Actual amount of time in ports

[Repeates]

We will be on the Caribbean Princess in June and I am trying to figure out the actual time that we will be able to get off of the ship at each port.  I know that there are tenders at a couple of the ports and have to keep that in consideration. Just wondering from your personal experience, as it would help with planning excursions. 

Grand Cayman 7am-4pm- Should we estimate that we would be at the actual port at 8am and be sure to return by 3pm?

Roatan 10-6

Belize 7-6

Cozumel 10-10pm

 

 

[jasbo49]

It's tough to be specific, but I think you have the right idea. Not every tender is the same. The tender rides in Belize were so long they ended up being fodder for comedians' jokes.

 

Cozumel, on the other hand, there will be lots of pier-runners just trying to beat the ship's sailing. Lots of time to spare there.

[Aus Traveller]

On tender ports, I have often noticed that the ship anchors earlier than the stated arrival time so that tenders are running not long after that stated time.

 

If you want to maximize your time ashore, make sure you get in line for an early tender ticket. Look in the Princess Patter for the time tickets will start being handed out and arrive at the designed lounge/dining room 20 minutes ahead of that time. You must have all of your party present and be ready to go. This way, you are likely to be on the first tender.

[Mike45LC]

If the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:00 p.m., the "all aboard" will likely be 3:00 p.m.  So you need to factor that in.

 

Some of the piers are far from the tourist destinations -- such as Cozumel.  The excursion to Chichen Itza is long, but well worth it.  On the other hand, if you just want to have a beach day, no problem!!

 

If the ship is tendering, there is a priority system that might not favor you.  Ship excursions get high priority.  High tier rewards club members get high priority.  Suite passengers get high priority.  The rest of the mortals on board have to line up and get tender tickets and then wait for their tender ashore.   Me, I usually have a leisurely breakfast and wait until after they stop using tender tickets before I go ashore -- unless I have shore plans!!

 

[Aus Traveller]

25 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

If the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:00 p.m., the "all aboard" will likely be 3:00 p.m.  So you need to factor that in.

 

I have often found the 'all aboard time' to be 30 minutes before departure.

[OCruisers]

23 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I have often found the 'all aboard time' to be 30 minutes before departure.

 

Agree .... Almost always All Aboard  is 30 minutes before the departure time listed.

In some tender ports it may be a bit earlier for the last tender.

 

 

[minabruuke]

In my experience, all aboard has been 30 minutes before departure time when docked and when at a tender point the last tender has been 1 hour before departure.

Edited April 25, 2019 by minabruuke

[Thrak]

They always list the time for the last tender so people can be sure to plan appropriately. We never try for the earliest tenders unless, of course, we have an early excursion. We prefer to have breakfast, get our stuff together, use the restroom (), and then head for the tender. Often, by that time, it's no longer necessary to get tickets.

[4cats4me]

Also,  not to be Debbie Downer,  but with tendering there is always th3 chance that a port can get called off.  Grand Cayman is a port that gets cancelled frequently.  Not to say that would happen on your sailing, but cancellations are a potential.    .  Last year, we were in Greece, all excited about visiting Mykonos, it looked like a beautiful clear weather day.  Captain cam3cover the loudspeaker and announced that we would be steaming onward due to rough tendering conditions.   

Regarding timing, the earlier you get a ticket the better position you will be in. Keep in mind, ships tours get preference in tendering their people off first, followed by Elites, and sometimes there are hundreds of Elites onboard, followed by independent travelers. 

On our last cruise last week, we didn’t care  disembark in Cabo, but the tender announcements went on and on.  Tendering began at 11:00 am, and at 2:30-2:45 they were up to tender group 80.  Announcements went on and on. Usually in Cabo, after a couple hours they give the all clear for anyone to go ashore.  

Each  tender port  has been a unique experience. 

[Aus Traveller]

1 hour ago, 4cats4me said:

Also,  not to be Debbie Downer,  but with tendering there is always th3 chance that a port can get called off.  Grand Cayman is a port that gets cancelled frequently.  Not to say that would happen on your sailing, but cancellations are a potential.    .  Last year, we were in Greece, all excited about visiting Mykonos, it looked like a beautiful clear weather day.  Captain cam3cover the loudspeaker and announced that we would be steaming onward due to rough tendering conditions.   

Regarding timing, the earlier you get a ticket the better position you will be in. Keep in mind, ships tours get preference in tendering their people off first, followed by Elites, and sometimes there are hundreds of Elites onboard, followed by independent travelers. 

On our last cruise last week, we didn’t care  disembark in Cabo, but the tender announcements went on and on.  Tendering began at 11:00 am, and at 2:30-2:45 they were up to tender group 80.  Announcements went on and on. Usually in Cabo, after a couple hours they give the all clear for anyone to go ashore.  

