Doing a b2b and your thoughts

[Beachammo]

Pretty bridge picture! It looks a lot like the Sunshine Skyway bridge in Tampa.

 

Yes....it's the Sunshine Bridge. Taken off the front of the Vision.

[Clarea]

Yes....it's the Sunshine Bridge. Taken off the front of the Vision.

Great photo Shelton.:)

[island lady]

I hate to disappoint you but you will be dealing with Vancouver immigration.

 

But not denied entry into the country. What are they going to do....kick us off the ship to

go where? :p

[island lady]

We booked a TA, and decided since we are paying to fly to Europe lets extend it, So visiting family in Finland, (who I never meant) then doing a Norway Fjords cruise, before the TA. Since the Norway cruise was a after thought, we have a different cabin (but right next door)

Also interested on knowing ship that offered drink package at reduced rate for 2nd trip. Would be nice our 2nd leg is 17 days and many sea days

 

Nice! Sounds like another one for our bucket list! :D

[island lady]

Yes....it's the Sunshine Bridge. Taken off the front of the Vision.

 

Ding...ding...ding! We have a winner!

 

Beautiful shot with the sunset!

 

We will be enjoying that once again in a couple of weeks. One of the reasons we always book

a starboard side balcony! :)

Edited December 28, 2015 by island lady

[impatientlywaiting]

We are doing our first b2b in September, Vancouver, B.C. to Hawaii to Sydney! We were able to get the same aft cabin all the way! WOOHOO! :D

[island lady]

We are doing our first b2b in September, Vancouver, B.C. to Hawaii to Sydney! We were able to get the same aft cabin all the way! WOOHOO! :D

 

Nice!! :D

 

Wow...another bucket list trip. That list is getting longer! :eek: ;)

[peymas]

We love B2B's because of the length of the cruise. We preferred the single cruise for the reasons Bob and others have stated but the demographics on the longer cruises is definitely MUCH older. The repeating shows and menus don't really bother us because we have the attitude that if we miss something we will have a chance to try it or do it the next week. I find the turn around process and repeat of day one to be a little tedious but we enjoy seeing the luggage in the halls after week one and knowing their vacation is over and we get another week. We have also figured out that we prefer to get off of the ship in the morning and do something in port to avoid the waiting to get off and back on.

 

What do you need to get off and go do something and then get back on? Do you go through the embarkation just like you would normally do it when you decide to get back on? Sea pass and passport? We will be doing this in March.

 

I am assuming you just go with the self debarkation people. Do you already have your new sail and sign card to get back on?

[Clarea]

What do you need to get off and go do something and then get back on? Do you go through the embarkation just like you would normally do it when you decide to get back on? Sea pass and passport? We will be doing this in March.

 

I am assuming you just go with the self debarkation people. Do you already have your new sail and sign card to get back on?

This varies by ship/port, but normally you will receive your new SeaPass card either the night before changeover, or during the changeover process. You should take your photo ID as the port people may not let you into the terminal without a photo ID. Some ships will also give you an "In Transit" card, so you can skip any lines and go straight to the gangway.

Edited December 28, 2015 by clarea

[island lady]

I always get a kick out of watching the B2B pax come out the door at some terminals, and then walk right back on in a group through another door. Saw that at both PC and Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Makes me envious every time! ;) :)

[davekathy]

I always get a kick out of watching the B2B pax come out the door at some terminals, and then walk right back on in a group through another door. Saw that at both PC and Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Makes me envious every time! ;) :)

 

We've also done it at Miami and San Juan.

[NemoCrownie]

What do you need to get off and go do something and then get back on? Do you go through the embarkation just like you would normally do it when you decide to get back on? Sea pass and passport? We will be doing this in March.

 

I am assuming you just go with the self debarkation people. Do you already have your new sail and sign card to get back on?

We've always received our Sea Pass cards and an In-Transit card before hand so we can skip the lines when we get back to the ship. I know the process can be different on different ships though.

[TxKroozer]

Since we now have the ability, we have arranged several B2B cruises. Our first is in two months and a 7/7 nights. It is drivable to the port, but we hate the short seven days. Our next is a B2B 10/15 nights with a combination of a Mediterranean Cruise followed by a Transatlantic back to Miami. Reasoning was similar to others, the cost of the airfa makes since to simply cruise home if you can spend the days. Our last is a B2B to circumnavigate Australia. It is a 16/17 night leaving Sydney to Perth and back to Sydney.

