Problem Getting Off the Ship at Tender Ports and Non-tender Ports?

[MalibuCA]

I've read numerous threads here about how independent passengers must wait long periods of time in tender ports to depart the ship -- that passengers on the shore excursions are given priority. Not a problem -- I will schedule inclusive shore excursions, and I know that we will have a wonderful experience. However, I've also read that getting onto a shore excursion can be difficult as well even if one tries to get their desired excursion online on the first available day -- that they fill up immediately and passengers can find themselves without a tour. This worries me considerably!

1. In that case, it seems that hiring our own private guide is the answer, but since the excursions are given priority for departure onto the tenders, how does one know what time to schedule the private guide?

2. In non-tender ports, where all we need to do is walk off the gangway, are the shore excursion passengers given priority, or can independents walk off the ship any time without waiting to be called?

We cruised Regent a few years ago before the inclusive shore excursions package, and we had a great time. We've cruised Crystal many times. We have never encountered this problem before. Crystal offers an excursion, and if more people want to participate, they simply add more buses and more guides so that everyone is satisfied. Why doesn't Regent do this? It would be so much simpler if we knew that scheduling our excursions could be done with ease.

Thanks for your help.

Shelley

[RachelG]

First, I haven't had any trouble getting on any excursion I wanted since the included excursion policy started. A couple of times I had to waitlist, but those always cleared, in every case before the start of the cruise. So I would have been able to arrange something myself if they hadn't. But I do try to book excursions at the earliest possible date.

Second question: if the port is a non-tender port where you just walk off, you can walk off at any time you want. No priority given to people on excursions. The only problem where we have ever had a problem with this was the first day in St. Petersburg. This was before included excursions, but a lot of people were on ship's tours since you can't just wander around St. Petersburg by your self.
Anyway, we had arranged to meet our guide at 9 am. I thought that if we got off at 8:30, there would be plenty of time to go through customs. We stepped off the ship, and there was a huge long line, the longest I have ever seen on a Regent cruise. It literally seemed every passenger was in it. We waited a very long time (so long that my son was able to run back and fetch something I had forgotten), over 30 minutes. So we were a bit late, but our guide and driver were there waiting for us.
Curiously, on the 2nd and 3rd day in St. Petersburg, there was no line at all. They did seem to be doing a very thorough inspection of everyone's papers that first day.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I agree, so far they seem to have fairly good capacity for included excursions.

And I've rarely had a problem getting off the ship when I wanted--I think there was a line once last year, can't remember where, but it only lasted a little while.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

You might be reading something where I posted that it took an hour and a half to get off a ship - the Sapphire Princess where we tendered into Santa Barbara. Not a Regent Ship.

Not to worry.....

[Travelcat2]

Passengers in Alaska on our cruise this summer did have to wait at tender ports until guests with Regent excursions were off of the ship. I wish I could answer the question as to when a private excursion can be scheduled. . . . however, as long as Regent's less than satisfactory "Destination Services" department insists on piling guests in the theater prior to disembarking the ship for excursions, it is hopeless. Having just been on a cruise on another luxury cruise line, I realize just how much better this situation can be handled.

[TahoeTraveler]

This thread has got me wondering about our upcoming cruise and the ports. We're going to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Santo Tomas de Castillo (Guatemala), and Costa Maya. Can anyone tell me which ports we'll probably have to tender at, and which ones we'll actually be able to dock at? There are 2 other ships (both Carnival) at Key West with us, and seven (YES! Seven) at Cozumel with us, but we're by ourselves at all the other ports. I'm trying to plan for each port, and knowing if I have to plan extra time for tendering back and forth would help tremendously. Thanks a bunch for any info anyone can give me!

Tami

[xrvlcruiser]

It should say in the final docs we get for the trip if the port is a docking or tender port.

