tender in Grand Cayman

[mcgovernsandra]

We will be sailing on the Valor March 6 and have booked Capt. Bryan's Stingray trip from 1:30 - 4 arriving back at dock at 4:20 according to website. Our boat leaves at 5:30..Anyone know what time the last tender leaves? Are we cutting it too close?

[Cruisegirl6]

Just my advice, ALWAYS make sure you start heading back to the ship if not in the local area an hour before sailing. Always give time for taxi/car/bus breakdowns, traffic, accidents etc. Roads on islands are not what we are used to, many have one lanes and there are very very few roads to take, some islands only have one road going to and from point a to point b.

 

If in local area not walking distance to the ship allow half an hour and in walking distance 20 minutes. Never rely on taking the last tender and get back late, you don't want to miss the ship.

 

Also, if the ship is out close, you can get to the pilot of the dock area and for a fee they can take you over to the ship.

[stlrboo]

That's close!! If the ship departs at 530, they close the doors and prepare to cast off at 500!

The Pilot boat is a possibility, but costly.. :(

I'd opt for e-mailing Ruth at Capt. Marvin's and switching to the noonish trip! I believe they do three a day, plus a 3 hour from 10 AM to 1 PM. It's really up to you, but why try to enjoy yourself when worrying if you'll make it back to the ship, or be standing on the pier watching it pull away.. :eek:

[rhecker]

When we were on the Conquest, the valor was also there at the same time. We were told the last tender was at 3 p.m. We got there at 2:30. Well the line to board the tenders was about 5 blocks long for each ship. It took us an hour and a half to get to the tenders. If you are in line though the ship will not leave. We left an hour later than expected.

 

rhecker

[mcgovernsandra]

thanks for the replies. Yes, I think I will look into booking an earlier trip.

[TheGrandparents]

We were in Grand Cayman 2 years ago and as the other person said, the closer it gets to sailing time the longer the tender line gets!

(and yes the pilot boat did bring some passengers along side that missed the last tender)

 

We booked our Stingray trip through the ship.

Yes, we paid $15.00 more but because we booked our excursion for 7:00 we were on the first tender off the ship. The stop in GC is not very long and you can waste an hour just getting off the ship. By booking through the ship they get you off right away on the first tender, before all the other passengers.

 

That way were we back on the ship early enough to enjoy the quiet and watch everybody returning packed in the tenders.