Independence of the Seas b2b

[am07]

Just booked Independence of the Seas for mid April. We have been loyal to royal for many years but have never done a back to back and we are wondering what is involved. We will stay in the same cabin so we will not have to switch cabins or worry about moving luggage. Thanks in advance for any info! 

[davekathy]

1 hour ago, am07 said:

Just booked Independence of the Seas for mid April. We have been loyal to royal for many years but have never done a back to back and we are wondering what is involved. We will stay in the same cabin so we will not have to switch cabins or worry about moving luggage. Thanks in advance for any info! 

Quick answer...couple days prior to the end of the first leg you will be invited to a consecutive cruisers meeting. I recommend going. A lot of good info. You will also receive a detailed letter in your cabin outlining the TAD process, where and what time to meet and what to bring. After the TAD procedures are complete you are free to go back to your cabin. The fire door to the cabin hallway will be shut, not locked. Just make sure to close the fire door behind you. You will be given new Sea Pass cards for the second leg.  Your account for the first leg will be closed at the end of the first leg. If you have any NROBC spend it or you'll lose it as NROBC will not be transferred to the second leg. All of our B2B cruises we've had a consecutive cruisers lunch in the MDR. Limited menu. You will be given an in transit pass if you want to get off the ship when the TAD procedures have been completed. When returning you just need to reenter the security line and then proceed to the ship with the in transit pass and your Sea Pass card. 

Edited January 7, 2020 by davekathy

[Clarea]

2 hours ago, am07 said:

Just booked Independence of the Seas for mid April. We have been loyal to royal for many years but have never done a back to back and we are wondering what is involved. We will stay in the same cabin so we will not have to switch cabins or worry about moving luggage. Thanks in advance for any info! 

 

It's a good idea to check with Guest Services a few days into the first cruise and confirm you are on the consecutive cruisers list.

[thjeepster]

On ‎1‎/‎6‎/‎2020 at 7:20 PM, am07 said:

Just booked Independence of the Seas for mid April. We have been loyal to royal for many years but have never done a back to back and we are wondering what is involved. We will stay in the same cabin so we will not have to switch cabins or worry about moving luggage. Thanks in advance for any info! 

 

Hello Just wondering which sailings will you be on?  We are going in April also and doing a B2B!

[am07]

On January 8, 2020 at 11:38 AM, thjeepster said:

 

Hello Just wondering which sailings will you be on?  We are going in April also and doing a B2B!

We will be sailing April 13 and 18. We have never done a b2b so we are pretty excited. Love the thought of not having to leave the ship when everyone else does. What are your dates for the b2b? 

[am07]

Just now, am07 said:

We will be sailing April 13 and 18. We have never done a b2b so we are pretty excited. Love the thought of not having to leave the ship when everyone else does. What are your dates for the b2b? 

Oops, just saw your signature page with upcoming sailings. Looks like we will be missing you like 2 ships in the night, so to speak! Corny, I know.

[am07]

On January 6, 2020 at 8:28 PM, davekathy said:

Quick answer...couple days prior to the end of the first leg you will be invited to a consecutive cruisers meeting. I recommend going. A lot of good info. You will also receive a detailed letter in your cabin outlining the TAD process, where and what time to meet and what to bring. After the TAD procedures are complete you are free to go back to your cabin. The fire door to the cabin hallway will be shut, not locked. Just make sure to close the fire door behind you. You will be given new Sea Pass cards for the second leg.  Your account for the first leg will be closed at the end of the first leg. If you have any NROBC spend it or you'll lose it as NROBC will not be transferred to the second leg. All of our B2B cruises we've had a consecutive cruisers lunch in the MDR. Limited menu. You will be given an in transit pass if you want to get off the ship when the TAD procedures have been completed. When returning you just need to reenter the security line and then proceed to the ship with the in transit pass and your Sea Pass card. 

Thank you for that valuable info especially the OBC part. I would not thought about that so that is good to know. Still a little confused about 1 thing. Do you have to get off the ship briefly or do they have everyone meet in a special location for a period of time? I appreciate all this useful information as I want to be prepared and know what to expect. Have a great weekend!

[am07]

On January 6, 2020 at 10:01 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

It's a good idea to check with Guest Services a few days into the first cruise and confirm you are on the consecutive cruisers list.

Thanks for the good advice. We will definitely do that 😀!

