Tendering in Lerwick?

I know it depends on the ship and how many have priority tender, but I was wondering what people's experience was with tendering at Lerwick. I have a private excursion booked and want a ballpark idea how long it might take to get off the ship after we dock. Thanks!

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

The biggest issue in Lerwick is that local immigration folk may (where is your previous stop?) come on board and demand to see everyone with their passport. In our case, for a cruise of 2200 people, 3 immigration folk came on board. This delayed the first tender by nearly an hour. It was a cluster, and the Captain was livid. We arrived at 9am (scheduled time), but I don't recall anyone getting off before about 10.

We also had heavy fog that day- much of the morning you couldn't see the docking area from the ship, and the distance was 2-300 yards. That slowed the tenders when they started running.

The biggest issue in Lerwick is that local immigration folk may (where is your previous stop?) come on board and demand to see everyone with their passport. In our case, for a cruise of 2200 people, 3 immigration folk came on board. This delayed the first tender by nearly an hour. It was a cluster, and the Captain was livid. We arrived at 9am (scheduled time), but I don't recall anyone getting off before about 10.

That's really helpful to know, thanks! We'll be coming from Iceland.

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

That's really helpful to know, thanks! We'll be coming from Iceland.

 

 

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

We were coming from Norway, so I would expect a thorough check by immigration folks.

Also, do you know if we're listed as Anchor South, which pier we'll tender into? (I noticed the Infinity coming in June anchors as a different spot, Anchor Breiwick).

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

We were coming from Norway, so I would expect a thorough check by immigration folks.

CruiserBruce, did your ship embark from the UK? Ours leaves from the UK, so I wonder if that will speed up the process? Nonetheless, I'll budget the extra immigration time!

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

Interesting article. Looks like they're trying to remedy this problem:

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/6514-cruise-control

CruiserBruce, did your ship embark from the UK? Ours leaves from the UK, so I wonder if that will speed up the process? Nonetheless, I'll budget the extra immigration time!

 

 

July 2012 ~ Celebrity Infinity ~ Alaska

No, we started in Copenhagen, and ended in Amsterdam. As mentioned, our previous stop was Norway. I think that is the critical angle, as you are entering the UK.

Interesting article. Looks like they're trying to remedy this problem:

 

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/6514-cruise-control

That is interesting. There aren't a lot of ships that visit Lerwick, and I am sure, if others were as delayed as we were, the cruise lines are screaming very loud about not visiting Lerwick.

I emailed the port (melanie@lerwick-harbour.co.uk) and they were very helpful in answering my questions. You might ask them if your cruise line can't help.

That is interesting. There aren't a lot of ships that visit Lerwick, and I am sure, if others were as delayed as we were, the cruise lines are screaming very loud about not visiting Lerwick.

We'll be visiting there in September so I hope they have things sorted out by then. We have a full day and we're not taking any excursions so a delay wouldn't be a big problem but it would be aggravating.

Hi local lad here...Lerwick Harbour has two defined cruise ship anchorages (Inner & Breiwick/South) the attachment below shows them in relation to Lerwick. The upper anchor symbol is the Inner a mere 2-4 minute tender ride, whilst the lower symbol is a longer 10 minute tender ride.

http://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/assets/files/2013.09%20Overview%20of%20South%20Harbour%20Approach%20&%20Anchorage.pdf

Incidentally whilst a ship may be down to anchor in Breiwick, should the weather behave itself it's possible the inner anchorage will be used instead, ships of 294 metres can be accommodated in there but only in good conditions.

Richard

Hi local lad here...Lerwick Harbour has two defined cruise ship anchorages (Inner & Breiwick/South) the attachment below shows them in relation to Lerwick. The upper anchor symbol is the Inner a mere 2-4 minute tender ride, whilst the lower symbol is a longer 10 minute tender ride.

 

http://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/assets/files/2013.09%20Overview%20of%20South%20Harbour%20Approach%20&%20Anchorage.pdf

 

Incidentally whilst a ship may be down to anchor in Breiwick, should the weather behave itself it's possible the inner anchorage will be used instead, ships of 294 metres can be accommodated in there but only in good conditions.

 

Richard

Many thanks to the "local lad" for stopping in on the board. It's always great to hear from locals with good info when looking at any destination.

Hi local lad here...Lerwick Harbour has two defined cruise ship anchorages (Inner & Breiwick/South) the attachment below shows them in relation to Lerwick. The upper anchor symbol is the Inner a mere 2-4 minute tender ride, whilst the lower symbol is a longer 10 minute tender ride.

 

http://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/assets/files/2013.09%20Overview%20of%20South%20Harbour%20Approach%20&%20Anchorage.pdf

 

Richard

Thanks so much for posting this information! So does Anchor South and Anchor Breiwick anchor at the lower circle closest to Breiwick? And do they all tender to Victoria pier?

IHeartGlacier yes this is correct on both counts. The tender pontoon is on the North face of Victoria Pier in the Albert Dock. It's a double gangway pontoon.

More info on Lerwick/Shetland on these threads too

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1840985

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803620

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1684078

Richard

Thanks Richard!

Just to let everyone know the webcam at the Lerwick tender pontoon is finally back on line, so you can see where it is exactly in the harbour. Just remember to turn the annoying music down/off! :)

Costa Pacifica is in the inner anchorage today despite a chilly North-Easterly wind.

http://visit.shetland.org/shetland-webcams

If i'm not meant to put up this link then just remove it as necessary.

Richard