B2B question

[SW.FloridaPhil]

We will be doing our first B2B next year. How does turn around day work?

We do have the same cabin for both weeks.

The ship leaves San Juan Oct. 6, and Oct. 13th.

Does anyone think 14 days is too much? Do you cut down on eating and drinking?

Oh, the casino......could be trouble!!

[Clarea]

Typically, you are escorted off the ship, thru customs, and back on. If things are going smoothly, it might take 15 minutes. You will get details in a letter they will send to your stateroom.

[TEXASMUNK]

If you are not in the same cabin, merely pack up, your cabin steward will handle moving your luggage to your new cabin. Also you will get to enjoy the B2B lunch that usually planned.

[blackshirt]

I’ve never done a back to back but have done several 14-15 day cruises and I can tell you it’s not too much. Those 14 days go by fast. We’re almost to the point where a 7 day cruise is too short.

[gatour]

You will get a note in your cabin, telling you go a certain lounge by certain time on turn around day. Generally it is Schooner around 9:30 am (I guess this could vary based on ship). You are escorted off the ship where immigration/customs will take a look at your passport. For the one I did, they brought the official to the group of us sitting in the terminal. It took only a few minutes. You are then brought back on board ship, you are allowed to go back to your cabin without having to wait until 1pm, just be prepared to tell the various personal you encounter that you are doing B2B. Also you will be issued a new sea pass card some time through this process (obviously it will be before reboard)

[davekathy]

We will be doing our first B2B next year. How does turn around day work?

We do have the same cabin for both weeks.

The ship leaves San Juan Oct. 6, and Oct. 13th.

Does anyone think 14 days is too much? Do you cut down on eating and drinking?

Oh, the casino......could be trouble!!

You will receive detailed instructions a day or two before the first leg is over. It will advise you on where and what time to meet and what to bring with you. Our last RC B2B cruise was on the Jewel (March 2017) out of San Juan and we didn't have to leave the ship to clear customs. Customs came aboard. Not saying that will be your experience. If you are required to leave the ship you do it as a group. Also on TAD you don't have to wait to go back to your cabin. The fire doors will be closed but you can open it to go to your cabin at any time. We also had a TAD lunch for all B2Bers in the MDR including wine. The whole TAD process is easy and especially that you have the same cabin for both legs. 14 days is not to long for us. Our drinking and eating habits remain the same. We discipline ourselves but don't deprives ourselves of anything. We're on a cruise!

[atb]

Each cruise is separate, accounting wise. So you will get your final statement for cruise 1, and start a new account for cruise 2. We've never had this problem, so not sure if you have non-refundable OBC from the first cruise - if you lose it, or if it can transfer to the new cruise. I doubt it.

[Clarea]

Each cruise is separate, accounting wise. So you will get your final statement for cruise 1, and start a new account for cruise 2. We've never had this problem, so not sure if you have non-refundable OBC from the first cruise - if you lose it, or if it can transfer to the new cruise. I doubt it.

You would lose any remaining non-refundable OBC.

[UKWLDCruise]

last time I did a back to back porting at San Juan they just gave us new passes and we didn't have to get off/visit with immigration.

[Langley Cruisers]

Each ship handles it a little differently; you'll receive instructions, not to worry.

 

One thing I like to mention is that we give our cabin steward turnaround morning off. We tell him or her not to come in that morning because they are just so busy preparing the other cabins. We put the Do Not Disturb sign in the door and tell the steward we just need evening service that day. They seem genuinely grateful as it is such a busy day for them.

 

Enjoy your B2B! :D

[SW.FloridaPhil]

Typically, you are escorted off the ship, thru customs, and back on. If things are going smoothly, it might take 15 minutes. You will get details in a letter they will send to your stateroom.

 

Thanks

[DShock]

Each ship handles it a little differently; you'll receive instructions, not to worry.

 

One thing I like to mention is that we give our cabin steward turnaround morning off. We tell him or her not to come in that morning because they are just so busy preparing the other cabins. We put the Do Not Disturb sign in the door and tell the steward we just need evening service that day. They seem genuinely grateful as it is such a busy day for them.

 

Enjoy your B2B! :D

 

We do this as well and your cabin steward will appreciate it! Just make sure to tell them the day before.

 

Turnaround day isn't what it use to be. In the early days we had the ship to ourselves longer than you do now. With new passengers now boarding so early you just don't have much time where the ship appears "empty", which is why we usually go ashore and do something on turnaround day.

