B2B Cruising

[Dadzgirl]

Hi all! Looking for some understanding on back to back cruising. Sailing on the Glory out of Miami in October. How does that work? We weren't able to get the same cabin unfortunately, so we will have to switch rooms. Just looking for feedback from those that have done that in the past. Thank you in advance!

[coevan]

We have done 2 B2B cruises in the last 2 years. You can leave all the clothes on hangers. You will have to pack your drawers. The cabin steward will help you move. The hour or two when only B2B cruisers are on board and everything is closed is pretty strange. We hung out on the Serenity deck and chilled as all the bars are closed.

[Dadzgirl]

We have done 2 B2B cruises in the last 2 years. You can leave all the clothes on hangers. You will have to pack your drawers. The cabin steward will help you move. The hour or two when only B2B cruisers are on board and everything is closed is pretty strange. We hung out on the Serenity deck and chilled as all the bars are closed.

Did you have to go through the immigration process again? New sail and sign card?

[mistycruiser]

I've done several B2B cruises but fortunately in the same room so I haven't had to pack and unpack so I can't help with that part but I can answer a few questions about the process. Check with guest services during the first cruise to make sure the ship has you on the B2B list. The last night of the 1st cruise they will give you a letter in the cabin with instructions to follow for the 2nd cruise. Normally they'll have all of the B2Ber's meet somewhere on debarkation morning for example maybe in the show lounge. Once they've cleared the rest of the ship, guest services will escort you down to the terminal, go through customs, and escort you back onto the ship. You'll receive a new S&S card and sometimes they'll host a small champagne and mimosa party for you in the atrium and take a picture of you all as a group.

[okgirl]

What mistycruiser said has been my experience. I've also had to change cabins a couple of times and one time had to completely change decks. I always make it a point to let both cabin stewards know that I'm B2B. If I have to move very far away, I do go ahead and pack everything, but that's just me. I'm probably going to spend the rest of the day on the 2nd leg doing laundry.

 

Be sure if you are playing in the casino to cash out on the last night of your first cruise. Your Players Bank won't carry over.

[coevan]

On the Dream we never got off the ship for C&I. Four customs officers were on the stage in the showroom and we were called by class, diamond, Platinum.... On the Magic we met in one room walked off the ship and a painless 10 minutes later we were back on board with new S&S cards

[afcruiser]

On our first B2B had same room. Met in Dining room. They had juice, coffee, H2O, and pastry. They issued new S&S cards. Then off the p and through customs. 1/2 hour. Back on board for group photo in Atrium. WARNING. Once you do B2B you'll never go back. We booked same cruise, same cabin, same time.

[LizaMM]

On our first B2B had same room. Met in Dining room. They had juice, coffee, H2O, and pastry. They issued new S&S cards. Then off the p and through customs. 1/2 hour. Back on board for group photo in Atrium. WARNING. Once you do B2B you'll never go back. We booked same cruise, same cabin, same time.

 

Yes! I so enjoyed my B2B on the Splendor! My next booked cruise is on the Vista, end of January 2018, and I am seriously wondering how on earth I will only sail for 8 days and not do a B2B! I am looking at adding the 6 day at the end :)

 

I am Platinum now but a B2B has been on my bucket list since I first met someone on board on their 2nd leg way back in 2006 when I was on my 4th cruise....Finally was able to do it this year for my 50th Birthday!

 

I have only done one B2B and due to when I added the 2nd leg I was not able to get the same cabin. I was on the same deck and "around the corner" so I had different cabin stewards.

 

As previously stated, I was told to check with Guest Services during my first leg to make sure they had me on the list - which they did. I received the letter with instructions the day before the change over. My cabin steward told me that he would move my belongings to my new cabin. I did pack everything up, although I had been told they would move hangers.

 

Change Over AM - B2B folks all met in one of the dining rooms. There was coffee, water, juice etc. A staff member collected all our S&S cards and we were escorted off the ship as a group. We went to the customs area, turned over our custom cards and then were escorted back on the ship. When we reached the Atrium we were handed our new S&S cards. Champagne and Mimosa's were served and a group photo was taken. It was really quite nice! The whole process was quick and easy and it was fun to chat with fellow B2B'ers.....I even met a couple who lived in the same City as me, live about a mile from my house.

 

After the drink and chat for a bit I went to my new cabin. My belongings were all there and I unpacked and was relaxing before the next set of Pax boarded : )

 

On the 2nd leg it was so fabulous how all the staff made comments welcoming me back and went out of their way to comment and chat.

[coevan]

We did a 21 day B2B on the Dream, 14 on the Magic, and a 14 day Journey in January. I don't know if we could do one week again, getting spoiled in my old age

[Dadzgirl]

Thank you all so much for your experiences. We are looking for to it!

[2Shoes2Go]

We have done many and do love them, too. All info given is correct. One addition, we always verify that our credit card, on file, has carried over to subsequent legs. Several times, the card was not and could even lead to a squawk instead of a nice ding on turnaround.:D

[telebax51]

Yes! I so enjoyed my B2B on the Splendor! My next booked cruise is on the Vista, end of January 2018, and I am seriously wondering how on earth I will only sail for 8 days and not do a B2B! I am looking at adding the 6 day at the end :)

 

I am Platinum now but a B2B has been on my bucket list since I first met someone on board on their 2nd leg way back in 2006 when I was on my 4th cruise....Finally was able to do it this year for my 50th Birthday!

