Reboarding for B2B MSC cruises

[Markanddonna]

I contacted customer service to ask about how we reboard the ship between two seven day cruises that were booked separately. We have the same cabin for each leg so he did confirm we could leave our things in the cabin.  He really didn't know so I thought you experienced folks may have the answer.

 

We are Diamond status, so we can stay on the ship until  9:30 AM, and would prefer to just walk around the port area to local malls and parks if the weather is nice. 

 

Also, we know other cruise lines gather their B2B people in a lounge and walk them off together, allow them to get their new cards and they can go back on the ship.  Does anyone know for sure that is how MSC in the Caribbean does it?

 

Thanks!

[GOLDENBONNY]

16 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

I contacted customer service to ask about how we reboard the ship between two seven day cruises that were booked separately. We have the same cabin for each leg so he did confirm we could leave our things in the cabin.  He really didn't know so I thought you experienced folks may have the answer.

 

We are Diamond status, so we can stay on the ship until  9:30 AM, and would prefer to just walk around the port area to local malls and parks if the weather is nice. 

 

Also, we know other cruise lines gather their B2B people in a lounge and walk them off together, allow them to get their new cards and they can go back on the ship.  Does anyone know for sure that is how MSC in the Caribbean does it?

 

Thanks!

you just need to leave the ship. You may walk together with your group or by yourself. There is no walk around in port or mall ,you will have to take taxi to city. 

[shipgeeks]

We went through Immigration, in the terminal, as a group, then reboarded (our preference).  I believe it was a 10am meet - held up by people who came but did not check in.

We, too, had booked as two 7-nighters, as it was cheaper than the 14-night option.  I'm wondering, though, if 14-nighters go through the B2B process.  Anyone know?

[reedprincess]

5 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

We went through Immigration, in the terminal, as a group, then reboarded (our preference).  I believe it was a 10am meet - held up by people who came but did not check in.

We, too, had booked as two 7-nighters, as it was cheaper than the 14-night option.  I'm wondering, though, if 14-nighters go through the B2B process.  Anyone know?

Yes, everything has to go through immigration upon return to USA, regardless of how the cruise was booked. It's a US CBP rule, has nothing to do with the cruise line 

 

1 hour ago, GOLDENBONNY said:

you just need to leave the ship. You may walk together with your group or by yourself. There is no walk around in port or mall ,you will have to take taxi to city. 

 

You'll have three options, basically same as all other lines that sail in USA.

 

1) do a ship's tour that day.

2) meet with group, do immigration check together ans be escorted back on once ship is cleared 

3) get off the ship during normal disembarkation and go explore as you like. Retune when boarding has begun and board with everyone else. You'll have an In Transit card which let's you skip some of the formalities, ie the check-in line itself, etc. 

If you're at Miami, you'll need a cab/Uber/Lyft into town, it's not walkable.  There is the Seaman's Cafe right across from the terminal woth breakfast, drinks, pool, basketball court, etc - you could easily kill the two or three hours there if you didn't want to get a ride into town .

[Markanddonna]

19 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

We went through Immigration, in the terminal, as a group, then reboarded (our preference).  I believe it was a 10am meet - held up by people who came but did not check in.

We, too, had booked as two 7-nighters, as it was cheaper than the 14-night option.  I'm wondering, though, if 14-nighters go through the B2B process.  Anyone know?

Shipgeeks, I appreciate your advice since you had the same experience I asked about.

 

I often wonder why people who don't know the answer from experience give incorrect information.  BTW- others have reported you can walk to the Bayfront area. It is about a 25 minute walk. We really just want walk and maybe enjoy lunch in Miami.

 

Also, we saw that the Coral Way trolley stops right at the MSC dock at Dodge Island. That might be a unique way to explore the area for free.  I love finding more unique ways of getting around.

Edited January 29, 2020 by Markanddonna

[GOLDENBONNY]

23 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

Shipgeeks, I appreciate your advice since you had the same experience I asked about.

 

I often wonder why people who don't know the answer from experience give incorrect information.  BTW- others have reported you can walk to the Bayfront area. It is about a 25 minute walk. We really just want walk and maybe enjoy lunch in Miami.

