Tender Process on NCL STAR : Adriatic & Greek Islands

Hi,

I have read some horrible reviews about the tender process on NCL Star. How does it work? Any tips?

My wife and I are talking the Oct 28th - Nov 5th Star Cruise.

Any info would be great!

Thanks

Paul:D

We're on the same cruise but I hadn't read the horrible reviews - what did they say? Any tendering is always a pain but was there something special?

Again I would agree that tendering at any time is a pain but nothing I have come across in the "normal" run of things has been particularly horrific. I have had a couple that have been a bit more of a pain but the only horrific one was on Princess in St Peter Port.

We're on the same cruise but I hadn't read the horrible reviews - what did they say? Any tendering is always a pain but was there something special?

This is one of the reviews I found on this site:

CONS

* The tender tickets distribution is the worst I’ve experienced. They notify you the previous afternoon what time to go. On two occasions tickets were supposed to be distributed from 6:30am to 7:30am, which means that you must get up extremely early on spite of being on vacations. On both occasions I made the line prior to 6:00 am only to get late tenders. Upon arrival to the clerk that was distributing the tickets I witnessed other guests being given as many as 30 tender tickets to an individual. Rather than having a cap per cabin, it was a free for all which caused many guests, like me, to be irritated with this system.

* At the Kotor stop the ship was anchored at the middle of the bay which caused a long trip between the tender ships and the port. Upon returning to the port to take the tender ship, we had to make a line of over an hour, since they were not prepared. Not a single NCL official was on shore to address the situation.

The first point is normal. They will often start early when there are lots of people lining up early. The information states that 1 person should get tickets for ALL their group who should meet as a party.

On the second the anchorage has nothing to do with NCL it is the Port Authority. Also if everyone arrives to tender back to the boat it is normal to have a long wait. The wharf can often only deal with 2 tenders at the same time as can the boat. Even with 6, the normal number they use, they can only carry so many at the same time.

I hope the poster took it up with the Hotel Director when he got back on board.

The first point is normal. They will often start early when there are lots of people lining up early. The information states that 1 person should get tickets for ALL their group who should meet as a party.

 

On the second the anchorage has nothing to do with NCL it is the Port Authority. Also if everyone arrives to tender back to the boat it is normal to have a long wait. The wharf can often only deal with 2 tenders at the same time as can the boat. Even with 6, the normal number they use, they can only carry so many at the same time.

 

I hope the poster took it up with the Hotel Director when he got back on board.

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If you have an NCL shorex (not a private one) you will meet in the theatre (normally) and be taken to the tenders as a group if it is an early morning tour. If it is a later morning or afternoon one you may have to make your own way.

Getting back on the boat you get no help, join the queue!!

If you have an NCL shorex (not a private one) you will meet in the theatre (normally) and be taken to the tenders as a group if it is an early morning tour. If it is a later morning or afternoon one you may have to make your own way.

 

Getting back on the boat you get no help, join the queue!!

Thanks! Seems like booking shorex with the cruiseline is the way to go! I don't fancy getting up stupid early to queue for tender tickets

on this cruise as well Paul. We are the only ship in Santorini the day we are there; so hopefully things will move faster for us. Additionally, in most of the other ports we are the only ship or there is one other; so we may not even need to tender as much as she has been in the summer.

on this cruise as well Paul. We are the only ship in Santorini the day we are there; so hopefully things will move faster for us. Additionally, in most of the other ports we are the only ship or there is one other; so we may not even need to tender as much as she has been in the summer.

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We were on this cruise in July. Loved it! We had NCL excursions so we met in the Stardust Theatre and went as a group down "I-95" directly to a tender. As previously stated, you are on your own for the return trip. Santorini wasn't too bad, but we had just walked down from the top on the donkey path WITH the donkeys and were kind of traumatized so waiting in line wasn't a big deal as we were happy to be off the trail. Kotor, Montenegro was a very long wait. The Star was docked in the bay the furthest away so the tender ride was 30 minutes one way. There were two Princess ships docked also so there was a lot of confusion as to where to go. Did you know people get a little wound up when it's hot and there are lines and confusion? Like anything else, it's the good and the bad - these ports are so incredibly beautiful so even if you have some inconvenience, it's well worth the trip! Hope you enjoy your cruise, it should be less crowded in the fall.

If you have an NCL shorex (not a private one) you will meet in the theatre (normally) and be taken to the tenders as a group if it is an early morning tour. If it is a later morning or afternoon one you may have to make your own way.

 

Getting back on the boat you get no help, join the queue!!

Hi Mike, do you know if people in suites get priority access to tender tickets on NCL? I read a review stating the tender tickets for non-suite guests were distributed separately.

Cheers

Paul

Hello Paul

For NCL tours the Concierge will take your Yellow tour tickets and get you "bus stickers" then take you to the front of the queue.

For private tours I.m sure he.she would do the same.

Remember that Platinum and above do not have to get tickets but just join the queue (at the back) showing their card. when they are ready

Mike

Hello Paul

 

For NCL tours the Concierge will take your Yellow tour tickets and get you "bus stickers" then take you to the front of the queue.

For private tours I.m sure he.she would do the same.

 

Remember that Platinum and above do not have to get tickets but just join the queue (at the back) showing their card. when they are ready

 

Mike

Thanks again! Platinum.... some day I hope :cool:

Hi Mike, do you know if people in suites get priority access to tender tickets on NCL? I read a review stating the tender tickets for non-suite guests were distributed separately.

 

Cheers

Paul

You do not need to queue for tender tickets if in a suite, You will be given info on a meeting point for priority tendering and you just go there when ready to disembark. The concierge or one of the butlers will then escort you down to the next tender, usually via crew stairs.

You do not need to queue for tender tickets if in a suite, You will be given info on a meeting point for priority tendering and you just go there when ready to disembark. The concierge or one of the butlers will then escort you down to the next tender, usually via crew stairs.

Wonderful! Thank you so much for the info!

I’m sailing on Oct. 7, 2018 and would love to find some tender buddies. If we tender 3 ports and have 3 groups. We would each only have to stand in line for tickets once.