Customs on a B2B cruise

[Jrnute]

Just wondering if any one can help me understand the customs process when getting off a B2B cruise the first time? If our luggage doesn't get removed from the ship do you declare items purchased on the first leg of the trip or do you wait and declare everything after the second leg of the trip when you take everything off the ship?

 

[T & R]

Just wondering if any one can help me understand the customs process when getting off a B2B cruise the first time? If our luggage doesn't get removed from the ship do you declare items purchased on the first leg of the trip or do you wait and declare everything after the second leg of the trip when you take everything off the ship?

If you're not bringing your luggage off the ship, then you are not bringing anything into the U.S., so there is nothing to declare. We did B2B in Miami in 2019 and I do not even remember going through customs. They had all the B2B cruisers meet in the lounge at like 9am and then a CM escorted all of us off, checked in, got new KTTW cards and then right back on. I've heard different stories on how this process works and some have not been able to get right back on and actually had to wait an hour or so before getting back on. I guess there is a PC and Miami difference. Only bad part about getting right back on so early is nothing is open except Cove Café. We're doing B2B in Nov 2021, so we get to find out the process in PC. One weird thing I noticed is there were some crew that had to get off with us and do this process, so not sure if they were just contractors or entertainers and not full-time DCL staff or what. Just thought it was odd that they had to get off and get shuffled right back on like the B2B guests were.

Additional note: The last night of your first leg they will put a flyer on your bed while you're at dinner explaining the B2B process in the morning. If your 2nd leg is a surprise to your kids, make sure you get to the room first and snatch that flyer off of your bed so they do not see it. Also, your MDR servers and room attendant will know you're B2B, so let them know not to give out the secret to your kids that you're B2B.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just wondering if any one can help me understand the customs process when getting off a B2B cruise the first time? If our luggage doesn't get removed from the ship do you declare items purchased on the first leg of the trip or do you wait and declare everything after the second leg of the trip when you take everything off the ship?

Our B2B cruise (Port Canaveral turnaround), we just got off the ship, headed through the immigration/customs line and then immediately back up the escalator to the check in lobby. We, typically, don't buy much that requires customs declarations, so I'm not real sure, I believe you only have make the customs declaration when you actually leave the ship after the second leg.

 

[SamFaniam]

Just wondering if any one can help me understand the customs process when getting off a B2B cruise the first time? If our luggage doesn't get removed from the ship do you declare items purchased on the first leg of the trip or do you wait and declare everything after the second leg of the trip when you take everything off the ship?

You will have to clear immigration and customs. but are not required to declare after the first leg. You may do it after the second leg. Be aware that although it is two trips, you do not get an increased allowance for duty-free as the limits cover 30 days of travel.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

On our B2B this last January at PC we were escorted off in a group of 4, went down the escalator to exit the front of the terminal, turned right around, went through scanning and security, up the escalator, processed in like a brand new cruise, got a new KTTW card, and waited about half an hour in concierge lounge then reboarded. Kind of strange to be on a near-empty ship, but the laundry room was empty and I got a quick 2 loads done, had lunch at an empty Cabanas (Mmmmm . . . lamb chops), and headed back to our room to watch the happenings from the verandah.

 

[Trera]

We have done back to back before where I leave the port with purchased items, dirty clothes, etc and put all of those items in our car in the parking garage. Then I can catch up on work and emails quickly in the car and then get in line to get back in to the port while my family is sitting in the concierge lounge relaxing. This allows us less stuff to get to the car after our second cruise as well as allows us double the duty free items we can bring ashore than if we waited until the end of the second cruise.

This move isnt for everyone but it worked well for us the one time we did it.

 

[Jrnute]

That is a very interesting idea. Thanks for sharing that!

 

[DCLDVC1]

I think it's safe to assume the B2B process will be different once cruising resumes.

