Expert advice needed: back-to-back situations

[VegasVic14]

Having never done a BTB, and often considered one, I'm curious about a few things. Assuming you were able to book the same cabin again, what is the scenario for this? Do you have to "move out" everything just to bring it all back onboard? What is the procedure if it's a different cabin (a more likely thing)?

Second BTB situation: it's possible, for example, to get off the Symphony in Miami and the Explorer is also in port getting ready for its departure that same day. Is it possible to walk from the Symphony to the Explorer or is it necessary to find transportation?

Thanks, and like everyone else here, we're so ready to start cruising again. 

[firefly333]

If the same cabin, just leave your stuff. There will be a letter in your cabin advising b2bers where to meet to be walked off and back own.

 

Usually if it's the same cruiseline you should be able to walk from one ship to another, though it's rare 2 ships from the same cruiseline are both in port the same day.  Usually a day apart and you have to come back.

[Ourusualbeach]

9 minutes ago, VegasVic14 said:

Having never done a BTB, and often considered one, I'm curious about a few things. Assuming you were able to book the same cabin again, what is the scenario for this? Do you have to "move out" everything just to bring it all back onboard? What is the procedure if it's a different cabin (a more likely thing)?

Second BTB situation: it's possible, for example, to get off the Symphony in Miami and the Explorer is also in port getting ready for its departure that same day. Is it possible to walk from the Symphony to the Explorer or is it necessary to find transportation?

Thanks, and like everyone else here, we're so ready to start cruising again. 

With the distance and obstacles  between the two berths in Miami it would not be advisable to walk.  Take a taxi.  Best $20 spent

[RFerrington]

When you are doing back-to-back cruises but changing ships, it is generally referred to as a side-to-side (S2S).  I agree with @Ourusualbeach.  I would get a cheap taxi and save yourself a big hassle.

[Ourusualbeach]

9 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

generally referred to as a side-to-side (S2S)

Only by us on CC.  Royal's reps still call it a B2B

[shipgeeks]

If you are staying aboard the same ship, you will need to go through Immigration on turnaround day, usually with a group at an assigned time.  You will probably need to be issued a new cruise card.  If you are in the same cabin, you can just leave everything.  If you are in a different cabin, they will assist you in moving.

[Biker19]

41 minutes ago, VegasVic14 said:

Is it possible to walk from the Symphony to the Explorer or is it necessary to find transportation?

Symphony will be at Terminal A while Explorer will likely be at Terminal G - you can look that up on maps, it would be pretty long walk with luggage,  if at all possible. A staff shuttle might be available  between the two.

[The Yorkshire Cruiser]

When we did a side-by-side on Empress and Symphony from Miami, we received a letter on the last night of our first cruise advising where to meet for transportation to the next ship.

 

There were a few passengers doing the same and we travelled together in a minibus provided by Royal Caribbean. 

[ONECRUISER]

18 minutes ago, The Yorkshire Cruiser said:

When we did a side-by-side on Empress and Symphony from Miami, we received a letter on the last night of our first cruise advising where to meet for transportation to the next ship.

 

There were a few passengers doing the same and we traveled together in a minibus provided by Royal Caribbean. 

Year ago did a Royal to Celebrity out Port Everglades planning own Transport in a Cab for Ship to Ship. Was standing in line for Customs and they were calling my name out as they had a Van providing free transport. Oh course post CV unknown how long until we get back to B2B/S2S norms...

[njkruzer]

If you have the same cabin so you don't have to worry about moving, instead of waiting for the walk off, if there is something you want to do in port you can walk off before the official turn around but you will need to arrange get your new card. You will leave with your old card and reboard with the new one.  See guest services a couple of days in advance. 

[davekathy]

25 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

If you have the same cabin so you don't have to worry about moving, instead of waiting for the walk off, if there is something you want to do in port you can walk off before the official turn around but you will need to arrange get your new card. You will leave with your old card and reboard with the new one.  See guest services a couple of days in advance. 

Also an in transit card will be given to those leaving the ship on TAD for reboarding. 

