Viking tendering process - what to expect?

[SempreMare]

Am trying to visualize the "critical moments" on this British Isles Explorer trip carefully.  

(am healing from hot air balloon crash landing --> torn rotator cuff -->  surgery -->  now in this sling...)

 

In general, mobility is good besides left shoulder.  Hit  > 16,000 steps on Kings Day in Holland. 

But still, at the moment, I feel a lot less stable now.     

 

Tender ports shown with the red anchors on Page 3, Guest Statement include: 

• London (Greenwich)
• The Highlands (Ullapool)
• Orkney Islands (Kirkwall)
• Edinburgh (Newhaven Habour)

 

On my first and only cruise so far, Holland America to Alaska, I don't think we had any tender ports.  So am not sure what to expect...

 

I searched for Viking Tendering process on YouTube.  Closest hit was a video about Princess.

Any advise on how to be safe while tendering at these ports? 

 

I don't recall reading anywhere that Viking gives priority access to tendering occurs based on room category, correct? 

(Or if they do, it's not publicized.)  

[Jim Avery]

Very safe!  At the first sign of any danger they will stop tendering and you will have a very nice sea day.  Tenders (you have not done one?) are small boats and the seating is a bench shared with a hundred or more of your fellow passengers.  Not the Ritz!  But necessary in places.  In Greenwich it is in a river in a city.  Very protected and no farther than a sand wedge.  In Edinburgh it is medium long and can be bumpy if the weather is windy.  No two ports are alike.  🍸

[Mich3554]

Tendering on Viking is normally due to when your excursion leaves, not room category.  If you have a private tour, you can make arrangements to leave accordingly.  
I think as long as you have access to a railing, you should be good.  There are many unstable people on a tender who manage ok.  

[travelbug11]

There are 8 inside steps to get to the tender.  It’s very well lit and easy to do.

[molymoo]

It is simple and safe and crew members are there to assist at every part of the process.  I’m not as steady as I used to be and even my clumsy self can manage to not humiliate myself in the process! 😆

[Heidi13]

Viking tendering is vastly superior to Princess, and I should know, having experienced both sides of the Princess process.

 

Tender Set-Up

Many cruise lines use pontoons alongside the ship, which are lowered from above, or fold out from the hull. They also have narrower external stairs down to the platform from the Uppermost Continuous Deck. The tenders dock alongside the pontoons, rather than the actual ship. This all takes time to set up.

 

Viking bring the tenders directly alongside the ship, at one of the Shell Doors, so the set-up time is considerably less. Viking has a wide internal staircase from the Uppermost Continuous Deck (Deck "A") to the boarding location. Lots of room on the stairs for crew to assist. 

 

Tendering Process

Viking do not provide any queue jumping for higher category cabins and since they have no loyalty levels, that isn't available either.

 

If on a Viking Shore-ex, you are normally requested to meet in the Star Theatre, at the time stated on your ticket. When they are ready for your tour or group, you are escorted to the aft stairwell, where you can take the stairs or lifts down to Deck "A". On clearing the security desk, you descend a single flight of athwartships, internal stairs which takes you to a level platform at an external Shell Door. The tender is secured alongside the ship and at the same level as the deck. Therefore, it is an easy step across a narrow gap to the tender. Crew are available to assist and steady you during the transition.

 

If going ashore independently, you are asked to meet in the Living Room Bar. A crew member relays numbers to the tender officer. When they have space on a tender, you are requested to head down the aft stairs. In Bay of Islands, our group of 8 on a private tour waited only 5-10 mins, getting aboard the first pax tender.

 

The entire operation is very safe, and they have lots of crew to assist. What is more important, in the critical transition or the stairs they have lots of room for crew to assist, and also hold on themselves. If the conditions are not safe, the Master will cancel the tender port and if iffy, the Bridge manoeuvres the ship to provide a lee for the tenders while alongside.

 

Another tidbit. Tenders are also lifeboats and as such they must be capable of remaining afloat even when filled to the gunnels (Gunwhale) with water. So, while the Titanic was promoted as being unsinkable, lifeboats really are.

[Sunflower & The Scientist]

No worries about the process of getting on the boat, they are always good about lending you a hand and making sure you are steady on your feet.  

[CILCIANRQTS]

To the point where they will even lift you up and transfer you on/off the tender if you are very unsteady. Never had a problem with my bad knees.

[CurlerRob]

Agree with all above that it's safe and easy.

 

If your sling is not obvious, just be sure to advise the crew to be cautious of your arm - they will adjust accordingly. (but you likely don't want someone inadvertently grabbing your bad wing!). 🍺🥌

[TayanaLorna]

In Greenwich (at least when we were there), the ship actually moors alongside a mid river platform.  You disembark the Viking ship to this rather stable platform and then board a ferry to the port on land.  In Kirkwall, the port could be cancelled if its too windy.  It could also change from a tender to docking port.  Now Edinburgh could be dicey as the ship anchors quite a way off.  It could be calm in the AM and choppy in the PM.  This said and ditto what others have said, there are railings and handholds all along the way to the tenders as well as Viking staff to help you.  I have a bit of a balance issue and i cannot take giant steps from one level to another but have managed it with the help of the staff.  Some tips - keep both arms and hands free, wear a backpack for your things, put your key card away immediately after you scan it to disembark and that water bottle Viking givesyou too, tell the staff what to do to help you, offer the hand or arm you want them to use, watch the movement between the ship and the tender and only take that step when you are comfortable, the ship and tender may go up and down differently so be sure to watch this and take your step accordingly,  don't let eager or impatient passengers behind you hurry you.

[KBs mum]

Ullapool is fairly sheltered, wind speed is more a problem than waves. There is a steepish concrete slope or steps to get from the dockside up to the street (depending where the tender lands) that can be slippery if the sea has dumped a load of sand or seaweed on it recently. 

Ullapool has two steep streets and there are stairs inside a number of the shops, otherwise no problem mobility wise

 

[formernuke]

Having had two such shoulder surgeries (once each side), I would say if you are past the point that you don't have to wear the sling all the time and are doing weights in PT, you are probably OK, but there is a chance you will be bumped or bump into things. You need to avoid the impulse to grab things to steady yourself, of course. If you are still at the stage that you are supposed to wear the sling all the time, I personally would not risk it.