[TahoeTraveler]

It should say in the final docs we get for the trip if the port is a docking or tender port.
Ah, that makes sense. Hopefully I'll eventually get my docs...everyone else on our cruise seems to have gotten theirs already, but FedEx is notoriously horrible in our neck of the woods, so we may never see ours. If there is even an inch of snow on the ground here, they refuse to deliver anything...and given that there is over a foot sitting on the ground right now, I have a feeling I won't be seeing a FedEx truck until spring. Guess I'll need to call Regent to see if they can resend via regular snail mail...since we leave in 35 days!!! Thanks a bunch for the info!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

This thread has got me wondering about our upcoming cruise and the ports. We're going to Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Santo Tomas de Castillo (Guatemala), and Costa Maya. Can anyone tell me which ports we'll probably have to tender at, and which ones we'll actually be able to dock at? There are 2 other ships (both Carnival) at Key West with us, and seven (YES! Seven) at Cozumel with us, but we're by ourselves at all the other ports. I'm trying to plan for each port, and knowing if I have to plan extra time for tendering back and forth would help tremendously. Thanks a bunch for any info anyone can give me!

Tami

There's only one tender port--Belize. I've done this route, and am doing it again in, oh, less than 2 weeks.

The ship anchors quite far out at Belize City, and the port provides its own tenders--larger than Regent's, and quite fast. Too bad about the other ships--I think the most we have in a port with us is 2, although one of them's a biggun (Celebrity Eclipse I think), in Costa Maya.

[TahoeTraveler]

Thanks Wendy, that helps. I'm a bit concerned about Cozumel because of all the other ships (all are really big...Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity), but if we're docked and not tendered there, at least we can easily take refuge back on the ship if the crowds get to be too much.

Hope you have a great trip!

Tami

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, I must say, with all those ships there, I guess there is a possibility that you will have to tender. I can't remember how big the docking facilities are--I do remember that we were out at the end of a fairly long doglegged dock, and had to walk a long way. But with that many ships, I guess it's partly first-come-first-serve, and partly which ships can fit on what stretch of dock.

Good luck. Cozumel is not a big favorite with me, I think this time we're just going to the beach.

[TahoeTraveler]

Well, I must say, with all those ships there, I guess there is a possibility that you will have to tender. I can't remember how big the docking facilities are--I do remember that we were out at the end of a fairly long doglegged dock, and had to walk a long way. But with that many ships, I guess it's partly first-come-first-serve, and partly which ships can fit on what stretch of dock.

Good luck. Cozumel is not a big favorite with me, I think this time we're just going to the beach.
We finally got our docs and they're exactly as you said they'd be...we're only tendering in Belize. If you don't care to snorkel in Cozumel and just want to beach it, I'd suggest you head out to the east side of the island and go to Chen Rio. It is the beach "club" where a lot of the locals hang out on weekends and therefore is not crowded or touristy at all. The last time we were there, we grabbed a taxi outside the pier area (go beyond all the ones close to where you come out of the pier building...they will attempt to charge you twice what the ones further from the pier will), and went over to Chen Rio. You can get local food there, cold beer and sodas, and a great view of the more rugged side of the island. There is a sheltered cove if you want to go swimming, but no snorkeling.

If it looks like the island will be too crowded to do the tour we've got planned, we're heading off to Chen Rio ourselves. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Great tip, I'll keep it in mind. We're there on a Sunday afternoon, so if there's US TV reception at all, I'm thinking I may go our my Beach Snorkel Experience, and David may stay on the ship and watch NFL. Who knows?

At the moment it looks like Voyager's the only ship in port that day, but of course, that could change.

[grapejuice]

Rachel G ,
Just wondering, you were talking about St Petersburg in your post.
Why cant you wander around by yourself?
Thanks

[RachelG]

Rachel G ,
Just wondering, you were talking about St Petersburg in your post.
Why cant you wander around by yourself?
Thanks
Well, you could if you buy a visa. But they are quite expensive, and not worth it in my opinion if you are there only a couple of days. If you go on a ship tour or hire a private guide who takes care of such things, then you don't have to buy it.

