Back to Back Procedures

[kathi]

It's been 8 years since we have taken a back to back cruise, can someone comment on the current procedures for debarkation/embarkation for the second cruise (and anything else I might want to know)? We are looking at B2B on the Dream in September.

Thank you!
Kathi

 

[WickedDreamer]

Hey Kathi!

Omg doing a Back to back for us was AMAZING!!! We loved every minute of it, we didn't feel stressed or worried if we missed an activity as we knew we would have a chance again later in our week. Plus its such a nice and relaxing week as everyone else who is only doing the short cruises are running around and trying to cram everything in. Plus we got to know our own serving team and so many wonderful CM's during that week we were actually really sad to all have to say goodbye to each other.

Basically the procedure is that if you have the same stateroom you can leave everything in there, and just leave the ship with your passports, ID's and anything else you might want whilst waiting in the terminal. You might want to bring your camera as you have the terminal to yourself for up to half an hour so it makes for some great photos with the cruise ship model and also the ship itself on the viewing platform. If you are changing staterooms you just need to pack up your stuff and you can leave the suitcases in your room and your host will move them for you.

They will tell you to be one of the last people to exit the ship about 9am-9.15am , then you need to go downstairs and clear customs, then will be lead back up to the terminal and taken over to the concierge area, where they will check you back in and issue your new Key to the World cards. [ oh your balance from the first cruise needs to be payed for on the last night of that cruise] You will then be escorted to the lounge area to wait until they call you to board.

After leaving the ship,clearing customs and checking back in, we probably were back onboard the ship by about 10am-10.30am, we were told we could go back and access our staterooms to drop anything off then we could explore the ship whilst no one was around and wait for the pools to be open.

Make sure you grab some breakfast before leaving the ship, as when you get back on the only place open till about 12pm is the Cove Cafe, you can order coffees and grab a snack here. I was told previously that DCL would offer snacks in the Quiet Cove area but this wasn't offer for us during this sailing.

Its such a great time to enjoy the ship as no one is around expect the Crew doing last minute cleaning and getting things ready for the next sailing. We walked around for awhile then grabbed a coffee and some snacks and enjoyed the quietness of the deck.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions feel free to ask

Shannon

 

[kathi]

Thanks so much for the quick reply Shannon! Sounds like the procedure has not changed at all since we did it before (on the Wonder).

 

[swooshbear]

We did back to back on the Wonder this May and even though we did not have the same room (we were on the same deck, just a few doors down), our stateroom host transferred our bags for us to our new room.

The first thing we did when we got back on board was head to Cove Cafe. We didn't know this but apparently specialty coffees were free!

 

[clten]

Sometimes they have you meet somewhere on board to be escorted off, sometimes they tell you what time you should be off (you get off the ship unescorted). They will leave you a letter at the end of the first cruise to let you know which they are doing. If you are not escorted, don't rush to get off the ship by the time they put in the letter, rather watch the crowds and be among the last people off -- there are much more comfortable places to wait on board the ship than in the terminal. You will not be getting back on any faster -- they have to wait until everyone is off and they close out the cruise before they can open the next one.

If you're last b2b was on the Wonder several years ago, be prepared for the process to take a bit longer on the Dream. Several years ago, b2b'ers were always back on the ship before new passengers were let into the terminal. Now, it seems that you are still waiting to get back on while new passengers are arriving. A couple of times we have had just a 15-20 minutes lead over new passengers. If you count on not having too much time onboard before new guests you won't be disappointed. (Then if things go really smoothly and they do get you onboard quickly, it will be a bonus.)

 

[Trera]

It's been 8 years since we have taken a back to back cruise, can someone comment on the current procedures for debarkation/embarkation for the second cruise (and anything else I might want to know)? We are looking at B2B on the Dream in September.

Thank you!
Kathi

that is when we are doing our B2B as well.

 

[Trera]

Hey Kathi!

Omg doing a Back to back for us was AMAZING!!! We loved every minute of it, we didn't feel stressed or worried if we missed an activity as we knew we would have a chance again later in our week. Plus its such a nice and relaxing week as everyone else who is only doing the short cruises are running around and trying to cram everything in. Plus we got to know our own serving team and so many wonderful CM's during that week we were actually really sad to all have to say goodbye to each other.

Basically the procedure is that if you have the same stateroom you can leave everything in there, and just leave the ship with your passports, ID's and anything else you might want whilst waiting in the terminal. You might want to bring your camera as you have the terminal to yourself for up to half an hour so it makes for some great photos with the cruise ship model and also the ship itself on the viewing platform. If you are changing staterooms you just need to pack up your stuff and you can leave the suitcases in your room and your host will move them for you.

They will tell you to be one of the last people to exit the ship about 9am-9.15am , then you need to go downstairs and clear customs, then will be lead back up to the terminal and taken over to the concierge area, where they will check you back in and issue your new Key to the World cards. [ oh your balance from the first cruise needs to be payed for on the last night of that cruise] You will then be escorted to the lounge area to wait until they call you to board.

After leaving the ship,clearing customs and checking back in, we probably were back onboard the ship by about 10am-10.30am, we were told we could go back and access our staterooms to drop anything off then we could explore the ship whilst no one was around and wait for the pools to be open.

