Kona Tendering question...

[Cruisecontroler]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get on the first tender to Kona when you're doing a "non-NCL" excursion? (I have an excursion booked that leaves early. They said the timing will be crucial, but do-able if I'd be able to be on the first tender, then quickly get a taxi to make it on there on time.:confused: )

 

Thanks for any help with this question.

[Jfeasel]

I was just on the Aug. 5 PofAm and if you didn't have an NCL excursion, you had to wait in line to get a ticket with a number on it and you were called off by numbers. We did an NCL excursion that day so we all met in the Hollywood Theater and were escourted down by staff. Everyone on our tender was on the same excursion and I didn't see anyone with numbered tickets getting off when we did. I think they make sure the NCL excursions that need to leave early are done first.

[KeystoneCruiser]

NCL shore excursions have "bumping" rights. Most NCL tours in Kona meet on board and are escorted to the tender area and are put on the next tender regardless of who is there.

 

Tender tickets for the masses are handed out at a set time usually the day before. The line forms EARLY and the best tickets go quick. You also have to deal with the VIP suite people who get priority tender boarding as well. The first few tenders are usually filled up by VIP/Suite people, NCL tour people and the NCL staff who operate unloading/boarding area on shore.

 

The anchor time is not necessarily the time tenders begin running. Tenders usually begin about 30-45 minutes after anchor time.

[Cruisecontroler]

Thanks for the info, Jfeasel and KeystoneCruiser. Looks like I may have a problem getting to the excursion on time unless I can swim fast:o

 

Although, if there is a line to get early tender tickets, I can shoot for camping out for that, maybe.

 

Thanks again.

 

Barb

[buncher]

How long does it take to get from ship to shore on Tender in Kona?

[smarterman64]

about 10 minutes or so, it's not too bad.

You are able to pretty much "sneak" down to the tender area too. I stll have my tender tickets arond here somewhere. They were never collected

[TikiMeekie]

Don't forget about how far you have to go in Kona. On the POH you arrive on a weekday, and the morning traffic from Islanders going to work make all the roads pretty congested. We rented a car, and the shuttle took 25-30 minutes to get the 7 miles to the airport. I'd *really* consider booking an excursion though the ship at Kona - the extra cost is really worth the piece of mind in this port.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Is the tender ride rough? Would it be a good idea to take seasickness meds before boarding?

 

Thanks,

 

Barb

[TikiMeekie]

Is the tender ride rough? Would it be a good idea to take seasickness meds before boarding?

 

Yes. If you get seasick normally, expect it here. My mother-in-law barely made it to the shore. She's really sensitive, but I also did not have a pleasant ride. It's also pretty stuffy if you're not near the open middle, and the guys docking the boat seemed to have a LOT of trouble, which took more time than we could handle. Sit near the doors - the fresh air helps a LOT, and getting off the boat faster will probably help. It isn't that long of a trip, but I wouldn't wish what my mother-in-law went though on anyone.

[Warbird]

Yes. If you get seasick normally, expect it here.

 

We stopped there a week ago on the POA and the ocean was calm and the tender ride was a piece of cake.:) It depends on what ever makes the ocean rough. :((wind?)

 

John

[KeystoneCruiser]

Although, if there is a line to get early tender tickets, I can shoot for camping out for that, maybe.

Barb

 

Yes, you can camp out for the tender line. This year on the Dawn for example, I heard that some people started forming the tender line over an hour before the tickets were to be handed out to Great Stirrup Cay. A similar story from last year on the Star.

 

As far as "sneaking" down to the tender area, I think that varies from ship to ship. On the Star last year, you had to show you tickets at the stairwell and they would not let you down to the lower decks if you were not on a tender that had been called. They were actually being very strict.

[mh6i]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get on the first tender to Kona when you're doing a "non-NCL" excursion? (I have an excursion booked that leaves early. They said the timing will be crucial, but do-able if I'd be able to be on the first tender, then quickly get a taxi to make it on there on time.:confused: )

 

We were on the July 3 POH cruise and had the same situation you're facing- an 8am scuba diving excursion not booked through NCL. Luckily they met us at the tender pier so our only concern was getting to shore by 8am. We wanted to make sure we got on the first tender at 7am, so we showed up 20 minutes before the advertised time of tender ticket distribution. There were maybe 3 couples/families in front of us and we got tickets # 11-12. We easily got on the first tender. There seemed to be a lot of POH staff on that first tender going to shore on their day off, so they only called the first 30 numbers or so. Once we got to shore, there were several cabs available there although we didn't need them.

