Priority Tendering

[the2ofus]

Two weeks ago I was at Half Moon Cay on Nieuw Amsterdam. As a 4-star mariner I could have claimed access to the first tender going ashore or priority tendering anytime after that. Since I was traveling with my Dear Sis who has not achieved 4-star status I would not have considered leaving her to wait with the masses. I did wonder, though, just how one goes about claiming priority tendering at any time in that first rush of 1200 pax all anxious to go ashore.

 

An hour after tendering started the line was hundreds of people long. Who has the chutzpah to push past all those folks proclaiming "I'm 4-star, let me through please" or words to that effect?

 

I'm half kidding here, but really, is priority tendering more of a feel-good idea than a practical reality? Same with priority boarding at some ports. HAL may say it exists but if shoreside operations aren't on the same page it doesn't happen.

[vicocala]

When someone answers this, on a very related note if they could also address priority disembarkation as well it would be appreciated.

 

I took this to mean you don't have to have a tender ticket that you can just go down and get in line, or conversely, you show your key card to a HAL representative and they escort you to the tender.:confused:

[localady]

In my experience, most of our tendering has been done with tender tickets. We were simply able to skip the tender ticket and go straight to the back of the line on deck A. In our case, the passage was monitored by a crew member who you showed your room key to, and they let you pass. We never flaunted the fact that we were "4 Star" :eek: and once on deck A, we did wait in the line for the tender just like everyone else, there was just no need to get a tender ticket. :D

 

I have read here before the only time it's truly an issue is during cruises like the World Cruise where everyone is 4 Star! ;)

[vicocala]

So, is that the same with disembarking? Instead of waiting for your number or color you just get in line to get off, or are you allowed to leave later or how exactly does that work?

 

Thanks.

[the2ofus]

On the NA the line stretched from the far end of the Deck 1 atrium down the staircase to A deck. Might have been possible to take the glass elevators to A deck but I suspect you'd get some dirty looks from folks who had waited. I'm not a pushy person and didn't mind waiting and chatting with folks in line. It just got me wondering about the whole "Our HAL Mariners are special people" PR thing.

 

I sure did like the no-charge laundry perk though!

[localady]

So, is that the same with disembarking? Instead of waiting for your number or color you just get in line to get off, or are you allowed to leave later or how exactly does that work?

 

Thanks.

With disembarkation generally you are guaranteed to be given the time you request. There is an opportunity for the earliest debarkation for 4 star and suite customers, but usually I prefer a later time and I have generally been given whatever I have requested.

[sail7seas]

As a Suite Guest and Four Star, we are permitted to go to the gangway without stopping first in the lounge to get a tender ticket.

 

When we go to the gangway, we get in the back of the line and wait our turn.

There is no 'demanding' to be on the first tender. Actually, the first tender(s) are usually for those with HAL booked tours.

 

They usually control the number of guests permitted to the gangway to wait a tender so the line is not often permitted to get very long. They hold guests in the lounge until the gangway advises they are ready for the next group.

 

As to priority debark, Four Star and Suite guests may request a particular debark time they want. Usually numbers/colors are assigned depending upon your onward travel plans. Someone with an early flight is given an earlier debark number than someone who is driving home, for example.

[localady]

On the NA the line stretched from the far end of the Deck 1 atrium down the staircase to A deck.

 

Funny, we were on the Nieuw Amsterdam from 10/5 to 11/12/12 and they had the tender system worked out well. There was never that kind of back up and the system seemed to work well. Each cruise is so different!:rolleyes:

[vicocala]

Thanks for the information. I usually self-disembark. Can I request to just disembark after I finish my breakfast?:D

[localady]

Thanks for the information. I usually self-disembark. Can I request to just disembark after I finish my breakfast?:D

You sure can and the one that could really mess it up still would be US Customs and Border Patrol !! ;) :rolleyes:

[sapper1]

Funny, we were on the Nieuw Amsterdam from 10/5 to 11/12/12 and they had the tender system worked out well. There was never that kind of back up and the system seemed to work well. Each cruise is so different!:rolleyes:

 

On that particular HMC stop referred to by the OP, we were an hour and a half late arriving due to the diversion to Grand Turk the previous day to disembark three medical emergencies. This made everyone very anxious to get off and enjoy their day.

 

The lines were very long and in spite of being four star we just stayed onboard. No way were we going to push ahead of anyone else. We had booked a clamshell but decided that the loss of fifteen dollars was preferable to facing the jam of passengers. While we were in the Crow's Nest around 11AM a group came up and announced that they had given up trying to get off.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Two weeks ago I was at Half Moon Cay on Nieuw Amsterdam. As a 4-star mariner I could have claimed access to the first tender going ashore or priority tendering anytime after that. Since I was traveling with my Dear Sis who has not achieved 4-star status I would not have considered leaving her to wait with the masses. I did wonder, though, just how one goes about claiming priority tendering at any time in that first rush of 1200 pax all anxious to go ashore.

 

An hour after tendering started the line was hundreds of people long. Who has the chutzpah to push past all those folks proclaiming "I'm 4-star, let me through please" or words to that effect?

 

I'm half kidding here, but really, is priority tendering more of a feel-good idea than a practical reality? Same with priority boarding at some ports. HAL may say it exists but if shoreside operations aren't on the same page it doesn't happen.

 

PS, Deluxe Suites and 4 star Mariners have never had priority boarding in the various ports whether or not it be a tender port. They just get in line.

From HAl's site:

4-Star Mariner

Guests who collect 200 or more Cruise Day credits join our elite group of 4-Star Mariners. These premier travelers will receive all the following benefits:

 

• Welcome Back Embarkation Lunch in the dining room (from 12:00pm to 1:30pm) as well as a complimentary Mariner Champagne Brunch
  
• A collectible gift presented to you on board
  
• A 50% discount on specialty restaurant surcharges, wine packages†, beverages in the Explorations Café† and all mini-bar purchases†
  
• A complimentary winetasting session
  
• Complimentary laundry and pressing services†
  
• A 15% discount on Holland America Line logo clothing sold in onboard shops (may exclude already discounted merchandise)
  
• A 15% discount on merchandise from www.shophollandamerica.com
  
• Discounts on select spa treatments from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon
  
• Priority disembarkation†
  
• Priority tender†
  
• Priority check-in†
  
• Early notification of shore excursions available for prebooking*
  
• A complimentary photo of the ship
  
• A special recognition lapel pin
  
• A complimentary one-year subscription to Travel + Leisure or Food & Wine magazine (one per household)
  
• A free subscription to the print or digital* version of Mariner magazine
  
• An annual cruise planner
  
• Advance notice of new itineraries*
  
• Offers to special sailings hosted by a representative of the Mariner Society
  
• Special offers on select sailings
  
• Waiver of air deviation fees†
  
• Complimentary cruise fare on 3rd/4th guest in your stateroom on select sailings
  

[cruz chic]

Every time lately I have been to HMC lately there has been no tender tickets because they have had the big tenders. It is usually lined up late or not. There is no choice but to wait in my mind. I don't know why HAL decides to go this route.