Back to Back cruise

[scaaty]

Getting ready for my first ever back to back cruise. Any helpful hints are appreciated. will be going on the Gem out of NYC.

[complawyer]

anything specifc you want to know, your's is a pretty open-ended vague question. we've been on a few b2b's so i'd be more than happy to try and give you some insight 

[scaaty]

33 minutes ago, complawyer said:

anything specifc you want to know, your's is a pretty open-ended vague question. we've been on a few b2b's so i'd be more than happy to try and give you some insight 

I guess everything, do we need to get off the ship? Can we just stay in our Cabin? Are there any special arrangements for back to back, do we use the same room key, do they close our account and open a new one, etc.? Plus anything else anyone can think of that I haven't mentioned.

[long Island]

We will be joining you on the Gem. We have two different rooms so I believe NCL will move our luggage to our new room. We will be exploring Panama City all day so….. let’s see if we get some answers on this post.

Edited December 11, 2022 by long Island

[www3traveler]

About half way through your 1st cruise, you will receive a letter from Guest Services explaining the process for a back to back.  The letter will give you a meeting place and then you will be led of the ship for a few moments and led back on before the embarkation process begins.  You will be issued a new room key, your account will be closed and a new one established,  It is really pretty easy.  Enjoy

 

 

[scaaty]

2 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

About half way through your 1st cruise, you will receive a letter from Guest Services explaining the process for a back to back.  The letter will give you a meeting place and then you will be led of the ship for a few moments and led back on before the embarkation process begins.  You will be issued a new room key, your account will be closed and a new one established,  It is really pretty easy.  Enjoy

 

 

Thanks!

[complawyer]

we just did a b2b. we stayed in the same cabin, but had to go to guest services to have them re-code the room key.  we did not have to leave the ship, but you can if you wish, and if you do, you will get a sticker that says "just passing thru!. this will allow you to bypass the boarding mess. also i went down to the muster station, and they checked me right in.

 

obviously you should leave the cabin so it can be cleaned. you should also remember that even if you're doing a b2b, essentially its an entirely different and separate journey. if you are entitled to perks on the 1st leg, you are entitled to the same perks on the 2nd. ie:  if you are entitled to extra dinners in the specialty restaurants, you are entitled to the same specialty restaurants on the 2nd part of the cruise. also if youre entitled to 1 free bag of laundry on  the 1st, youre entitled to a free bag on the 2nd.

 

if anyone differs, this was my personal experience on a b2b starting trieste to trieste and then trieste to rome

[KeithJenner]

Just be aware that the procedure on the turnaround day will differ depending on a variety of factors.

 

For example, in many places people are allowed to stay on the ship but in others they have to leave. My understanding is that US ports require the ship to be cleared of passengers, so that is most likely what will happen in NYC.

 

Others experiences are useful as a guide, but remember that things may be different for you.

[gmbhardy]

Our experience on NCL is that our account was nor closed but remained active until the end of the last cruise. 

[don't-use-real-name]

It is not complicated - the letter received pre 2nd leg of the B2B should explain

everything - if not a pleasant visit to Guest Services -  POP the "?"

 

Simply staying in the same stateroom your cabin attendant will take care of all

the details in cleaning and resupplying the cabin 

If changing staterooms - pack all your luggage away and apply any tags provided

for delivery to the new stateroom - remember to secure your valuables passports

medicines camera etc. separately and take then with you for the moment until

your new stateroom is available for occupancy.

 

If perchance you are moving from one cabin to a Suite or Suite to Suite upgrade 

the Butlers will assist you.

 

If on that 2nd leg of the B2B you will have earned enough Rewards points to move

up a level check with the Next Cruise people (or Guest Services) for the entitlements.

 

About the only complication is taking a shore excursion during the B2B change-over -

POP the "?" at Guest Services for what is the best way to work this out.

 

Boarding that 2nd leg of the B2B is a breeze - no waiting for groups to be called ---

just go on board when the gangway is opened showing your "InTransit Tag" or

just visiting tag whichever. Unless there is some Customs Immigration or otherwise

issue you may be able to just stay on board if that is what you wish.

 

Enjoy the almost empty ship (briefly) - The Buffet and perhaps one of the MDR will

be open - may have trouble finding the one or two bars that are open - the stateroom

areas may be restricted while the crew cleans - - - - -

 

[pandncruisers]

We go on b2b every year, depends on the port you may have to disembark or you might not have to. You will get instructions in your cabin a couple days before the end of the first leg.  Some ports you will meet on the ship usually in one of the restaurants to go thru customs. If you have to disembark they will walk you off the ship to go thru customs, either way it takes about an hour.  Other than that you are free to do whatever you want on the ship.  If you are in the same  cabin you can go to your cabin if you want it usually is one of the last cabins to be cleaned.  Your account will stay open and you will need to get a new key usually you can do this the day before.  You also can leave the ship if you want to do some site seeing but we usually hang out on the ship have a few drinks an relax.