 

[GPaLarry]

I assume your B2B is out of PC. Several years ago we did a B2B with Barcelona as home base. We are doing another one next fall with Dover UK as the turn around point. For the first one, we planned a day's activity to fill the time, since Barcelona has so much to see, during that switch-over day. This worked out great for us. We had the same stateroom for both cruises, so no moving of luggage. As stated before, you will get a letter the night before with all the details. But, you don't have to get back on the ship right away if you don't want to. In Dover, DCL has an excursion to see the old fort that overlooks the port and a short drive to the town of Sandwich (yumm!). We hope to see more of the UK since we live so far away (West Coast). All this assumes that things will be close to the old normal...we can only hope.

 

[GPaLarry]

Forget to mention...be sure to take all your reboarding documents and passports when you leave the ship between cruises. You will get priority status when reboarding and can walk right on...we were gold level at the time.

 

[Jrnute]

I assume your B2B is out of PC. Several years ago we did a B2B with Barcelona as home base. We are doing another one next fall with Dover UK as the turn around point. For the first one, we planned a day's activity to fill the time, since Barcelona has so much to see, during that switch-over day. This worked out great for us. We had the same stateroom for both cruises, so no moving of luggage. As stated before, you will get a letter the night before with all the details. But, you don't have to get back on the ship right away if you don't want to. In Dover, DCL has an excursion to see the old fort that overlooks the port and a short drive to the town of Sandwich (yumm!). We hope to see more of the UK since we live so far away (West Coast). All this assumes that things will be close to the old normal...we can only hope.

Our B2B is booked in Miami, I am hoping to get back on a little early and let the kids use that time to swim maybe. Not sure if the pools will be open that early.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

In Dover, DCL has an excursion to see the old fort that overlooks the port and a short drive to the town of Sandwich (yumm!). We hope to see more of the UK since we live so far away (West Coast). All this assumes that things will be close to the old normal...we can only hope.

Just as a side note, if you are interested in seeing Dover castle, it is pretty close to the Port. It opens at 10:00am normally and if you move along at a good clip you can see everything in 3.5 hours. Just make sure to do the Hospital and Bunker tours first thing when the castle opens. It's roughly a 2 mile walk from the port, or a quick taxi ride. If you enjoy castles or WW2 history it's a great way to spent the turn around day. Dover also has a roman painted house and a free local history museum. Not to mention the other WW2 sites along the coastline (these are only open certain days and times of year for tours) and the trails along the White Cliffs.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our B2B is booked in Miami, I am hoping to get back on a little early and let the kids use that time to swim maybe. Not sure if the pools will be open that early.

Typically, the pools are being cleaned during that time. And don't open until just before the new guests start boarding.

 

[daedelus]

We B2B'd in San Juan, PR. We were off the ship less than an hour. No customs. We were able to get the same room on both legs, so no moving stuff either. We got new KTTW's, lanyards and then waited maybe 15 minutes to get back on. The biggest delay was that the escalator in that crappy terminal wasn't working and the elevator made Superman's phone booth look roomy. So lots of stairs.

B2B'ers are exempt from the "your stateroom won't be ready until..." bit - you can duck under the barrier and go back to your room.

Almost nothing will be open, @PrincessShmoo is correct - that's cleaning and reset time. Cabanas didn't open until after the first few regular Golds were aboard. We hung out on Deck 9 and enjoyed the sunshine.

 

[Deb T.]

B2B'ers are exempt from the "your stateroom won't be ready until..." bit - you can duck under the barrier and go back to your room.

We've been told we could go back and forth to our cabin until new guests begin boarding. After that, we're supposed to either stay out and enjoy the ship or stay inside our cabin until 1:30pm when everyone else can access staterooms. Otherwise, seeing us go back and forth will encourage new cruisers to also duck under the stanchion ropes before they're allowed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've been told we could go back and forth to our cabin until new guests begin boarding. After that, we're supposed to either stay out and enjoy the ship or stay inside our cabin until 1:30pm when everyone else can access staterooms. Otherwise, seeing us go back and forth will encourage new cruisers to also duck under the stanchion ropes before they're allowed.

Same for us.

 

[Jrnute]

Typically, the pools are being cleaned during that time. And don't open until just before the new guests start boarding.

Thanks for that information