Changing rooms in a turn around port on a B2B - is there anything I am missing?

[kazu]

Hi everyone,

 

I have searched and it looks pretty easy, but I want to make sure I am not "missing the boat".

 

DH and I are sailing next year (again ;)) but this time we are doing a B2B instead of a collectors on purpose.

 

We have decided that we want a certain cabin for the TA portion but once it gets port intensive we don't need it so we are switching cabins.

 

So, I am looking for advice.

 

I think I have gathered that the stewards will move the clothes that are hanging in the closet on the laundry thing they use to deliver laundry to the new room into the closets there.

 

I've seen some threads where they move the drawers but a CC friend said they had to pack theirs. I'm easy either way but it's kind of good to know what to expect.

 

Do we need to hang around with our stuff from our safety deposit box or will we get access to the room just to drop that stuff off?

 

I know I am going to have to let my stewards know and I will certainly "thank" them for their help.

 

Is there anything else I need to know or should do? I am trying to figure out how long we will need to wait (or if we need to) before we go to the port on the turnaround day.

 

We've never done this before.

 

If it's important, we are sailing on the Prinsendam.

 

Thanks so much :)

[rafinmd]

I'm not sure how much help I can be but one thing to consider, especially changing from one category to another, is will the drawers in the new cabin be interchangeable with the ones in the old. I would start out assuming I will need to take everything out of the drawers.

 

I don't think the safe is a big deal. My guess is that if you don't have big plans for the turnaround day your best bet would be to wait until the people in the other cabin have left and then move the safe contents. You could also possibly leave the items with the front desk; they should have a safe where they could hold them for the duration of the transfer.

 

Roy

[Mtn2Sea]

On our Transatlantic/Mediterranean cruise on the Koningsdam in April, we switched rooms after the TA segment. We had to pack everything up except for the clothes hanging in the closets. While we were on an excursion in Rome, everything was moved to the new cabin. Having decided where to put everything when we first unpacked, the unpacking the second time went much faster. It would have been nice if they could have switched drawers, but it really wasn't a big deal to pack/unpack again.

[kazu]

I'm not sure how much help I can be but one thing to consider, especially changing from one category to another, is will the drawers in the new cabin be interchangeable with the ones in the old. I would start out assuming I will need to take everything out of the drawers.

 

I don't think the safe is a big deal. My guess is that if you don't have big plans for the turnaround day your best bet would be to wait until the people in the other cabin have left and then move the safe contents. You could also possibly leave the items with the front desk; they should have a safe where they could hold them for the duration of the transfer.

 

Roy

 

thanks Roy, it is a different category but I suspect the drawers fit but I will take the worst case scenario ;)

 

If we can get a new key early then waiting may be the best bet - it won't take much time off our time in port. Many thanks :)

[kazu]

On our Transatlantic/Mediterranean cruise on the Koningsdam in April, we switched rooms after the TA segment. We had to pack everything up except for the clothes hanging in the closets. While we were on an excursion in Rome, everything was moved to the new cabin. Having decided where to put everything when we first unpacked, the unpacking the second time went much faster. It would have been nice if they could have switched drawers, but it really wasn't a big deal to pack/unpack again.

 

thanks Robert. Gives me an idea what to expect.

 

It certainly doesn't take long to pack things that aren't going anywhere as opposed to deciding pre cruise or planning for flying. That's a big help. I am guessing you just leave the suitcases in the room if that is what happens and they go to the new room? So, we don't need to be there?

[Cruise_More_Often]

Be proactive! Check early to make sure that the staff knows you will be moving to a different cabin. We were on the NA's Pacific Coastal cruise and first Alaska cruise last year. We had to book a guarantee cabin for the coastal portion, but we booked an aft verandah for Alaska. I am glad I anticipated that all might not go well, because it didn't. :D

 

We never received any information about the move (and shouldl have), so the night before we reached Vancouver, we searched out the stewards for the cabin we would be moving to. Their supervisor happened to be in the hallway, and he found that we weren't on his list of cabin changes. He and our cabin stewards took great care of us, however, and the move was easy. We packed everything that wasn't hanging in the closet, and the stewards came down to our old cabin and moved everything.

