How is the tendering process on the Koningsdam?

[schildiams]

We are considering a 35 day cruise that requires many tendered ports after numerous sea days. After a bad experience on NCL in the past with tenders (very long waits, some ports being cancelled b/c couldn't tender, etc.) we are wondering if this itinerary is next for us. Can anyone comment on how good (or bad) the tender process in on HAL - specifically the Koningsdam? Thanks so much!

[CruiserBruce]

Conditions can affect tendering for any ship or cruise line.

 

We have tendered both on KDam and her sister N. Statendam this year. It went fine...no problems. 

[sailingdutchy]

Sounds like you are planning a Hawaii &Tahiti cruise @schildiamswhich would be wonderful .There are a couple of very important points to consider . The Captain will never take chances by  taking risks and dropping the tender boats in bad weather he might sometimes test the waters first if it looks too rough or change at the last minute coarse to go to a different port and change itinerary  which can happen in any tender port . They also look of coarse if there is a chance that the weather will change in the coarse of the day .

Than the normal order of tendering is that there are two groups that are allowed to get in the tenders first , those on Holland America tours , also 4 and 5 star Mariners and people that have purchased Club Orange for this particular cruise that you are on . 

 

For the rest of the guests you will have to pick up tender tickets at a particular location on board which will be announced so you might have to wait your turn and stand in line in for instance the World Stage location or the Queens Lounge.

It usually is  very well organized and after about an hour from starting the tendering operations than anybody can get on or off whenever . Sometimes it gets messy specially if people feel they have the right to break rank and start pushing or abusing crew that are in charge .

 

We have been on the Koningsdam quite a few times and most of the time things have gone smoothly , but also have had disappointments when we came to a particular location and the Captain had to change coarse because it was unsafe to get either into the Port or Bay  or to get on the tender boats .

 

Enjoy your cruise 

 

Tony 

[CruiserBruce]

21 minutes ago, sailingdutchy said:

@schildiams 

Than the normal order of tendering is that there are two groups that are allowed to get in the tenders first , those on Holland America tours , also 4 and 5 star Mariners and people that have purchased Club Orange for this particular cruise that you are on . 

And suite guests.

[FlaMariner]

We've cruised the NS, K'dam and Rotterdam.....and had several tender ports (not just HMC) and we commented that it seemed that tendering was faster and easier than on the older/smaller ships. No issues with lines.  And we travel in steerage and 3 stars on our belly so nothing special. 

 

Now we have had weather issues that kept us from stopping at non-tender ports........we missed Porta Delgado twice, Cozumel once.....so it's a crap shoot for any port anyway, in our experience.  And HMC (tender) we have missed one time out of ten or so attempts. 

 

(We've also commented that it seems that HAL has done a good job of eliminating any lines....remember embarkation lines "back in the day".....Now we fly thru and hardly have time to put our passport away....love it)

 

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by FlaMariner

[Hlitner]

Tendering on HAL is always a "joy"   NOT!  The problem is that many HAL cruisers are entitled to tender priority and some of those folks feel like that should be treated even better than priority.  At times it can become comical.   Bottom line is that tendering is never fun when lots of folks want to be among the first ashore.    The only solution is to cruise on luxury cruise lines where the ships have relatively few passengers.  

 

Hank