Princess ship docks at 8:00 - can I make an 8:30 non-cruise tour

[Globaler]

Can I make it to an 8:30 non-cruise ship tour? The tour meet is 3 min from dock and check in is at 8:30 and boarding is 10 min later.

[karatemom2]

Depends on a lot of variables. What port is it? Is it a tender port or a docked port?

 

If it is a docked port, there is a good chance you can make it if there are no delays and the ship clears in a timely manner. There are always issues where a ship can be delayed docking for one reason or another, or may take longer to clear, so if you decide to go for it, maybe ascertain with the vendor if they offer refunds if the ship is delayed or misses the port for some reason.

 

If they won't agree to that, it may be a gamble - a good one most likely, but a gamble nonetheless because delays do happen. But I know your a gambler! ; )

 

However, if it is a tender port, I wouldn't schedule a tour that close to arrival. Takes a lot longer to get off of the ship sometimes in situations where water shuttles are required.

[skynight]

Probably very risky. Ships are required to obtain clearance from the local authorities before passengers can disembark. If the private tour company is offering a tour for those.on your ship then the company is aware they.have to wait for passengers to disembark. If it's something like a scheduled ferry I would not risk it. Another thing to consider is the port. If the previous port was in the same country as the current port then local authorities don't have to clear

[Globaler]

Well the port is the Azores and it is a dock. They won’t wait but I am a gambler! Just curious what is the normal time to get off ship if ship docks at 8? Thanks all

Edited March 18 by Globaler

[skynight]

It all depends on the local authorities. Can't give an exact answer.

[karatemom2]

Just now, Globaler said:

Well the port is the Azores so I am assuming it is a dock. They won’t wait but I am a gambler! Just curious what is the normal time to get off ship if ship docks at 8? Thanks all

 

Well, your mileage may vary. In the majority of our docked ports across the years, we have arrived on time - sometimes even early. We have successfully gotten off the ship literally within minutes of the all clear being called and often caught early tours. Most recently in PV for our New Year's cruise, we had a similar situation where the meeting time was at 8:30 with an 8:00 a.m. arrival - it was a little hair raising because we had to walk a lot further then what you are anticipating, but we made it by the skin of our teeth. We are gamblers too. : )

 

However, we have had experiences where we were delayed docking from an hour to two hours even, and we have missed ports. In Belfast, we were two hours late, but our private tour was all cruise ship passengers and waited for us and gave us an abbreviated tour. In a couple of instances we missed ports and the vendors refunded our money.

 

It's a crap shoot when you are cutting it that close - but the odds are generally in your favor, so if it is a tour you really want to take and your are willing to take the risk - I say go for it. Roll those dice!!

[Globaler]

1 minute ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Well, your mileage may vary. In the majority of our docked ports across the years, we have arrived on time - sometimes even early. We have successfully gotten off the ship literally within minutes of the all clear being called and often caught early tours. Most recently in PV for our New Year's cruise, we had a similar situation where the meeting time was at 8:30 with an 8:00 a.m. arrival - it was a little hair raising because we had to walk a lot further then what you are anticipating, but we made it by the skin of our teeth. We are gamblers too. : )

 

However, we have had experiences where we were delayed docking from an hour to two hours even, and we have missed ports. In Belfast, we were two hours late, but our private tour was all cruise ship passengers and waited for us and gave us an abbreviated tour. In a couple of instances we missed ports and the vendors refunded our money.

 

It's a crap shoot when you are cutting it that close - but the odds are generally in your favor, so if it is a tour you really want to take and your are willing to take the risk - I say go for it. Roll those dice!!

Thanks and I agree. Meeting place is real close and I should have till 8:40 to get there with at most 5 min walk. 🍸

[leck57]

If you dock on time at 8am, it is rare that the all clear is given within 30 minutes. However, as mentioned above, in my experience we often arrive early so you could be ok.

[startedwithamouse]

Are all the tour guests passengers from the ship?

[Globaler]

No they aren’t.

[Globaler]

12 minutes ago, leck57 said:

If you dock on time at 8am, it is rare that the all clear is given within 30 minutes. However, as mentioned above, in my experience we often arrive early so you could be ok.

I would hope they would arrive early so passengers can get off the ship around 8 since it shows being in port from 8-5. But then again maybe I’m just wishing.

[karatemom2]

1 minute ago, Globaler said:

I would hope they would arrive early so passengers can get off the ship around 8 since it shows being in port from 8-5. But then again maybe I’m just wishing.

 

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is your scheduled port time. In general, in our experience, the ship docks earlier then that so that hopefully the all clear is called right on time or close to on time. We have even seen it called early. Remember, there are many ship tours that leave promptly as well and need to have clearance to get passengers rolling on those early excursions, so every effort is made to adhere to those posted times.

 

If there is a going to be a significant delay or potential to miss a port, they will make every effort to notify passengers as early as possible.