 

Next, when you leave the ship, be sure to take your passport and the documents for the second portion of your cruise. We were also left off the list of continuation cruisers that allows you an "express pass" back onto the ship. Luckily, we had our documents to show to the Canadian Border Patrol agent, who waved us right through so we didn't have to stand in the long line of embarking cruisers.

[ger_77]

I'm following this thread with interest, as that's what we'll be doing this fall, only on the Westerdam (balcony to inside). On turnaround day, we'd like to head off the ship into port for a short while, but don't want to be tied to the cabin vs cabin for the whole time. We want to make it as easy for the stewards as possible and if that means tossing everything into the suitcases and leaving them in the room, so be it. As far as the safe contents go, I guess we'll see if the safe is clear in the new cabin, or as someone suggested, take our valuables (in a protective zipper bag) to the front desk to have the stored in their safe until we return.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Mtn2Sea]

thanks Robert. Gives me an idea what to expect.

 

It certainly doesn't take long to pack things that aren't going anywhere as opposed to deciding pre cruise or planning for flying. That's a big help. I am guessing you just leave the suitcases in the room if that is what happens and they go to the new room? So, we don't need to be there?

That's correct. We took the money & passports from the safe with us, but other things we normally keep in the safe (DW's purse, less expensive jewelry, etc.) we just packed in the suitcases, which we left in the first cabin when we went on our excursion. When we returned to the ship, we immediately went to Guest Services and got new key cards. We then went to our new cabin, where the hang-up clothes were in the closets pretty much in the same order as when we left them in the old cabin. The suitcases were on the bed, ready to be unpacked. Everything went smoothly without any supervision from us.

 

When we went to the MDR the first evening after the change, the host had our new cabin number associated with our name (we were in open seating). At the beginning of our cruise, we had purchased a wine package and still had a few bottles left. We explained to the wine steward that we had changed cabins so he was able to find our last partial bottle. Later we had to explain to another wine steward about the change so he could find a partial bottle that had been noted with our old cabin number. No big deal - we got all the wine in the package.

 

BTW, we changed cabins due to a problem with the first one. As a result, we had several opportunities to discuss changing cabins with Guest Services and that may have facilitated the move.

[OlsSalt]

Does the Prinsendam front desk also have passenger safes available so you could deposit items there for the changeover day until you got access to your new cabin?

 

I am thinking of this being standard at many hotels, but never thought about a cruise ship - though I believe this option has been available on some of our smaller cruise ships (way) in the past. A double key sort of bank safety deposit box if I remember right. Perhaps the Prinsendam has this former feature still available, if they had been installed before the days of in-cabin safes.

[VACARITraveler]

We did a turnaround in Fort Lauderdale- packed everything in drawers back in suitcases, left everything on hangars in the closet. Verified at the desk that they knew we were changing cabins (they didn't) so they noted it and we also told our steward. We had about 100 passengers doing the same thing. They had us all meet in a lounge, then escorted us off the ship, through emigration, and back aboard. Went very smooth except for having to wait in the terminal while they tracked down 3 people who had not disembarked.

 

 

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[kazu]

Be proactive! Check early to make sure that the staff knows you will be moving to a different cabin. We were on the NA's Pacific Coastal cruise and first Alaska cruise last year. We had to book a guarantee cabin for the coastal portion, but we booked an aft verandah for Alaska. I am glad I anticipated that all might not go well, because it didn't. :D

 

We never received any information about the move (and shouldl have), so the night before we reached Vancouver, we searched out the stewards for the cabin we would be moving to. Their supervisor happened to be in the hallway, and he found that we weren't on his list of cabin changes. He and our cabin stewards took great care of us, however, and the move was easy. We packed everything that wasn't hanging in the closet, and the stewards came down to our old cabin and moved everything.

