What information do I need to know if travelling on a back to back cruise?
Please note that Cunard bookings are not eligible for a back to back discount.
Check in and embarkation
- In our home port of Southampton, there is no need to disembark and check in again if travelling on back to back cruises. Guests can simply visit the Purser's Office to re-register and activate their on board account for the second voyage.
- They can, of course, disembark in Southampton should they wish to take in the sights or do a little shopping before returning to the ship and setting sail on their second voyage.
- Guests will still be required to access the ship through the terminal in the normal way, however, once they have collected their voyage card for their second, or subsequent voyage, they will be able to bypass the check in process and head straight down to x-ray and embarkation to come back aboard.
- In the interests of safety on board, guests will be asked to attend both muster drills at the beginning of each voyage.
International ports
- If the embark/debark port is overseas, some ports require a face to face Immigration Inspection. These will either be conducted on board the ship or ashore, details of this will be provided once on board and are subject to operational requirements.
US ports
- All guests must disembark regardless of nationality and whether they are in-transit or not, to pass through the Immigration and Customs Inspection with CBP (Customs and Border Protection). CBP relates to US cruises only.
- The zero count, requiring everyone to disembark is a CBP requirement.
- If guests do not want to go ashore during our stay in New York, we advise that they can stay on board until final call then everybody has to make their way ashore whilst CBP complete their inspection.
Back to back - different ship
- If guests are travelling on back to back cruises on two separate ships in the fleet and they require a transfer between Cunard ships in Southampton, we will arrange this for them if it is on the same day.
- Full details will be provided on board.
On board spending money and loyalty benefits
- If on board spending money is only on one booking and not the other, it can not be transferred to the next voyage. It must be used on the voyage that the credit has been applied to.
- If guests have booked a Logical voyage, which is when they book two or more separate voyages, as detailed in our latest brochure, under one booking reference they will receive one set of benefits for the duration of their voyages.There may be occasions where two or more sets of benefits are given during the voyage - this is dependent on the ports that they visit during their voyage.
Additional Information
Please note:
- If travelling on back to back cruises, some elements of the initial cabin set up will only be provided when guests embark on the first of their consecutive cruises.
- For P&O Cruises only: Please make the booking for both applicable cruises and complete the webform (https://pocruises.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUqqZD9uQoDBryS) with both booking references so that the 10% discount can be applied. A revised booking confirmation will then be sent with the applicable discount applied.
Emergency assistance
- You must ensure to ask every guest “In the unlikely event of an emergency, would anyone on the booking need assistance?”. If they would require assistance, please add the relevant level of support to Polar Online using the "package list" option. If a guest is bringing a mobility scooter or wheelchair on board, you must add evacuation chair assistance for them. However, it’s not possible to add this resource to existing bookings. If this step is missed or needs to be added post-booking, please complete the Partnership Helpdesk Webform and we'll come back to you as soon as possible. For bookings sailing within the next six months, you should call the Partnership Helpdesk for urgent support.
- If the guest has mobility or accessibility requirements, they must complete their "Your on-board needs" questionnaire via My Cruise as soon as possible after booking and no later than two weeks before they sail. You can send them a reminder to do this by following this process guide.
- We have a range of how-to-guides on Shine Rewards Club. Please click here for Cunard and here for P&O Cruises.