Hairiest tender rides !

[orianagal]

Hello everyone

 

just wondering if anyone has any funny or otherwise, memorable !! stories of tender rides to or from a port.

As I remember years ago in an old tender near FIJI we sat in the rain in a very heavy tropical downpour and the tender crew couldnt find the ship !!:p

 

yikes !!

 

look forward to your replies thankyou

[paul929207]

At Devil's Island, the seas were quite rough. The tender rose and fell fom about 4 feet below the platform to 4 feet above the platform. You had to time your jump on and off. Lots of people turned around and did not get off the ship.

[Keith1010]

We've had some rought tender experiences. I think the roughest was our first time in Newport, RI. It was a long and rough ride. The next time it was much nicer.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

From our 2006 Amsterdam Hawaiian cruise:

Lahaina, Maui

Lahaina, Maui - we had 2 tours booked for here - Valley to Ocean Discovery in the morning and Drums of the Pacific Luau in the evening. This is a tendering port. It was raining when we arrived. All tours were to meet in the Wajang Theatre and those going ashore independently got their tender tickets in the Queen’s Lounge. We were told to report 10 minutes before our tour which was scheduled to leave at 8:15. We got there at 8 and the entire area was a ZOO!!. The first tour hadn’t even left yet and the place was jammed back. The 2 girls in charge didn’t seem to know what to do. As it turned out they would call one tour to report to the tender and then allow many independents to go on the tenders. We had only 3 tenders running. By allowing so many independents to get off the ship before the tours, the tours got further and further behind. Our tour was finally called at 8:50. We got to shore at 9:05 - waters were still calm but it was raining. When we finally got on the bus, the driver told us that we were 1 hour late and since he had another tour to do in the afternoon, he would have to cut our tour short (don’t worry - no one got anything back for a shortened tour). As we a result we got only 15 minutes at the Iao Needle - but we were there only 10 minutes when it really began to pour!! On the way out there our bus driver got a call on his cell phone - which he ignored - just let it kept ringing. Everyone dashed back to the bus. We were supposed to have stopped at the Botanical Gardens at the bottom of the hill but because we were running late - we just made a quick drive through - thank heavens we had been there before. Felt sorry for the people who had never seem them. While on our way to the Maui Ocean Center our driver’s cell phone rang - this time in the form of an SOS!! He answered this call.

The dispatcher was making certain that we were out of the Iao Valley - heavy rains were causing flash flooding. We had 1 and ½ hours at the Maui Ocean Center. The Center is wonderful with lots of exhibits but wouldn’t you know it - it was loaded with about 500 screaming children who were just beginning spring break and since it was to raining to go to the beach, their parents brought them here! By the time we got back to Lahaina, the rains had stopped so we decided to walk around town and see what all had changed since the last time we were in this port in 1979. At 1:45 we decided to get a tender and return to the ship. The winds had kicked up quite a bit and we noticed that the ocean was really rough. After waiting 15 minutes 2 tenders came in - 1 was empty and the other one was full - had a lot of crew members who got some free time. The first tender that we got on - the one that had been empty had to be completely cleaned down from all the sea sick passengers on it. We left the pier at 2:05 and began a horrible ride back to the ship. The tender was packed with passengers and crew. They kept 3 of the canvas coverings for the doors closed. As we pitched from side to side with water crashing over the top of the tender and pouring into the only open “door”, many of us wondered if we would ever get back to the ship in one piece. I know that we have all been told that if the tender rolls over, it will right itself. But our biggest concern was - no one is trapped in - if the tender rolls over, we will all fall and many of us will have broken bones and hopefully no one will be killed.

Our “driver” did an excellent job of keeping the tender upright and getting us back to the ship - no one on our tender got sick. The next challenge was getting off the tender with the waves crashing onto the ship and into the tender area. Nearly every other person got soaked getting off the tender - I was one of them - DH got one shoe and sock a little wet. We got back to the ship at 2:45. There were people waiting to get onto the tender to go ashore - many of us made a comment to them - “You are all crazy if you go ashore now”. While I was changing clothes and talking to DH about going back on the 4 o’clock tender for our luau an announcement was made canceling all tender service until further notice. We had pretty much made up our minds that we were not going back and would just eat the $129 per person tour. We had also learned that around 10 AM they had stopped tender operations for awhile because of rough seas. At 3:50 an announcement was made that this evening’s luau had been canceled - okay we didn’t lose any money there. Our assistant CD seem to be making all the announcements. He came back on at 4 and reminded everyone that their monies would be refunded. We learned that some of the crew members were on this ship when she was in the Falklands in 2005 and had the same kind of weather and tender operations had to cease and people had to spend the night on the island with the locals. We talked to some other people who got on the tenders at 3 and were told that they had to remain there until clearance was given for them to return to the ship. The sun finally came out between 3:30 and 4. At four two tenders with the majority of passengers and crew returned to the ship - it was still a long ride for them as the ship moved out to sea so that the waves wouldn’t be too bad for those getting off the tenders. It was announced around 5:30 that everyone was safe back on board.

