Oh geez, tendering with independent tours

[ladyjbd3155]

I know this has been covered many, many times, but it seems the more I search and the more I read about it, the more confused I get! Everyone is saying something completely different and it all just seems whacked out.

 

Our ship is scheduled to arrive in Grand Cayman at 7:00. We are traveling in December so there is no time change at all - ship time = Cayman time.

 

I have booked a tour with Captain Marvins. We are supposed to meet at 8:00 in the morning, at Captain Marvin's business which is about a 5 minute walk from where we tender to. I asked them when we booked if they thought we would be able to make that early excursion since the ship doesn't arrive until 7:00. I received a response back from "Ruth" and she said no problem to get there by 8:00.

 

However, after reading everything here, I am wigging out thinking we will NOT make the tour. Everyone makes it sound like you have to wait forever to get your tender tickets, they never start handing them out on time, you're constantly told incorrect info on where to go, Carnival tours get priorty, etc, etc.

 

Can you show someone at the Purser's desk your reservation confirmation and be allowed off with the first tenders?

 

I don't know. I guess I am just looking for a little reassurance. Hopefully everything will be ok. I'm a worrier by nature and this is going to nag me until December :D

[lvtotrvl1]

I think it is cutting it pretty close. Cruise excursions are the first to be tendered. You would be tendered once those people have disembarked.

[ladyjbd3155]

That's what my gut is telling me, too. I only booked because they said not to worry, that it wouldn't be a problem. I am starting to rethink it though. Sounds like it is going to be a madhouse and I'm just going to go nuts trying to get off. Don't know if it's worth it :)

[RIGirl]

It seems like the independant tour operators wouldn't schedule tours at a time people would be unlikely to make. It would only make them lose money. I would go down to get a tender ticket first thing in the morning. He conducts tours every day of the week. He's well aware of what time you'll be able to get off the ship.

[lvtotrvl1]

Unless this is a prepaid excursion with no refund should the OP miss the tour..which I'm guessing is the case. No problem is the most overused word in the Caribbean;) ..I would be worried.

[RIGirl]

Most independant excursions I've come across are either no deposit, just pay once you arrive or a minimal deposit which is fully refundable should the ship not make it to port. Captain Marvin's is a well-known company. I highly doubt his business would be so successful if he was in the practice of making reservations that can't be kept.

[akcruz]

Another one here who worries about these types of things. We are sailing in June so have a 1 hour time difference. We are scheduled to arrive at 8:00 and have booked the same tour as you with Captain Marvin. When I questioned being able to make it I got the exact same response from Ruth.

 

As others have mentioned, if this is there standard response and it people are not able to make it I bet you would have heard about it on these boards.

 

Just make sure to show up early for the tenders and be persistant with the staff but not overly pushy. We were in Belize last year with Carnival and I started asking about getting off on an early tender for a private excursion the night before. We were told exactly where we needed to be and got there early. We waited patiently, but within their direct line of sight until we made it on the first tender to shore.

 

We are on Royal Carribean this year so I am hoping we will be able to do the same.

[twinkletoes4445]

Ruth and Joan at CM's have always given us good advice. If they say you can make it, then I'd believe them. We were in their office one day when a couple finally showed up for an excursion (that had already left). They made arrangements to be on the next excursion.

[reddi]

We are on the Valor on May 27 and have booked the same excursion with Captain Marvin. We want to go to SR City and return early so we can go diving afterward. Last year my wife and I were on a Princess Cruise and worried about the tendering process in various ports including GC but never had a problem. We always showed up early ready to go and were able to get on early tenders. I would just take your gear along with you and be ready to go - i.e., not plan on returning to your cabin.

[saraheg77]

I've been on tours not with the ship and never had a problem. Usually they will wait a little bit for everyone to show up, too. Like they won't be heading out exactly at 8am if some of their schedule people haven't shown up. I'm sure you'll be fun.

