Didn't search to see what was reported after the first Alaska cruise returned so I apologize if this is a repeat of information. But I said I'd post when we got back and am happy to say, the Pacific Coast/Alaska b2b process was much smoother this year than in 2011!
They had you complete Canadian customs forms while sailing up to Victoria and turn them in to Guest Services. So when we actually arrived in Vancouver, we didn't have to do anything with Canadian Customs! I know they offered some excursions in Vancouver but not specifically for b2b cruisers. We didn't look into them because it was a dreary rainy day (and we had been to Vancouver before).
Was told there were about 150 of us doing b2b. We did get the standard letter the last night about what to do on turnaround day. They said if you were not coming back onto the ship right away, you would leave at your convenience but had to be off by 9:30. You would check back in when you returned from your adventures (you did not check-in then go out and about because you have to clear US customs before check-in).
They had those of us that were getting right back onboard meet at 9:30 in Studio Sea. About 9:45 someone started going around and checking off the names of everyone that was in the room. She did come back periodically to let us know that there were delays (and gave estimates so that you knew you had time if you needed to use the restroom or wanted to stretch rather than sit). We ended up not leaving Studio Sea until about 10:20. From there it ran rather smoothly. We were escorted off the ship and then back around to US Customs. (Was a little weird to have Princess people letting us know where to go, think the port people were confused on who was who). Very little wait for customs. Once we were through, they directed us to a section of the port to sit down and wait for check-in. Once everyone was through customs, it was only about 5 minutes before they started escorting people to check-in (actually in an organized manner, they had us sit down in rows and then had row by row head over to check-in). One little snafu was after check-in, they had us in line to get back on. We were there for only minutes. But they let us on a few minutes too early. They weren't ready for us so they couldn't scan the KTTW cards and had to write down the cabin #'s. (They only told the first family what was happening so many around us had no clue why they were doing this.)
But overall, it was one of the smoothest b2b transitions (among those that required leaving the ship) I've had which is a big improvement since the 2011 one still ranks as the worst.
PS It was such a great cruise that near the end of week two I was seriously considering if we could manage to stay and do another Alaska cruise.