Advice, please, from B-to-Bers; What should we know to make our de/embarkation smooth?

[Cackyschmackers]

Hi! Very happy to realize we can finally afford to tack on a 3-nt to the beginning of our previously booked 4-nt. Yeah! So happy because we thought the 4-nt would be too short for us (have previously done 7- and 8-nts only on DCL). We cannot , unfortunately , afford to stay in the same rooms. I know we have to pack up and leave with everyone anyhow, but do we keep our luggage? I heard there's an area you can wait ? Do we have to go through customs ? ( I'm guessing yes). Can anyone chime in with things I prob need to know? It'll have been almost 4 years since our last cruise , and things in general seem to have changed. We'll be on the Dream in and out of PC for Nassau itin. Family of 5. Thank you in advance !

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi! Very happy to realize we can finally afford to tack on a 3-nt to the beginning of our previously booked 4-nt. Yeah! So happy because we thought the 4-nt would be too short for us (have previously done 7- and 8-nts only on DCL). We cannot , unfortunately , afford to stay in the same rooms. I know we have to pack up and leave with everyone anyhow, but do we keep our luggage? I heard there's an area you can wait ? Do we have to go through customs ? ( I'm guessing yes). Can anyone chime in with things I prob need to know? It'll have been almost 4 years since our last cruise , and things in general seem to have changed. We'll be on the Dream in and out of PC for Nassau itin. Family of 5. Thank you in advance !

The one given on any B2B set of cruises is that DCL will leave a letter in your room at the end of the first leg telling you exactly what your procedure will be.

There can be variations, but, basically, you will pack up your bags and have them outside your room onboard the ship by 8:00 am that morning. That's what we had to do, and our room host was waiting for us, took our bags and the next time we saw them was later that day at our new room.

You may be directed to be off the ship by a certain time (in our case 9:00). Be sure to have with you the necessary IDs/documents to re-check in for the second leg of your cruise. Another possibility (if there are a lot of B2B people) is that you will be directed to meet somewhere onboard and the group will be escorted off together into the terminal. Generally, that doesn't happen on the Dream 3/4 combo cruises.

Also, bring something to amuse you while you wait in the terminal. You may be off the ship any where from 30 minutes to 2 hours. You will board before Concierge on the second leg. This might be just before, or up to a hour or so.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

The one given on any B2B set of cruises is that DCL will leave a letter in your room at the end of the first leg telling you exactly what your procedure will be.

There can be variations, but, basically, you will pack up your bags and have them outside your room onboard the ship by 8:00 am that morning. That's what we had to do, and our room host was waiting for us, took our bags and the next time we saw them was later that day at our new room.

You may be directed to be off the ship by a certain time (in our case 9:00). Be sure to have with you the necessary IDs/documents to re-check in for the second leg of your cruise. Another possibility (if there are a lot of B2B people) is that you will be directed to meet somewhere onboard and the group will be escorted off together into the terminal. Generally, that doesn't happen on the Dream 3/4 combo cruises.

Also, bring something to amuse you while you wait in the terminal. You may be off the ship any where from 30 minutes to 2 hours. You will board before Concierge on the second leg. This might be just before, or up to a hour or so.

Thank you. So, does our PAT for the second cruise become obsolete? Or do we still try for an early one? Do we have to go through customs in between? Or do we stay in the terminal? Do you think we will not have to worry about our bags as was your case, or might that (or any.of this) vary ?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you. So, does our PAT for the second cruise become obsolete? Or do we still try for an early one? Do we have to go through customs in between? Or do we stay in the terminal? Do you think we will not have to worry about our bags as was your case, or might that (or any.of this) vary ?

Port Arrival Time for the second leg isn't necessary. That being said, you may still be prompted to select one during your online check (I was).

Yes, you go through customs. You go off the ship, and through the line, and once through, the CM there will try to direct you out of the terminal (turn left) to the bus area. Just tell them you're B2B, and they they will direct you back up the escalator (to the right) into the check in lobby.

Once there, most of time, the check in counters are not open yet. Once they open (around 10:15ish for B2B people) you check in for the second cruise. Instead of a boarding number card:


you'll get a Back to Back boarding card


and will be directed to the Concierge waiting area to sit.

Once the ship is cleared and ready for guests, the B2B people get to go back on. As I said, this could be fairly quickly, or just before the Concierge boarding at 11:30ish.

Not sure what you're asking about "worrying about the bags", but there was no issue with them for us. When we opened our door debarkation morning to set them out, the room host was waiting for us and took them immediately.