[ladyjbd3155]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I am going to go ahead with the excursion and just take it as it comes. If we make it, GREAT, but if we don't, we'll have more time to just hang around :)

[sstephy]

Thanks for all the replies! I think I am going to go ahead with the excursion and just take it as it comes. If we make it, GREAT, but if we don't, we'll have more time to just hang around :)

I second the vote to chance making the excursion and if you don't then enjoy the rest of the island.

 

We wanted to book 2 of Captain Marvin's excursions for the same day. I received a 'no problem' reply from one of their employees and when I wrote to reserve them I was told no way would we be able to do both. I was very disappointed since we were only going to book with them because they offered a land tour in addition to Stingray City. After all of the confusion we booked with someone else who had much better starting times.

 

I hope your excursion works out for you and that you have a great time. If not - there are many operators that you can book with right on the dock when you arrive.

[acromom]

My DH, DS and DD did the same tour a few years back. We had the same concern. When my husband approached the staff about leaving on the first tender to get to the tour he was told no at first. Well, my DH had some serious issues with that and made it known to the staff since he had been there early to get off the first tender. Bottom line, they let us get on the first tender.

[nole01cruiser]

Use Capt Bryan for Stingray City. He has a 3 hour tour that meets at 10:00 and returns at 1:30. you cannot go wrong.

[sstephy]

Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas tendering procedures.

 

We had a wonderful cruise aboard the Explorer the week of 4/8/07. I'd read every word written about how to get on the first tender to be on time for our independently booked shore excursions and I must tell you that we had no problems at all. :D

 

The night before we asked where and when to pick up tender tickets (this is also posted in the Cruise Compass). We arrived 30 minutes early and waited patiently as the line for tender tickets formed behind us. Staff arrived 10-15 minutes early and began passing out the tickets. One person can get tickets for everyone in your group so there's no need for everyone to stand in line. This staff member will tell you where and when to start lining up to get on the tenders. We usually picked up our tender tickets on deck 4 outside the entrance to the dining room and lined up for the tenders on deck 3 near Studio B.

 

30 minutes before the line was scheduled to start forming for tendering we went down to deck 3 and were first in line again and watched as hundreds of people lined up behind us. (Tender tickets numbered from 1 to at least 20).

 

Yes, people who are on excursions booked through Royal Caribbean do usually tender first and then passengers with tender tickets who booked excursions privately take the following tenders.

 

We were on the first tender to reach the pier in each port. In fact in Belize and Grand Cayman the tour operators weren't ready for us and remarked that they'd never had customers arrive so early and asked how we'd gotten to them so quickly and early. :eek: There was no trick or special technique. We simply did what we were told to do - but arrived early and tried to be at the beginning of the lines. When they begin to line up passengers for the tenders they will make announcements.

 

During our cruise they didn't allow passengers with tender #3 tickets to go on tender #1, etc. They made sure the right passengers were on the correct tenders. In Grand Cayman we were the only ship in port so all passengers were in the same line (RCI tours and private tours together) and tendered together. Kinda nice, huh? :p

 

Anyway, no reason to panic or worry. Just be ready to get in line to get your tender tickets early and then to be in line for the actual tenders early and you'll be fine. We worried for nothing and although there were a few delays with the tenders we didn't notice them and everything worked smoothly for us. The staff handling the lines was great and we had a good time waiting. :)

 

Enjoy your cruise and make the most of waiting for the tenders. It really isn't that bad. ;)

[reddi]

To be safe I would suggest one thing different from what sstephy said -- I would have everyone stand in line together rather than one person. We sailed Princess last year and each person had to be there to get a tender ticket, so it may differ depending on the cruiseline or the staff working that day.

[sph7]

I know this has been covered many, many times, but it seems the more I search and the more I read about it, the more confused I get! Everyone is saying something completely different and it all just seems whacked out.

 

Our ship is scheduled to arrive in Grand Cayman at 7:00. We are traveling in December so there is no time change at all - ship time = Cayman time.

