Back to Back how does it work?

[shannonetherton]

I just booked back to back on the Dream and i was wondering how it works with getting off of the boat and getting back on for the next sailing. we have the same cabin so I know we can leave our stuff but I was not sure how quickly you get back on the ship. thanks

 

[TheMouseGeeks]

I just booked a B2B on the Dream for next April and was able to get the same cabin as well. It is my understanding that we will need to disembark (need our cruise documents since they are seperate reservations) and then we will be taken to the concierge check-in area to get reprocessed and then we will be allowed back on the ship. From what I have read from those that have done this before, we will not be able to go back into our rooms until everyone else does, but we can use the pool, etc. (I guess we have to remember to have a small day bag).
I do have a question about the onboard account with a B2B. Will they let us do the entire trip or will we need to close out and then start again for the 2nd leg.

Jennifer

 

[clten]

In total, you are off the ship about 30-45 minutes. It depends on how long it takes them to close out the first cruise and start up the second. They completely close the cruise, which means your onboard account is closed up for the first one -- credit card charged if you left that for payment (or you have to pay in cash on board if you are going that route.)

On our last trip, we were waiting in the lounge (there was 8-10 of us so they had someone escort us off). We were told to meet there at 9, we ended up waiting there for almost 30 minutes while they got everyone else off. So the whole process can take a little over an hour.

 

[kcashner]

You are off the ship for about an hour. Since you have the same cabin, you will be able to use your cabin after you re-board. However, once general boarding starts, you can't run in and out of the cabin...other people would see you crossing the tapes and want to do the same thing. You can stay IN the cabin if you wish, till you leave for lunch.

There are lots of reports if you wish to do a search. The exact B2B procedure varies a little based on how many people are doing B2Bs. Also, the procedure changed at the beginning of 2009 when they started doing the security photos.

 

[owensamo]

We're currently scheduled for a B2B on the Wonder in June, and we have the same cabin on both cruises (sideways Cat 11). However - I want to try to get a port upgrade on the second cruise to a verandah! I assume that the best thing to do would be check with Guest Services the last night of the first cruise to see if it's even possible, but if it is - do we then pack everything up and drop it off at Guest Services in the morning (as if we're changing rooms)? If we can't change rooms (don't like any of the available rooms, don't like the price, etc), would we have access to our original room since we'd be staying in it?

The biggest thing for us, I guess, is we want to do laundry regardless of whether we move or not. So if we do get a new room - would we have access to the laundry room (at least) on some floor (I don't need access to any stateroom!) so we can wash our clothes while they're preparing for boarding?

Thanks!
Amanda

 

[bigAWL]

For those who have doen B2B, do you normally get the same serving team?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

For those who have doen B2B, do you normally get the same serving team?

I was wondering this too.

 

[clten]

For those who have doen B2B, do you normally get the same serving team?

The head server usually asks us near the end of the first cruise if we wanted to continue with the same team for the next cruise. There was one occasion that our serving team was broken up the next cruise (the server had just been moved up to that position for one cruise to fill in and the next cruise was moved back to asst server.) So there are times it's not possible to get the same team. There was also a time where we found a past server we loved was back on board and asked to move to their area.

Basically, the answer is that the head server from the first cruise will take care of any request you have with serving team for the second cruise.

 

[kcashner]

On the last night of our first leg we got a phone call from Dining Services asking if we had any requests for the second leg--specifically did we want the same team, have a rotation preference, want Palo ressies, etc. We said that we'd like to keep the same head server but would LOVE a more efficient serving team--got it!

You can check with GS on the last night of the first leg about upgrades, but there's no need to...and if they sell it to you then, you pay regular price (people have reported getting calls about upgrades, especially for suites!) You will be the first people in the terminal to start the second leg, so if there are upgrades, you can nail them then. Yes, if you do upgrade the second leg, you'll have to pack up and vacate the first cabin IMMEDIATELY after you reboard, so any packing up you've done in advance will help. Yes, you'll have access to the laundry rooms regardless of whether you change rooms or not.

If you are keeping the same room, you will have access to your room during the transition time. You'll get a regular cleaning during the time that you are at breakfast/checking in.

 

[Evans Family]

Do you get 2 Castaway Club gifts? One on each leg?

 

[clten]

Do you get 2 Castaway Club gifts? One on each leg?

Yes, Castaway Club members get a gift on each cruise. (If you are a first time cruiser on the first cruise, you'll get a gift on the second cruise.) Each cruise you get your full benefits -- so Gold/Platinum will get the extra gifts on both cruises; Platinum would get a free Palo dinner on each cruise, etc.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I'll be Platinum on the second leg of my Nov '11 B2B.

.

 

[FLORIDA_DAD]

Thanks for the info - I was curious. Thinking about doing one