Back to Back cruises

[Moriah]

It's been many years since I booked two cruises back to back, and I'm wondering if anyone can walk me through how it's done these days.  Specifically I'll be on Nieuw Statendam, out of Fort Lauderdale later this month.  My cabin was booked "guarantee" for both legs of the cruise, and I was told that since they "linked" the two cruises I could *probably* expect not to have to change cabins, but if I do, how does that work? Will I be able to move everything to my new cabin before disembarkation from the first cruise or will I have to pack up and take everything off the ship? And speaking of that, will I have to disembark in Fort Lauderdale on disembarkation day of first cruise at all?  And if so, when will I be able to re-embark (is that the term?) Are back-to-back guests what they call "transit"?  I'm sure I have more questions but can't think of them right now.  All you seasoned back-to-backers, any info (especially specific to Fort Lauderdale) about the experience would be most appreciated!

 

[QuattroRomeo]

We did 2 B2Bs in 2023, Rotterdam, Ft Lauderdale. You will receive an envelope during the first leg outlining the procedure, and it will also contain in-transit cards. On the first cruise, we got off the ship and took a taxi to do some shopping. When we returned, we entered the cruise terminal by the door with the sign reading In-Transit guests. Very easy access to the ship from there- just show the little in-transit card. 

 

On the second cruise, we didn't leave the ship. You will be required to assemble in the Main Stage theatre with the other B2B guests. You have to wait for everyone to be off the ship. Then they take you to the terminal, show your passport, then board again. This will be before the new passengers get on. Everyone is escorted along the way, so no worries about where to go.

 

We did not have to change cabins either trip, so everything just stayed in our cabin. If you do have a cabin change, I believe others have said that your suitcases are left in the cabin and your steward will move them to the new one.

[AKJonesy]

IF you have to move, the stewards will take care of it.  You won't have to pack everything up.  Anything on hangars can remain.  You shouldn't have to leave the ship.  We didn't. 

It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to guest services while on first cruise and see if they are accommodating you to stay in same stateroom.  It will be very hectic at guest services first day, so I'd stop by early the next morning before the line forms and ask.  

Edited February 3 by AKJonesy

[kazu]

just going to elaborate on changing cabins in case it has to happen.  

 

everything in your drawers, toiletries, etc - everything not hung up - you pack.  the crew will take care of your suitcases and hanging clothes/items in the closet. Do NOT forget to empty your safety deposit box and keep the contents until you can get them in the new one.

 

You should be provided with a new key card.  You can ask the steward in charge of the new cabin (assuming its occupants have left) if you can just access the safety deposit box and then you are as free as a bird.  They will want you to use your old key card to disembark and the new card when you come back on.  At least, that’s how it worked for us.

[Moriah]

Thank you so much for these replies.  A couple other questions came to me - did all of you have your B2B cruises on the same booking number?  Mine are booked as two separate cruises, because I decided later to add on the second one.  I wonder how this will affect anything, although I was told they are 'linked'.  Also, it just occurred to me that I may not even find out until I'm on board the first cruise whether I'll be changing cabins - for some reason I was imagining that I'd get the guarantee assignments at the same time, but of course that's not true... so thank you AKJonesy for reminding me by suggesting talking to GS -

I will probably get off the ship and go out for breakfast or lunch with my brother, who lives in Miami, now that I know I can get back on at will with the transit card - and not do the whole embarkation scene all over again. 

 

[richwmn]

1 hour ago, Moriah said:

A couple other questions came to me - did all of you have your B2B cruises on the same booking number?  Mine are booked as two separate cruises, because I decided later to add on the second one.  I wonder how this will affect anything, although I was told they are 'linked'. 

Last year my B2B was two different booking numbers. When I boarded the first I could see the itinerary for both because the two cruises were linked. This year I have four cruises b2b, each with different booking numbers, and the first three were linked before boarding. I can see my itinerary until the end of the third. Last year I didn't settle my account until the end of the second. This year I am on the second and haven't settled my account yet. I will say that I talked to someone who was also on the last cruise and thought they were linked but had to settle their account on the last day of the previous cruise. Also, if they cruises are linked, your cruise card will show the end date being the finish of the final linked cruise.