[steveru621]

You will receive detailed instructions a day or two before the first leg is over. It will advise you on where and what time to meet and what to bring with you. Our last RC B2B cruise was on the Jewel (March 2017) out of San Juan and we didn't have to leave the ship to clear customs. Customs came aboard. Not saying that will be your experience. If you are required to leave the ship you do it as a group. Also on TAD you don't have to wait to go back to your cabin. The fire doors will be closed but you can open it to go to your cabin at any time. We also had a TAD lunch for all B2Bers in the MDR including wine. The whole TAD process is easy and especially that you have the same cabin for both legs. 14 days is not to long for us. Our drinking and eating habits remain the same. We discipline ourselves but don't deprives ourselves of anything. We're on a cruise!

 

Same for us. We gathered in the theater.

[cruisegirl1]

We do this as well and your cabin steward will appreciate it! Just make sure to tell them the day before.

 

Turnaround day isn't what it use to be. In the early days we had the ship to ourselves longer than you do now. With new passengers now boarding so early you just don't have much time where the ship appears "empty", which is why we usually go ashore and do something on turnaround day.

 

Agreed! We used to have a full morning with an empty ship. We now have to gather around 9AM and wait for the ship to clear. Sometimes this seems to take at least 30-45 minutes. Then we are escorted off and wait in the terminal ( Port Canaveral, in the suite/pinnacle/diamond area) , also at least 30 minutes, and are generally escorted back on. Last time, a few non B2B who were waiting to board ( who have access to that area), actually jumped in line to board prior to the B2B passengers. So in all, we spend one or two hours waiting to get off or get on. Most times there is a nice luncheon provided for the B2B passengers and it is great that we have immediate access to our cabins.

 

OP - as for the eating/drinking, we tend to actually have less on a B2B because we are not tempted to try so many items . We know we have the second week to try something else on the menu.

 

enjoy

M

[cruisinfromtampa]

We will be doing our first B2B next year. How does turn around day work?

We do have the same cabin for both weeks.

The ship leaves San Juan Oct. 6, and Oct. 13th.

Does anyone think 14 days is too much? Do you cut down on eating and drinking?

Oh, the casino......could be trouble!!

 

On our B2B out of San Juan we did not have to exit the ship. We met in a lounge, were given our new seapass cards, and went on our way.

 

We were concerned about 14 days feeling too long, but on the last night as we were packing, I commented that I could go another week. DH agreed.

[grandgeezer]

We've done two B2Bs, both on the Allure, out of Ft Lauderdale. Both times we met at the Schooner Bar. As a group, we walked off the ship, scanning our sea pass cards on the way. There was someone from Customs, as well as a RCL rep at the bottom of the gangway. We were given new sea pass cards and got right back on the ship. Easey peasy.

[DShock]

It is easy, no doubt about it. Just saying its not like you have hours where the ship is relatively empty, like it use to be in the old days. It's still all good and really great to be on for another week or two, especially not having to pack that last night!

[biomedbob]

We've done about 10 B2B;s. Each has been uniquely different. From easy peasy to have to wait until new passengers have boarded because our new seapasses hadn't been printed. On the easy ones, the noon special luncheon was nice. Unlimited wine and a great selection of entrees.

[DShock]

We've done about 10 B2B;s. Each has been uniquely different. From easy peasy to have to wait until new passengers have boarded because our new seapasses hadn't been printed. On the easy ones, the noon special luncheon was nice. Unlimited wine and a great selection of entrees.

 

Yeah, I guess its timing. We've done well over 10 b2bs and each time it was easy and fast, no issues...luck of the draw I guess. Anyway, b2bs are great and once we got started on b2bs we never went back to anything shorter. Love not feeling rushed to do everything at once!

[davekathy]

Same for us. We gathered in the theater.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That was our meeting place also.

[ladysail2]

And, you'll have to go through the safety drill again...even though you did it for the first cruise. Being in the same cabin, at least you'll know where to go for the second drill! It's not my favourite part of a B2B, but it's important and they do take attendance!!

[SW.FloridaPhil]

Thank for all of the responses!

[gerelmx]

When it's a single cruise I prefer 14 nights cruises, and b2b's for longer time on board. We have done the Eclipse 14 night southern Caribbean, booked the Summit 14 nights New England and Canada, B2B on Silhouette to the Caribbean 9+12 nights and a B2B2B on the Eclipse 11+10+7 nights to Hawaii and Pacific coast.

[rimmit]

I’ve never done a back to back but have done several 14-15 day cruises and I can tell you it’s not too much. Those 14 days go by fast. We’re almost to the point where a 7 day cruise is too short.

 

I agree. We haven’t booked a 7 day since 2015. 9 is the minimum for us now, however, we will end that streak as we have some friends that want to try RCI with us in Feb 19 and they are paranoid to do longer.

[atb]

I agree. We haven’t booked a 7 day since 2015. 9 is the minimum for us now, however, we will end that streak as we have some friends that want to try RCI with us in Feb 19 and they are paranoid to do longer.

 

That's the best part of B2B. We have friends and family tagging in to each part of our cruise. We get the longer cruise, and they get the cruise they want as well. Win / Win!