How does priority tendering work in the Med?

[Baby_Bear]

Hi, we will be on Rhapsody of the seas in August. One of the port stops is Santorini, sadly only there from 2-8 pm. I was there in 2010 for a wedding and could've stayed forever! Anyways, my question was how the tendering process works.

 

We are in a GS which I understand gives you priority however I also read on RCCL 's site that their tours take priority. Can we still get priority when tendering so as to get off the ship ahead of, or along with, their group tours. I want to book a private tour so we can maximize our time on the island and still make it back well in time, but I would need to advise the company when our guide and driver should pick us up, i. e., are we talking 2:15 or 2:30 or later.

 

Thanks much! I've never cruised in to Santorini before. I think it's the only one that's a tender port, the other ports are Kusadasi, Crete and Bodrum, which I think are all direct.

[steveru621]

Hi, we will be on Rhapsody of the seas in August. One of the port stops is Santorini, sadly only there from 2-8 pm. I was there in 2010 for a wedding and could've stayed forever! Anyways, my question was how the tendering process works.

 

We are in a GS which I understand gives you priority however I also read on RCCL 's site that their tours take priority. Can we still get priority when tendering so as to get off the ship ahead of, or along with, their group tours. I want to book a private tour so we can maximize our time on the island and still make it back well in time, but I would need to advise the company when our guide and driver should pick us up, i. e., are we talking 2:15 or 2:30 or later.

 

Thanks much! I've never cruised in to Santorini before. I think it's the only one that's a tender port, the other ports are Kusadasi, Crete and Bodrum, which I think are all direct.

 

On our last trip to Santorini there were two simultaneous tender runs on arrival. One tender brought you to the funicular, the other brought you to another part of the island to catch ship excursion buses. The return trip was only from the funicular.

 

All tenders were run by islanders not RCI. It is only my assumption; suite guests always are escorted, with priority, by the concierge.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Baby_Bear]

Hi -sorry, am reviving an older thread. So, just to confirm - given that we should have priority when tendering, is it realistic to assume that for a 2 pm docking and assuming the ship is on time, we should be off the ship by 2:30? We have a private tour booked and the guide and driver will be waiting at the top of the cable car for us. Or should I tell them 3? Our time in Santorini is so short, I really want to maximize the time and what we do there.

[steveru621]

Hi -sorry, am reviving an older thread. So, just to confirm - given that we should have priority when tendering, is it realistic to assume that for a 2 pm docking and assuming the ship is on time, we should be off the ship by 2:30? We have a private tour booked and the guide and driver will be waiting at the top of the cable car for us. Or should I tell them 3? Our time in Santorini is so short, I really want to maximize the time and what we do there.

 

Having enjoyed our visit to Santorini I can certainly understand why you are anxious to get started on your tour.

 

There are a few things you need to consider. Once the ship drops anchor it will take 15 minutes or so to open the docking hatches and get set up. When we were there Royal did not control the tenders. There is a good chance at that time of day there will be another ship competing for the tenders. Lastly if there is another ship, there may be a line for the cable cars.

 

It's just my opinion. I would think an experienced guide would know all of these things and adjust accordingly.

 

Enjoy your cruise.