Each  tender port  has been a unique experience. 

I have always found that the tour groups don't all go first. As their shore-side transportation is available, a group will be escorted from the meeting point (probably Princess Theatre). Their tender is likely to have other passengers as well. When there are a lot of Elite pax on the cruise, they usually have to wait for a tender, but are separate from other passengers. We have sometimes have to wait a while (as Elite passengers) as the organisers take some Elite pax and some non-Elite to the next tender. That is fair.

Edited April 25, 2019 by Aus Traveller

[4cats4me]

10 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I have always found that the tour groups don't all go first. As their shore-side transportation is available, a group will be escorted from the meeting point (probably Princess Theatre). Their tender is likely to have other passengers as well. When there are a lot of Elite pax on the cruise, they usually have to wait for a tender, but are separate from other passengers. We have sometimes have to wait a while (as Elite passengers) as the organisers take some Elite pax and some non-Elite to the next tender. That is fair.

 

Yes.   We’ve experience all kinds of situations on different cruiselines regarding tendering.  On a different cruiseline where we have no status, we waited in line for tix at the crack of dawn and made it onto a tender before the tours.  Later, there was some kind of a delay, which basically delayed  most everyone else for two hours until tendering could resume.  

 

In  one port in Europe last year, the dining room was full with people waiting for tendering to begin.  A few Elites, no more than 8 were escorted to a separate area and were first to go to the tenders, even though everyone else had been waiting.  

 

On the last cruise the procedure was different altogether.   

 

For  those  with no priority,  however, it is best to get there extra early to assure an early spot on a tender.

 

We always expect it to be a process, and when it is not, we are pleasantly surprised. 😀

[Aus Traveller]

12 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

 

Yes.   We’ve experience all kinds of situations on different cruiselines regarding tendering.  On a different cruiseline where we have no status, we waited in line for tix at the crack of dawn and made it onto a tender before the tours.  Later, there was some kind of a delay, which basically delayed  most everyone else for two hours until tendering could resume.  

 

In  one port in Europe last year, the dining room was full with people waiting for tendering to begin.  A few Elites, no more than 8 were escorted to a separate area and were first to go to the tenders, even though everyone else had been waiting.  

 

On the last cruise the procedure was different altogether.   

 

For  those  with no priority,  however, it is best to get there extra early to assure an early spot on a tender.

 

We always expect it to be a process, and when it is not, we are pleasantly surprised. 😀

I was mentioning the process on Princess, not other cruiselines.

 

You  mention that on a cruise in Europe there were only a few elites and 8 were first to go to the tenders. To me this indicates there were not a lot of Elites on that cruise. I said that when there are a lot of Elites on a cruise (say around 1,000), they do not go ahead of all the other passengers. They also have to take their turn, but probably don't wait as long as the other pax.

[skynight]

12 hours ago, Repeates said:

We will be on the Caribbean Princess in June and I am trying to figure out the actual time that we will be able to get off of the ship at each port.  I know that there are tenders at a couple of the ports and have to keep that in consideration. Just wondering from your personal experience, as it would help with planning excursions. 

Grand Cayman 7am-4pm- Should we estimate that we would be at the actual port at 8am and be sure to return by 3pm?

Roatan 10-6

Belize 7-6

Cozumel 10-10pm

 

 

I am assuming you are not Captain's Circle Elite nor are you in a full suite. These passengers have access to priority tendering.

Grand Cayman, tender port. The ship runs its own tenders, and there are also tenders from shore. Tendering is fairly quick and the tender ride is not very long. 8:00 to 8:30 is reasonable to be on shore.

Belize is also a tender port. The water is shallow and the ship has to anchor a fair distance from the dock. The tender ride is about 20 minutes one way. You should be able to be on shore about 8:30.

In both of these tender ports realize that your entire group must report to the tender ticket location, normally a DR, to receive tender tickets. Its one ticket per person. One person can not pick up tickets for a group. The first to arrive receive the lower number tickets. Initial tenders may be filled with passengers that booked Princess tours.

There is notice in the Princess Patter regarding the last tender from shore. It is also on a sign as you depart the ship. Pay attention to that. It's normally 30 to 60 minutes prior to the sailing time.

Tender tickets are generally required for the first few hours. At some point in the morning tender tickets will no longer be required. An announcement will be made. 

In Roatan and Cozumel you are docked. Once the local authorities clear the ship you are free to leave. This happens fairly quickly.

FYI. In Roatan the ship docks at Mahogany Bay. It is basically a beach stop, with a very nice private beach. There is a shopping area as you exit the pier and over the bridge to the right is the beach. Come and go as you please. There is a chair lift to the beach for a fee, but it is an easy walk. Also, the entrance to Mahogany Bay is narrow. Under certain conditions the ship can not enter the channel.