[Globaler]

Update - thank you all for your input. I have decided to cancel my original tour and book with another tour that requires payment at the dock the day of the tour.  It was a gamble whether the ship docks on time, gets cleared and we get off the ship and to the meeting point on time. To stressful for this gambler and the alternate tour is well rated and as I mentioned you pay at the dock. So if the ship doesn’t make it on time, doesn’t get cleared on time etc - I’m not out my money but I also don’t get to go on the tour 🙁

[cr8tiv1]

57 minutes ago, Globaler said:

Update - thank you all for your input. I have decided to cancel my original tour and book with another tour that requires payment at the dock the day of the tour.  It was a gamble whether the ship docks on time, gets cleared and we get off the ship and to the meeting point on time. To stressful for this gambler and the alternate tour is well rated and as I mentioned you pay at the dock. So if the ship doesn’t make it on time, doesn’t get cleared on time etc - I’m not out my money but I also don’t get to go on the tour 🙁

 

Wise decision.  Most excursion operators who are responsible will work with cruise passengers.  I would never book with an operator that had stringent payment requirements.  I hope the ship makes your port in time.

[Globaler]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:19 PM, karatemom2 said:

 

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is your scheduled port time. In general, in our experience, the ship docks earlier then that so that hopefully the all clear is called right on time or close to on time. We have even seen it called early. Remember, there are many ship tours that leave promptly as well and need to have clearance to get passengers rolling on those early excursions, so every effort is made to adhere to those posted times.

 

If there is a going to be a significant delay or potential to miss a port, they will make every effort to notify passengers as early as possible.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I just decided I’d rather have more options!

Edited March 20 by Globaler

[Arizona Wildcat]

On 3/18/2024 at 2:14 PM, Globaler said:

I would hope they would arrive early so passengers can get off the ship around 8 since it shows being in port from 8-5. But then again maybe I’m just wishing.

Arive early?  Possible.  Disembarking early?  Not likely but possible.  Would depend if port authorities open early and your prior port as they could possibly clear your ship (we had multipleports in the Azores).  Lots of what ifs.

Thus . . . . Do you go to casinos?  This would be better odds than playing the slot machines but definitely worse than playing blackjack. 

My question would be:

Is the tour refundable if your ship is delayed or misses the port (we have missed one port on each of our last 5 cruises)?

If not I would look elsewhere.. You need to decide what works for you.

[Globaler]

1 minute ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Arive early?  Possible.  Disembarking early?  Not likely but possible.  Would depend if port authorities open early and your prior port as they could possibly clear your ship (we had multipleports in the Azores).  Lots of what ifs.

Thus . . . . Do you go to casinos?  This would be better odds than playing the slot machines but definitely worse than playing blackjack. 

My question would be:

Is the tour refundable if your ship is delayed or misses the port (we have missed one port on each of our last 5 cruises)?

If not I would look elsewhere.. You need to decide what works for you.

Exactly why I did book a different tour where I can pay at the dock.

[Jnsplace1]

You've already canceled, but I do want to state my recent experience.

 

I had a similar concern about a tour that departed at 730 after a "7" arrival.  in the FAQ on their website; they said that the tour times match the expected arrival times of the cruise ships on those days.    The tour would shift a little if the ship was a few minutes late, they are experienced in that.

 

That said, this is a tour company that has very high ratings and is experienced in the ways of cruise ships and dock times.   The only reason I went ahead and booked is that they stated it, and would stand by it.

PS: this is Alaska, so that could be all the difference.

 

[Steelers36]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:47 PM, Globaler said:

Well the port is the Azores and it is a dock. They won’t wait but I am a gambler! Just curious what is the normal time to get off ship if ship docks at 8? Thanks all

Don't understand this.  I have never had an independent provider that was not going to wait.  The good ones understand ship time can vary a bit.  I'd be finding another tour provider.  That said, we have scheduled a meetup for 30 minutes after dock time and not had issues, even if a bit late.  I just make sure everyone knows to be down and ready to disembark before the appointed hour. 

[Globaler]

1 hour ago, Jnsplace1 said:

You've already canceled, but I do want to state my recent experience.

 

I had a similar concern about a tour that departed at 730 after a "7" arrival.  in the FAQ on their website; they said that the tour times match the expected arrival times of the cruise ships on those days.    The tour would shift a little if the ship was a few minutes late, they are experienced in that.

 

That said, this is a tour company that has very high ratings and is experienced in the ways of cruise ships and dock times.   The only reason I went ahead and booked is that they stated it, and would stand by it.

PS: this is Alaska, so that could be all the difference.

 

Agree - the tour company said others are coming that aren’t on the cruise ship so they were going to stay with their time. I have a tour booked so no big deal. Also if it is really rough we can forgo the tour.

[TheArtfulPenguin]

On 3/18/2024 at 1:21 PM, Globaler said:

Can I make it to an 8:30 non-cruise ship tour? The tour meet is 3 min from dock and check in is at 8:30 and boarding is 10 min later.

I would check with the tour operator.  This couldn't be the first time dealing with close dock times.

 

I'd ask this:"If the ship is delayed or we are delayed getting off the ship... Do you wait for passengers? If not, is there a refund?

 

If not then I wouldn't risk it. Unless you are willing to write off the cost.

[Globaler]

2 hours ago, TheArtfulPenguin said:

I would check with the tour operator.  This couldn't be the first time dealing with close dock times.

 

I'd ask this:"If the ship is delayed or we are delayed getting off the ship... Do you wait for passengers? If not, is there a refund?

 

If not then I wouldn't risk it. Unless you are willing to write off the cost.

Thanks I agree. I called and they won’t wait and no refund - so we cancelled.