Port Adventure times for tendering ports

[Rob1872]

Question: We are on the 11/4 Fantasy that shifted to a Western cruise. We've made reservations for the new ports, but I was wondering how the tendering in Grand Cayman affected the times for the activities. Is the time that you reserve the time you leave the ship, or the time when you have to have already taken the small craft in and be waiting on the shore?

Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

Question: We are on the 11/4 Fantasy that shifted to a Western cruise. We've made reservations for the new ports, but I was wondering how the tendering in Grand Cayman affected the times for the activities. Is the time that you reserve the time you leave the ship, or the time when you have to have already taken the small craft in and be waiting on the shore?

Thanks!

If it is an early excursion you will almost guaranteed meet on the ship and tender as a group.

If it is an afternoon excursion you *may* tender on your own and meet on the dock.

Your excursion tickets - which will be in your cabin the first day - will have your meeting time and location on them.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DCL shore excursions are given priority on the tender boats, so the shore excursion people are often among the first to go ashore. Also some excursions are scheduled to return after "mere mortals" are already back on board. Generally, the time listed on your reservation (and ticket) is when you check-in at the lounge/theater designated on your ticket, and meet your group. They often have more than one bus going on each excursion, so if you want to be on the first bus, it helps to show up a few minutes early.

 

[Rob1872]

Thank you!!

 

[Betsypup]

What if you are doing a non-DCL excursion? Does DCL tell you what time to meet for tender or do you just show up? And likewise, should you plan on getting back to tender an hour early?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What if you are doing a non-DCL excursion? Does DCL tell you what time to meet for tender or do you just show up? And likewise, should you plan on getting back to tender an hour early?

As noted, early DCL excursions get first tender priority in the morning. Anyone not on a DCL excursion is typically directed to go to a certain location (one of the theaters, usually) and "get in line" for the first available space on a tender. You need to have your whole party there to join the line. As (if) there is space on the early tenders, they will fill from that line. Once all the DCL excursions are off the ship, and the line in the theater has been used up, the announcement is made that anyone wanting to take the tenders may proceed directly to the tender lobby.

The Navigator in tendered ports will indicate "Last tender" time (not "All aboard" time). If you are in line before the "last tender" time, you'll get back to the ship.

 

[Betsypup]

I'm thinking then that non-DCL excursion folks would be better off enjoying a leisurely breakfast and then heading down to the designated location per the announcement. Thanks. We are doing all DCL except going off on own for GC.