Tendering question

[Luke gs Daddy]

When tendering in Belize how much time should I plan for while trying to bebark ? I am looking to book an independent excursion. I know ther are some variables to consider. Just wondering about maybe an average ?

 

Thanks.

[Golden Cat]

When tendering in Belize how much time should I plan for while trying to bebark ? I am looking to book an independent excursion. I know ther are some variables to consider. Just wondering about maybe an average ?

 

That depends on so many factors, but let me try to cover some of them.

 

The cruise lines will generally disembark their own tours first - meaning that the first several tenders (or more) will be full of guests going on ship-sponsored excursions.

 

We were just in Belize City with Holland America, and tendering was to begin at 7:00 am with guests on ship excursions departing first. We had a private excursion with Major Tom so wanted to get off the ship as early as possible. Holland America require folks on private tours to pick up tender tickets - the first folks in line pick up tickets that allow them on the first "open" tenders. We were in line at 7 am for the tender tickets so we'd be in the first boat. The young lady handing out tender tickets thought that the first open tenders would start around 7:45 am. In our case we got lucky - the ship sponsored excursions were taking a while to organize on board so at 7:10 am we were allowed in the very first tender to go ashore. I doubt that happens often.

 

The ride from ship to shore is about 5 miles, or 20 minutes by the time you get on board the tender, zip in, and disembark. Belize City has its own tenders that can seat a lot of people (80-150 depending on which tender) and can travel at 20 mph. It goes quickly.

 

If all had proceeded normally for us, I'd have expected us to get a tender ticket at 7 am, get on board a tender at 7:45 and be on shore no later than 8:15 am.

 

Your actual experience may vary depending on your cruise line, but at least I hope that give you some idea of what you might expect.

[Luke gs Daddy]

That depends on so many factors, but let me try to cover some of them.

 

The cruise lines will generally disembark their own tours first - meaning that the first several tenders (or more) will be full of guests going on ship-sponsored excursions.

 

We were just in Belize City with Holland America, and tendering was to begin at 7:00 am with guests on ship excursions departing first. We had a private excursion with Major Tom so wanted to get off the ship as early as possible. Holland America require folks on private tours to pick up tender tickets - the first folks in line pick up tickets that allow them on the first "open" tenders. We were in line at 7 am for the tender tickets so we'd be in the first boat. The young lady handing out tender tickets thought that the first open tenders would start around 7:45 am. In our case we got lucky - the ship sponsored excursions were taking a while to organize on board so at 7:10 am we were allowed in the very first tender to go ashore. I doubt that happens often.

 

The ride from ship to shore is about 5 miles, or 20 minutes by the time you get on board the tender, zip in, and disembark. Belize City has its own tenders that can seat a lot of people (80-150 depending on which tender) and can travel at 20 mph. It goes quickly.

 

If all had proceeded normally for us, I'd have expected us to get a tender ticket at 7 am, get on board a tender at 7:45 and be on shore no later than 8:15 am.

 

Your actual experience may vary depending on your cruise line, but at least I hope that give you some idea of what you might expect.

 

 

 

Just the answer I was looking for.

 

Thanks.