My thoughts are I need to get off the ship, take my passport, boarding pass for leg 2 and re check in?:confused: How long would I have to be off the ship? And what time would I have to get off? I was hoping I could just stay in my cabin and sleep!

 

Anyone who has done this please help!! I mean I know I can always check with guest services once on board but I guess right now I would like to have some peace of mind!:D

 

Thanks!!!

 

Hi,

On the last night of the first cruise you will recieve a letter with instructions. The next morning at the designated time on the letter (normally between 9 and 10AM) you will go to Guest Services then someone from Guest Services will take you to customs and take you back onboard. You will be off the ship 10 minutes at the most. That's it. Once boarding starts for the new cruisers you will recieve your new S&S card at Guest Services. You do not need to print a new boarding pass.

Edited May 6, 2014 by christmas

[SadieN]

At some point during your first cruise go to guest services to confirm you're on the B2B list.

[summer slope]

We scheduled an excursion to see the city by bus and water on our B2B. When we returned we went in through another entrance. Put our bags through security and returned to our cabin to drop off packages. Then to the buffet for lunch while the others were boarding. We were on a HAL ship in Ft. Lauderdale.

[LostPuppy]

We scheduled an excursion to see the city by bus and water on our B2B. When we returned we went in through another entrance. Put our bags through security and returned to our cabin to drop off packages. Then to the buffet for lunch while the others were boarding. We were on a HAL ship in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I think the OP is asking about Carnival in Tampa. not sure how relevant your experiences are with a different cruise line and port.

 

We did a B2B on the Liberty out of MIA with the same cabin and did not need to leave the ship other than 10 minutes for customs.

 

HOWEVER, there was another couple aboard doing a B2B that wanted to get some stuff out of their car (apparently they drove). One of them left the ship and was not able to get on "right away" as they expected. That person ended up sitting in the Platinum lounge and boarded with the normal crowd at 11'sh. They were a bit upset.

Edited May 6, 2014 by LostPuppy

[SadieN]

.....................

HOWEVER, there was another couple aboard doing a B2B that wanted to get some stuff out of their car (apparently they drove). One of them left the ship and was not able to get on "right away" as they expected. That person ended up sitting in the Platinum lounge and boarded with the normal crowd at 11'sh. They were a bit upset.

 

We were told that we would have to wait if we got off the Conquest in NOLA.

 

***

A friend had to take everything off the ship in Long Beach a few years ago. Not a happy camper.

[toto6]

You have to go to Guest Services for your new S&S card after they start boarding the new guests? Is this the normal procedure? Does it matter which port? Curious about Miami. Thanks!

[LostPuppy]

You have to go to Guest Services for your new S&S card after they start boarding the new guests? Is this the normal procedure? Does it matter which port? Curious about Miami. Thanks!

 

I can't speak for other ports or ships, but on the Liberty in Miami last Aug:

• We told GS during the first leg we were doing a B2B.
  
• We got a piece of paper under the door the last night telling us to meet in the lobby the next morning around 10:00?
  
• We were given new S&S cards, escorted off the ship to customs, and right back aboard.
  
• Later that night we got a plate of strawberries or something like that in our room.
  

We're doing a B2B in NOLA this summer and may just take a taxi into the French Quarter to get some "real" food & cheap drinks during the layover and return to the ship around 2:00. Then again we are spending five days prior to the 1st leg in the French Quarter, maybe we'll be sick of that too.

[kafraser78]

WOW that is super easy!!! We are doing our first Carnival B2B out of Port Canaveral on Sunshine over new year's and we were wondering the same thing if we have to get off the ship in Port Canaveral or stay on and get new S&S cards?

 

Thanks everybody.

[patz]

On the second leg you will also receive a fruit basket with sparkling wine. Enjoy!

[christmas]

WOW that is super easy!!! We are doing our first Carnival B2B out of Port Canaveral on Sunshine over new year's and we were wondering the same thing if we have to get off the ship in Port Canaveral or stay on and get new S&S cards?

