tenders ashore in Grand Cayman

[Skallywag]

Here I am having a panic attack already but wonder what time tenders get you ashore in the morning and how long it takes for the journey. We have to be on the dockside at 8.30 and hope this is possible.

 

[webray]

In order for you to be dockside at 8:30 am, you will have to be on the first boat out. In our navigator the night before they will state where you need to go the next morning to get your tender ticket. I think only the first few boats need tickets, after that it is not so crowded.

The meeting place for us (people who booked their own excursions, or just wanted to get an early start), was the big theatre. We went up a good 20 minutes early, a line was already forming. So, grab something quick from the buffet and get in line. The castmembers will give you a ticket as you go through the door, and you sit all lined up and ready to go. Another castmember will take you in the order you are seated, to the tender boat.
Very easy..as long as you are up and ready to go. The ride is short to the dock, so no problem there.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Are you going on an excursion through DCL? They will make sure (if they can get into GC) that you make your excursion on time. If you have booked one through an operator directly, you need to know what happens if you can not get to the pier by the time needed, or if you don't get there at all.

 

[webray]

Usually if you book through DCL for your excursion..you have a separate meeting place, that has been our experience anyway with DCL booked excursions. Have fun!


Just remember..read your navigator each night..all the info you need will be in there in plenty of time for the next day!

 

[PPFQP]

So, grab something quick from the buffet and get in line. The castmembers will give you a ticket as you go through the door, and you sit all lined up and ready to go. Another castmember will take you in the order you are seated, to the tender boat.
Very easy..as long as you are up and ready to go. The ride is short to the dock, so no problem there.

Does everyone in your party have to be there to get the ticket, or can you send one person to stand in line? Thanks!

 

[Stinasmom]

When you are "tendered" to the port or marina, what kind of boat is it? They don't use one of the life boats do they? Or, to the arrange with someone at the port to come get us?
Thanks!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Oooh, I would like to know this, too. I do know that HAL uses some of thier life boats for tendering in Sitka, Alaska. I was surprised how big the life boats were and how many people could be on one.

 

[Skallywag]

Thanks for the information - seems it is not just me that needs the information. We have booked on Sotos stingray excursion and need to meet with them at 8.30 local time. How long does the tender journey take from the boat to dock and do they run a continous service back and forward or only when required. Just wondering about coming back to the ship.
also if we want to come back after our swim and then go off round the shops is this possible and how far are the shops from the dock. Lots of silly questions I am sure to you seasoned cruisers but never been before.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[webray]

Yes, everyone in your party must be present to get a tender ticket, and get lined up. I have seen people with smaller children, just grab fruit and such, bring it to the line and let them eat it while they are waiting in line.

No, they do not use lifeboats. There are companies in Grand Cayman that are hired to bring you back and forth. The boats are pretty good size, not to big, not to small. Smooth ride. You can get some great photos of the ship as you are coming and going.

The tender boats are available to go back and forth all day. On the dock side, there is a canopy, and I believe there was water to drink, if you have to wait a few minutes for the boat going back. All is very easy..so don't worry.

 

[TooPure4u]

Yes like webray said...everyone has to be there for the tender ticket. I was scheduled for the stingrays by nativeway sports and was told to be off the boat by 9. I ended up cancelling due to a severe ear infection my son had but we wouldnt have had a problem getting off in time.

 

[Skallywag]

Just reading and wondering why people are mentioning just taking some food and not having a proper breakfast. Do they not service breakfast early enough to get off the ship for the excursions.

 

[webray]

Yes, the breakfast buffet is open in plenty of time to have a good breakfast, really, don't worry. Overplanning will kill the fun of the cruise.

 

[Skallywag]

I know I shold not plan too far ahead but just wondered if I should have changed the time of our stingray trip to afternoon but have learnt so much will be fine. I always find planning these things to be half of the fun of the holiday but my husband is the opposite and likes the surprise element.

 

[jrabbit]

The tenders seem to run every 15 to 20 minutes. Pretty easy to do. And there is a lot of shopping near where DCL's tenders dock at.

Skallywag - I know that you've had a lot of trouble working with you TA and DCL. Are things going better now?

 

[Skallywag]

Well I sent a rather short email to our travel agent after having a reply direct from DCL saying the tickets would be with them about 10 days prior to our cruise. We are leaving Englnd for Florida 8 days before the cruise and obviously need them before we fly out. Travel agent has moved and asked for them to be with her by the 1st October and has promised to keep chasing for them. Fingers crossed there. DCL have also promised to send relevant information through direct to us regarding excursions etc in time for us to be able to book them. We also have ordered stateroom wine and petit fours for our daughters and a bottle of the Fairy Tale for us. Disney have acknowleged the order so that is now fine. Things seem now to be sorted out and I suppose if the tickets did not arrive we could take ourselves to guest services when we are in Florida and sort it out here but hope not,
Really looking forward to our trip now but have a long weekend in Venice before then booked by our girls as a surprise for our exact wedding anniversary date in June.