[reaton]

I believe all US sailings you have to get off the ship. I’ve heard of sailings where people didn’t, but they weren’t originating at a US port. The letter you receive will detail a location of where to meet on turn around day and at what time. You are then given your new sea pass cards and escorted off the ship. The letter will detail anything you need to bring with you- I think we needed passports (or other similar documentation). You are escorted off as a group, may meet with a customs officer on land, then escorted back on the ship before other passengers. 
 

we noticed that when returning to our room we had to use our old sea pass card as the new one didn’t work until the rooms we “officially” open. 
 

we did mention to our room steward that we were on a b2b and not to worry about our room on turn around day- they have so much to do we didn’t really need our room tidied that morning. 

[davekathy]

10 hours ago, am07 said:

Thank you for that valuable info especially the OBC part. I would not thought about that so that is good to know. Still a little confused about 1 thing. Do you have to get off the ship briefly or do they have everyone meet in a special location for a period of time? I appreciate all this useful information as I want to be prepared and know what to expect. Have a great weekend!

All consecutive cruiser meet in one location and all at the sametime. Very important everyone is there and on time. Most of our B2B cruises we all have been escorted off  the ship together and returned together. No stopping and waiting to reboard. But, if the ship is going through a Coast Guard inspection or something where the ship has to be cleared you would be escorted off the ship and seated in a waiting area. Once the ship is cleared you'd be the first group back on the ship. Just remember all this kind of info will be outlined in detail in your TAD letter you receive before the first leg of the cruise is over. The whole process is very well organized. At least that's been what we've experienced on all the B2B cruises we've done.  

[Clarea]

10 hours ago, am07 said:

 ... Do you have to get off the ship briefly or do they have everyone meet in a special location for a period of time? ...

 

You normally have two choices:

 

1) Stay with the B2B group, get off the ship briefly, and get back on before general boarding starts.

 

2) Get off the ship earlier, but then you cannot re-board until general boarding has commenced.

 

People opt for #2 for various reasons, taking an excursion during the changeover period, shopping, etc.

 

You should get details on each option by letter and possibly a B2B meeting.

[am07]

Thanks for all the valuable information. I feel better knowing what to expect. This board has been so beneficial and I sincerely appreciate everyones input.

[Sunshine3601]

You will love doing a b2b.    Both times were caribbean cruises and they escorted the group off ship and into special room in terminal where we waited for a customs agent.  He glanced at everyone's passports then back on the ship.

The one time we left ship to go to drug store for some personal items.  When reentering the terminal no need to stand in regular security line.  We went to suite entrance and they told us to proceed with no wait.

We are doing another b2b this august for baltic and Norway cruise.  Cannot wait to visit Scandinavian ports.

Have fun cruising.

[am07]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

You will love doing a b2b.    Both times were caribbean cruises and they escorted the group off ship and into special room in terminal where we waited for a customs agent.  He glanced at everyone's passports then back on the ship.

The one time we left ship to go to drug store for some personal items.  When reentering the terminal no need to stand in regular security line.  We went to suite entrance and they told us to proceed with no wait.

We are doing another b2b this august for baltic and Norway cruise.  Cannot wait to visit Scandinavian ports.

Have fun cruising.

Thanks for the insight.  Your b2b sounds wonderful. I am hoping to do some European cruises once I retire. I am limited on the amount of time off I can get at this time so I will have to wait a few more yrs for the over seas cruises. Enjoy your cruise. Scandinavia is definitely on my bucket list!

[Sunshine3601]

We both work full time but fortunate to be able to work online when traveling.   I dont mind working on laptop on my balcony for a couple hours here and there while sipping a glass of wine or even better a mojito.   Lol!

[thjeepster]

On ‎1‎/‎10‎/‎2020 at 11:35 PM, am07 said:

Oops, just saw your signature page with upcoming sailings. Looks like we will be missing you like 2 ships in the night, so to speak! Corny, I know.

Yes, lol

We will be getting on for the first cruise when you are getting off your second...lol

 

Hope you have a great B2B!

[thjeepster]

Anybody on or recently off of Indy?  Still looking for the 5-day cruise compasses.  Still trying to plan our honeymoon aboard.

[KuffMUp]

We have been on a few.  Our last one, there weren't enough people to get a special lunch.  Other ones we have gotten the lunch.  One we got off as a group, went to customs and passports scanned, then back on.  Last one we got off and went somewhere they had chairs (downstairs, not the usual boarding area).  Sat there for a bit then a customs officer came and didn't even check our passports to get back on.  