 

[clten]

You will get a letter the night before disembarkation to let you know what the process will be (either you get off the ship yourself or they have a meeting time). If you have a meeting time, you will be held there until everyone else is off the ship so you could be sitting in this lounge for a little bit. If the letter directs you to get off the ship by XX:00 am (usually it says 9:00am) that means there is no escort off the ship. My advice is to wait on the ship -- it is more comfortable than the terminal and you will not be getting back on any sooner. (They have to wait to completely close out the first sailing before they can open up the check-in for the second sailing.) Hang out until you see that most people have left the ship (on the Dream that's usually past 9:30).

You do have to go through customs so you have to complete all that paperwork (remember your customs allowance is per 30 days not per trip). We usually claim $0 on our first trip (as we aren't bringing anything in with us at that point, and if asked, do tell the customs agent that we are on the next sailing which is why we haven't claimed anything) and then claim everything purchased on both trips on the second customs form at the end of the second cruise.

Your head server should speak to you about the second part of your trip and ask you if you want to keep the same servers. (Be honest if you don't have a great team for you, it's an opportunity to improve the experience the second half; if you do have a great team for you, it saves the "getting to know you" day or two which is nice on the short cruises!) If your head server doesn't mention it, make sure you do -- they don't always get the note that you are back-to-back guests. Same goes with your cabin host. Make sure they know you are back-to-back so they know they will have to move your luggage. Speak to them directly to know if they want you to put the bags outside your room or keep them in your room on the last morning (the hallway gets crowded with their bags/carts and guests going through with their luggage).

On your online check-in, there is a place to select on your first cruise that you are going back onboard after -- this never helps in notifying them that you are back-to-back or that you wouldn't need a port arrival time for the second cruise. So if you have to pick a PAT, I'd probably pick the latest. When you check in at the port (so bring all that paperwork with you when you get off), they will hand you a colored card (we have always gotten a green one) that will be your boarding card. The colored cards signify you are back-to-back and will be the first ones let back on board. We have had it where we have had quick stops in the terminal and have gotten back on board quickly or times where we have been off for over an hour and gotten back on just before new guests started boarding. So be prepared for a longer stay in the terminal and if you get back on quickly, think of it as a bonus!

When you get back onboard, you are allowed to go to your cabin -- the cabin hosts are supposed to make up the rooms for back-to-back guests first but since you are switching cabins, I'd give your new cabin steward some time as they have to do a full turn-over of your room (when you keep the same cabin it seems they change the sheets and everything the day before so they just have to do a quick cleaning). But once new guests start arriving, we usually either stay in the cabin until they are open for everyone about 1:30 or stay out of our cabin.

The pools will reopen once they are cleaned so no way of knowing in advance if they will be ready for use before new guests get onboard. Also there are limited services available but the drink station is open and it's fun to take some pictures of spaces that are usually very crowded with people. Enjoy!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Wow! Thank you so much! This is very valuable info. I am very confused by this though:

On your online check-in, there is a place to select on your first cruise that you are going back onboard after -- this never helps in notifying them that you are back-to-back or that you wouldn't need a port arrival time for the second cruise. So if you have to pick a PAT, I'd probably pick the latest. When you check in at the port (so bring all that paperwork with you when you get off), they will hand you a colored card (we have always gotten a green one) that will be your boarding card. The colored cards signify you are back-to-back and will be the first ones let back on board. We have had it where we have had quick stops in the terminal and have gotten back on board quickly or times where we have been off for over an hour and gotten back on just before new guests started boarding. So be prepared for a longer stay in the terminal and if you get back on quickly, think of it as a bonus!

Why would we pick a late PAT? Just to be polite for guests who actually need an early one? Also, is it clear to everyone we are B2B or do we need to ask for something specific?

When you get back onboard, you are allowed to go to your cabin -- the cabin hosts are supposed to make up the rooms for back-to-back guests first but since you are switching cabins, I'd give your new cabin steward some time as they have to do a full turn-over of your room (when you keep the same cabin it seems they change the sheets and everything the day before so they just have to do a quick cleaning). But once new guests start arriving, we usually either stay in the cabin until they are open for everyone about 1:30 or stay out of our cabin.

Also, if we are not in our same rooms, do you think this applies? We are not even going to be on the same deck. Where does our luggage go, is my question? Is it definitely treated differently when you are B2B?

