Elite Benefit - Tendering

Our next sailing has several ports that we will be required to tender and we are newly elite members. One of the perks says "priority tenders". How does this work? Will we get tickets to use that will allow us to go to the front of a long line and can be used anytime during the day or does it mean you are the first group off (after excursions)?

Thanks!

It means you are first off after excursions. At some point, there will be an announcement that tender tickets are no longer needed and you will just get in line with everyone else. You'll find the line moves very quickly from that time on.

The last time we did it as Elite (it was a couple of years ago) We were directed to a special room (Mercury movie theater) and given a number as we entered. The called us in groups and escorted us down just like any excursion group. To anyone else we were indistinguishable from the excursion folks. It was a nice perk :)

Your stateroom attendant will leave priority tender tickets in your room the night before. Just take them and show up at the tender area when you want to leave the ship. The gathering in a room thing went away some time ago.

Thanks for the update Linda!

Make sure when you check into your room and all that stuff is on the bed that the Tickets are there. Sometimes they get forgotten by "Somebody"

Ask your stateroom guy or guest relations if missing. U need them if you wish to get off on a tender early.

The elite 'meeting in a room' was in full force last week on the Century. We were held for a few minutes and then told to go to the tender area, where we got on the tender with people on excursions. The downside to the whole thing was that they called excursion groups very slowly, and the tender (second of the day) took a half hour to load and go (400 people). I stayed to the side because that tender was rolling around and watched the process of radioing the groups to come down, but people shouldn't sit on a tender for a half hour (I even watched as a passsenger showed up without his seapass, went through all his stuff, still coudn't find it, argued with the guys for a while, disappeared for a long time, came back with a new seapass and made the tender with time to spare). By the way, no priority tender tickets in my suite the night before, I had to call and ask for them (they were quickly delivered) - but the people who I was traveling with in other suites got them (although they were not elite). No priority return.

If they did away with Elite meeting points for those holding priority tender passes, they have reinstated them on a least some itineraries.

My impression is that they make a determination whether or not to have a meeting point based on how many Elites are on board, what percentage of the ship has signed up for excursions, and possibly other factors. Maybe HappyCruiser6143 has just been on some itineraries which didn't need a special "gathering place"?

If they did away with Elite meeting points for those holding priority tender passes, they have reinstated them on a least some itineraries.

 

My impression is that they make a determination whether or not to have a meeting point based on how many Elites are on board, what percentage of the ship has signed up for excursions, and possibly other factors. Maybe HappyCruiser6143 has just been on some itineraries which didn't need a special "gathering place"?

We've always had to go to a special waiting area with our Elite priority tickets. It hasn't changed on any of our recent cruises.

If they did away with Elite meeting points for those holding priority tender passes, they have reinstated them on a least some itineraries.

 

My impression is that they make a determination whether or not to have a meeting point based on how many Elites are on board, what percentage of the ship has signed up for excursions, and possibly other factors. Maybe HappyCruiser6143 has just been on some itineraries which didn't need a special "gathering place"?

I've experienced it both ways. I much prefer the no meeting place way. The one time we were to meet in Michael's Club, we were held there forever, then taken down and thrust into a rugby scrum for the tender. Got separated from two of the people we were with. I wouldn't do that again.

By the way, Elites aren't the only ones who get priority tender passes. Suites and concierge class get them as well.

We have only had priority tender tickets once. [Our only tender port on Celebrity and we have a "meet on the pier" shore excursion.] Our butler delivered them the previous day and they said we should go to the theatre. We arrived at an empty theatre, two members of the activities staff were there and called the tender station on their radios. We were taken the the tender station where the tender was being held for us.

We had to put up with dirty looks from everyone onboard the tender but were last on and first off.

Sue

IBy the way, Elites aren't the only ones who get priority tender passes. Suites and concierge class get them as well.

We'll be in AQ next month and tender in Santorini and Mykonos. Will we also get priority tender tickets?

I don't think so. It's not listed as a feature of AQ staterooms.

By the way, Elites aren't the only ones who get priority tender passes. Suites and concierge class get them as well.

We've been in a C1 twice and never received priority tender status - did we miss out? (I also don't see it listed as a "perk" - only priority embarkation/debarkation)

I don't think that the information posted about that Concierge Class get priority tender tickets is accurate. It's not a listed feature of this class of stateroom.

I don't know about listed perks. I can only report my experience. Have always sailed in concierge class and received priority tender tickets. Maybe my stateroom attendant liked me. Who knows?