 

Having done other B2B cruises they are all handled differently on turnover day. Some meet in advance and others provide lunches, and some simply walk you off the ship, hand you your card and walk you back on. In every case an easy process.

Edited December 28, 2015 by TxKroozer

[poutanen]

We've done one B2B on Allure, it's nice with the alternating weeks we got to see 6 different islands.

 

Coming from Calgary we always have to take two flights to get to Port, so by the time we spend that much effort getting down there, we figure we might as well spend 14 days instead of 7 enjoying ourselves!

 

We didn't book the same cabins last time (took whatever was cheapest), and the process wasn't a hassle. We met in the piano bar for breakfast and then waited while everyone else disembarked. Then we were led out and sat in the terminal for a bit, then led back on. Entire process probably took 3-4 hours, and then we had to attend another muster drill as usual. I would rather do a 14 day single cruise if there was one available, but it was sort of nice having new people around for the second leg. Certainly made us feel more like regulars! :D

 

We're doing a B2B on Adventure from Jan 9-23... :D:D:D 14 days, 10 stops, only one of the ports repeats! We've only been to St Thomas and St Martin before so we're excited to check out all the other ports.

[Breadman54]

So never done one, but just wondering how many have you done one, your thoughts, what ship did you do it on, do they do anything for you special and how it all works and where did you go?

 

Have done 6 - B2B's in the last 2 years,and we won't do anything else but a B2B or maybe a B2B2B or even more,7 days ain't enough on a cruise.

[AlanAllyn]

We took our fourth b2b out of Fort Lauderdale last month on the Serenade (a total of 21 days). We met a 10:00 in the back of the theater, were walked off to a waiting room on the upper lev el. Someone came from Customs and Immigration, walked down the aisle, glancing at our passports and then someone from the ship gave us our new cards and we went right back on. The only wait was when we were seated in the theater; they didn't move us until everyone else was off. We had a very nice lunch that day in the MDR.

 

On our Allure b2b, they had a meeting where you could make reservations for shows and specialty restaurants at any time you wanted.

 

On the Independence, we met in a dining room and Customs came on board and cleared us.

 

There are other arrangements for those who want to visit the port, but they do not have to go through check-in.

 

We have always done the same cabin and different itineraries. Yes, the menus are the same and the production shows are the same. But usually, several of the other entertainers are different.

[poutanen]

Have done 6 - B2B's in the last 2 years,and we won't do anything else but a B2B or maybe a B2B2B or even more,7 days ain't enough on a cruise.

 

We met a couple last time that pretty much lived on board. They said it was cheaper than a retirement home, while offering the same amenities (food made for you, medical care available) and this way they got to really enjoy retirement!

 

It's certainly something to think about, however remote the possibility...

[island lady]

We've also done it at Miami and San Juan.

 

Mmm...nice! :)

[island lady]

Have done 6 - B2B's in the last 2 years,and we won't do anything else but a B2B or maybe a B2B2B or even more,7 days ain't enough on a cruise.

 

Nice!! Once our "fur babies" have passed into kitty cat heaven...we are looking to do the

same.! :) But until then...we have feet planted into some purring lovey girls. Not that bad at that either. ;)

[NOSaints1]

Does the entertainment and food differ or is it the same?

[Clarea]

Does the entertainment and food differ or is it the same?

MDR menus will be the same, though the order might change. Production shows will be the same. Headliners will mostly be different, but there might be a holdover.

[NOSaints1]

Do you think RC has more b2b cruisers than other lines?

[TonyBuzz]

Does the entertainment and food differ or is it the same?

 

The Cruise Directors are also on a one week schedule. Their jokes will repeat from the first week to the second.

[TonyBuzz]

Do you think RC has more b2b cruisers than other lines?

 

Most mass market cruises are set at a one week schedule. Celebrity and Princess offer many cruises that are more than one week so no need to do a B2B, just choose a longer cruise. If you like Royal there are few options for longer than 7 days so many of us choose a B2B instead.

[davekathy]

Does the entertainment and food differ or is it the same?

 

QWEST and the newly and not so newly wed games will change somewhat. The challenges or questions may be the same but the Cruisers participating will make them different.