[grapejuice]

Rachel G
Thanks for that. I have never been to St Petersberg and I just thought after reading your post it might have been dangerous to travel around by yourself.
How expensive is a visa for St Petersberg?

[rallydave]

Rachel G
Thanks for that. I have never been to St Petersberg and I just thought after reading your post it might have been dangerous to travel around by yourself.
How expensive is a visa for St Petersberg?

grapejuice,

Visas almost always depend on where you are from so you have to research it for your specific country. I googled russia visa from australia and came up with the following:

Visa processing period
Single entry visa
Double entry visa
Seven business day processing
$110-00
$ 210.00
Two business day processing
$220-00
$ 420.00


Also says you need to get an invitation from an authorized place and request your visa thru your TA. May be other requirements and I know visa prices are subject to change at a moments notice. Suggest you check thru your search engine and get the latest information.

Formatting looked fine until I posted. seven day single is $110, multiple is $220 and two day $210, $420

Thanks,

[kbuck73]

Wendy, we are just back from Voyager and they only have ESPN, so no daytime football games were on. They did have the Sun. night game (SD vs. Colts) on ESPN.

I think there may be two docks in Cozumel? We were docked with a Celebrity ship, but we saw two large ships at another dock some distance away from us. Long walk to end of pier, dog legged. We were happy when we returned to the ship that we had no wait or line to get on, but there was a very long line for those getting back on the Celebrity ship.

We did the discover scuba in Coz and were glad to learn to scuba dive, but the underwater scenery in the harbor was not what you expect when in Cozumel. Not a lot of coral and no real vibrant colors, saw fish though. I heard the snorkel was disappointing too since it is in the harbor and not a lot of color. Both of these tours are done from the shore. Another couple did scuba on their own (they are certified) and they went with a private company and they were impressed since they went out of the harbor area and were able to see all that you expect when diving in cozumel.

Another note, you have to walk through a shopping mall with stalls and pass a bunch of people selling things and then go down stairs to get out of the port area.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, I snorkeled last time and it was disappointing--apparently they lost most of their reefs a few years back in a hurricane. Oh well, no football--I'm betting David could find a bar on shore to watch the games if he really wanted. I'll research sports bars for him!

[Travelcat2]

If I have the dates right, there will be no other ships in Belize on 12/13 (unless they are smaller ones). There will be four large ships in Cozumel. . . . Norwegian Sun, Radiance of the Seas, Carnival Dream and Carnival Splendor with a capacity of 10,776. There were tons of people there when we docked. . . . . they are fairly equipped to handle it. Just not one of my favorite ports. We found the snorkeling there fairly poor due to the hurricane. In any event, you'll have fun!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, that's right, we're alone in Belize, at least according to the tracking site.

I loved Belize--would go back in a heartbeat. We're doing the same excursion again, up to Lamanai.

[TahoeTraveler]

TC and Wendy, I'm hoping you can give some advice/info. Our speed boat adventure in Cozumel just got canceled, and I'm trying to decide if I should book another tour, do something independently like Chen Rio, or just stay on the ship. Is the snorkeling tour really as bad as it sounds? I have snorkeled in the harbor before, and found it rather boring, but some others on our cruise are saying they really enjoyed it. Also, do you know anything about the ATV and Beach tour? That's the one we've booked as an alternative, but I'm not sure what beach you go to, if there is any snorkeling there, and if it is worth a rough hour-long ride on an ATV to get there.

Any info or opinions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Tami

[RachelG]

TC and Wendy, I'm hoping you can give some advice/info. Our speed boat adventure in Cozumel just got canceled, and I'm trying to decide if I should book another tour, do something independently like Chen Rio, or just stay on the ship. Is the snorkeling tour really as bad as it sounds? I have snorkeled in the harbor before, and found it rather boring, but some others on our cruise are saying they really enjoyed it. Also, do you know anything about the ATV and Beach tour? That's the one we've booked as an alternative, but I'm not sure what beach you go to, if there is any snorkeling there, and if it is worth a rough hour-long ride on an ATV to get there.

