B2B Procedure

[SteelerFanXL]

I have read different procedures on the boards regarding the turn around day on US Ports.  Port Everglades is our beginning ending and turn around day.

I read we will need to clear immigration then wait to reboard with the first group.  I also read after immigration we could get right back on the ship.

Anyone with recent experience I would appreciate it.  I also read there would be instructions provided the night before. 

First time for a b2b, just wondering what to expect.

thanks very much

Carolyn

[reedprincess]

9 minutes ago, SteelerFanXL said:

I have read different procedures on the boards regarding the turn around day on US Ports.  Port Everglades is our beginning ending and turn around day.

I read we will need to clear immigration then wait to reboard with the first group.  I also read after immigration we could get right back on the ship.

Anyone with recent experience I would appreciate it.  I also read there would be instructions provided the night before. 

First time for a b2b, just wondering what to expect.

thanks very much

Carolyn

I assume you're not changing cabins?

 

You'll have two options:

 

1) exit the ship during normal disembarkation and be out ans abiut in ft Lauderdale. You'll have to show your passport or whatever ID docs along with your in-transit card at immigration then off you go. You can come back whenever you want after boarding starts and zip right through with your in-transit pass 

 

2) do immigration as a group with the remainder of the back to backers. You'll meet at a designated spot at designated time with a ship personnel or two, and whenever everyone is there and CBP gives the go ahead - you're either escorted off, cleared en masse and then allowed back aboard shortly after, or an official cones aboard and does the clearing right there in the ship. That varies sailing to sailing depending on the CBP officers at the time. You won't know till morning of whether it's fine aboard or you have to get off, then back in.

 

Personally, we almost always opt to get off and go do our own thing for a bit, pick up some wine, get s pedicure, etc then come back when boarding is opened as we strongly dislike having to wait in the group to get together. There's almost always at least one person/group who thinks this meeting doesn't apply to them and you're waiting and waiting and waiting on them.  Not our thing anymore, so we go enjoy the morning and come back and zip onboard around 11:30... That in-transit pass gets you right through the lines and such right quick.

 

The instructions come a night or two before, it's very easy and clearly spelled out.

Enjoy

[SteelerFanXL]

ReedPrincess, thank you for the info.  We do have to move cabins.  Only moving 3 or 4 cabins away so am hopeful things go smoothly.

[reedprincess]

7 minutes ago, SteelerFanXL said:

ReedPrincess, thank you for the info.  We do have to move cabins.  Only moving 3 or 4 cabins away so am hopeful things go smoothly.

It's super easy.   The letter you get with instructions will also have info with your new cruise card/Medallion (generally issued a new one for a new cabin). And your Onboard account carries over. 

 

You'll need to pack up your personal items and toiletries.  Let the packed stuff on the bed. Leave anything hanging up hanging.  

 

The room stewards will move everything over for you. Generally they come do it as soon as possible so you can see them take your stuff to the next room, but it's fine to just leave it for them also. I always take a photo of my bags in the bed as a precaution.  Definitely take anything from the safe/valuables and any meds, if you have them, with you..

 

It takes just a couple minutes. The procedures for immigration are still the same. 

Edited July 28, 2019 by reedprincess

[Jeter02]

Yes they provide directions to night before your second leg. it's a very smooth operation usually you have two options either one you can disembark whenever you would like if you want to spend time at fort Lauderdale meandering around or doing a tour.bhowever when you get back to the poor you have to enter where the newly incoming passengers enter, meaning you need to be scanned and screened . Afterwards head upstairs to reboard. Your second option, if you choose not to get off and would like to stay onboard, they will tell the time and meeting place. They will have the group exit once all other guests have left. They take into the port terminal, name sure to have your Medallion and or cruise card with you along with your passport. they don't actually check your passport but you supposed to have it on you and then once customs has cleared the ship then you can re-enter back on and carry on for your day. Since you mentioned you're switching cabins, they have a great system. You don't need to pack your clothes that are hanging in hangers. Only your lose stuff needs to be packed. The stewards take a bellcart  where they keep you hanged clothes hung and place your luggage and bags on the cart. They move it into your new cabin and hang your clothes back up in the closet.

[janina]

Since you have to move to a nearby cabin I would tell my cabin steward that morning and he can tell the other steward or if the new cabin is his, they can make it ready for you.  That way you can assist in moving your items and safe valuables before you leave to go through the immigration procedure.

[JF - retired RRT]

OP: ask your steward if he'll be servicing your new cabin (i.e. both cabins in his care). If he is, moving your stuff is a no brainer. He'll handle all of it.

If it's 2 different stewards, ask him to coordinate. Also, check in with your "new" steward so he'll know who you are. We usually do this, it seems to help.

 

AND DON'T FORGET TO EMPTY YOUR SAFE!!

Carry all your safe things with you or if your new cabin no longer has passengers in it when you're ready to leave, put the items in your new safe.

[skynight]

Everything that has been posted, but I can't emphasize more that you need to completely read the directions that will be delivered to your cabin, and follow the option you choose exactly. If even one person, and there always seems to be one, does not show for the immigration process then everyone has to wait and new passengers can not board.

Speak with your cabin steward about the cabin change. Only 4 doors down you may be able to do this yourself in the morning after the cabin has been vacated. Keep as much on hangers as possible,

[paul929207]

Check the info from Princess. There you will find instructions

[voljeep]

pete and repeat were out in a boat ... pete fell out ... who was left ???

[tommy]

2 hours ago, janina said:

Since you have to move to a nearby cabin I would tell my cabin steward that morning and he can tell the other steward or if the new cabin is his, they can make it ready for you.  That way you can assist in moving your items and safe valuables before you leave to go through the immigration procedure.

Perfect answer.Thats the way to do it

[SteelerFanXL]

Thank You everyone for all the helpful information!

[MGAfhc]

Someone said you have to re-enter with the new passengers. It might have changed, but that has not been our experience. We were able to enter the crew door and have much quicker processing.