 

[birdiebill]

You do not specify whether you are planning excursions through the ship or private ones through a private contractor.  If you are planning to book private excursions, just be aware that if you are not back on the ship at the appointed time, the ship will not wait for you.  It does not happen very often, but late comers from self directed sight seeing or from private excursions have been known to be left standing at the dock as their ship sails away.

[Colo Cruiser]

We always take a photo of the placard (last tender/be onboard by/sailing times etc) at the gangway when getting off.

Keep in mind the times in the Patter may not be accurate as it is printed the day before and times are subject to change.

[Steelers36]

On our most recent cruise, we were on the first tender (not quite Elite - one more cruise).  They were running a second (simultaneous) tender for the ship tours.  That worked well and perhaps this is done on any ship that can accommodate when there are hundreds of people wanting to go ashore. 

[Mike45LC]

1 hour ago, Colo Cruiser said:

We always take a photo of the placard (last tender/be onboard by/sailing times etc) at the gangway when getting off.

Keep in mind the times in the Patter may not be accurate as it is printed the day before and times are subject to change.

Also keep n mind that sometimes the "ship's time" and the local time might not be the same.  I don't recall if this is an issue on any of the ports you are visiting, but in Mazatlán, it is important to remember. 

 

Especially with Smart Phones that might adjust the time automatically without notice to you!!  I discovered this in Mazatlán, when my phone's time adjusted itself.  Fortunately, local time was one hour ahead of ship's time, so I was back to the ship an hour early -- had it been the other way, I might have missed the ship!

[Repeates]

Thank you everyone for the very helpful information!  We are planning private excursions and this is our first Princess cruise, to answer your question.  

 

Now on to research whether to zip line in Roatan or Belize...I know, real life problems! 😉

[memoak]

If you are planning on an excursion that is a long way from the port - I would opt for a ships tour just to be safe - they will wait for those to get back before sailing.  As an Elite we usually just line up behind whatever group is in line for the tenders - never had to wait more than 10 minutes

[OCruisers]

35 minutes ago, memoak said:

If you are planning on an excursion that is a long way from the port - I would opt for a ships tour just to be safe - they will wait for those to get back before sailing. 

 

Yes, per above ....

A long way from the  port and tendering -- do consider taking a shore excursion offered by the ship.  

[Mike45LC]

Ditto on the recommendation of using the ship's excursions for something far away!  In case of a breakdown of transportation, the ship will normally wait if it is a ship's excursion!

 

[Aus Traveller]

3 hours ago, memoak said:

As an Elite we usually just line up behind whatever group is in line for the tenders - never had to wait more than 10 minutes

Now that there are more Elite pax on the ship, sometimes these passengers also have to collect a ticket and wait. The Princess Patter will have details, but please don't assume you can just join the line for a tender. 

[4cats4me]

6 hours ago, memoak said:

 

This has  been our experience  too when cruising the Caribbean. Not an over abundance of Elites during the time of year we travel.   

 

 

Edited April 26, 2019 by 4cats4me

[Thrak]

8 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

Also keep n mind that sometimes the "ship's time" and the local time might not be the same.  I don't recall if this is an issue on any of the ports you are visiting, but in Mazatlán, it is important to remember. 

 

 

Was this on a Princess cruise? It has always been our experience that Princess ships have the same time as local time.

[jeromep]

On 4/24/2019 at 5:34 PM, Mike45LC said:

If the ship is tendering, there is a priority system that might not favor you.  Ship excursions get high priority.  High tier rewards club members get high priority.  Suite passengers get high priority.  The rest of the mortals on board have to line up and get tender tickets and then wait for their tender ashore.   Me, I usually have a leisurely breakfast and wait until after they stop using tender tickets before I go ashore -- unless I have shore plans!!

I have experienced both sides of the tendering priority situation.  If you are in a tender port and want to be off as soon as possible without having to wait in line you may want to consider purchasing a morning or long excursion from Princess.  You'll get "tender tickets" with your shore excursion tickets.  If you are booked in a full suite you will get tender tickets regardless of your plans on shore.  If you are Elite, I believe you also get tender tickets.

 

I was on a family cruise, we had a tender port with no booked excursion.  We had tender tickets because we were in a suite but the rest of the family didn't, so we waited with them in the dining rooms for our number to be called.  It was a long wait.  Princess would not extend priority tender embarkation to the rest of our party, and rightfully so, even though we were technically traveling together.

 

On the other hand, we had tender tickets at Princess Cays on another cruise and as we were coming down stairs we met with an officer, she saw we had tender tickets and basically just pointed us toward security and we were just dropped in the moving line of people headed to the next available tender.  All of them were coming out of the dining room after having waited.  We felt a little bad, but... tender tickets.