Any info or opinions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Tami
Oh, no. How did you find out that your speed boat adventure was canceled? We were signed up for this as well on our Feb 3 cruise. If it is canceled for that cruise too, I would like to know now to make alternative plans.

[Travelcat2]

TahoeTraveler and Rachael: Just looked at Regent's excursion offerings for the Key West. We took the the Fury Catamaran & Snorkel excursions and quite bad (overcrowded -- little to see while snorkeling). I looked up a couple of excursions that sound good. The thing to watch out for in Key West is putting too many people on a boat or tour. They can pack you in like sardines. Here are links to the two that seemed nice:

3 Hour Snorkel – Marine Sanctuary
http://www.portpromotions.com/partners/index.php?region=Western%20Caribbean&port=50&exc=115 (http://www.portpromotions.com/partners/index.php?region=Western%20Caribbean&port=50&exc=115)

Motor boat excursion
http://keywestvisitorguide.com/tour/Tours?id=33 (http://keywestvisitorguide.com/tour/Tours?id=33)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Tahoe, I'm no expert on Coz, just been there once on a cruise (this same cruise.) We did snorkel, as part of a jeep trip. It wasn't awful, the water was nice, not crystal clear, and not much in the way of fish, and no coral that I saw. That was one beach, not sure what we'll find this time, we're doing a snorkel/beach thingy, but I just want to get into the water, no matter what.

[Travelcat2]

TahoeTraveler: Don't know what I was thinking (well, obviously I was thinking about Key West). We did a private snorkeling excursion in Cozumel that was disappointing. I did find the following speed boat tour that is interesting: http://www.cozumel-tours.com/speed-boats.htm

[rallydave]

TahoeTraveler: Don't know what I was thinking (well, obviously I was thinking about Key West). We did a private snorkeling excursion in Cozumel that was disappointing. I did find the following speed boat tour that is interesting: http://www.cozumel-tours.com/speed-boats.htm


o for 2, that's the tour that has been cancelled. Link takes you to their web page that says the tour is temporarily unavailable which is why Regent cancelled it. Sounds like the local company may be out of business.

[Travelcat2]

o for 2, that's the tour that has been cancelled. Link takes you to their web page that says the tour is temporarily unavailable which is why Regent cancelled it. Sounds like the local company may be out of business.

You're right (it does happen occasionally;)). Something is obviously going on with speed boats as another company also has suspended service. Beore I strike out, here is a link to a site talks about beaches http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/Beaches.htm

[TahoeTraveler]

ACK! Just got back from date night with hubby and will attempt to sort through all these posts.

Rachel, I got an email from Regent yesterday telling me that the speed boat portion of our "Speed Boat and Beach Adventure" tour had been cancelled, so that basically we were now just going to be taken to Barracuda Beach for 4 hours. Regent apparently tried to appease those of us who like more adventurous tours by opening up more slots in the previously waitlisted ATV tours (one to the beach and one through the jungle)...we ended up signing up for the ATV and Beach Adventure (though we're not sure we'll actually do that one, which is why I posted this in the first place). It sounds like the speed boat operators have suspended operations, which does not bode well for your cruise in February...although you do have a bit of time between our cruise and yours in which things may sort out.

TC, I'm pretty familiar with most of Cozumel's beaches and was just hoping that someone could tell me where the ATV and Beach tour goes, or advise as to what else to do while there. I have seen some good reviews about a private snorkeling area about 10 minutes from the pier, and have been to the eastern side of the island for strictly beach time at Chen Rio. Quite frankly, I'm leaning towards just staying on the ship, as the 6 mega-ships in port with us will make Cozumel both crowded and irritating for me, no doubt. I just was hoping to hear about Regent's snorkeling tour, as well as their ATV tours, to see if those might be worth dealing with the crowds for.