 

I have booked a tour with Captain Marvins. We are supposed to meet at 8:00 in the morning, at Captain Marvin's business which is about a 5 minute walk from where we tender to. I asked them when we booked if they thought we would be able to make that early excursion since the ship doesn't arrive until 7:00. I received a response back from "Ruth" and she said no problem to get there by 8:00.

 

However, after reading everything here, I am wigging out thinking we will NOT make the tour. Everyone makes it sound like you have to wait forever to get your tender tickets, they never start handing them out on time, you're constantly told incorrect info on where to go, Carnival tours get priorty, etc, etc.

 

Can you show someone at the Purser's desk your reservation confirmation and be allowed off with the first tenders?

 

I don't know. I guess I am just looking for a little reassurance. Hopefully everything will be ok. I'm a worrier by nature and this is going to nag me until December :D

Hello.

 

We cruised with Carnival Victory in April/22, so I just came back. We did book with Captain Marvins as well. Tendering was pretty fast. In fact, it was much faster than we expected that we had to wait in front of Captain Marvins for a long time to wait for the tour starts. Also, I don't want to disappoint you, but the Captain Marvins was just okay. My hubby and I did the half-day snorkling and other family members did the Island tour. Reef was beautiful, but they don't give you enough time. They said we will give you 30 minutes, but they call you back after 15 mintues. Also, I felt there were too many people on the boat. However, it is still less than other sting ray tour boats. My other family members told me that they even skipped the Seven Miles Beach because the driver didn't think they have enough time. Well. Just be aware. You might get luckier than us.:)

 

Oh, the tendering for coming back to the ship is pretty bad; so get in line early.

[habby]

There are plenty of independent tour operators at the pier, all going to pretty much the same places and charging $30-40. Only been to Grand Cayman once but Stingray City is a must, at least once. I don't think you'll have a problem finding a tour.

 

Just off the Victory last week. Got up, had leisurely breakfast, walked to casino to get tender tickets, then to the tender. We were on the island by 9:00. The tour we took didn't start until 10:30, booked through an independent when we got off the ship. Had time to do a little walking around (and sample rum cake) before meeting back at the pier to get on the bus.

[The4Cruisers]

I don't know. I guess I am just looking for a little reassurance. Hopefully everything will be ok. I'm a worrier by nature and this is going to nag me until December :D

 

When we visited GC las October on Inspiration, we had a private charter booked via an independent operator. I was "concerned" about whether we could get an early tender.

 

Following the advice of others on CC, I had my entire family of 4 down in the Paris Lounge when tendering was starting. I told the staff there that we had a private excursion and we were requesting an early tender to shore. They sat us in a group with other sharing our situation. As soon as they sent off the first couple groups of Carnival tour customers, they dispatched our group to the tender.

 

It worked out very smoothly. Enjoy your trip! :)

[dbarry]

I really love using independent tour companies, not just because of the lesser price but also because the groups are usually smaller and sometimes you really do get a little extra on these excursions than with the ship's. I have never used a ship excursion while in Grand Cayman, and I've been there 4 different times. I had never had an issue until my last visit there in Aug 2006. For some reason there weren't as many tenders available as there were supposed to be. Not only were we the first in line to get our "early" tender tickets, we were actually the first in line to get off the ship with tender tickets. Rccl passengers with rccl shore excursions are the first to get off the ship. A lot of people do ship excursions. We watched the early ship excursions leave slowly, by the time they were finally off the ship and we thought we were going to get to go the second ship excursion time people got to go instead. We stood in that same line for more than an hour and a half. We watched alot of rccl shore excursion people getting off the ship, and witnessed quite a few "heated" discussions between a few early off tender ticket holders and the rrcl shore excursion staff. Sometimes things go wrong I guess. By the time we got to shore our tour (jeep tour) had been long gone. I really don't think that this would have been a total disaster if we would have called the tour people, I'm sure that they would have sent someone after us. Instead, we decided to shop and explore Georgetown on foot. It was a great day. Hope you have a wonderful time in Grand Cayman.