 

Also, we saw that the Coral Way trolley stops right at the MSC dock at Dodge Island. That might be a unique way to explore the area for free.  I love finding more unique ways of getting around.

Walk in port? Good luck with that . 

[Markanddonna]

1 hour ago, GOLDENBONNY said:

Walk in port? Good luck with that . 

I'll report back.  Bayside's website recommended taking the trolley:  

Port of Miami: take the free Coral Way trolley to the Biscayne Blvd. stop

 

Edited January 29, 2020 by Markanddonna

[Beachin2]

Last October (Seaside) on a 14 night (not 2 7's) still needed to go through immigration shore side, as expected.  As with most lines, it was a mostly uncoordinated mess.  We were in YC (which makes no difference).  Met in a public lounge with all the other B2B folks, marched off after all the stragglers were rounded up, saw the immigration folks briefly, then were dumped in the general terminal for about 90 minutes with no instructions.  It was near bedlam.  None of the shore-side folks knew what the drill was, and we finally got to start joining the mob after general boarding had started.

 

You would think, since they do this EVERY SINGLE WEEK,  they could figure this out and do it smoothly.  Not rocket science.

[Markanddonna]

44 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

Last October (Seaside) on a 14 night (not 2 7's) still needed to go through immigration shore side, as expected.  As with most lines, it was a mostly uncoordinated mess.  We were in YC (which makes no difference).  Met in a public lounge with all the other B2B folks, marched off after all the stragglers were rounded up, saw the immigration folks briefly, then were dumped in the general terminal for about 90 minutes with no instructions.  It was near bedlam.  None of the shore-side folks knew what the drill was, and we finally got to start joining the mob after general boarding had started.

 

You would think, since they do this EVERY SINGLE WEEK,  they could figure this out and do it smoothly.  Not rocket science.

In retrospect, do you think it would just be easier to disembark at 9:30, go to Bayside for a few hours, and then return with our passports and e-tickets?  

[travelnjudy]

I just got off Msc Mereviglia on 1-26-2020.  I boarded 1-12-2020.  on 2-19-2020 there were about 100 back to back cruisers.  We all had to meet in a lounge  room, were escorted off ship, went thru area where they looked at passport to see if still active, and then escorted back on ship.  Took about hour. Glad I didn't have to take luggage off and back on. 

[Beachin2]

53 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

In retrospect, do you think it would just be easier to disembark at 9:30, go to Bayside for a few hours, and then return with our passports and e-tickets?  

Probably.  Remember you can't re-board until general boarding has started.  If there is any delay, you will need to wait shore-side.

[Fogfog]

Timely TY

We booked in B2B and hope it will be a smooth as our Sept B2B

Wondering if we should try and see something of Miami or turnaround day (after the transit pass/changeover and new seapass and wristband

[Fogfog]

20 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

Shipgeeks, I appreciate your advice since you had the same experience I asked about.

 

I often wonder why people who don't know the answer from experience give incorrect information.  BTW- others have reported you can walk to the Bayfront area. It is about a 25 minute walk. We really just want walk and maybe enjoy lunch in Miami.

 

Also, we saw that the Coral Way trolley stops right at the MSC dock at Dodge Island. That might be a unique way to explore the area for free.  I love finding more unique ways of getting around.

Do you have a kink for this... could be useful TYIA

[Markanddonna]

57 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Do you have a kink for this... could be useful TYIA

https://www.miamigov.com/Services/Transportation/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps

 

Right now, things are a bit different because of the Super Bowl, but it should settled down after Monday.

[shipgeeks]

BTW, we went to Guest Services before the 10am meet, and got our new cards.  Quick and easy.

[Fogfog]

2 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

BTW, we went to Guest Services before the 10am meet, and got our new cards.  Quick and easy.

Good to know

When we did this with Celebrity--we had a pre meeting where they explained the process and handed out transit passes.

Turn around day we met in a restaurant for coffee/continental breakkie and they checked us in --in a system for immigration. Passports in hand etc. All done on a tablet.

