How was the getting off/getting back on the ship? Did you find it intrusive, or no big deal? We usually do longer cruises, so we have never dealt with a B2B.
Fairly painless. We had the same stateroom for all 3 cruises so it made it quite easy -- we didn't need to pack up at all, just brought a small day bag with us with paperwork, passports, wallet, key medication, a long sleeve layer in case it was chilly, and something to read to pass the time.
The day before debarkation day a letter is left in your room explaining the process to follow -- note that they do sometimes change it up, so be sure to read YOUR letter.
The process for each turnaround:
- get yourself off the ship no later than 9:15
- clear US Customs
- clear
DCL security
- go back up into the terminal
- check in to the new cruise
- wait in the terminal [they let you wait in the concierge lounge or you can wander/take pictures in the terminal]
- get let on board before other guests
The first turn-around we planned to get off as close as possible to "the end". We got off at about 9:15 as the 9"15 "get off" announcement was being made. There was a line inside the ship, and a full line at basically a standstill in the "jetway" from the ship into the terminal. The jetway line was not a single file line -- this is a line filling the whole width, for the whole length of it. *crowded*. At one point the whole line stopped moving and we were in one place for a good chunk of minutes as they were not letting more people into the terminal as it was too crowded. Once the line got moving again it was a slow slog into the terminal luggage hall. Since we had no luggage all we had to do was to find the end of the LONG Customs line. We found it [the line snaked through along the luggage rows in addition to the snaking inside the cordons of the marked line area]. That Customs line moved slowly as there were only 2 or 3 Customs officials clearing people. At 9:27 we were about 1/3 of the way through the Customs line from where it had started. By the time we made it to the start of the cordoned lines, I would guess there were about two dozen people behind us, so we were near the end of the people off the ship. We walked into the terminal check-in hall at 10:00 am, checked in, took some pictures and then at 10:11 sat in the conceirge lounge for a little bit. We were let back on the ship before 11, IIRC about 10:35.
On our second turn around we were determined to NOT get stuck in that horrible line. So we were off the ship at 8:33 after our late breakfast. The line continually moved and there was not the jammed up crowded line and stopping in the "jetway" area. The end of the Customs line was about where the cordoned part of its line starts. The Customs line moved slowly but continually. Were through Customs and security and walking back into the terminal check in floor at 8:56. Check-in was not ready yet as the cruise we just got off of was not closed out yet. So we explored the terminal and took pictures and relaxed -- the CMs did give us a copy of the Navigator to read so we spend some time doing that too. At 9:30 they said they were ready for checkin so we checked in. We then took more pictures then relaxed in the concierge lounge. We were allowed to board at 10:38.
We much preferred the second experience even though it meant a bit more time off ship. The line/crowd deboarding was much nicer/thinner to be among and it continually moved. We figured we would rather spend extra time taking pictures in the terminal and relaxing in the terminal that is nearly empty than being among a large crowd leaving the ship. YMMV.
Both times once on board we headed to Cove Cafe and got some beverages. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are free; some of the specialty drinks were too, but others were not, so if you plan to get something beyond the basics expect you may have to pay for it. Bottled beverages you have to pay for. As always the food they have is free. The CM who served us in Cove Cafe the second cruise (our first time in Cove Cafe) remembered both our names and our order when we returned for the third cruise -- we were impressed ! The staff there was quite nice and it was a nice place to relax for a while.
Then we headed to the soda fountains to get a drink and then headed to our stateroom. Our stateroom host had already turned the room over [he had told us the day before he would do ours early so it would be ready for us]. We relaxed, watching a movie from the TV on demand selection. Shortly before 1:00 we were hungry so snuck out of the stateroom and into the rest of the ship. Note: you are allowed to go to your stateroom OR explore the ship, but they don't want you going back and forth to your stateroom as it will confuse other guests who aren't allowed to their staterooms until 1:30. Both times we "escaped" the hall was clear and there were no other guests waiting in the elevator lobby area/near the rope to the stateroom hall. I wouldn't leave it later than 1 as people DO start waiting to be let in to the staterooms and a crowd can form by those barriers. But for us at least, far forward on deck 9, 1:00 was "safe" both times.
Both times we did lunch at Animator's Palate. There was a line and they were telling guests the wait was 15-25 minutes. Many chose to go up to Cabanas, which the CMs told everyone about. We stayed and waited as an MDR is much easier to do with food allergies. I don't think the wait was actually even 15 minutes, but there was some wait.
The previous time we did a B2B, also on the Dream, reboarding was delayed until after 11 due to DCL filming some video on board. So while this time round we were on around the same time [10:35-10:40 range], it is possible to be delayed so make sure you have something to do to pass the time.
So, plan to be getting off and off the ship for say 1.5 to 2 hours depending on when you depart. You are likely to encounter some long lines -- hopefully they will be continually moving.
Have something to do for the time off ship [pictures, read the Navigator, read something else...].
Bring an extra layer of clothing in case it is chilly in the terminal. Or a lighter layer in case what you are wearing is too hot. Whichever works. But think layers and be prepared for a temperature change
Figure out what you want to do once you are allowed on but before the other guests are. Cove Cafe will be open, as will one of the other cafe locations for families, and the pool deck soda machines worked. It is a great time to take pictures of a nearly empty ship. And you have the full range of time span of restaurant hours for when to get lunch.
Hope this helps !
SW