 

Next, when you leave the ship, be sure to take your passport and the documents for the second portion of your cruise. We were also left off the list of continuation cruisers that allows you an "express pass" back onto the ship. Luckily, we had our documents to show to the Canadian Border Patrol agent, who waved us right through so we didn't have to stand in the long line of embarking cruisers.

Thanks, we will let our stewards know early on. That was the plan

 

Good tip on the pass to skip the embarkation line. I've actually had a problem with that on a collectors' cruise so I am quite proactive in that now ;)

 

I would really not carry my passport unless it's required. I'd prefer to get the "stuff" in the safe of the new cabin, so , since everyone has to be off by x time, I'm not concerned about staying on board for an extra 1/2 hour if need be.

I'm following this thread with interest, as that's what we'll be doing this fall, only on the Westerdam (balcony to inside). On turnaround day, we'd like to head off the ship into port for a short while, but don't want to be tied to the cabin vs cabin for the whole time. We want to make it as easy for the stewards as possible and if that means tossing everything into the suitcases and leaving them in the room, so be it. As far as the safe contents go, I guess we'll see if the safe is clear in the new cabin, or as someone suggested, take our valuables (in a protective zipper bag) to the front desk to have the stored in their safe until we return.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :)

 

Taking the valuables to the front desk is a good idea.

 

I'm thinking that's one of the first things I clear out when we are disembarking so it may be accessible.

 

I'll check on board if there is a safe at the front desk. Smart idea :). Thanks :)

[kazu]

We did a turnaround in Fort Lauderdale- packed everything in drawers back in suitcases, left everything on hangars in the closet. Verified at the desk that they knew we were changing cabins (they didn't) so they noted it and we also told our steward. We had about 100 passengers doing the same thing. They had us all meet in a lounge, then escorted us off the ship, through emigration, and back aboard. Went very smooth except for having to wait in the terminal while they tracked down 3 people who had not disembarked.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thanks. I don't think we need to worry about meeting in a lounge as we are in Europe. The rules are not the same as FLL, thankfully.

[kazu]

That's correct. We took the money & passports from the safe with us, but other things we normally keep in the safe (DW's purse, less expensive jewelry, etc.) we just packed in the suitcases, which we left in the first cabin when we went on our excursion. When we returned to the ship, we immediately went to Guest Services and got new key cards. We then went to our new cabin, where the hang-up clothes were in the closets pretty much in the same order as when we left them in the old cabin. The suitcases were on the bed, ready to be unpacked. Everything went smoothly without any supervision from us.

 

When we went to the MDR the first evening after the change, the host had our new cabin number associated with our name (we were in open seating). At the beginning of our cruise, we had purchased a wine package and still had a few bottles left. We explained to the wine steward that we had changed cabins so he was able to find our last partial bottle. Later we had to explain to another wine steward about the change so he could find a partial bottle that had been noted with our old cabin number. No big deal - we got all the wine in the package.

 

BTW, we changed cabins due to a problem with the first one. As a result, we had several opportunities to discuss changing cabins with Guest Services and that may have facilitated the move.

 

Thanks very much :)

 

I appreciate the info. That's a huge help.

 

So it looks like the key (and I don't mean to the new cabin) is to talk in advance. I'm pretty sure if I do that on the EE, we should be accommodated easily? After all, the max is 835 +/- passengers.

 

I've always found the service good on this ship - so, fingers crossed.

[RuthC]

My memory of the Prinsendam is that the walk-in closet has shelving, but that shelving does not have drawers. Neither does the entertainment center have drawers. So, anything you store in either place will have to be packed up to be moved.

I don't know if the drawers in the desk are the same from one cabin category to another. I know they seemed to be the same from the outside cabins to the Vista balcony cabins, but won't swear they are interchangeable.

[kazu]

My memory of the Prinsendam is that the walk-in closet has shelving, but that shelving does not have drawers. Neither does the entertainment center have drawers. So, anything you store in either place will have to be packed up to be moved.