Walked off as a group - having to turn in old cards (zero out ship) and after about 10 min-- walked back on with new ones. and scanned in/welcomed back. Left the restaurant at 9:30 Promptly--and we're back on about 9:50. Seamless. 

Fingers crossed everyone shows up on time and with proper docs....

AND that there is no coronavirus problem!

[Fogfog]

3 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

https://www.miamigov.com/Services/Transportation/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps

 

Right now, things are a bit different because of the Super Bowl, but it should settled down after Monday.

Hi Mark and Donna

Does this come to the port or are you walking a big distance to find it?

TYIA

 

NM found it

 

PortMiami is located at 1015 North America Way, Miami, Florida, 33132. Once on-port follow signs to your destination (Port Offices, Cruise Terminals, Cargo Yard, etc.). You can access PortMiami using different forms of transportation such as: car, taxi, uber, or simply using Metrorail's Orange Line to Downtown Miami and then hopping on the Metromover or City of Miami Coral Way Trolley from the Government Center Metrorail/Metromover Station.

• Driving Directions to PortMiami
• Plan your trip using Transit

Edited January 30, 2020 by Fogfog

[Markanddonna]

1 hour ago, Fogfog said:

Hi Mark and Donna

Does this come to the port or are you walking a big distance to find it?

TYIA

 

NM found it

 

PortMiami is located at 1015 North America Way, Miami, Florida, 33132. Once on-port follow signs to your destination (Port Offices, Cruise Terminals, Cargo Yard, etc.). You can access PortMiami using different forms of transportation such as: car, taxi, uber, or simply using Metrorail's Orange Line to Downtown Miami and then hopping on the Metromover or City of Miami Coral Way Trolley from the Government Center Metrorail/Metromover Station.

• Driving Directions to PortMiami
• Plan your trip using Transit

I read that one stop is right in front of terminal F which is where most MSC cruise ships dock.

[frank808]

On 1/29/2020 at 1:16 PM, Beachin2 said:

Last October (Seaside) on a 14 night (not 2 7's) still needed to go through immigration shore side, as expected.  As with most lines, it was a mostly uncoordinated mess.  We were in YC (which makes no difference).  Met in a public lounge with all the other B2B folks, marched off after all the stragglers were rounded up, saw the immigration folks briefly, then were dumped in the general terminal for about 90 minutes with no instructions.  It was near bedlam.  None of the shore-side folks knew what the drill was, and we finally got to start joining the mob after general boarding had started.

 

You would think, since they do this EVERY SINGLE WEEK,  they could figure this out and do it smoothly.  Not rocket science.

We had a totally different experience in July 2018 with b2b 14 night cruise. 

 

The head butler had the YC guests meet in top sail lounge.  He escorted us all down to immigration check in terminal.  When CBP were done, he escorted us right back on ship.  We decided to explore the ship since it was empty but he escorted the other YC b2b to top sail or their cabins. 

[Hangman115]

With cruising  possibly to resume in 2021, we are booked on the MSC Divina, out of Port Canaveral in Oct 2021.  Already booked on a 7 night and a B2B for a 4 night.  Right now thinking about a 3rd B2B with a 3 nighter.  14 nights total. 
 

Have not sailed for awhile. My wife and I loved to sail.  Her funeral was a couple months ago. So I decided to  to take a couple more sailings before I join her in heaven.  Been on 108 sailings already. Never done a B2B before.  Oct 2021 will be both my 65th birthday AND would of been our 23rd wedding anniversary. So this cruise is my way of  remembering many good times my wife Jacqueline and I had on multiple sailings on multiple cruise ships

This will be my first sailing on the Divina and reading posts here  helps me get ready.

I have one question I cannot seem to find an answer for.  With Covid regulations with MSC. Will MSC be allowed to have B2B bookings in October 2021. If so, what might be involved with reboarding. Like another covid test or something else.

TIA for all your comments.

 

[gkbiiii]

Plus, no books allowed for over 7 night cruises.

[CruisingFox27]

Unfortunately there's no answer to your question regarding if it will be permitted or if it is what the process would be, it's just too far away to know how things will be.