Haven’t tendered before, what will we need to do to make a 9:15 ex.

Grand Cayman arrival time is 8am. Can we count on making a 9:15 excursion (not thru ship)?

Unless you already have a type of tender priority (suite guest), you will need to get in the tender ticket line early. The where and when will be announced. One person can get tender tickets for your group if needed. However, tour operators are very aware of the need to get the guests tendered to shore before they can begin a tour. So they will be familiar with that situation also. Persons on NCL tours get escorted to the tenders first.

Grand Cayman arrival time is 8am. Can we count on making a 9:15 excursion (not thru ship)?

Follow the instructions in the Freestyle Daily to get tickets on the an early tender. Your tender ticket time allows you to "join the line". Once in line, you will [slowly] get through ship's security, then board the tender. It takes 10-15 minutes to fill the tender before it departs. Then time to cruise to shore (time depends on where you are anchored (NCL is sometimes the furthest from shore). Then a short time to disembark and get down the dock.

Which ship? I am only familiar with the Epic. The second we got on board we reserved group 1 via the monitor at the elevator bank.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Forums mobile app

Which ship? I am only familiar with the Epic. The second we got on board we reserved group 1 via the monitor at the elevator bank.

 

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Forums mobile app

Escape, looking at previous dailies it looks like tender reservations open the afternoon before the port

Remember also that when you tender you are at the mercy of the weather and sea conditions. If it is a bit rough it will take longer to get people ashore.

The tour people understand tendering. Whether you’re with an NCL tour or an independent tour. They will wait for you. No one wants a reputation of leaving without all of their customers. Just try to get on the tender that will get you to shore on time. Enjoy!!

Grand Cayman is a very efficient tender port. The tenders are operated by the port and are much larger than the ship's lifeboats. The process goes quickly as long as the weather is cooperative. If you follow the instructions, get tender tickets asap and have yourselves organized you should not have an issue. Your tour operator should be used to the process and if there are delays he will know about them and prepare accordingly.