[cruisegirl1]

B2B are an easy process regardless if you change cabins or not. Of course much easier if you can get  the same cabin.  We do many B2B and have to change cabins about half the  time.  Mostly because we wanted a specific cabin for one leg, that was not available for both.  We honestly don't mind the move and  like to get a fresh  new cabin.

 

The written  instructions for the  B2B will be provided a day or so prior to the end of the first cruise.  Many talk of a B2B meeting but we've only had that once when they wanted to prepare us for a several hour wait in the terminal because of a coastguard inspection.  

 

We had one S2S or B2B on two different ships ( what ever you want to call it) in Port Canaveral  and were provided NO assistance from RCCL.  It was considered two completely different cruises, with no connection.  We were on our own to get from one ship to another.     We've also taken 2 cruises ( once from the same port and once from different ports) with one night  in-between ( get off first ship on Saturday, board seconds ship on Sunday)  and again we were on our  own. 

 

  We enjoy B2B cruises  and hope that you will as well. 

 

M

 

Edited January 29, 2021 by cruisegirl1

[island lady]

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

With the distance and obstacles  between the two berths in Miami it would not be advisable to walk.  Take a taxi.  Best $20 spent

 

What he said...definitely!!!  ^

[island lady]

3 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

If you are staying aboard the same ship, you will need to go through Immigration on turnaround day, usually with a group at an assigned time.  You will probably need to be issued a new cruise card.  If you are in the same cabin, you can just leave everything.  If you are in a different cabin, they will assist you in moving.

 

Not probably...will.  😉   Old card won't work, everything is closed on old card.  

Edited January 29, 2021 by island lady

[lovelife]

We've sailed many side-to-sides and Royal has always provided transportation from one terminal to another for same-day sailings.  They even take us from Miami to Port Everglades or reverse.

[Cigar King]

4 hours ago, VegasVic14 said:

Second BTB situation: it's possible, for example, to get off the Symphony in Miami and the Explorer is also in port getting ready for its departure that same day. Is it possible to walk from the Symphony to the Explorer or is it necessary to find transportation?

 

I did this.  Once.  It was a Royal pain.  I'd suggest you avoid it if possible.  That being said, if you do, as others said, get a cab to help move your stuff.  When I did it, Royal was no help at all.

[BND]

We only book b2b's if we can get the same cabin.  We've done one so far on Oasis and have had several others booked and cancelled in the last 18 months.  First two for Nov 2019 were cancelled by us because I broke my ankle and had surgery, but the rest were cancelled by RCI.  Hopeful we can go on HOS in Dec.  We have a couple of others booked in May and one in July but doubt any of them will happen as those are out of NJ.  On Oasis, our wifi pkg actually carried over a couple of days which we took advantage of.  On Oasis, we did a walkoff as a group but then we had to wait with the suites to reboard but we were first back onboard.  In fact, I was #2 and DH was #1.  A woman on a scooter was first.  She was determined to be lol.  We were given a free lunch in a specialty restaurant and then we went to our cabin for a while to relax while all the new passengers were wondering around.  You do get access to your cabin and don't have to wait til they open them up for everyone else.  They do a normal cleaning of the cabins of the b2bers so they do those first. You usually have to meet up around 9 or so so all the b2b cabins are empty long enough for regular cleanings.  We didn't actually leave the ship until about 1030, but were back onboard by 11.

[cruisegirl1]

1 hour ago, lovelife said:

We've sailed many side-to-sides and Royal has always provided transportation from one terminal to another for same-day sailings.  They even take us from Miami to Port Everglades or reverse.

That is terrific that they provided transportation. Not our experience from early in 2015. I have not done two different ships since then.
 

We had one cruise that went from the old terminal in Port Canaveral to the new terminal in Port Canaveral. So one would have to go from the old terminal, over the drawbridge around the marina/restaurants  to the new terminal. Royal  Caribbean phone agents  told us it was a short walk!   I’m not a good judge of distance, but I’m imagining it is a couple miles.   Bad info from RCCL. 
 

m
 

 

[Langley Cruisers]

1 hour ago, BND said:

We only book b2b's if we can get the same cabin...

