Process when on a B2B?

[flygirl2]

This is our first time to do a B2B when on the Solstice this weekend. What is the process when we get back to LA port after the first week? We will be changing cabins but only 2 doors down. Obviously we will have to move everything but do we need to have everything packed up and get off the ship with our bags? How long do we have to be off the ship till we can board again? Thx!

[omeinv]

@flygirl2

It's pretty simple ( better than you're envisioning apparently). 

 

First, once aboard, check if it will be possible to stay in the same room for both cruises.  In normal times, ships are fully booked and there's no chance.  However, with ships not yet sailing at capacity, you may get lucky.

 

If you do have to move, you can leave your things on hangers, and your stateroom attendant will move them.  Your other things, you put in your suitcase/s and the attendant will move those as well, you do not debark with them. 

 

At a US port, you will have a couple options, both of which involve you physically leaving the ship.  One is to go out as if LA is a port stop.  You will be issued a Transit Pass, probably on the day before your arrival back in LA, and you'll take this with you.  You will use that to bypass the line of new cruisers, and that gets you back on the ship.  The other is to go to the assigned back-to-back meeting area.  This is if you don't want to go out in LA.  You will be escorted off the ship for the formality of complying with CBP requirements, and to get the ship count to zero.  It can take as little time as walking off to the terminal and back, or there may be a 15-20 minute wait. 

 

As the first leg of your back-to-back comes to a close, you'll be invited to the back-to-back meeting.  Attend and all will be explained.  At the meeting you also have two options: first, sit there but do not pay attention, then ask questions receiving the same information that was already covered; or second do pay attention, and then be amused at the people asking questions inability to pay attention.  🙂

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Edited January 3, 2023 by omeinv

[flygirl2]

Thx for your detailed Information! No need to repeat it as I 

paid close attention! 🤣

[LB_NJ]

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

[SbbquilterUT]

3 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

I never have - you will need to leave the ship as they have to have all passengers exit the ship.  You will then be lead back on board, there may be a delay or maybe not.

[d9704011]

8 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

Depends on the exact question you asked them but I'd say that whoever answered was wrong if it was a simple B2B scenario.

[Jim_Iain]

I recently did it in December .   It was a very easy and relaxed process.   The B2B's met in the Ensemble Lounge at 9:00.   Once the ship had been zeroed out they escorted us ashore to go through Computerized Immigration -   Walk up to line and when get a green check mark you move forward and wait until all B2B's are cleared.

 

We were given our new SeaPass while waiting in Michael's club not sure when others got their cards.   

 

We then walked out of the immigration area and right back into the doorway next door and back on the ship.

 

You then have full access of the ship until general boarding begins 

[Jim_Iain]

24 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

Yes they are wrong.   I've done over 20 B2B's and never had to take things off ship.

 

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

Definitely wrong.  I have done multiple B2Bs over the years and never had to take anything off the ship except myself (in the US).  Overall it is a very simple and very easy process.  They will give you all the details you need to know a couple days before.

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

 

 

Definitely wrong, wrong, wrong.

 

We almost always do at least B2B sailings.  We were actually on the Solstice in September for a B2B (Pacific Coastal followed by their first Mexico itinerary).  We absolutely did not have to take "things" off the ship, and we have  never had to remove belongings from any ship while on a B2B. 

 

On our Solstice sailings a great number of the 200+ B2B passengers had to move staterooms.  In September the B2B passengers gathered in the Sky Lounge to receive our new sea pass cards (we were in suites for both legs and did not receive our new cards in Michael's Club).  We never left the ship as we were "rang out" at the entrance to the Sky Lounge, new cards were distributed, and we ring-dingy-ed back in with our new cards at the entrance of the Sky Lounge.

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

 

 Yes.  We've never had to move anything on a B2B or take anything other than documents and valuables off the ship with us on TAD. 

 

 

[DaisyFire]

Thanks everyone for the information!
 

DH and I are going on our first B2B in November and I have 2 related but different questions. (Thought I’d try asking here instead of creating a new thread…) 

 

(1) If I have unused OBC from first leg of B2B - does it roll over to second leg? Question applies to both refundable and non refundable OBC. 
 

(2) Can I purchase a specialty dining pkg on the first cruise and split it between both legs of the B2B? 
 

Thanks for the information! 

[davekathy]

21 minutes ago, DaisyFire said:

Thanks everyone for the information!
 

DH and I are going on our first B2B in November and I have 2 related but different questions. (Thought I’d try asking here instead of creating a new thread…) 

 

(1) If I have unused OBC from first leg of B2B - does it roll over to second leg? Question applies to both refundable and non refundable OBC. 
 

(2) Can I purchase a specialty dining pkg on the first cruise and split it between both legs of the B2B? 
 

Thanks for the information! 

1. OBCs do not carry over to the second leg. If the OBC is nonrefundable, use it or lose it. Refundable OBC is credited back to you. Ours is always back to our credit card. 

 

2. No you can not split anything between the first leg and the second leg. At the end of your first leg your onboard account is closed and on TAD a new onboard account started. Remember, B2B cruises are two entirely separate cruises. 

 

You will receive a TAD letter in your stateroom a day or two prior to TAD detailing the entire TAD process. 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by davekathy

[DaisyFire]

14 minutes ago, davekathy said:

1. OBCs do not carry over to the second leg. If the OBC is nonrefundable, use it or lose it. Refundable OBC is credited back to you. Ours is always back to our credit card. 

 

2. No you can not split anything between the first leg and the second leg. At the end of your first leg your onboard account is closed and on TAD a new onboard account started. Remember, B2B cruises are two entirely separate cruises. 

 

You will receive a TAD letter in your stateroom a day or two prior to TAD detailing the entire TAD process. 

 

 

Thank you for the prompt response… I suspected as much, but figured it didn’t hurt to ask. 😎

[davekathy]

4 minutes ago, DaisyFire said:

Thank you for the prompt response… I suspected as much, but figured it didn’t hurt to ask. 😎

If your cruise is offering a TAD meeting (usually day or two prior to your TAD) I recommended you attend that meeting. A lot of good to know info specific to your cruise. 

[cruisestitch]

On 1/6/2023 at 6:28 PM, LB_NJ said:

I called Celebrity and they said I had to take things off the ship.  Were they wrong?

Yes

[cruisestitch]

39 minutes ago, DaisyFire said:

Thanks everyone for the information!
 

DH and I are going on our first B2B in November and I have 2 related but different questions. (Thought I’d try asking here instead of creating a new thread…) 

 

(1) If I have unused OBC from first leg of B2B - does it roll over to second leg? Question applies to both refundable and non refundable OBC. 
 

(2) Can I purchase a specialty dining pkg on the first cruise and split it between both legs of the B2B? 
 

Thanks for the information! 

Nothing carries over.  Your OBC can’t be split between cruises

[DaKahuna]

Keep in mind, if you are in the Retreat, there will be a few differences in the TAD procedures.  Retreat guest meet in the Retreat Lounge and are taken care of by the Retreat Host.  However, still go to the TAD meeting but keep in mind, certain things, such as meeting location, will be slightly different for you.  Your Retreat Host should also talk with you. 

 

[cruisestitch]

Procedures vary a bit from port to port but here is a recent info sheet for Fort Lauderdale