 

Thanks everybody.

 

Same procedure.

[christmas]

You have to go to Guest Services for your new S&S card after they start boarding the new guests? Is this the normal procedure? Does it matter which port? Curious about Miami. Thanks!

 

Yes

Edited May 6, 2014 by christmas

[libtrek]

We've done several. Note: Do check with guest services to make sure you are on the list. We didn't book the B2B at the same time and we were not on the list. Had to go to Guest Services to get the letter with instructions. Also did not get "hotel" gift until we brought it up. Going to do another next January and will verify during the week. It was wonderful watching everyone else pack and know we didn't have to do it.

Lib

[xbatt8]

Each port is different.

 

In Long Beach, we met at Guest Services (along with 3 other couples) and waited until all the other passengers had left the ship. We were then escorted off the ship and through customs. We were then further escorted out of the terminal building area and into the Captain's Lounge (where priority passengers do their initial check in) and went through the check in procedure as if we were first showing up for a cruise. After we were all checked in, we were then escorted back into the terminal building. As soon as we went through security, they opened up the floodgates for priority passengers to start boarding. As we were walking back on the ship, the others were right there with us.

 

Seemed like more hassle than in other ports where you do your check in at GS, then walk thru customs and back on, but it went smoothly and was painless.

 

Bob

[kmc500]

We've done several. Note: Do check with guest services to make sure you are on the list. We didn't book the B2B at the same time and we were not on the list. Had to go to Guest Services to get the letter with instructions. Also did not get "hotel" gift until we brought it up. Going to do another next January and will verify during the week. It was wonderful watching everyone else pack and know we didn't have to do it.

Lib

 

That was the highlight of our B2B last year as well! Not having to pack up and get off at the end of the cruise was an incredible feeling. It is also one of the reasons that should we do another, we will make sure to have the same cabin on both legs - who wants to move?

 

Kevin C

[Anyislandwilldo]

If you really like your table in the main dining room you can talk to the maitred and get the same table for the second leg. You may want to call Carnival and have them link your cruises as B2B. I printed our boarding passes for the 2nd leg just in case.

[toto6]

Thanks for all the info. Hoping we do not have to stand in a line at the beginning of our B2B, but if we do at least it should be short. Maybe we will get lucky and get the new cards before. Shall see, and hey, its a full week ahead to relax. :D. We have only done one B2B, San Juan/RC and there was about 60 others doing the same. What would be a 'normal' for Miami and Carnival? Both are spring break.

[nitro2448]

I am checking off a few firsts on my cruises this year. I am doing my first (of many hopefully!) B2B. And also they will be solo!!

 

My question is this however. When The ship comes back to Tampa, I am told I have to actually get off the ship. My cabin is the same so I do not have to pack up anything. But how does the rest work?

 

My thoughts are I need to get off the ship, take my passport, boarding pass for leg 2 and re check in?:confused: How long would I have to be off the ship? And what time would I have to get off? I was hoping I could just stay in my cabin and sleep!

 

Anyone who has done this please help!! I mean I know I can always check with guest services once on board but I guess right now I would like to have some peace of mind!:D

 

Thanks!!!

 

 

You should definitely check with guest services to make sure they show you as a B2B passenger, but in Tampa you will NOT have to get off the ship. You can pick up your new S&S card after 1000 from guest services. You can leave all of your stuff in your room. There will be about an hour or so where you can not buy any drinks as well, in between cruises.

[nitro2448]

You have to go to Guest Services for your new S&S card after they start boarding the new guests? Is this the normal procedure? Does it matter which port? Curious about Miami. Thanks!

 

 

Yes you will get your new S&S card from guest services, no you do not have to wait until after the new guests get on board. As soon as guest services has them, you can get them, it will vary from port to port. Once you have them, you will have to wait until the new cruise info is programmed to get your new picture taken.