 

If you are keeping the same cabin it is great.  2 we didn't keep the same room.  Only had to pack stuff in the drawers. Left clothes hanging in the closet.  Luggage and our hanging clothes were in our new room waiting.  When we changed rooms, we didn't get to go back obviously.  It is nice to go to the room and escape the mad rush as people board.

[am07]

7 hours ago, thjeepster said:

Anybody on or recently off of Indy?  Still looking for the 5-day cruise compasses.  Still trying to plan our honeymoon aboard.

Congrats on your honeymoon! Enjoy your sailing. We will try to make sure the ship is in one piece for you as you will be getting on as we are getting off 😀 this beautiful vessel!

[am07]

6 hours ago, KuffMUp said:

We have been on a few.  Our last one, there weren't enough people to get a special lunch.  Other ones we have gotten the lunch.  One we got off as a group, went to customs and passports scanned, then back on.  Last one we got off and went somewhere they had chairs (downstairs, not the usual boarding area).  Sat there for a bit then a customs officer came and didn't even check our passports to get back on.  

 

If you are keeping the same cabin it is great.  2 we didn't keep the same room.  Only had to pack stuff in the drawers. Left clothes hanging in the closet.  Luggage and our hanging clothes were in our new room waiting.  When we changed rooms, we didn't get to go back obviously.  It is nice to go to the room and escape the mad rush as people board.

Special lunch sounds interesting. We are looking forward to not changing cabins so it should be pretty easy transition. I have always wanted to experience a b2b and am looking forward to it. I just have to get through the next 3 months of work ugh!  Thanks for your input😀. It is always nice to get feedback from those who have experienced it.

[thjeepster]

On ‎1‎/‎11‎/‎2020 at 10:34 AM, davekathy said:

All consecutive cruiser meet in one location and all at the sametime. Very important everyone is there and on time. Most of our B2B cruises we all have been escorted off  the ship together and returned together. No stopping and waiting to reboard. But, if the ship is going through a Coast Guard inspection or something where the ship has to be cleared you would be escorted off the ship and seated in a waiting area. Once the ship is cleared you'd be the first group back on the ship. Just remember all this kind of info will be outlined in detail in your TAD letter you receive before the first leg of the cruise is over. The whole process is very well organized. At least that's been what we've experienced on all the B2B cruises we've done.  

What time do you usually meet for B2B before the second cruise?

[thjeepster]

11 hours ago, am07 said:

Congrats on your honeymoon! Enjoy your sailing. We will try to make sure the ship is in one piece for you as you will be getting on as we are getting off 😀 this beautiful vessel!

Thank you so much!!!  We are actually also getting married on the last sea day on the first cruise so that is very exciting also!!!

Yes please make sure they make Indy look good for our entrance!!!...we want all our guests to think the best of RC!!

[thjeepster]

11 hours ago, am07 said:

Special lunch sounds interesting. We are looking forward to not changing cabins so it should be pretty easy transition. I have always wanted to experience a b2b and am looking forward to it. I just have to get through the next 3 months of work ugh!  Thanks for your input😀. It is always nice to get feedback from those who have experienced it.

It would be nice to have a special lunch!!...hopefully they do!

We were going to get the same cabin for both cruises but my dad is purchasing the first cruise as a gift so we only got a window oceanview.  Our second we move to a Junior Suite for the honeymoon on the same floor (9th), hopefully they get us in the second room early enough.

[davekathy]

9 minutes ago, thjeepster said:

What time do you usually meet for B2B before the second cruise?

Our last B2B cruise was March 2019 on the Freedom so the time and location is still in my memory bank. Fot that cruise we were instructed to meet in the Star Lounge at 10:15 AM. Your time and place will be published in  your TAD letter. The TAD process can't start until the manifest for all non-consecutive passengers has been cleared.  

Edited January 14, 2020 by davekathy

[am07]

12 hours ago, thjeepster said:

It would be nice to have a special lunch!!...hopefully they do!

We were going to get the same cabin for both cruises but my dad is purchasing the first cruise as a gift so we only got a window oceanview.  Our second we move to a Junior Suite for the honeymoon on the same floor (9th), hopefully they get us in the second room early enough.

Wow! Junior suite sounds wonderful! We have never stayed in a suite, but have been blessed with ocean balconies every time we sail. How generous of your dad to purchase the first cruise as a wedding gift. You are going to make such wonderful memories. My husband and I cruised for our honeymoon and we have been hooked ever since. Enjoy your time at sea as it will go fast and congrats once again. BTW, we will try to keep the ship tidy for your guest arrival 😉!