Thanks for all the info from everyone...it sounds like this particular cancellation was completely out of Regent's hands.

Tami

[RachelG]

Would like to hear about the ATV and Beach tour as well, as that seems the only other one that we would really be interested in if the speed boat excursion is canceled. I am not too excited about driving an ATV through the jungle, but to the beach would probably be ok if the beach is nice enough. ATV riding in and of itself is not a thrill as I can do that any day I want at home on the ranch.

[TahoeTraveler]

Rachel, I'm with you regarding the ATV part of the tour, as an hour on one of those darn things doesn't really appeal to me (we do that every time we take ours down to the river). But I'm not sure we'll get many opinions on this thread, so I'm going to start a new one with a more specific title...hopefully someone who knows about the tour will respond with their experiences.

[MalibuCA]

I am the original poster of this thread. As happens with many threads, they take on a life of their own and often find many new paths. No problem with this. However, I just wanted to get back to my original posting one more time and let everyone know that my TA got a response from the President of Regent regarding our concerns about disembarking the cruise ship in a timely fashion when we are independent, not shore excursion, travelers. Here is his reply, and I must say that I am extremely pleased with what he has to say.

"From: Eric Maryanov
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 1:02 PM
To: All Travel Agents
Subject: Regent cruises disembarkation tender ports

On the reports from Regent Reservations that clients not using Regent shore excursions in tender ports will experience a delay…. THIS IS NOT TRUE….

I have verified w/ Regent Sales that a client not taking a Regent shore excursion will not be detained from getting off the ship

Clients making their own plans…. Or just wanting off ship in tender ports WILL NOT have to wail to be last off ship……there should be no time delay.



In the event you are told otherwise by reservation agent, please provide me with their name…. and Sales office will go through proper channels to set them straight…



Again, there is no truth to the rumor that clients not taking a Regent Shore Ex will be detained in a tender port from disembarking in a timely manor



Eric Maryanov
President
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Fax: 310.312.5053 (USA) | CST #1015834-10
M-F 7:30am-6pm | Sat 9am-4pm | Sun 10am-4pm (PST)
2001 S. Barrington Ave., Ste. 315 Los Angeles, CA 90025
Take Our Survey! | Meet the Team! | Read the Blog!"

It looks like Regent is listening, and we should have no problem with a prompt disembarkation if we are independent travelers. I can't wait for my Regent cruise! Thanks again, Everyone, for your responses. Happy Cruising!

Shelley:)

[DaveFr]

Shelley,

I'm on the Mariner now and we've had one tender port so far. What you were told by Regent is generally what I experienced. Independents or those wanting to go ashore before their excursions cannot just walk up and get on a tender. However, independents are fit in on tenders leaving between the tour tenders and don't have to wait until all tours have been accommodated. I thought it was a fair system and worked well.

Dave

[Travelcat2]

Shelley,

I'm on the Mariner now and we've had one tender port so far. What you were told by Regent is generally what I experienced. Independents or those wanting to go ashore before their excursions cannot just walk up and get on a tender. However, independents are fit in on tenders leaving between the tour tenders and don't have to wait until all tours have been accommodated. I thought it was a fair system and worked well.

Dave

It sounds as if Regent made have changed their policy in order to accommodate independents. When we were in Alaska last summer, special tenders were not made available until after excursions were loaded. Thanks for the up to date information.

P.S. Take good care of the Mariner -- we'll be on her in 3 1/2 weeks:D

[rallydave]

I am the original poster of this thread. As happens with many threads, they take on a life of their own and often find many new paths. No problem with this. However, I just wanted to get back to my original posting one more time and let everyone know that my TA got a response from the President of Regent regarding our concerns about disembarking the cruise ship in a timely fashion when we are independent, not shore excursion, travelers. Here is his reply, and I must say that I am extremely pleased with what he has to say.