Thank you again!!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

You will get a letter the night before disembarkation to let you know what the process will be (either you get off the ship yourself or they have a meeting time). If you have a meeting time, you will be held there until everyone else is off the ship so you could be sitting in this lounge for a little bit. If the letter directs you to get off the ship by XX:00 am (usually it says 9:00am) that means there is no escort off the ship. My advice is to wait on the ship -- it is more comfortable than the terminal and you will not be getting back on any sooner. (They have to wait to completely close out the first sailing before they can open up the check-in for the second sailing.) Hang out until you see that most people have left the ship (on the Dream that's usually past 9:30).!

The one given on any B2B set of cruises is that DCL will leave a letter in your room at the end of the first leg telling you exactly what your procedure will be.
.

One last question: I hear the 3-nts are more frenetic than the 4-nts (although I am sure they both are). We are used to the 7- and 8-nts. Any advice? Since we are having repeat ports, any advice on choosing excursions? When we planned the first 4-nt, we were planning to stay on the ship at Nassau,, no excursions (except getting off at CC obviously). Now that we have "7' nts, if we could pick one Nassau day to do an excursion, do you have advice on whether that would be the 3- or 4-nt Nassau port day? Does it matter? Does it matter in general our mindset going in to this? Are we going to not feel like it's a 7-nt anyhow?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One last question: I hear the 3-nts are more frenetic than the 4-nts (although I am sure they both are). We are used to the 7- and 8-nts. Any advice? Since we are having repeat ports, any advice on choosing excursions? When we planned the first 4-nt, we were planning to stay on the ship at Nassau,, no excursions (except getting off at CC obviously). Now that we have "7' nts, if we could pick one Nassau day to do an excursion, do you have advice on whether that would be the 3- or 4-nt Nassau port day? Does it matter? Does it matter in general our mindset going in to this? Are we going to not feel like it's a 7-nt anyhow?

We've done the 4 night cruise only. I did feel that people were more (frantic/pushy/whatever) about doing and seeing everything onboard in comparison to a 7 night.

While your 3/4 combo equals 7 nights, remember that one of those days is the debark/embarkation day. Pretty much can't do much that day. You still have to get up early, dress, get off the ship, reboard, and wait for all the "newbies" to figure out what they're doing. It seems that it takes about 3 days for most people to figure out the ship and how to get around. You'll be ahead of the curve, having already been on the ship.

Since you're thinking about only doing one excursion in Nassau, I'd suggest doing it early in the cruise. That way, the second time there you can decide whether you might still want to get off again in Nassau (yes, some people do), or remain onboard that day. Castaway Cay (we were there 3 times within 3 weeks in 2014) - we pretty much just get off the ship and wander around, and, if the mood strikes us, rent snorkel equipment on the spot. Some excursions there might sell out, but the basic snorkeling, bikes, floats, are pretty much always available.

 

[kiford]

I hear the 3-nts are more frenetic than the 4-nts (although I am sure they both are).

That might be true for other people but since we knew we'd be there for 7 nights total, we didn't feel it ourselves. We thought it was one of our nicer vacations. Very relaxed and leisurely. The ship was the vacation rather than the ports and we spent a lot of time lounging about, watching movies, participating in some activities during the day if we felt like it. The turnaround day we kept as a strictly nothing-to-do leisure day. We reboarded at 10:30, went to the Cove Cafe, had a couple of coffees and some snacks and sat reading for a couple of hours until the rooms were ready. Had it not been a turnaround day, that's largely how we would have spent it anyway so we didn't feel that there was anything lost.

The nice thing is that because you repeat menus and shows, you can choose to go to all of the shows but not necessarily night after night - you can space them out a bit or repeat them if you like. If there's several things on the menu you want to try you can do that on different nights or repeat something you particularly liked.

We'd been to Nassau before so didn't feel the need to see much. We'd just planned a gourmet lunch at Greycliff Estates on the second leg so didn't bother to get off the first time. The first stop at CC was beautiful weather and we did the walking and kayaking excursion which was nice. The second time we only got off for lunch then returned to the ship and did the Aquaduck 7 times in a row. That day was much cooler than the first so I was glad that we'd booked the excursion for the first stop instead of the second.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

That might be true for other people but since we knew we'd be there for 7 nights total, we didn't feel it ourselves. We thought it was one of our nicer vacations. Very relaxed and leisurely. The ship was the vacation rather than the ports and we spent a lot of time lounging about, watching movies, participating in some activities during the day if we felt like it. The turnaround day we kept as a strictly nothing-to-do leisure day. We reboarded at 10:30, went to the Cove Cafe, had a couple of coffees and some snacks and sat reading for a couple of hours until the rooms were ready. Had it not been a turnaround day, that's largely how we would have spent it anyway so we didn't feel that there was anything lost.