 

I have only done one B2B and due to when I added the 2nd leg I was not able to get the same cabin. I was on the same deck and "around the corner" so I had different cabin stewards

As previously stated, I was told to check with Guest Services during my first leg to make sure they had me on the list - which they did. I received the letter with instructions the day before the change over. My cabin steward told me that he would move my belongings to my new cabin. I did pack everything up, although I had been told they would move hangers.

 

Change Over AM - B2B folks all met in one of the dining rooms. There was coffee, water, juice etc. A staff member collected all our S&S cards and we were escorted off the ship as a group. We went to the customs area, turned over our custom cards and then were escorted back on the ship. When we reached the Atrium we were handed our new S&S cards. Champagne and Mimosa's were served and a group photo was taken. It was really quite nice! The whole process was quick and easy and it was fun to chat with fellow B2B'ers.....I even met a couple who lived in the same City as me, live about a mile from my house.

 

After the drink and chat for a bit I went to my new cabin. My belongings were all there and I unpacked and was relaxing before the next set of Pax boarded : )

 

On the 2nd leg it was so fabulous how all the staff made comments welcoming me back and went out of their way to comment and chat.

 

I have my first BTB coming up on the new Horizon ship same cabin for both YEA... ? what happens to the photo that they take? do you get a copy is there a cost?

[evandbob]

The photo is free, and a copy will be delivered to your stateroom.

 

B2B's are an easy way to get to that next VIFP level!

[BeachLoverstoo]

Last year on the Magic we received a fruit basket and bottle of champagne on the 2nd leg of our B2B. :We are looking forward to our second B2B again on the Magic in December. Our first was 16 days, Western and then Southern. This time, Western and Eastern.

[Tiger0613]

My cabin steward told me that he would move my belongings to my new cabin. I did pack everything up, although I had been told they would move hangers.

 

A staff member collected all our S&S cards and we were escorted off the ship as a group.

 

My belongings were all there and I unpacked and was relaxing before the next set of Pax boarded : )

 

Did you get your S&S cards from the first cruise back?

 

Can you move your belongings yourself or do you have to let your steward do it?

[telebax51]

The photo is free, and a copy will be delivered to your stateroom.

 

B2B's are an easy way to get to that next VIFP level!

 

Thanks evandbob good to know its free, 24 days at sea can't wait i am also looking at doing a BTB on my 2019 cruise to Aruba.

[coevan]

Did you get your S&S cards from the first cruise back?

 

Can you move your belongings yourself or do you have to let your steward do it?

 

 

 

Yes you can move your belongings by yourself, but why not get some help?

 

Yes you can get your S&S card back, we declined and threw it away

[Tiger0613]

Yes you can move your belongings by yourself, but why not get some help?

 

Yes you can get your S&S card back, we declined and threw it away

 

Not knowing what is happening to my stuff makes me nervous. I don't check bags on a cruise for the same reason.

[redstapler7]

Curious, can you make any cruise b2b, or does the line specify certain cruises for b2b?

For example, I doubt you would do two 4 days to Cozumel as b2b.

 

Just curious!

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

[The bells]

It dosnt matter. We are B2B Cruising out of Galveston going to Cozumel and Progresso. Both Amazing Ports and so much to do! And some people also cruise b2b cause they want to be onboard. Multiple reason to do it.

[Towel Critter]

Curious, can you make any cruise b2b, or does the line specify certain cruises for b2b?

For example, I doubt you would do two 4 days to Cozumel as b2b.

 

Just curious!

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

Yes. You may do two cruises back to back at any time you wish. The cruise line doesn't set them up. You can do a B2B seven night cruise for example, or you can combine a 4 night cruise with a 3 night cruise on a ship that alternates cruises in that way. Lots of possibilities.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

We pick a port or a ship that has alternating itineraries like a 7 day Eastern Caribbean followed by a 7 day Western Caribbean. Or a 6 day Eastern Caribbean followed by an 8 day Southern Caribbean. To me those are the best for B2B.

 

I wonder what the turnaround will be now that you do not have to present a Customs Form unless you reach certain monetary expenditures or have to claim other things. We had this change happen on the second leg of our B2B last April. We did the trip into the terminal on the switch over day, but did not have to fill out the customs form at the end of the second leg. Maybe there will be no need to go into the terminal on the turnaround day. We will see next April.

[redstapler7]

It dosnt matter. We are B2B Cruising out of Galveston going to Cozumel and Progresso. Both Amazing Ports and so much to do! And some people also cruise b2b cause they want to be onboard. Multiple reason to do it.

Very neat. The more days I can be on board, the better!!

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

[redstapler7]

Yes. You may do two cruises back to back at any time you wish. The cruise line doesn't set them up. You can do a B2B seven night cruise for example, or you can combine a 4 night cruise with a 3 night cruise on a ship that alternates cruises in that way. Lots of possibilities.

Thanks for the info!

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

[redstapler7]

We pick a port or a ship that has alternating itineraries like a 7 day Eastern Caribbean followed by a 7 day Western Caribbean. Or a 6 day Eastern Caribbean followed by an 8 day Southern Caribbean. To me those are the best for B2B.

 

I wonder what the turnaround will be now that you do not have to present a Customs Form unless you reach certain monetary expenditures or have to claim other things. We had this change happen on the second leg of our B2B last April. We did the trip into the terminal on the switch over day, but did not have to fill out the customs form at the end of the second leg. Maybe there will be no need to go into the terminal on the turnaround day. We will see next April.

I like the idea of splitting it to go to different areas. Great way to see alot in a short-ish time.

 

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app