Make sure you grab some breakfast before leaving the ship, as when you get back on the only place open till about 12pm is the Cove Cafe, you can order coffees and grab a snack here. I was told previously that DCL would offer snacks in the Quiet Cove area but this wasn't offer for us during this sailing.

Its such a great time to enjoy the ship as no one is around expect the Crew doing last minute cleaning and getting things ready for the next sailing. We walked around for awhile then grabbed a coffee and some snacks and enjoyed the quietness of the deck.

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions feel free to ask

Shannon

This is all pretty on point with our experience. The pools and slides are closed due to cleaning and maintenance. We were allowed to go to our room for a bit and then we headed up to Cabanas with some crayons and activity books to hang out before lunch opened up.

Last year in September we did a B2B and when we got on, they were practicing the Halloween show in the Atrium with all of the characters and they let us stay around and watch. Our DD got to dance withe Donald dressed up in his Halloween costume while they practiced and she had the best time. They wouldnt let us take pictures or film it but watching the show was still fun.

Hoping they have the same practice time when we get back on this year!

 

[Mickey4me!]

We'll be doing our first B2B this Nov on the Dream sailing out of Miami. While I'm very familiar with PC terminal, I've never sailed DCL out of Miami. Anyone had B2B experience sailing out of there? I'm not sure if they even have a concierge lounge to wait for reboarding. TIA!

 

[WickedDreamer]

This is all pretty on point with our experience. The pools and slides are closed due to cleaning and maintenance. We were allowed to go to our room for a bit and then we headed up to Cabanas with some crayons and activity books to hang out before lunch opened up.

Last year in September we did a B2B and when we got on, they were practicing the Halloween show in the Atrium with all of the characters and they let us stay around and watch. Our DD got to dance withe Donald dressed up in his Halloween costume while they practiced and she had the best time. They wouldnt let us take pictures or film it but watching the show was still fun.

Hoping they have the same practice time when we get back on this year!

We had a similar thing happen to us one night on our cruise, we were walking around on the upper pool deck around midnight or so and they had the entertainment crew and Minnie practicing the Sailing Away party. They let us sit around and watch but some prodecures no recording or taking pictures. It was so much fun to see them practicing and Minnie came around and waved to everyone watching.

 

[Trera]

We'll be doing our first B2B this Nov on the Dream sailing out of Miami. While I'm very familiar with PC terminal, I've never sailed DCL out of Miami. Anyone had B2B experience sailing out of there? I'm not sure if they even have a concierge lounge to wait for reboarding. TIA!

I didnt know the Dream sailed out of Miami.

 

[Mickey4me!]

I didnt know the Dream sailed out of Miami.

Sorry - meant to type Magic, not the Dream

 

[clten]

We've done a b2b2b in Miami. They were a bit more disorganized when we were there doing our b2bs but that was about 2 years ago so maybe they've gotten better. Once you get to customs, even if they escorted you off the ship, you are on your own. After you go through customs, we were told we had to go outside to walk back to the door on the other side of the terminal. (Not a big deal or very far away but you are walking out into a pretty busy area with busses and taxis, etc. and when you get to the other door, there will probably be a line of new cruisers giving you the evil eye for cutting the line - we were specifically told to go in front of them and go into the door -- we had to explain to the security guard who we were and once they figured it out, they let us head up to the check-in area.) Once we were checked in, they gave us a different colored boarding card which allowed us to be among the first to board. They didn't have us sit in a designated area and we had to keep an eye on when they began pre-boarding as new cruisers were already in the waiting area . There are two sides that they can have you head upstairs -- the main area is further into the waiting area, the second one is on the other side of the waiting area atrium -- keep an eye on both if they don't have you sit in a designated area!

 

[Mickey4me!]

Thanks clten, that's good to know!

 

[shoes99]

we did a 3 nt/ 4nt back to back this past February. We stayed in the same cabin. We were back on the ship before 11 and just stayed in the Cove Cafe and chatted with the CM's.

 

[Trera]

I thought kids were not allowed in the Cove Cafe?

 

[Futurist]

We're doing a b2b on the Wonder out of Miami next February, and will be interested in how it works. It sounds like we'll get back on OK.

BTW, there is a sort-of concierge lounge on the level above where most people wait. And it connects to the gangway area, so it's easy to get on as a concierge guest. We did this about 3 years ago (concierge out of Miami, not b2b), and it worked great. Not a lot to do in the concierge lounge, but at least not jammed like the rest of the terminal!

 

[WickedDreamer]

I thought kids were not allowed in the Cove Cafe?

Kids are not allowed in the Cove Cafe during normal cruising hours, but if you are doing a back to back they are allowed in there until the rest of the boat opens up. It is the only place open to grab drinks and snacks before Cabanas opens at about 12pm and the quick service options too

 

[Trera]

Kids are not allowed in the Cove Cafe during normal cruising hours, but if you are doing a back to back they are allowed in there until the rest of the boat opens up. It is the only place open to grab drinks and snacks before Cabanas opens at about 12pm and the quick service options too

Great thank you.

Are you able to enter the concierge lounge once you are back on board if you are traveling concierge both cruises?

 

[WickedDreamer]

Great thank you.

Are you able to enter the concierge lounge once you are back on board if you are traveling concierge both cruises?

We went in and grabbed a some water then went down and sat outside Cove Cafe enjoying the quietness of the deck I think they said though the lounge is generally open from 11am though.