 

Would absolutely agree with this. While some people don't mind changing cabins, the true meaning of a B2B for us is same ship, same cabin. That way, we don't have any stress about moving anything at all. Also on turnaround day, we give our cabin steward the morning off (put the Do Not Disturb card/sign out) and just ask for evening service; they are so busy so having one less cabin to clean is a nice gesture. 😊

[BND]

2 minutes ago, Langley Cruisers said:

 

Would absolutely agree with this. While some people don't mind changing cabins, the true meaning of a B2B for us is same ship, same cabin. That way, we don't have any stress about moving anything at all. Also on turnaround day, we give our cabin steward the morning off (put the Do Not Disturb card/sign out) and just ask for evening service; they are so busy so having one less cabin to clean is a nice gesture. 😊

Our steward changed between the two, but our first one made sure to let the next one know that we were b2b.  Our first one was at the end of his contract and going home to India.  We talked about how long his trip was going to be.  And, he did brief his replacement before he got off the ship. 

[Ashland]

19 minutes ago, BND said:

Our steward changed between the two, but our first one made sure to let the next one know that we were b2b.  Our first one was at the end of his contract and going home to India.  We talked about how long his trip was going to be.  And, he did brief his replacement before he got off the ship. 

This has also happened to us on occasion...but each time the steward knew we were on a B2B and explained the change of stewards otherwise we may not have known.

[bonsai3s]

Trying to think of other things that haven't been mentioned...some random thoughts:

*  Yes, I wouldn't recommend walking from Terminal A to Terminal G...disclosure: I won't do it again.  Ask guest services if they are providing free transport from Terminal A and G.  Another option is using the free Miami Trolley.  It goes around the cruise terminal, with various stops near each terminal...yes, it's free.  We once took this free trolley across the street from Terminal G, and just stayed on it until it went around Miami and came back to the cruise terminal.  We have taken this free trolley to go to the nearby Bayside Marketplace (just across the bridge).

 

*  As everyone said, staying in the same cabin is sooooo nice...no, you don't have to move or do anything.  We usually tell our cabin steward not to worry about our cabin on TAD...one less cabin he/she has to clean.

*  If moving to a different cabin...still easy but not as nice.  Make sure you empty your safe and we usually introduce ourselves to our new cabin steward...so if we need anything special, he would have it for us in the new cabin.

*  There's usually a nice lunch provided to B2B passengers.  We've had it in the MDR, a few times at a specialty restaurants...and sometime free wine.

*  We've received our new seapass cards in our cabin the night before disembarkation...sometimes we had to get it from guest services, sometimes it was handed to us at a designated location and time.  If there are lots of B2B passengers, you will probably have a meeting a couple of days before disembarkation.

*  If you decide you want to spend the day off the ship, you can make arrangements to get your new seapass card and "In-transit" card.  The "In-transit" card will allow you to bypass all the lines (except the security line of course.), when you get back.

*  If you decided to stay onboard, you will have access to your cabin...and have the ship for yourselves...for about an hour.

*  Last but not least, you will still have to attend the muster drill...no matter how many consecutive cruises you are doing.

 

Note: Some things will most likely be different when cruising resumes.

Edited January 30, 2021 by bonsai3s

[VegasVic14]

Thanks so much for all this information as it's quite apparent that the whole process should be quick and easy. I booked B2B for July 2022 for 2 families (2 cabins). It was quite a chore finding cabins which would allow us not to move AND having adjacent cabins.

RCI's system couldn't keep up with what I was trying to do and it took 2 hours to finally get their pages to respond and allow me to advance through the booking process.

[cruisegirl1]

I’m glad you got it worked out, even adding the extra issue of adjacent cabins.  

 

enjoy

m

[PigsCanFly]

We did a B2B on Harmony out of PC.  Royal provided a special meeting near the end of the first half whe4re they explained in detail the procedures.  There were also crew available to book shows, dining, etc for the second half. We all then were told to meet on debark/embark morning in a vlounge where they escorted us to the passport folks and back to the ship.  Very efficient. Our other experience was in FLL. We had a 5 day on Independence followed by a 6 day on Adventure a day later.

We get a hotel and did our laundry on the day between.