The nice thing is that because you repeat menus and shows, you can choose to go to all of the shows but not necessarily night after night - you can space them out a bit or repeat them if you like. If there's several things on the menu you want to try you can do that on different nights or repeat something you particularly liked.

We'd been to Nassau before so didn't feel the need to see much. We'd just planned a gourmet lunch at Greycliff Estates on the second leg so didn't bother to get off the first time. The first stop at CC was beautiful weather and we did the walking and kayaking excursion which was nice. The second time we only got off for lunch then returned to the ship and did the Aquaduck 7 times in a row. That day was much cooler than the first so I was glad that we'd booked the excursion for the first stop instead of the second.

This is all awesome! Thank you! I feel like we are going to treat the boat as the destination as well; running around this cruise is not what we are looking for at all. Thank you for reminding me. Also about Greycliff; I think with two Nassau stops, we will choose this excursion on the 2nd stop. Thank you again!

 

[valee]

We're doing B2B out of Copenhagen. We want to get off the ship as soon as possible at the end of the first cruise to spend some time doing some more sightseeing, and then reboard after lunch. Does anyone know if we will be able to join the early walk-offs?

Thanks.

 

[NZMUM]

Also, if we are not in our same rooms, do you think this applies? We are not even going to be on the same deck. Where does our luggage go, is my question? Is it definitely treated differently when you are B2B?

Thank you again!!

We have done a b2b where we changed cabins. Our room host told us to leave our bags packed & ready in our room. He had moved them to the new room by the time we had re-boarded, so we had immediate access. I would imagine that being on a different deck will make no difference to how quickly they are moved. Make sure you take all your documents off the ship with you & maybe something to do while you are waiting.

 

[nycdisneygal]

we did a 4 night then 3 night B 2 B. Yes I felt the 3 night was more frenetic so we did a lot the 4 night and relaxed more the 3 night. We skipped the shows the 3 night since we had already seen them. We stayed on the ship for Nassau the 4 night and got off for 1 hour the 3 night but I am not sure that made a difference. We did not change cabins so it was easy but basically we hung out on the ship until we had to get off, checked back in , waited a bit (with books!!) and then got back on. We did wander aimlessly a bit on deck 12 once on but still, it was fine!! Our stateroom host did I room up early for us (and we were concierge so it was earlier than others I think). I had started having buyers remorse when I booked the B 2 B instead of a 7 night (room we wanted was not availble on 7 night) but it ended up great!!!!!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Thank you @nycdisneygal and @NZMUM for all the info! I am really getting excited now! I think this will be just as good as the 7 nt (wishful thinking maybe?) but I didn't want the crazy itinerary of the 7-nt; only bc we can't seem to ever stay on the ship and relax. This will make sure we do! Thank you again!

 

[clten]

Why would we pick a late PAT? Just to be polite for guests who actually need an early one? Also, is it clear to everyone we are B2B or do we need to ask for something specific?

Yes, I was recommending that you pick a late PAT because it doesn't make any difference to you because you will be allowed back on first no matter what your PAT time is. That will leave one open spot for someone who is going to be arriving early and may want to be in an earlier group. Your reservation should be marked as a B2B -- if you booked both at the same time with DCL directly -- either on the phone or on board -- they have always automatically done this for us. If you booked through a TA or booked them at separate times, I would check now to see if the reservations are marked as B2B.

Also, if we are not in our same rooms, do you think this applies? We are not even going to be on the same deck. Where does our luggage go, is my question? Is it definitely treated differently when you are B2B?

The room stewards are told to make up the B2B guests as a priority so it should apply to you even if you are changing cabins (and on separate decks). The room stewards handle the luggage so that would be moved by most likely your old room steward. You can go to your new room when you get onboard to check it out and see if your luggage had been transferred. In fact we typically try not to go back to the cabin on b2b because we always have the same cabin and don't want to get in anyone's way -- they have too much to do in too little time. But if I were changing cabins, I would at least pop in to see if my things were moved. It's easier to straighten that out before new guests get there.

One last question: I hear the 3-nts are more frenetic than the 4-nts (although I am sure they both are). We are used to the 7- and 8-nts. Any advice? Since we are having repeat ports, any advice on choosing excursions? When we planned the first 4-nt, we were planning to stay on the ship at Nassau,, no excursions (except getting off at CC obviously). Now that we have "7' nts, if we could pick one Nassau day to do an excursion, do you have advice on whether that would be the 3- or 4-nt Nassau port day? Does it matter? Does it matter in general our mindset going in to this? Are we going to not feel like it's a 7-nt anyhow?

