Tender for Grand Cayman

[ten822]

If the guests ashore time for Grand Cayman is 10:30, what time do they start tendering, how long does the process take, what time should we get to the tender boats, etc... Probably exploring on our own and want to get through the tender process as soon as possible to maximize our time on the island. Any tips are appreciated.

 

[Ravenne]

That's an estimated time. Actual time will depend on what time the ship actually gets in the area, and the Grand Cayman officials telling them where to drop anchor. When we were there, it was around 9:30 am. The captain will make announcements to let you know when. Actual tender boat ride took maybe 10 minutes or so. It didn't take long.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Tendering is super easy & will drop you right in the heart of Georgetown. Much envy here, I love GC

 

[Mitura]

The thing about tendering is that you have to queue up if you wish to get off around 10:30. So around 10~ish (depending on Captain's call) you go to the Walt Disney Theater and sit in groups. Then your group is herded towards deck 1 where your tender is. If you want to get off early get to the theater early. If you show up at 10:30 you may have to sit in the theater for a tender or two.

 

[ten822]

The thing about tendering is that you have to queue up if you wish to get off around 10:30. So around 10~ish (depending on Captain's call) you go to the Walt Disney Theater and sit in groups. Then your group is herded towards deck 1 where your tender is. If you want to get off early get to the theater early. If you show up at 10:30 you may have to sit in the theater for a tender or two.

Thanks. So, even if you are one of the first to get off the boat, you don't actually get to Georgetown until around 11am? Also, if the guests ashore time is 5:30, what time should we start heading to the pier (by taxi or bus)?? As long as you are on line for tender, you are guaranteed to get back on Fantasy right?? I'll a little paranoid about missing the boat, especially because we're exploring on our own! At the same time, I don't want to rush because GC seems to be the nicest port on this cruise! Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Mitura]

Well we tend not to spend all day in GC. We normally get back to the tender dock at 3~ish. But if you are in line for a tender then you will get back on the boat.

When we did our private tours we told the tour leader that we needed to be back for the tender. They made sure that we got back. Again, 11-5 is a long time to wander around the island. IMHO.

Our private tour of the far side of the island took 3 hours 11-2. Then 1 hour to walk around.

We always got tired after 3-4 hours so we were ready to go back by 3~ish.

 

[Spotthecat]

We jsut tendered in grand Cayman last week off the Fantasy. We were meeting in the restaurant for a tender ticket, and they had you sitting down and waiting. We got a tender ticket at 10:05 with a group of 8. Waited in the restaurant, and you really had no idea if you were going to amek the first tender or not until you actually got on the tender. Our private tour had been changed from 12:10 to 11:10, and the guy assured us we'd get off by then. Well, we were paranoid so lined up half an hour early and that was good. As when we were escorted out of the restaurant off the ship to the tender there was a massive lineup out the restaurant that could have easily filled 3 tenders. I would say it took about 20 minutes to fill the tender, and the ride over was shorter than that. We were told the last tender was at 5:30, which may be different for every cruise. If you are in line for a tender, they will not abandon you. Our day was busy - I counted 6 cruise ships anchored side by side.