B2B Freedom Excursion on turnover day....

[aloha43]

We are doing a B2B Freedom in January. We would like to go to the Kennedy Space Center on turn-over day.

 

Is this possible?

 

Since there is such commotion getting everyone off the ship, how hard would it be to get off early enough to catch a tour to Kennedy?

 

I see that the only RCI excursions are "Airport drop off", and we would want to be dropped off at the cruise ship.

 

Has anyone done this?

 

Would being Diamond help get us off the ship faster?

[Clarea]

Since you don't have bags, you can easily do the self-assist disembarkation and be among the first to get off.

[CntPAcruiser]

We had looked into doing this on our Explorer B2B last year, but the RCI excursion was, as you note, strictly airport drop-off. They would not budge on that point, so we would have to have gotten a return shuttle from the airport.

 

An initial search for a suitable non-RCI excursion that we could get to after leaving the ship in the morning didn't turn up anything for us, but maybe there is something out there. We were of course concerned about getting back to the ship on time.

[aloha43]

What about getting back on the ship? Would it be difficult getting back on with all of the new people checking in?

 

We've done a B2B before, but never got off the ship.

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

What about getting back on the ship? Would it be difficult getting back on with all of the new people checking in?

 

We've done a B2B before, but never got off the ship.

 

Thanks!

If you don't get off with the B2B group, which would probably be when the last people are getting off, then you will have to wait until general boarding starts, usually around 11-11:30am, to get back on.

 

If you go to KSC, I don't think you will be back until after 1pm or so, and by that time there should be no line to get on the ship at all.

[Hawaiifrank]

What about getting back on the ship? Would it be difficult getting back on with all of the new people checking in?

 

We've done a B2B before, but never got off the ship.

 

Thanks!

 

We did a b2b to Alaska in May 2009. It was on Carnival, but that shouldn't make a difference because we treated it just like 2 separate cruises. It was only our 3 cruise or so and had no clue how b2b passengers are usually handled.

 

We just packed our bags and tipped the cabin steward $20 to move them 3 doors down to the second week's cabin. We took our laundry bag and headed for the rental car location on the pier. We drove to Anchorage, did some sightseeing and stopped at a laundromat to wash our clothes.

 

When we got back to the ship, we boarded with the rest of the new passengers. We never received any instructions or information about how a b2b is usually done. We just got off and re-boarded as you would for any cruise.

 

In Nov we have a b2b2b coming up, also on Carnival, and we plan to take full advantage of the perks for b2b passengers. Nothing to see in Galveston that warrants an excursion.

[cruisenfever]

What about getting back on the ship? Would it be difficult getting back on with all of the new people checking in?

 

We've done a B2B before, but never got off the ship.

 

Thanks!

Consecutive Cruisers are given an "In Transit" Card to be used if you are leaving the ship for the day. When you return to the Terminal you just show this card to any pier rep and you will be able to board without any hassle.

We did a b2b to Alaska in May 2009. It was on Carnival, but that shouldn't make a difference because we treated it just like 2 separate cruises. It was only our 3 cruise or so and had no clue how b2b passengers are usually handled.

 

We just packed our bags and tipped the cabin steward $20 to move them 3 doors down to the second week's cabin. We took our laundry bag and headed for the rental car location on the pier. We drove to Anchorage, did some sightseeing and stopped at a laundromat to wash our clothes.

 

When we got back to the ship, we boarded with the rest of the new passengers. We never received any instructions or information about how a b2b is usually done. We just got off and re-boarded as you would for any cruise.

 

In Nov we have a b2b2b coming up, also on Carnival, and we plan to take full advantage of the perks for b2b passengers. Nothing to see in Galveston that warrants an excursion.

RCI does a great job if you are a Consecutive Cruiser. If there are a lot of people staying on, a meeting is held the day prior to the end of the first cruise where you are given all the necessary instructions regarding turn around day.

 

If you are changing cabins, you need only pack loose items in your luggage. Anything hanging in the closet will be moved on their hangers along with your luggage to your new cabin.

Edited October 11, 2015 by cruisenfever

[Dett]

We are doing a B2B Freedom in January. We would like to go to the Kennedy Space Center on turn-over day.

 

Is this possible?

 

Since there is such commotion getting everyone off the ship, how hard would it be to get off early enough to catch a tour to Kennedy?

 

I see that the only RCI excursions are "Airport drop off", and we would want to be dropped off at the cruise ship.

 

Has anyone done this?

 

Would being Diamond help get us off the ship faster?

 

Come join our roll call. There are several B2B cruisers. We are doing a B2B2B. Perhaps someone will want to join you. Renting a car will probably be the best thing for you.

[Royal2464]

Just got off the Freedom today after a B2B2B. I got off the second weekend early with the walk offs. Returned to the terminal in time to re-board with my fellow back to backers. When you return to the terminal you show your new sea pass card, which security gives you when you disembark earlier. You go up in the terminal waiting area and join your fellow back to backers. If they have already boarded you get in line and re-board.

 

Royal offers an excursion to Kennedy Space Center but they no longer pay your cab fare back to the ship. So, it is a good idea to find someone to share the return fare with you.