Suite priority for tendering - both directions?

[scluvsrain]

I am leaving for the 7/17 Zuiderdam cruise on Friday morning. I just thought of something that maybe some of you past "suite" guests might know the answer to: I know that suite guests (we've got a suite booked) get priority tendering to LEAVE the ship for a port, but what about on the return trip back to the ship? Same thing, or is it first come, first on?

[peaches from georgia]

The priority tender pass is for going into port. That's when most people want to get on the tenders at the same time, so it is great to have the pass. Instead of going to whatever lounge that is announced to get a tender boarding #, you will go directly to the gangway and then get on line there with those who are waiting to board a tender. (You don't bust into the front of the line waving your pass. :rolleyes: ) Those who are waiting will be only those with a certain #, so the line is not terribly long.

People choose to come back to the ship at various times during the day, so the wait usually isn't terribly wrong. People just get on in the order they arrive at the tender pier.

[ryansmemom]

Hi

Welcome to Holland America. I know you will enjoy your cruise and I know you will really enjoy the suite.

Priority tendering is just for leaving the ship. Returning is first come, first served. As far as leaving the ship, priority tendering means that you may go the the deck where the gangway is located at any time without having to wait until your ticket number is called. Once at the gangway, it is first come first on board, just like everyone else. Some people misunderstand this and think "priority tendering" means they go to the front the line causing a lot of resentment on the part of their fellow passengers.

Linda :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Suite tender tickets - you will get the tickets from the concierge the evening before your tender port.

Once the announcement has been made that the ship has been cleared and passengers can go ashore, just go down to the deck where the tenders are - listen for announcements for the tender deck.

We just get at the end of the line and get on the tender. Have never had a problem. Once a passenger didn't see that we had the special tender pass and reminded us that we needed to get a number up in the show room lounge to get in line for a tender. We just showed her our tender tickets and she just made a face.

Oh well.

:)

[sail7seas]

As Suite pax, we do as KK does....when we are ready to go ashore we go to "tender deck" and get in the back of whatever line there may be.

When we are ready to go back to the ship, we get in whatever line may be ahead of us waiting for a tender. It is very rare in the Caribbean to ever have to wait very long.

[stillfrantic]

Do SS rooms get the passes also, or just S and PS?

[joeinwpb]

:) No comment ;)

[kona1234]

If I am traveling with children or another couple who are not in a suite can they get priority with me??

[sail7seas]

The passes are for "S" and "PS" pax. These amentities are part of the extras that some pax are willing to pay extra money to receive. Only people in those cabins get the priority boarding using those passes.

[superstein61]

:) No comment ;)

LOL - Ahh, why not Joe - ok, i will say it. I do not begrudge Suite passengers any of the extra perks they get for paying more - EXCEPT this one. This one should be abolished because it affects other passengers. None of the other perks do.

tenders should be first come first serve for all IMO

[joeinwpb]

Superstein61

No thanks my friend. Not a chance of a hotfoot in a snow ball. That I would participate in that quagmire People, most of them, I consider my friends. Change and say terrible things.
The merry-go-round on how everybody should dress is also too unpleasant for me.
Both should be avoided at all costs.
You’ll see!

[superstein61]

:) :) :) Joe

[scluvsrain]

Thank you for clearing it up for me. I've been on HAL several times, this is just my first time in a suite. I will behave myself. ........

[mattR]

Can you get two tender tickets when you go to the proper lounge/area or do both my wife and I need to line up to get a tender ticket?

[peaches from georgia]

If you are talking about getting 2 suite priority tender tkts, they will be put in your room by the concierge the evening before you are tendering. You will just go directly to the gangway when you are ready to go into port.

If you are talking about non- PS or S pax getting a regular tender # for boarding you will be told what lounge to go to, but they do not want you to go there until EVERY member of your group is ready to go into port. Then you both, or all, will get your tender tkt at the same time and proceed when your # is called to the gangway. You can't go to the lounge and just pick up tkt #'s for more than yourself. They want to be sure that as each tender # is called that all the pax holding that # are there and ready to go.

[sheldrvrT6A]

Just getting off of the Oosterdam and we had no problem in tendering either way. We were in an A room and just feel this was another "perk" people paid extra for and did not need. I suppose it is all up to the individual. Never was a line or even the hint of one at Sitka. Went down to get our number but the tender person said one is rarely needed and the ship was sold out. The crew does an outstanding job along with the boss Captain Mercer. Have fun.
Jerry

[sail7seas]

That varies greatly by itinerary by pax mix and by what time tendering begins.


There have been times where there was a very long wait for tender numbers to be called and other times it was as you describe.....

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

If a lot of passengers are booked for tours, they will be taken care of first before the general announcement is made for other passengers to go ashore. Sometimes this can be a long wait.

It varies from ship to ship and itinerary to itnerary.

:)

[General Max]

What do you think you can sell your priority tender passes for when on board?

General Max

[sheldrvrT6A]

General
Or you could get enough bed sheets and tie them over the side at the tender point and just "drop in" LOL.
Jerry

[cruisecrasy]

Your humor made my day - thanks so much - I needed it too!!!

[F5Loar]

There are many ititenaries that tenders are not needed so paying extra for that suite perk you loose on those!
It's a nice thing to have. I'm sure many suite guests have passed them on to friends on the ship when they didn't need them. If you have a ship excursion you still have to go get in your group and your tender pass is not much good.

[TedC]

On the Westerdam in May there were no priority tickets to sell or give to others. The data was encoded in your ship card that you use when disembarking.