4 Star Priority Tenders?

[SilvertoGold]

We don't do tenders often, so we aren't really experienced in how the 4 star priority tender perk works, or is supposed to work.

On the last cruise we found that "priority" meant waitng until the Shorex passengers had gone in on the tenders.
I am not sure the Cruise Director had this right, since I don't see that this method is "priority". Or is this just another "every ship does it differently" instance?

Any info and experiences would be appreciated.

[sail7seas]

When we are ready to go ashore on a tender day, we go to where the tenders are loading, get in the line and board when it is our turn.

You do not have to go to the show lounge and get a number. You can proceed directly to the tender loading area.

Once or twice, we have been asked to step aside so a tour group was not separated but it was not big deal. They got us all loaded and seated quickly and on our way.

More often than not, we are not in a rush and wait until the early tours have already left the ship before we go for a tender.

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks, Sail.

The note from the GRM said to take mid-ship elevator port to A deck and there would be a special area set aside for 4 stars. No waiting in line.

So, you get there and wait until all the shorex are gone. That could take some time if you went down when the ship had just started the tender process!

Good to know for the next time.

[sail7seas]

The line AT the gangway would not be long on a tender day as they only let those with a certain number go at a time. They limit the number of people who they allow to proceed to the gangway.

Now with more and more Four Star Mariners, of course, there will be less priority. When priority was only those in suites, priority really meant priority. It is now less so and becoming more so each day as hundreds more reach 4 star level.
Still it is nice to not have to wait in the lounge for what is sometimes an extended period of time.

[DaveOKC]

The line AT the gangway would not be long on a tender day as they only let those with a certain number go at a time. They limit the number of people who they allow to proceed to the gangway.

Now with more and more Four Star Mariners, of course, there will be less priority. When priority was only those in suites, priority really meant priority. It is now less so and becoming more so each day as hundreds more reach 4 star level.
Still it is nice to not have to wait in the lounge for what is sometimes an extended period of time.




S7S - good point. We were just on a 2 week cruise and in many cases our friend who was 4 stars got the same benefits as those in a deluxe suite.

It seems to me that once you make 4 stars, the value of getting a deluxe suite over another balcony cabin is much less (except for the Neptune access and a larger cabin).

DaveOKC

[sail7seas]

S7S - good point. We were just on a 2 week cruise and in many cases our friend who was 4 stars got the same benefits as those in a deluxe suite.

It seems to me that once you make 4 stars, the value of getting a deluxe suite over another balcony cabin is much less (except for the Neptune access and a larger cabin).

DaveOKC


Yes, Dave.
That is something people have to evaluate.
For us, it is still worth the "S" Suite but we certainly are aware of the duplications....... some of these things we pay for and would have gotten by virtue of us being 4 Star.

[Mar56]

can you just confirm please that if you do have a shore excursion through the ship, you do get priority off the ship via tenders???

[Randyk47]

can you just confirm please that if you do have a shore excursion through the ship, you do get priority off the ship via tenders???

If it is a tender port and you have a morning excursion or tour purchased through HAL you will get priority. :)

[DaveOKC]

can you just confirm please that if you do have a shore excursion through the ship, you do get priority off the ship via tenders???

As Randy stated, if you have an early excursion, you will get priority. On our recent cruise we cleared Immigration in Bar Harbor and those folks with early excursions also got to go early through Immigration, not waiting for their scheduled time.

DaveOKC

[1 HappyCruiser]

Is there any priority returning to the ship?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

As far as I know, no priority for returning to ship - you get in line with everyone else.

[lorekauf]

Is there any priority returning to the ship?
No.

[lorekauf]

I've run into very few 4* mariners on ships since I've earned mine. I don't think they are being churned out as quickly as people make out on these boards. I've found there isn't that much brand loyalty. Maybe it's just the cruises I take.

[DaveOKC]

I've run into very few 4* mariners on ships since I've earned mine. I don't think they are being churned out as quickly as people make out on these boards. I've found there isn't that much brand loyalty. Maybe it's just the cruises I take.

There are more 4 Stars on the longer cruises than on the shorter ones (7 days or less). There were quite a few on our 13 day one a week ago.

DaveOKC

[Krazy Kruizers]

We don't do tenders often, so we aren't really experienced in how the 4 star priority tender perk works, or is supposed to work.

On the last cruise we found that "priority" meant waitng until the Shorex passengers had gone in on the tenders.
I am not sure the Cruise Director had this right, since I don't see that this method is "priority". Or is this just another "every ship does it differently" instance?

Any info and experiences would be appreciated.

That is also a Deluxe Suite perk. We have had that for years.

It simply means that you do not have to go to the lounge to get a tender ticket and then wait for your number to be called.

You can go down to the tender area -- but if you choose to go ashore when tours are being taken ashore -- yes -- you will have to wait.

We always wait until the majority of the excursions have left the ship.

Then we go down to the tender area and get in at the end of the line. Having that "priority" does not mean that you can jump line.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Is there any priority returning to the ship?

No priority for anyone returning to the ship.

We just watch the lines and try to choose a time when a lot of the tours are still out and about. Lines are shorter then.

[lorekauf]

There are more 4 Stars on the longer cruises than on the shorter ones (7 days or less). There were quite a few on our 13 day one a week ago.

DaveOKC
I did a 16 day Panama Canal cruise in April and there weren't that many. I know because I saw the list. I'm quite sure there would be more on exotic cruises.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are more 4 Stars on the longer cruises than on the shorter ones (7 days or less). There were quite a few on our 13 day one a week ago.

DaveOKC

We have done several 21 day repositioning cruises and there were not a lot of 4 star Mariner's on them.