B2B cruises protocol on turn around date

[nho9504]

We have upcoming Odyssey B2B starting this Sat.  This is our first B2B on same ship on RCL.

 

Can those who have done the B2B recently provide information on the protocol on turn around date, such as do we need to get off the ship, go thru US immigration / custom then return to the ship?  When will the Guest Service issue the new room keys for the 2nd leg?  (We prefer to have card keys versus carry the cell phones everywhere).  Any other note worthy procedures to follow?

 

Also I suppose since everyone would get a test before returning to US, that would also meet the requirement for the 2nd leg of the cruise.  There is no need to get another test done on the Turnaround Date on land.

 

We booked GTY on both legs with the first leg has room assignment very quickly, like in 3 days after booking.  However the second leg still shows GTY.  Our agent tried to link the 2 bookings together but RCL claimed because one is individual booking and one is group booking, the 2 bookings cannot be linked.  We do not mind to move cabin because we travel very light - we only have a carry on bag for each person plus a extra outsize canvas bag.  We can do Transatlantic cruise with post cruise land trip on such luggage.  Therefore it is more than enough for a Caribbean sailing.  By booking GTYs we saved a price difference of several hundreds.   I just wish they assign the cabin of  2nd leg before we set sail on the 1st leg.

 

Thank you for everyone who can provide information.

[neverbeenhere]

You will get a letter that explains that cruise’s process. It changes often and frequently Cruise to cruise.  If you don’t receive a letter near the end of the first cruise, go to passenger  services. 
 

yes you will be tested on the ship prior to arrival

you will need to meet in some lounge on turn around day

yes you will get a new card on the turn around day

you probably will have to be led off the ship through immigration 

you can leave the ship on your own after receiving your new cards

other procedures will be explained in the letter or at the meeting in the designated lounge. 

Edited November 29, 2021 by neverbeenhere

[cruisinfool5]

On B2B's you will receive a notice to meet at a central location the morning of turn around day. You will be escorted off the ship, go through customs and return to the ship all in 30-45 minutes. We had a luncheon on the Serenade a few weeks ago for any B2B cruisers. 

As for Covid testing, we were tested on board the day before the first cruise ended to comply with the mandatory 48 hour testing requirement.  The whole B2B experience is seamless and well managed by RCCL. Your new keys will be issued to you that day. Enjoy your cruise.

[pcur]

From what I understand, the testing at the end of the "previous" cruise (depending on how many "b2's" you're doing) is complimentary.

[Ashland]

We've always been given our new SeaPass cards at the consecutive cruiser's meeting last cruise day...not on turnaround day.

RCI handles this transition all very easily. 

[nho9504]

Thank you everyone for the info! 

[D4]

On 11/28/2021 at 10:06 PM, cruisinfool5 said:

On B2B's you will receive a notice to meet at a central location the morning of turn around day. You will be escorted off the ship, go through customs and return to the ship all in 30-45 minutes. We had a luncheon on the Serenade a few weeks ago for any B2B cruisers. 

As for Covid testing, we were tested on board the day before the first cruise ended to comply with the mandatory 48 hour testing requirement.  The whole B2B experience is seamless and well managed by RCCL. Your new keys will be issued to you that day. Enjoy your cruise.

Did you have to stay out of your cabin on the second cruise until they announced all the cabins were ready?

 

I’ve read some people have had to do that because of the special cleaning they are doing due to COVID.

 

 

[Sunshine3601]

Nope you can go right back to your same cabin, if you have the same cabin.  

If firedoor for that hallway is shut which is commonly done you can open and tell anyone that asks you are a b2b passenger.

We usually tell our cabin steward not to worry about changing over bed linens that day since they have a lot to do on changeover day.

If you dont get assigned same cabin your room steward will assist in moving your belongings and you usually can go to your new cabin after you are done with customs.

We love doing b2bs and I hope you do too!  It's fun to sit back and watch all the new passengers board.

Edited December 1, 2021 by Sunshine3601

[EllieinNJ]

I am thinking about doing the Navigator in April and then getting on the Radiance the next day.  Will I be able to get a covid test on the first ship to be accepted on the second ship?

[Biker19]

18 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

Will I be able to get a covid test on the first ship to be accepted on the second ship?

If the current process holds, yes.

[island lady]

On 11/29/2021 at 2:12 AM, Ashland said:

We've always been given our new SeaPass cards at the consecutive cruiser's meeting last cruise day...not on turnaround day.

RCI handles this transition all very easily. 

 

We have had it both ways, getting our new sea pass cards on turnaround day...and on some ships...the night before.  

 

Some ships they march us off the ship to go through customs...some ships...customs comes on board and they march us down the outside promenade deck to "ding out" and then immediately "ding back in" walking back inside again.  

 

RCI:  Really Consistently Inconsistent.   Though in this case...it's more about the shore team from the  port than anything. 

[Sunshine3601]

On 11/29/2021 at 2:12 AM, Ashland said:

We've always been given our new SeaPass cards at the consecutive cruiser's meeting last cruise day...not on turnaround day.

RCI handles this transition all very easily. 

I guess because we have never attended one of the consecutive cruiser meetings we always got our new sea pass cards the morning of when we all meet in whatever lounge the letter says to.

[davekathy]

On 11/28/2021 at 8:17 PM, nho9504 said:

This is our first B2B on same ship on RCL.

In addition to what others have said keep in mind B2B cruises are two separate cruises. So your ship board account will be closed at the end of the last evening. TAD you will start over. So if you have any non refundable OBC make sure to spend it all on the first leg as it will not carry over to the second leg. Also if you have any refundable OBC it will not carry over to the second leg but it will be refunded back to your credit card on file. 

[ustasmom]

We had a B2B last month on the Mariner. We were staying in the same cabin. We met in the lounge. We were given our new Seapass cards, and vax bracelets as they change colors. We were not allowed to go back to our cabins until all cabins were ready. We had to find a place to hide. But then we were tossed out of our hiding spot because it became a muster station. We did have to go through muster again.

 

I had no idea that we could leave the ship after getting everything set up. 

[davekathy]

2 minutes ago, ustasmom said:

I had no idea that we could leave the ship after getting everything set up. 

If you ever do make sure you get your "in transit pass" along with your new Seapass card before getting off the ship. 

[ustasmom]

Well I spoke too soon, I had an envelope on my door with instructions, new vax bracelet, and a transit card. We still have three nights to go.

[2chiefs]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

We have had it both ways, getting our new sea pass cards on turnaround day...and on some ships...the night before.  

 

Some ships they march us off the ship to go through customs...some ships...customs comes on board and they march us down the outside promenade deck to "ding out" and then immediately "ding back in" walking back inside again.  

 

RCI:  Really Consistently Inconsistent.   Though in this case...it's more about the shore team from the  port than anything. 

We've experienced both as well.

It has more to do with customs probably.

We've always had lunch and sometimes even with free wine...

[island lady]

2 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

We've experienced both as well.

It has more to do with customs probably.

We've always had lunch and sometimes even with free wine...

 

Yup, same with us.   Though it always seems to be different ship to ship.  

 

Will find out how Harmony is doing it on Sunday, with so many things changed with restart.