back to back cruises

We haven't cruised on RCI but from the sounds of posts here it appears their service on B-2-Bs is the same as on those lines we frequent. We have been on quite a few B-2-Bs but only one time have we had to change cabins. As already outlined, the cabin crew did most of the moving for us while we were on a shore excursion.

Today it is even more refined, one doesn't see much difference between a B-2-B and a continuous cruise except that so many new guests suddenly show up and your nearby stateroom mates have changed. The lines are pretty coy anymore and don't usually label cruises as back-to-backs, for instance, most of these so called "World Cruises", "Grand Voyages", etc. are simply multiple segments (or B-2-Bs) packaged together and labeled with a single fancy romantic name. One time we booked an almost three month cruise titled "African Explorer" which was actually two six week segments but we didn’t know that. On a number of these we didn't even realize there were various segments until we were on board and other guests would mention they are getting off here or there.

One thing to watch out for is that when you board make certain your guest card is for the entire voyage, if you have to get a new one for the next segment don't get off the ship until you have. A few weeks ago we were on one where they handed out those "in transit cards" but we didn't need one since our original guest cards had the correct dates on them. The ship's company usually looks at your guest card twice when getting back on board, once at the gangway and then when they scan your card in order to indicate you are back on board. All the initial crew person at the gangway is looking for on your card when you get back on is to see that it has the correct voyage date.

One time a fellow was telling me about the time they got off and couldn't get back on because their cards were for the "last" voyage. After he mentioned that I looked at my card only to discover that it too expired that day and I was just about ready to get off.

RCCL has the current and new cabin stewards move your stuff to a new cabin, if you don't keep the same one from the first cruise. You have to pack your personal items, but everything that is hanging in the closet they will move for you, plus your luggage.

Most RCCL ships escort you off, get you through customs/immigration, and escort you back onboard with your new seapass cards. Then, you are free to take off for the day if you want. I don't think you need to reboard, but you need to let security on board the ship that scan your card that you are continuing from the last cruise, just in case your picture doesn't carry over. Customer Service can answer your specific questions.

LWSailors said it well. In my experience and from talking to others you may be able to talk directly to them once on the ship about moving the luggage yourself from room to room so you don't have to pack and unpack and wait for them to re-deliver it. Just ask the room steward on the second to last day of the first leg, they will be able to help you work that out.

When continuing an itinerary, same ship, you will receive an IN TRANSIT pass which allows you to disembark and reboard the ship without checking in again. If you have the same stateroom for the next leg of the journey, you need not pack-up your belongings or surrender your luggage and you will retain your ship I.D. key card. Just treat the turn-around day as another cruise day and enjoy your time in port. (You'll show your IN TRANSIT pass and key card when you rejoin the ship before sailing.)