 

Darlene

[mumsiesof2]

Hi Darlene --

So you explored on foot,please tell me what did you do and what was the best. Did you stop for lunch & where ?

DH & I would like to do the same-but we have never been to Georgetown.

 

Thanks....

Linda

[TakeMeAway1001]

We just returned from our cruise last week and used CM for the second time. We didn't have to wait for tender tickets the tenders were very large and we just headed down and got on (Carnival Legend) we kept our watches on ships time got off the tender and had over an hour to kill. We walked around and took pics and when the store opened at exactly 8AM we went in and got in line and were on our way. I personally love this excursion, it is my second time using them. I didn't feel it was too crowded at all, when we were out at the sandbar they ship tours were arriving and they were far more crowded than ours. Anyone who wanted to hold a ray was able to whereas people we talked to on a ship tour said not everyone had the opportunity. After our tour the van driver dropped us off at Calico Jacks for drinks and lunch on the beach. I wouldn't worry about the time at all, worst case scenario would be that you take the slightly later tour if your still interested. The only time we thought we were going to miss a tour was in Belize that is the tender where we had to report to a lounge and get a tender sticker, they stressed numerous times that Carnival Tour guests would get priority and kep insisting that the tour time of 915 was Belize time when in fact it was ship time, we made that tour as well. Don't stress and have a great time :)

[dbarry]

Hi Darlene --

So you explored on foot,please tell me what did you do and what was the best. Did you stop for lunch & where ?

DH & I would like to do the same-but we have never been to Georgetown.

 

Thanks....

Linda

 

We started off at the tender dock and walked towards the right towards the meeting place for our tour. Once we got there and realized that we missed the tour vehicle we just walked a bit further. What we did mostly was just to check out all of the little shops (some of them not so little) along the way. There really are some interesting stores. Our favorite shops had something to do with the history of Grand Cayman. There were a few shops that sold recovered treasures, lots of pirate stuff etc. We continued our walk in the other direction after going as far as we could. We also walked down several side streets, no shortage of places to spend your money. Especially if you wanted to purchase jewelery. We also walked to Senor Frogs, but decided that it was just too crowded and noisy for us. We decided to check that out earlier next time. As for lunch, we choose to head back to the ship around 2pm and went to the solarium for a snack. Grand Cayman is a bit pricey, at least that is what we have found in the past. Our U.S. dollar doesn't have the value of a Cayman dollar. We have in the past had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. While the food was good, I would much rather spend my money on souvenirs and head back to the ship for my already paid for food. A year ago in February a friend and I had lunch right on the main street of Georgetown. I can't remember the name of the place but it was located on the second floor of a sovenir shop. For some reason I think of pirates when I think of this place so perhaps there is a connection there. As I said it was on the main street and we could see all of the goings on down below us on the street through the window at the end of the bar that we were sitting at. The prices were okay and the food (actually just a snack) was good as well. What was most impressive about this place was the atmosphere. While we are there in June this year we have decided to do the Jeep tour (ship's excursion) that we missed last year due to the tender problems. This year we are doing all of our tours through the ship because my granddaughter (13yrs old) is coming along with us. I have decided for this trip not to take the risk of having anything go wrong, ie. missing the boat, missing the excursion etc., in hopes that she will have a great time, without any hassle. My sister and I both have passports, the granddaughter does not. It is my understanding that for the present cruise a passport is not necessary, unless something goes wrong and you have to fly home, or fly to the next port to catch up with the ship should you miss it. At the very least if we have problems on a ship tour that cause us to be late for the ship, the ship will wait for the tour to return. Some of my favorite tours in Grand Cayman have been the Capt. Bryan's Buccaneer trip to Stingray Sandbar and a helicopter tour with Cayman Helicopters. The helicopter tour booth is straight across from the exit of the dock. Awesome tours.

 

Darlene