Back to back process? (Galveston)

[Wheeler825]

I'm doing my first back to back in September.  As of right now, both sailings I have the same stateroom(I'll try to royal up, but ya know..).  What is the process for back to back cruisers? I have to actually get off the ship, then get back on, at some point... right? Do I need to take a day bag as well? Assuming corridors to the rooms will be blocked off until all rooms are prepared?  Is there anything else I need to keep in mind? 

[Ampurp85]

You will have to get off because the ship needs to reach zero count. A crew member will escort all the B2B, once you meet in the designated area. Also remember that each reservation is treated as such, so while they will know you are a consecutive cruiser, that means little in the grand scheme of things. They will have a lunch, but the offerings are meager. If you have any specialty dining packages, you can book first. Internet will shut off and then you will need to login again, usually around 10am.

If you RUB to a different room, you definitely will not be able to go back to your room early. In some cases, if the same cabin steward is assigned for that room, they may allow you back in. I would take anything you cannot live without until the 1/2pm room opening. 

[MaryCS62]

Doing one soon on Oasis - getting on the first one Friday (!), so will have first hand knowledge (for Bayonne, anyway). We have the UDP for the 2nd cruise, so we plan on taking advantage by 1) getting our reservations in ASAP, and 2, either doing a specialty lunch if available, or portside bbq if they will be open that early. 

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, MaryCS62 said:

Doing one soon on Oasis - getting on the first one Friday (!), so will have first hand knowledge (for Bayonne, anyway). We have the UDP for the 2nd cruise, so we plan on taking advantage by 1) getting our reservations in ASAP, and 2, either doing a specialty lunch if available, or portside bbq if they will be open that early. 

You can check the app and see what options are available, but I believe Portside won't open before noon......none of the specialty restaurants open before noon. Mason Jar as the first brunch restaurant is the only one I have seen open around 10am and that is on Wonder/Utopia.

I did B2B on Navigator out of LA and it was sh#tshow. We didn't get off and go through customs until close to 11am. There were stragglers in their cabins until 9am and customs was backed up. So, when we did get back on it was a little after 11 and some new cruisers had started being let on. We went to a specialty restaurant (Hooked), not officially open but taking reservations, to make UDP reservations but did Playmakers for lunch. 

[CruiseGus]

On b2b you will receive a letter telling you where to meet and what time, you will be escorted off as a group you have to ding out with the sea pass from the first cruise. 

You will go through customs and then they will turn you around and you will re-board the ship with your new sea pass card, there could be a short wait before re-boarding. 

When you are given your new sea pass card has been different each time but you will have by the time they let you back on. Generally you board again before all other passengers, but things can happen.

The consecutive cruiser lunch is usually pretty good as the chef is not cooking for thousands.  Generally 3 choices of entre, don't missit if it's your first b2b.

Know that if you bid royal up it is for each cruise separately, personally if you have the same cabin for both legs I would not mess that up by biding.  If you have the same cabin let you cabin steward know on the first leg, you CAN go to that same cabin as soon as you re-board, but I usually go to the lunch first.  If the corridor doors are closed with signs that room are ready at 2:00 just go ahead and open it.  Don't linger in the hallway or go back and forth often out of respect for the crew trying to prep cabins.

If you change, have to different cBin you must wait to go to it like all the other passengers.

Good luck and enjoy. b2b's are the best way to go, love them.  But same cabin is my requirement. 

[Linda R]

I do B2B cruises all the time.  Pretty much all the above info is correct.    You get a letter where to meet, escorted off, and then back on.  You need your seapass card and passport.   If I am changing cabins I also take my credit cards, money, etc. from the safe.  The B2B cruisers are the first passengers let back on the ship.  Then Suites and Pinnacles, etc.     I never have gone back to my cabin before they allow everyone to, usually around 1pm.  And did not know you were able to.  I  almost always get the same cabin both cruises.  I book way in advance and is never an issue getting choices for having the same cabin.  I do not do a Royal Up on B2B cruises just because I prefer not to move cabins.  But I have moved to a different cabin before and not much of an issue.  Leave all your clothes hanging.  I put most everything else in a suitcase and bathroom stuff in a tote.   They will bring a cart and move all your things for you.  I usually go to the lunch they offer when you get back on ship, and by the time that is over you pretty much can get into your cabins.   If I have unlimited dining then I go to specialty restaurant for lunch.  Although I am now Pinnacle so I go to Coastal Kitchen for lunch.  Enjoy!

[MaryCS62]

We do have the same cabin, so that's not a problem.  Royal Up was tempting, but didn't want to go through the hassle of changing cabins - main reason we're doin this is to get to do all that Oasis has to offer, and not worry about missing stuff or overscheduling my days. Hope everything goes smoothly!!

[Al Miller]

In with your B2B instruction letter, there should also be a little business card that says "Consecutive Cruiser" or something like that. Just show that to anyone who gives you a hard time about being in the halls before the other cabins are ready. Nobody even asked to see mine last year. I think they just recognized me from the previous sailing and assumed I was B2B.