"From: Eric Maryanov
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 1:02 PM
To: All Travel Agents
Subject: Regent cruises disembarkation tender ports

On the reports from Regent Reservations that clients not using Regent shore excursions in tender ports will experience a delay…. THIS IS NOT TRUE….

I have verified w/ Regent Sales that a client not taking a Regent shore excursion will not be detained from getting off the ship

Clients making their own plans…. Or just wanting off ship in tender ports WILL NOT have to wail to be last off ship……there should be no time delay.



In the event you are told otherwise by reservation agent, please provide me with their name…. and Sales office will go through proper channels to set them straight…



Again, there is no truth to the rumor that clients not taking a Regent Shore Ex will be detained in a tender port from disembarking in a timely manor



Eric Maryanov
President
<image001.jpg>
<image002.jpg><image003.jpg>
<image004.gif><image005.gif>P: 800.225.3614
Fax: 310.312.5053 (USA) | CST #1015834-10
M-F 7:30am-6pm | Sat 9am-4pm | Sun 10am-4pm (PST)
2001 S. Barrington Ave., Ste. 315 Los Angeles, CA 90025
Take Our Survey! | Meet the Team! | Read the Blog!"

It looks like Regent is listening, and we should have no problem with a prompt disembarkation if we are independent travelers. I can't wait for my Regent cruise! Thanks again, Everyone, for your responses. Happy Cruising!

Shelley:)

Am just a bit confused with the e-mail you posted as coming from Regent. Believe Mark Conroy is the President of Regent and his office is in Ft. Lauderdale and not LA. If this is a valid e-mail, am glad Regent isn't playing favorites with people on Regent excursions but, I googled
Eric Maryanov and it appears he is President of a LA Travel Agency and not a Regent staff member.

If this e-mail was from Regent and Mr. Maryanov simply forwarded it, that would show on the copy/paste. If Mr. Mayanov did in fact get an e-mail from Mr. Conroy, would really be more comfortable with that e-mail than what Mr. Maryanov sent to his TA's.

[Travelcat2]

Since Eric Maryanov is a TA (I Googled him also), I would definitely not take his word over that of the many CruiseCritic members who have experienced getting off of the ship in tender ports. Although it sounds like it is easier for those passengers with independent excursions to get on a tender, there have been problems in the past.

[OrpingtonT]

Since Eric Maryanov is a TA (I Googled him also), I would definitely not take his word over that of the many CruiseCritic members who have experienced getting off of the ship in tender ports.

Absolutely. In my experience, I know independants are asked to wait for tender places.

[MalibuCA]

Oops, thanks for clarifying who wrote the letter. I incorrectly concluded it came from Regent since my TA forwarded it to me after I asked about the previous problems that independents faced in tender ports (and specifically asked that she get clarification from Regent.) It does, however, sound from the current Mariner cruise that the process is moving more efficiently and fairly for independents. I will hope for the best since we have so many tender ports on our cruise, and I guess I will try to get on as many Regent excursions as I can. I'll be happy to report back after I complete the cruise, but since it isn't until October, it will be a while. If anyone else is cruising on Regent, and in particular on the Voyager, prior to October, please report back your experiences in tender ports. It will help all of us.

Thanks,
Shelley

[Caroldoll]

if you didn't go on a guided tour you had to apply for the visa and tell them where you are going and when. Russia is not the United States for sure.

[hondorner]

We had one tender port on the cruise I just completed, in Belize. Independent travelers were requested to go to the Constellation Theater were they were issued color coded tender ticke. ts in order of when they arrived in the theater. When the first tender was ready to load, the red tender ticket holders were called first, before any tour tickets. Almost immediately, the first excursion passengers were called. We were in that first excursion group, so I don't know what happened subsequently, but it appears independent tender users were being systematically and fairly worked into the tenders along with the excursion passengers.

This is the way it has always worked on Oceania, and it was no surprise to me to see that system. It is a surprise that Regent has not been fair to the independents in the past. It appears that has changed?