Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

First time at tender port!

Stefanosthecruiselover
 Share

Recommended Posts

Tampa8

Tampa8

Posted
Posted (edited)

1. My experience, yes the lines can be a little long the ride is short.

 

2. Be aware you may not be able to go to the Island if the water is rough. That does happen with some frequency. Even though refunds for excursions are readily refunded, I don't buy them in advance particularly for tendered ports.

Edited by Tampa8
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Domino D

Domino D

Posted
Posted
We will be in Grand Cayman in March. We will have to tender in, since there are no docks. Do we have to wait in a long line to get on the tender boat? Is the ride to the island long? How is it all organized? Thanks for the help.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

The line is likely to be long, but honestly I have waited in some pretty long lines even when docked. It is more likely with tender, because it is slower with people having to board another boat. Then there is a stop when a tender departs and you have to wait for the next tender to pull into position.

 

The ride is not long.

 

It is not that different from the process at a docked port, as far as where to go and what you have to do.

 

Check out this video (and them some of the others) to get a better idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfcPIV2eH7o

 

Finally, depending on your schedule, excursion time, and such. There is always a rush when tendering begins, if you can wait until later, there are times when the lines are smaller.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Drazil65

Drazil65

Posted
Posted

Yes, the line can be long and people can be rude and pushy :mad: when they want to be "first" so we never book early morning excursions, ever, whether dock or tender....enjoy your breakfast, take your time getting ready and then go a bit after the mad dash of herded cattle (yes pretty accurate) the Island/port is not going anywhere.

 

Note: we have missed several ports in the past for choppy/rough seas and unable to tender over safely. It is rare we book anything for a tender port as you live and learn....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BND

BND

Posted
Posted (edited)

Does Carnival take those with early excursions off first? RCI does. We just got off of Grandeur and had an excursion first thing and we met in the theater and they took us off before they started announcing numbers.

 

Grand Cayman is a very, very short tender ride. It's all of about a 3 minute ride so the turn around is pretty quick. We actually sat on the tender waiting to get off and on longer than the ride, both directions. This was our second attempt at Gr. Cayman so we're 1 for 2.

 

We've tendered in Belize and Cabo San Lucas before and Belize is about a 5 mile ride, while Grand Cayman is about 1/2 mile. Makes a big difference in the amount of time waiting for a tender.

Edited by BND
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ABQrobin

ABQrobin

Posted
Posted

Yes, if you book an excursion with Carnival, you will be taken down to tender at a specific time. Those guests do get priority.

When we were tendered in Belize a few weeks ago, the snorkel boat met us there at our ship, so we were taken down together (everyone doing excursions met in the theatre at appointed time). Then we went directly onto our boat. Other groups that were doing land-based activities were being loaded on a tender boat at the other doorway together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crusin Hogs

Crusin Hogs

Posted
Posted
I used to go down to Deck Zero by way of elevator (not stairs) and join into the herded cattle. I've never been asked for a ticket and never had to wait. Now, I just flash my Platinum card.

 

Last several cruises we have done the elevator will not go to zero ,They lock it out Everyone goes to deck 1 ,in line from there , Just get FTTF on tender ports , We do ,We just go to service desk ,deck 3 when you are ready to get off the ship. They will have someone walk you to the front of the tender line and you get on the tender no waiting

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cb at sea

cb at sea

Posted
Posted

Even if you don't have FTTF, it doesn't take that long! The tender is BIG...it's not a rowboat, it's a big ferry...There's seldom a reason to be 1st off....that tender will have some wait....just don't plan on a very early off, and you'll be fine, with no stress!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tbbtravels

tbbtravels

Posted
Posted (edited)
Yes, the line can be long and people can be rude and pushy :mad: when they want to be "first" so we never book early morning excursions, ever, whether dock or tender....enjoy your breakfast, take your time getting ready and then go a bit after the mad dash of herded cattle (yes pretty accurate) the Island/port is not going anywhere.

 

Note: we have missed several ports in the past for choppy/rough seas and unable to tender over safely. It is rare we book anything for a tender port as you live and learn....

 

yep. I have gotten to where I wait for the tender open call now. Usually 2 hrs after the tendering starts. Huge double decker boat for tenders. Walk across a metal walk way to the ship. Only over the water a few feet and it's tied off to the tender as well as the ship. People to make sure you don't fall on both sides of the gangway. The tender boats will hold upwards of 200 people. Some tenders have steep steps to walk down between decks. Been told many times I can't take a non collapsible rolling walker but they allow a cane. Doesn't take long to get ashore on the tenders sometimes 15 minutes or sometimes a little longer (belize). They make you wait on the tenders till they have it mostly full or some number they have in mind. Carnival will have shade awning like tents set up when you get back to the pier. Will have the ship names on em. So if there are a bunch of ships - no worries about getting on the wrong tender.

We had lots of issues in Oct with rough seas and medical evacs. One port there was to suppose to be a land wedding. Bride and groom were on the cruise but 20 guest were waiting on land. Yep, no tender that day. Too choppy.

After that - I won't book an outside excursion or especially pre pay anything anymore with a tender port. CArnival refunds as soon as it's canceled - but the private stuff,,,,,,not a chance I want to take anymore. I wait and get something on the dock now. Cheaper and lots of cruise passengers do it. So you will see people from the tender on the private tours. Makes me feel better. LOL

Edited by tbbtravels
Link to comment
Share on other sites
evandbob

evandbob

Posted
Posted
Line cutters make the whole process slower.

 

I think you will change your mind about this platinum priority perk if you reach that level. I go to the courtesy desk and get a CCL employee to usher me off, so it seems more genuine.

 

Now about others without platinum status cutting into the line, I will join you in your sentiment. However, you were responding to another platinum pax "flashing his card", so I think you are a bit off base. It is an earned privilege and we platinums have that right to get priority.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Modder

Modder

Posted
Posted (edited)
No. I was responding to the poster who says they take an elevator to deck zero. NOW they just flash their platinum card indicating they did not before. So before they earned or paid for the perk, they were a line cutter and that's rude.

 

Logistically, I don't consider it cutting as I think of Deck Zero's elevator lobby being the merge point for those who use the stairs and elevators.

 

What do you think of guests with a disability who are unable to do stairs?

Edited by Modder
Link to comment
Share on other sites
tbbtravels

tbbtravels

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hey Bob! Glad to see you on the board again. Did you have good cruises on the Conquest? I searched you down in the restaurant after I met Rich/walkenkeg in the casino and we started chatting. LOL, no I don't Stalker much.

That was a nice cruise with fun people on it. Best staff I encountered on my 5 weeks in a row. Compared to Breeze and Glory.

I left the conquest and got on the Breeze on your week 2. We had 3 medical evacs and missed ports...after the missed itinerary on the Conquest due to the diversion for the hurricane - I was broke in on back to backs. :D.

 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, It is an earned privilege and we platinums have that right to get priority.

 

Off topic again,,,,,,,Woohoo I am finally turning platinum on my next cruise. Dec 7th cruise out of NOLO on the Dream. Will be my spouses first cruise!

Edited by tbbtravels
Link to comment
Share on other sites
happycruisers1011

happycruisers1011

Posted
Posted

Our experience with the whole process is just to wait it out for an hour or two no worries dealing with the crowds. The only part that slows down the process we saw were folks that are mobility impaired negotiating the way to board the tender. The total transit time from/to your ship is minimal. Takes longer for the load/unload process of the tender.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...