[Cruisecontroler]

We were on the July 3 POH cruise and had the same situation you're facing- an 8am scuba diving excursion not booked through NCL. Luckily they met us at the tender pier so our only concern was getting to shore by 8am. We wanted to make sure we got on the first tender at 7am, so we showed up 20 minutes before the advertised time of tender ticket distribution. There were maybe 3 couples/families in front of us and we got tickets # 11-12. We easily got on the first tender. There seemed to be a lot of POH staff on that first tender going to shore on their day off, so they only called the first 30 numbers or so. Once we got to shore, there were several cabs available there although we didn't need them.

 

Thanks mh6i, and again KeystoneCruiser for the reassuring information about tendering in Kona. I think we'll "go for it" for sure now.:D

[postalgrrl]

So, now you have me concerned:( . We are on the POAL in Oct. and have booked the Fair Wind Snorkel Tour in Kona. We need to be on one of the first tenders to catch a cab to get to their dock. They leave at 9:00am sharp. Should I cancel???? or take my chances????:confused: They have a 24 hour cancellation policy, so if we miss the boat, we still have to pay and it's $100pp.

I really want to do this trip. I have read on these boards that it's some of the best snorkeling on the islands.

[bubiesmom]

What time is anchor time in Kona? If you have a non-NCL shore excursion, what would be the earliest you could expect to get on-shore? Also, as posted by mh61, there were alot of POH employees going ashore. I know they work long hours, but can't they let the passengers off first.....

[postalgrrl]

On the POAL, we tender at 7:00am in Kona.

[KeystoneCruiser]

Postalgirl: If anchor time is 7:00 a.m., they should begin running tenders at 7:30. I was on the Aloha and they use six tender boats during the initial hours. You should have no trouble getting to shore by 9:00 a.m.

 

Does the tour pick you up at the tender pier or do you have to go to a different location? If they pick you up at the tender pier, no problem.

 

Bubbiesmom: There are always a lot of ship employees on the first tender because those are the "dockside" staff. The crew members who operate the tender operation on the Kona dock. (security, crew who tie up the tender and help people on and off, etc.). Also, a lot of the shore excursion staff goes on the first tender to set up the on shore meeting points and to meet with the tour operators.

[postalgrrl]

KeystoneCruiser,

We have to catch a cab to go to the Fair Winds dock. I've read that it's about 20 minutes away. Do you know when & where they pass out the tender tickets?? How was the POAL???

[KeystoneCruiser]

I was on the POA during its start up in the summer of 2004. We were on oner of her first voyages and needless to say service was pretty slow. Of course the POA was the very first all American crew and so problems could be expected.

 

As far as the tender tickets, they gave them out in the bar on Deck 6 or7 in the middle of the ship. That was not a very good place for that, not easily accessible and not big enough for the crowd. I am sure that in the two years since I have been on her, they have found a better place for tender tickets. Just check your Freestyle Daily each day and you will see where the tickets are distributed. Get there early for an early number.

 

With a 20 minute cab ride, you would need to be on shore between 8:15 and 8:30 at the latest. (although I would try and get to shore as early as possible...better to be early for your tour than late!) I still think you can get to shore via an early tender with plenty of time.

[bubiesmom]

Postalgirl: If anchor time is 7:00 a.m., they should begin running tenders at 7:30. I was on the Aloha and they use six tender boats during the initial hours. You should have no trouble getting to shore by 9:00 a.m.

 

Does the tour pick you up at the tender pier or do you have to go to a different location? If they pick you up at the tender pier, no problem.

 

Bubbiesmom: There are always a lot of ship employees on the first tender because those are the "dockside" staff. The crew members who operate the tender operation on the Kona dock. (security, crew who tie up the tender and help people on and off, etc.). Also, a lot of the shore excursion staff goes on the first tender to set up the on shore meeting points and to meet with the tour operators.

 

keystonecruiser-thanks for the clarification.