how bad is tendering at GC?

[sazzifrazz]

I am looking at booking a private tour company but nervous about not getting off the ship in time. Is tendering in GC a problem?

[Jenn31708]

Am I right in assuming you mean Grand Caymen? I was on Liberty 3 years ago, and we got off the ship really quick. The tenders were quick little boats, I think it was about 15 minutes from ship to shore.

[knittinggirl]

They let the people with early shore excursions off the ship first, then open it up to the rest. Lines early in the morning are pretty long for those that don't have pre-booked Royal shore excursions. We've seen them go up the stairwell for several decks. They put a gangplank from the ship to the tender. I think manual wheelchairs are o.k., but not power chairs.

[Sky616]

Never had a problem the 2 times we were in GC. We did a private tour last time and they were there waiting for us off the tender. Much shorter tender ride here than in Belize.

[silentbob007]

If you book an early independent tour, you are probably going to have to wait in line a bit to get off the ship. I believe last time I probably spent about 20 minutes waiting in the stairwell to go. It is part of the price you pay for not booking with the cruise company.

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi,

 

As others have said it's not a problem; I don't recall much of a wait at all. It may rely on how many ships are in port.....

 

[praline3001]

If you book an early independent tour, you are probably going to have to wait in line a bit to get off the ship. I believe last time I probably spent about 20 minutes waiting in the stairwell to go. It is part of the price you pay for not booking with the cruise company.

 

This is very correct. Just keep in mind that the private companies have eyeballs and can see if the ship is still unloading the first wave of morning guest. The ships are how they make their living. They know how the tendering times work more then any of us.

[BND]

We'd love to find out. Our one cruise there (FR last Oct), the port was cancelled due to weather/winds. There was a guy we overheard saying this was his second trip and he still hadn't been there.

 

We have never had a terrible experience tendering anywhere, but Coco Cay wasn't the best experience.

[cb at sea]

We've never felt the need to be 1st off the ship...we'll head to the tenders about 15-20 mins. after the 1st tender and get right on the next one...not a big deal at all.

[KeywestK]

If you book an early independent tour, you are probably going to have to wait in line a bit to get off the ship. I believe last time I probably spent about 20 minutes waiting in the stairwell to go. It is part of the price you pay for not booking with the cruise company.

 

We booked an independent tour in Belize and were scheduled to meet up with the tour operator very early in the morning. When I saw the long line waiting for the tenders, I went to the Guest Relations desk asking for assistance (quietly and politely, I might add) and he personally escorted our entire group (we were 9 of us) to a tender. He told us that he didn't want us to miss our tour and have our day spoiled. I suspect this is out of the ordinary, and recognize that he very well might have saved our day.

[newcruisergal]

On Navigator we got in line ~8 AM and there was a long line snaking down through the hallway. Overall it took about an hour to stand in line, get on the tender, and go the short distance to the shore. Coming back was no wait at all.

[emelvee]

We sailed to Grand Cayman once (on Carnival), didn't but an excursion through the ship, and it took us over 2 hours before we were onshore! There were 7 ships in port that day, IIRC...it was packed. Based on what what I've heard, that was probably an anomaly. But I now try to book an early excursion through the ship to get off sooner - especially since GC is one of my favorite places (we also spent a week there one vacation).

 

We planned to rent a car and drive to Rum Point to avoid the crowds at Seven Mile Beach. We docked at 8:00am, got onshore just after 10:00am, had the rental car company pick us up - that was about 10:30am. Left the rental car counter at 11:00am. Got to Rum Point at 12:00pm. Ordered food (Rum Point was busy too), got the food about 12:45pm. Drove back to the rental counter, eating our lunch in the car. Left Rum Point about 1:00pm, returned the car about 2:00pm, got in line for the tender about 3:00pm for a 4:00pm departure. We had less than an hour at Rum Point and less than an hour walking around the tender dock. Taught us to not try to do Rum Point on a port stop. lol

[TEXASMUNK]

One other detail...Should your ship not be able to make the port, be sure your private tour operator automatically refunds any payment or deposit.

[BBT]

On my January Navigator trip I had a private tour booked. I booked myself onto the 3rd tender, thinking I had given myself lots of time. Nope. Tender boarding was ssslllooowwwwwwwww......about the only thing I can complain about on my trip.

 

There were 6 ships in port, along with some winds, and I think that was part of the problem. Going by what I overheard other passengers saying, the wait to get onto a tender was unusual.

 

As somebody here mentioned, the tour operators know that the process can be slow. I thought I was going to be late & miss my shuttle. Not a problem. He knew tenders were running late & waited. There were others he waited for that were getting off other ships as well.

 

Being late did impact my tour somewhat, but not too bad. And yes, if the ship had missed the port I would have gotten a refund on my deposit.

 

I would not suggest an early tour, just because you never know for sure what you will run into. I had booked an early afternoon tour, booked the earliest non-priority tender there was, and I was still running behind.

 

Hope it all works out for you.

[Cruzzinagain]

We just got back from GC on the Carnival Magic. We rode the elevator down to get on the tender and it let's you bypass all of the people waiting in the stairwells. It took us about three tries to get an elevator that wasn't packed to the brim. Total time from first push of the button for the elevator to feet on the tender was about 20 minutes tops.

 

Steve

[cb at sea]

I don't know why folks think it's bad....it's not! You line up, get on the ferry, and head to land. The tender (ferry) seats about 150+ folks. Takes about 6 mins. to traverse the water from the ship to shore.

 

Not a big deal at all.

 

We've never felt the need to be in the first 2 groups....just go to the deck they tell you, line up, and get on the tender. Easy.

[Keith1010]

Tendering does not take very long as the ships are anchored relatively close to the tender pier.

 

Often those on ships excursions are allowed to get off first but this varies by cruise line.

 

Keith

[slmwo]

I appreciate everyone's experiences and wonder if you might offer some advice. We are supposed to be in port from 8-4. We are trying to figure out if we should schedule our private excursion (a 10-15 minute taxi drive away from the port) for 9-2 or 9:30-2:30 (with the last tender leaving at 3:15). Plus, there will be 5 ships in port that day, so not sure if that makes a difference. We are not sure what to do!!! Any advice is appreciated!!!

[mrsfuzzmo]

The issue (if the weather is good and they allow the tenders to run) is the specific ship and how they off load. It's not the tender ride (short, about 5-6 minutes) to shore, it's the way your ship will decided what time they will start tendering, how many people they have on excursions, how their tender process is going to work. Somoe have you pick up tickets in advance and you wait in a lounge until your number is called, some have a free-for all, some allow suite guests off first, it just depends much more on the ships processes than it does on getting to the island once you are on the tender.

 

There are three cruise terminals as well that are used, but they are close together.