If I were picking something that I really wanted to do, I would schedule it for the first leg of the cruise and then if something happened and we couldn't do the excursion, we would have a second chance at possibly doing it. (For example, if you really want to parasail, schedule it for your first stop. Then if it's canceled due to high winds -- which happens a lot -- there might be a second chance to do it.)

We're doing B2B out of Copenhagen. We want to get off the ship as soon as possible at the end of the first cruise to spend some time doing some more sightseeing, and then reboard after lunch. Does anyone know if we will be able to join the early walk-offs?

When you are a back-to-back guest, you are provided the opportunity to stay on board until all other guests get off and get back onboard first. But you do not have to utilize those opportunities. You are absolutely welcome to use express walk-off to be among the first off. (If the b2b letter indicates that you have a meeting place, I would call the officer the night before -- the name/extension is in the letter -- and let them know your plans so they can confirm you as being off the ship and not hold the group waiting for you.) Also, you indicate that you'd be returning after lunch, I'd make sure I knew when all aboard was in case things are running late that day and remember that you need some time to check-in when you return to the port after your sightseeing.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@PrincessShmoo @clten @nycdisneygal @NZMUM Wondering what ship facilities are available at what times when we re-embark.... I know pools need to be cleaned; It seems that Cove Cafe opens early on embarkation day? Does anyone know if the gym facilities are open? Can we do midship detective agency? Anything else we can do early? Times for Cabanas?

 

[DCLDVC1]

I've done a 4/3 B2B, switched rooms and loved it. While I'd prefer to stay in the same room, it wasn't a big deal to switch. Our stateroom host told us we could leave our clothes on the hangers and in the drawers and she'd take care of everything. Our bags didn't have to be ready until 8am so we didn't feel rushed on the last night of the 4 night prepping to debark.

The 3 night was one of the most relaxing cruises I've been on. I found the 4/3 to be more relaxing than the 7 night cruises that I've done. I think you'll be surprised by how relaxing your 3/4 will be.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

@PrincessShmoo @clten @nycdisneygal @NZMUM Wondering what ship facilities are available at what times when we re-embark.... I know pools need to be cleaned; It seems that Cove Cafe opens early on embarkation day? Does anyone know if the gym facilities are open? Can we do midship detective agency? Anything else we can do early? Times for Cabanas?

Typically the only things that are open during the time between when you board (if you board way before the new cruisers do) and when the new cruisers start boarding are Cove Cafe, and the pools, once cleaned.

My experience is that we were off the ship about 2 hours and reboarded just prior (by about 5 minutes) the new cruisers boarding starting. So, pretty much everything was ready to open when we boarded.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I've done a 4/3 B2B, switched rooms and loved it. While I'd prefer to stay in the same room, it wasn't a big deal to switch. Our stateroom host told us we could leave our clothes on the hangers and in the drawers and she'd take care of everything. Our bags didn't have to be ready until 8am so we didn't feel rushed on the last night of the 4 night prepping to debark.

The 3 night was one of the most relaxing cruises I've been on. I found the 4/3 to be more relaxing than the 7 night cruises that I've done. I think you'll be surprised by how relaxing your 3/4 will be.

Wow! That's amazing that they literally moved for you! I won't expect that (I feel like we won't unpack out of bags into drawers since our first leg is the 3nt) but will be pleasantly surprised if so! I hate that rushed feeling on the last night, we're always frantically packing and have only partially caught a portion of Sea You Real Soon only once! This is great to hear!

 

[clten]

Rule of thumb when you are getting on the second leg of a b2b - anything that requires a crew member to be there would not be available until right before new guests start boarding -- except for Cove Café (or wherever they tell you that will be open for drinks/snacks). So we didn't specifically look into it but I would doubt that the gym would be open (they have liability there and generally don't allow under 18) but the Midship Detective Agency should be available, the drink station is available, depending on what time they started the ice cream machines that morning, we have had soft serve available. The pools and hot tubs are hit and miss depending on when they let you back on and how much the crew has to do before getting them ready. It seems that Guest Services is one of the first areas that has crew back in position so if you have to see them to book anything you may get lucky so head there before new guests start coming onboard. Cabanas and the Quick Serve places would open shortly before new guests start arriving - if you see bar servers begin wandering with their trays on the pool deck, it means guests will be arriving soon so you can jump in before they actually arrive.