Back2Back Process

[cellfree]

How does MSC handle B2B cruises, in particular on Divina if any recent cruisers have experienced this?

[happy cruzin]

5 hours ago, cellfree said:

How does MSC handle B2B cruises, in particular on Divina if any recent cruisers have experienced this?

We did a B2B on the Seashore in November. On the “flip day “all those sailing the second week must get off walk through customs and then reboard because MSC requires a zero passenger count prior to embarkation for the second week.  
 

In our case they took everyone down in one big group and we were reboarding  as they started embarkation for the new guests. 

[Essiesmom]

41 minutes ago, happy cruzin said:

We did a B2B on the Seashore in November. On the “flip day “all those sailing the second week must get off walk through customs and then reboard because MSC requires a zero passenger count prior to embarkation for the second week.  
 

In our case they took everyone down in one big group and we were reboarding  as they started embarkation for the new guests. 

It’s not MSC that requires the zero count, it is US immigration.  EM

[happy cruzin]

5 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

It’s not MSC that requires the zero count, it is US immigration.  EM

Yes, but other cruise lines account for B2B passengers without making them physically get off and back on. MSC does not. 

[Essiesmom]

12 hours ago, happy cruzin said:

Yes, but other cruise lines account for B2B passengers without making them physically get off and back on. MSC does not. 

Depends on the numbers.  When we had large numbers, CBP came onboard and did us, but with smaller numbers we had to get off.  EM

[cellfree]

Follow up question - is it necessary for me to call MSC and make them aware of us being on a B2B OR does their computer system put two and two together?

[phissy]

No need to call. 
I might stop by guest services sometime during first few days to confirm that you are on b2b.
we received notice for meeting place for  Covid test for all those on b2b. Test is paid by MSC.

Also received instructions for procedure during change over day.

Edited August 2, 2022 by phissy

[Hlitner]

14 hours ago, happy cruzin said:

Yes, but other cruise lines account for B2B passengers without making them physically get off and back on. MSC does not. 

It depends on the port and the dictates of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).   In some ports (and under some circumstances) the CBP folks will allow the process to go forward on the ship.  But in the Florida ports this is rare.  In fact, on over forty years of extensive cruising (including dozens of cruises from Florida) we have never had a back-to-back (and we have done many) where we were processed onboard.

 

Our experience with MSC on the Divina (we did two back to backs when this ship was based in Miami) was not good.  Not only did everyone have to debark the ship (per CBP dictates) but the holding time in the terminal ran into hours.  The 2nd time we had a back to back in MIami we simply left the port and did a wonderful food tour in Little Havana.  Those who waited to reboard were off the ship for nearly 3 hours!  Why?  At the time CBP has some issues with certain crew members (there had been a couple of serious drug smuggling issues) so it took an unusually long time for the ship to be cleared (necessary for reboarding).   When we have done back to backs on other lines the time in holding (inside the terminal) in Miami and Ft Lauderdale was usually no more than an hour.

 

Hank

[CruisingFox27]

On our Miami B2B we were requested to ask meet in a designated area. Once the disembarking passengers were off, zero count declared.  We were escorted though immigration and returned to the ship. Duration varies as you're waiting for the other passengers to disembark. For us it took around an hour. 

 

Alternatively, you can disembark and go off for the day or on an excursion, then complete immigration on your return. 

[awhcruiser]

If a cruise is booked as a 14 day do we still need to disembark and embark on day 7?

[JAGR]

1 hour ago, awhcruiser said:

If a cruise is booked as a 14 day do we still need to disembark and embark on day 7?

In the U.S., yes.  Anytime the ship arrives back in the port it started from, that is considered a cruise from Customs an Immigration perspective, so you must be cleared again.

[awhcruiser]

On 8/3/2022 at 12:19 PM, JAGR said:

In the U.S., yes.  Anytime the ship arrives back in the port it started from, that is considered a cruise from Customs an Immigration perspective, so you must be cleared again.

Thank you