[txmom11]

When we did our B2B, we met in the Lobby and a group of us were walked off the ship and over to customs. We turned in our customs declaration form, showed our passports and were escorted right back on board. They gave us our new sign and sail cards when we got off and took the S&S card from the first leg after we dinged off the ship.

 

Once back on board, I went back to our cabin and did laundry since we weren't platinum at that time.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[PaulMedik]

Great advice has already been given and most everything has been covered, but I would add that you need to make plans for food; either get room service breakfast delivered to your cabin, go to lido and eat, or go to the dining room for breakfast. In the time between cruises there will be NO food or drinks available. You may not consider food a priority, but after eating regularly for a week your body will be starved if you are suddenly unable to get something to eat for even a brief period.....

 

Yes, you may assume we were once in the situation that I now advise you to avoid. ;)

 

Also don't be embarrassed if alarms go off as you attempt to get off the ship in the first port of your second leg; sometimes your card doesn't get scanned into the system for the second leg. The alarms are quite loud and security will look you over carefully, but just go with the flow.

 

Your cruise history may also reset to zero after the first leg so don't be too concerned if you get a red rookie card on the second leg. We went from Platinum to Red, white, and blue one time and they really couldn't fix it. Perks weren't much then so it was no big deal.

 

Customs officers may attempt to give you a hard time assuming that you were just the last ones to leave. Take comfort in the fact that if they threaten to not allow you to enter the US that you can thank them and tell them you don't plan to. :cool:

 

Bon Voyages!

[sewut]

[ They gave us our new sign and sail cards when we got off and took the S&S card from the first leg after we dinged off the ship.

 

They took your sail & sign cards from the first leg? You didn't get to keep them? Also, do you get to have Bon Voyage Photo taken for second leg? I have a photo album with a photo of the ship, our Bon Voyage photo, and our Sail & Sign cards in it for all our cruises. I NEED these items. lol

We will be doing ours in Galveston.

[422Melissa]

Paul, did you have to do anything to get your cruise history corrected, or was it a temporary glitch?

 

And sewut, I also like to save my S&S cards!

[MarkAndSandy]

You get to keep your old cards. They give them back to you with your new cards. On our back-to-backs, we met at guest services and watched everyone get off the ship. They group the lounge chairs together in a large circle just outside guest services so that nobody but you (back-to-backers) can get in there and sit down. Once everyone is off (but those doing B2B) a ship's officer escorted us as a group to customs. The customs agent collects the customs forms and asks if you have anything to declare. You are then free to return with the group to the ship (where you are bonged on with your new card), or you may leave to tour the port city. You are given a "guest in transit" pass (it's nothing more than a sheet of paper that identifies you as a B2B person) that makes it easier for you to get back thru the terminal if you needed to go to your car or wanted to go shop, tour the city, etc (where you need to leave and come back in thru the terminal.) Showing this piece of paper to the terminal agents will allow you to return to the ship. That is what allows you to immediately return to the ship instead of waiting on boarding zones, etc.

 

So either return with the group of B2B's (and don't worry about the guest-in-transit paper) or go do your thing and flash your "guest in transit" (think "get out of jail free" card) ;-) and make your way back on board once you return to the terminal.

[nitro2448]

[ They gave us our new sign and sail cards when we got off and took the S&S card from the first leg after we dinged off the ship.

 

 

 

They took your sail & sign cards from the first leg? You didn't get to keep them? Also, do you get to have Bon Voyage Photo taken for second leg? I have a photo album with a photo of the ship, our Bon Voyage photo, and our Sail & Sign cards in it for all our cruises. I NEED these items. lol

 

We will be doing ours in Galveston.

 

 

Not sure why the one poster had their old S&S cards taken, but you get to keep your S&S cards. You can get a new Bon Voyage picture taken, you just can't take advantage of the escort if they have it, and you will have to get off the ship to do so.