I don't know if the drawers in the desk are the same from one cabin category to another. I know they seemed to be the same from the outside cabins to the Vista balcony cabins, but won't swear they are interchangeable.

 

Thanks Ruth.

 

We do have drawers in the cabin and the cabin we are going down to. I know both well ;)

 

Fully prepared to pack suitcases though if need be. It's not going to take too long.

[dockman]

just talk to your stewards who will deal with it all.....tips are appreciated...

[kazu]

just talk to your stewards who will deal with it all.....tips are appreciated...

 

Thanks :). We typically do tip and will tip extra.

 

that's what I meant when I said we would "thank" them in my opening post. Talk to them about three days for the switch?

 

Much appreciated.

[Lizzie68]

I just skimmed through these posts, looks like most has been answered. You may also leave the stuff in your safe with front office, they will put it in a safe there. Yes you have to pack up your drawers and other stuff, but can leave everything that is hanging in the closets. The stewards take care of it all.

The post above by VACARitraveller is exactly what happened with us.

We went from SS to Neptune. There were many problems thereafter with accounting on the ship, who don't seem to be able to deal with a room change, but hopefully that won't happen to you.

[KirkNC]

We will be doing the same thing on our upcoming P'dam cruise so good to see all the suggestions.

[kazu]

I just skimmed through these posts, looks like most has been answered. You may also leave the stuff in your safe with front office, they will put it in a safe there. Yes you have to pack up your drawers and other stuff, but can leave everything that is hanging in the closets. The stewards take care of it all.

The post above by VACARitraveller is exactly what happened with us.

We went from SS to Neptune. There were many problems thereafter with accounting on the ship, who don't seem to be able to deal with a room change, but hopefully that won't happen to you.

 

Thanks Lizzie. :)

 

We will be doing the same thing on our upcoming P'dam cruise so good to see all the suggestions.

 

great minds think alike it seems ;)

[ski ww]

You will also get a new room card. Your old one will not work after you change rooms, I found out when I used my old one trying to get off the ship.

Allan

[kazu]

You will also get a new room card. Your old one will not work after you change rooms, I found out when I used my old one trying to get off the ship.

Allan

 

Thanks Allan. I knew I would get a new key card but didn't realize I needed it before I got off the ship. Makes sense, now that I think about it ;)

 

That's a great heads up!!! Thank you.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I have 2 tips on the last day of your first leg go find your new cabin steward and introduce your self, He will try and have your new cabin ready early.

Ask your first leg cabin steward for 3 boxes it makes it easier for you to put things into to move.

[sapper1]

Thanks, we will let our stewards know early on. That was the plan

 

Good tip on the pass to skip the embarkation line. I've actually had a problem with that on a collectors' cruise so I am quite proactive in that now ;)

 

I would really not carry my passport unless it's required. I'd prefer to get the "stuff" in the safe of the new cabin, so , since everyone has to be off by x time, I'm not concerned about staying on board for an extra 1/2 hour if need be.

 

 

Taking the valuables to the front desk is a good idea.

 

I'm thinking that's one of the first things I clear out when we are disembarking so it may be accessible.

 

I'll check on board if there is a safe at the front desk. Smart idea :). Thanks :)

When our mutual friend changed cabins on our cruise this year, she just brought her valuables over to our cabin and I put them in our safe. Less hassle than going to the front desk on a turnaround day. Since you usually travel with a group of friends that might be an easier option for you.

[kazu]

When our mutual friend changed cabins on our cruise this year, she just brought her valuables over to our cabin and I put them in our safe. Less hassle than going to the front desk on a turnaround day. Since you usually travel with a group of friends that might be an easier option for you.

 

ohh, smart idea :) Thank you. I'd rather not impose, but I am going to keep this in mind and depending upon how complicated it seems or if we want to get off in a timely manner (still planning ;) ), I might just ask for the favour ;)