 

Edited February 3 by richwmn

[MaxThrusters]

My experience is old (pre-2017) , so it may not be applicable to how they do things these days. I've been on 2 b2b that had a turn around in Fort Lauderdale. Both of mine were each with one booking number, ie a 2-week cruise was booked that consisted of 2 one-week cruises back to back. The first time, they made us get off the ship but our luggage stayed onboard, as the room was not changed. The second time was more sensible: we didn't have to get off and stayed onboard. It was fun seeing the ship so deserted in that time between 10Am and the new people coming onboard starting around 11:30-noon.

[FOPMan]

You will likely be required to get off the ship, if only for a few minutes, to clear customs and immigration.

 

All in-transit passengers will be told to gather together (probably in the theater) at something like 9:00 or 9:30. Bring your passport/identification and key card, at a minimum. And don't be late.

 

Ship's staff will escort you off the dhip and into the terminal. ICE staff will scan yoiur identification and validate you are you. You will then have a choice to be escorted back aboard or remain ashore and reboard at your leisure (but not usually for a couple of hours minimum, eg no reboards until 11 (or whatever time is given).

 

You can then enjoy the relatively empty ship for a big or go into Fort Lauderdale.

 

They will not begin the process until all in-transit passengers get to the meeting place. We've waited 45 minutes previously due to other passengers ignoring the instructions. Very aggravating.

[kazu]

5 hours ago, Moriah said:

Thank you so much for these replies.  A couple other questions came to me - did all of you have your B2B cruises on the same booking number?  Mine are booked as two separate cruises, because I decided later to add on the second one.  I wonder how this will affect anything, although I was told they are 'linked'.  Also, it just occurred to me that I may not even find out until I'm on board the first cruise whether I'll be changing cabins - for some reason I was imagining that I'd get the guarantee assignments at the same time, but of course that's not true... so thank you AKJonesy for reminding me by suggesting talking to GS -

I will probably get off the ship and go out for breakfast or lunch with my brother, who lives in Miami, now that I know I can get back on at will with the transit card - and not do the whole embarkation scene all over again. 

 

 

If you have one booking number on a B2B, it is called a Collectors cruise and it is considered one cruise with the same cabin always.

 

If you have 2 booking numbers, it is a B2B.  As long as your cruises are “linked” you will have no issues with your Navigator, etc.  it’s not much different than being on a Collectors in reality (other than the possibility you might not have been able to secure the same cabin for both segments).

 

Whether you are on a Collectors or B2B, you get the in transit cards and instructions and if immigration requirements are in place after the first segment you must adhere to them.

 

i saw no difference on my B2B and B2B2B’s since they were linked than with my Collectors cruise (when it was one booking #).

[Moriah]

Wow, thank you again SO MUCH to all of you for taking the time to give me all this info - even answering some of the questions I hadn't thought to ask.  Hopefully there are others out there as well who are wondering about this things and this thread will serve.  I'm looking forward to this more and more!

[AKJonesy]

On our November 2023 cruise we had two separate booking numbers.  We did not get off the ship in South America in a new country for immigration.  We did not pay our bill at the end of the first segment; we paid after the entire 31 days.  

[FOPMan]

1 hour ago, AKJonesy said:

On our November 2023 cruise we had two separate booking numbers.  We did not get off the ship in South America in a new country for immigration.  We did not pay our bill at the end of the first segment; we paid after the entire 31 days.  

Ly comments above reflect Fort Lauderdale activities. They've been almost exactly the same for at least 7 years, on multiple ships including Nieuw Statendam (two different years), Konigsdam, and Zandam. It is is ICE (Immigration's) policy. It seems pointless to march people all the way to the ground level when they could jdo the same thing in the corridor just off the ship. I get that they want people on US soil, in case of an issue, avoiding any discussion of authority regarding on-ship activities.

 

Experiences in other locations or other times may differ. The OP was interested specifically about Fort Lauderdale.

[Haljo1935]

5 hours ago, Moriah said:

Wow, thank you again SO MUCH to all of you for taking the time to give me all this info - even answering some of the questions I hadn't thought to ask.  Hopefully there are others out there as well who are wondering about this things and this thread will serve.  I'm looking forward to this more and more!

When we change cabins on a B2B, I go to GS very early (before breakfast) to pick up the new key cards. That way, I avoid the crowds and can ensure they're correct before doing the "kindergarten walk" through the terminal and back. Be sure you take both with you so they can scan the old one off then you'll be all set to start using the new one.

If you get a Thermalpass, be sure to take the new card in for a sticker.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Make sure they are linked.