Tendering

[SRCcruiser]

We are on the Pearl, September 9th. Two questions about tendering: What is the tendering procedure for people who are not doing an NCL excursion? In Sicily, I have organized a private shore excursion with cruise mates from the roll call. Where would be the best spot for us to meet so that we can get on the same tender?

 

[don't-use-real-name]

The NCL sanctioned shore excursions and Haven guests have Priority in tendering. 

If in a suite check with your Concierge for coordination on this.

Anyone in your group have suite guest status better than you own - use it.

If not check with Guest Services - talk with the Hotel Director.

Depending on how large your group is recommendations can be made and the appropriate tender tickets issued.

The timing of your shore excursion relative to arrival at the dock of course plays a part in this.

In or near the boarding gangway maybe a suitable assembly location yet on the other hand not so much.

Have enough time research a possible assembly spot - a bar - lounge - passageway adjacent to the gangway.

Something that your group can slip rapidly on board the tender when called.

 

Then figure out the best arrangement for assembly meeting your on shore excursion and what happens if

you get split up on two tenders. Best that you all be on the same one !

 

Realize that if things don't go real smooth one or more phases of the hired shore excursion maybe shortened

to get back on board timely.

 

Usually these are pulled off with apblom - relax don't get terribly excited if something goes not exactly as planned !

Make sure however that you are using an accredited shore excursion guide not an  johnny come lately fly by night !

 

[Turtles06]

2 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

The NCL sanctioned shore excursions and Haven guests have Priority in tendering. 

If in a suite check with your Concierge for coordination on this.

Anyone in your group have suite guest status better than you own - use it.

 

Not just Haven guests, but guests in any suites will have priority in tendering. And NCL’s Latitudes rewards chart says Gold on up have priority as well.  

 

One note for suite guests about dealing with the Concierge on this — he or she does not have to permit non-suite guests to accompany the suite guests in any priority disembarkation, so be careful not to put the Concierge in a difficult position. For example, if there are only two suite guests and 14 other people heading off for a mini-van tour together, that’s quite a lot to ask when it’s a tender port. 

 

On a more general note for the OP, if the ship is giving out tender tickets, then your group should coordinate and get in line for tickets together. 

Edited August 13, 2019 by Turtles06

[KeithJenner]

The key thing about tendering is that there are no set rules. On some cruises tickets are given out days in advance, sometimes on the morning of the port. Sometimes you can get them via the app, sometimes in person

 

Ask onboard and keep an eye and ear out for announcements.

[PelicanBill]

Often there are no "tickets."  They just escort the suite/Havens passengers who want to go early, and the ship tours to the first and second tenders and send then off... then they start allowing those who have lined up to do...often there is no announcement for the rest so when you see the line forming join it.

 

other times you can sign up for a tender time but my experience is that you will get on earliest just by lining up.  There was no real enforcement of the times.

[SRCcruiser]

Just to give a little more information. Our group has only 8 people, none of them in a suite. So the advise is to find a meeting place to get on the same tender?

[Budget Queen]

The best solution I have found is to be ready to go earlier than posted.   I always meet my groups in the atrium usually 30 minutes prior to posted times    I’ve always docked in Messina including last month.   On the Pearl.     I will caution there can be a LOT of Latitudes “priority “ people on board.  It’s hardly much of a benefit when haft the ship qualifies.   Best as I suggest is to be ready and staged early.   (A lot of first hand experience with this).  

[Turtles06]

22 minutes ago, SRCcruiser said:

Just to give a little more information. Our group has only 8 people, none of them in a suite. So the advise is to find a meeting place to get on the same tender?

 

Yes.  And tender or not, when I've organized private shorex, I find it is much easier to have everyone meet on board and get off the ship together rather than trying to find people on the pier and wonder if the folks no one can find have even gotten off the ship.

[Turtles06]

9 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

I will caution there can be a LOT of Latitudes “priority “ people on board.  It’s hardly much of a benefit when haft the ship qualifies.

 

I agree.  When virtually everyone has priority no one really does.

[SRCcruiser]

12 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

The best solution I have found is to be ready to go earlier than posted.   I always meet my groups in the atrium usually 30 minutes prior to posted times    I’ve always docked in Messina including last month.   On the Pearl.     I will caution there can be a LOT of Latitudes “priority “ people on board.  It’s hardly much of a benefit when haft the ship qualifies.   Best as I suggest is to be ready and staged early.   (A lot of first hand experience with this).  

 

Since you were on the Pearl, do you have any suggestions on where the best place to meet would be? Thanks for your ideas.

[Budget Queen]

23 minutes ago, SRCcruiser said:

 

Since you were on the Pearl, do you have any suggestions on where the best place to meet would be? Thanks for your ideas.

I mentioned the Atrium.   That was where I used.   

[Mountainview1]

Hi

Are you sure you are tendering I was on the jade in May. In Sicily we docked in Messina no tendering took place. 

[don't-use-real-name]

1 hour ago, Mountainview1 said:

Hi

Are you sure you are tendering I was on the jade in May. In Sicily we docked in Messina no tendering took place. 

How many berths are available for docking of ship(s) ?

If there is only one then you would not be tendering.

From the Map LINK below it appears that up to 3 fair size ships can be docked - no tender.

 

Map LINK:

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Province+of+Messina,+Italy/@38.1915374,15.5636422,3053m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x131686c19a9b6e5d:0x30b042967b68290!8m2!3d38.1937369!4d15.5542157

[SRCcruiser]

The ship is not going to Messina. The port is listed as Taormina, though it is about a 25 minute drive to there. We are tendering off of Giardini-Naxos.