We were supposed to have had a Hawaiian Local Show: Polynesian Production” but it was canceled. The group was at the pier and were ready to come out on a tender but it was feared that the seas might get rough again and that they wouldn’t be able to get back to shore. Tonight was Hawaiian night - BBQ out on the deck. Many of the men wore Hawaiian shirts. We chose to eat in the dining room. There weren’t many tables set up around the pool and some people “camped” out early - the BBQ began at 5:30 and was over at 8:30. So the YU-4 played music for several hours - not much Hawaiian music from what we were told. The movie “Walk The Mile” was scheduled to be shown just once in the Queen’s Lounge but since nothing really was going on, it was announced that there would be 2 showings. During the evening they kept one tender in the water - have no idea why since everyone was back on board - felt sorry for those guys. We were to stay here until 11 but we left at 10:45. The evening turned crystal clear so we got an after dinner drink and sat out on our verandah for a couple of hours watching the stars and the lights of Lahaina. Note: we talked to some people who did the tour to the Haleakula Crater - dress warmly if you take this tour - many people didn’t. Those who went there that the temperature at the top was in the low 30’s and it was sleeting. Tonight’s towel animal was a dog. These tours were canceled on the first day of the cruise: Adventure to said Hana, Crater Rainbow Helicopter, Circle Island Helicopter. There may have been others canceled - I didn’t keep track. Hilo Hattie has a free shuttle for those passengers who wish to go there.

[Happy ks]

We cruised NCL Star in Hawaii when she was still visiting Fanning Island. It was a port regularly missed because of rough seas and I remember reading here how people would write "the seas looked calm to me" when disappointed they didn't get to go on land.

 

Well, the seas didn't look all that rough, but getting back onboard from the tender took all 4 of the crew to assist each person. While I was stepping onto the ramp it suddenly dropped a couple feet and even with the assistance, I pulled a muscle in my leg. Trying to steady myself I could feel the muscles on the inside of my thigh being pulled the second time the ramp dipped. What I thought would take a couple of days to feel better took months, even with doctor visits.

 

I'm not fond of tendering.

[rdr525]

Returning on the tender from Samana. I guess they were running late and sped all the way back to the ship, which would have been fine except I sat near the railing and got soaked. When I got back to the ship, it looked like I jumped in the water. Hubby who sat next to me got wet but not like me

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

I remember on one of our last cruises, as the day went on, the tenders were "magically" holding more and more people, which appeared from shore to be unsafe, as the back of the tender was alomst below water! :eek:

 

Another time, we got back from a ship sponsored excursion late one time and had to take the final tender that they were holding for us and the shore crew. It was certainly packed more full than the occupancy police would have approved! It was a crowded, scary, sweaty trip, for sure!

 

In my opinion, they need to police the crowds better on the local tenders - for everyone's safety!

[mafig]

We were on Norwegian Jewel when the tender broke down. After bobbing around for awhile, they used another tender to bump us back to the ship. Unfortunately they didn't tell us beforehand and that first bump was pretty hard.:( It's a wonder no one was hurt, or maybe they were......they were in quite a hurry to get us off that tender and into another one.

[STARFISH*4]

first tender ride in alaska...the tenders are the enclosed type Celebrity Mercury and the seas were rough coming back and they kept trying to get the tender up close enough and kept missing their "mark" so we would try again...several times each time it was getting bouncier and bouncier inside

to many jammed in the tender...enclosed claustrophobic feeling:eek: and all of a sudden we hit hard and it jolted us...the hit was right by me and i felt it....i had broke ribs several months before so i really FELT it and it happened again...so much force that they put a crack/dent in the tender

i was pretty shaken up and from then on was known as the lady who got slammed in the tender:D:(--pretty much didnt want to go on those again:mad:

in hawaii i got drenched by a huge wave...it was like those TENDER GODs had it out for me:p

to this day i dont care for the tenders i need to be on the end and close to anything open so i dont feel closed in...and the worst part is "waiting" to fill up...ughhhhhhh

oh but i did catch a break...one time our friends we cruise with she got sick after a BOOZE cruise coming back on the tender and the lady (poor thing) that she threw up on well i had started to sit in her place but last minute moved to an "open" end seat......so i guess THE TENDER GODs gave me a BREAK on that one:D

[California Native]

Well, many years ago we were in Cabo San Lucas while sailing on the Dawn Princess

On the bit of a long ride back to the ship .....

Our tender CAUGHT FIRE! :eek:

It was an electrical fire..smoke everywhere..

they shut down the engines, handed out life jackets and then we waited to be rescued as we sat bobbing in the rough seas..

the fire was put out ..

we were then towed in back to the ship as a tender to tender transfer was deemed too dangerous

It was waaaayyyy better than any E ticket ride (just trying to put a positive spin on it) :)

[orianagal]

THANKS ALOT EVERYONE FOR THE GREAT STORIES OF LIFE ABOARD A SHIPS TENDER:)

KRAZY Ks OH MY GOODNESS THATS ONE HAWAIIAN TRIP TO BE REMEMBERED FOR A LONG TIME AND WHERE2NEXT, FIRE ON A TENDER?

OMG I WONDER IF ANYONE THOUGHT ABOUT SWIMMING ASHORE !!

AT LEAST IT WAS AN IDYLIC SETTING !!

IT COULD BE SAID THAT MAYBE SOME FOLKS PREFER AN ITINERARY WITH DOCKS NOT WHERE A TENDER IS INVOLVED !!! THOUGH SOME OF THE PRETTIEST PLACES REQUIRE A TENDER.

CHEERS !

[yogi2929]

Thankfully nothing as bad as catching fire.:eek:

 

We did see a woman who missed getting onto the tender. She fell straight into the ocean from the ship. The guys went right in after her. I think the only thing damaged was her pride.

 

Catalina usually uses it's own tenders. One of the captains does donuts to the ship.

[tip]

A few years ago in Belize, it was the closet thing to "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" that I have ever experienced! The tender seemed to fly and the crew seemed be hanging on the edge of the boat for dear life. Fortunately, no mishaps!

 

On the same trip we took a jungle river excusion. The boat's engines managed to get water into the gasoline and died mid-river among the howls of the monkeys and the gators watching us. They could not make radio contact, but fortunately another boat came along and got a message to a replacement. We transferred on the shore of the river and then to make up for lost time got the wildest and wettest ride of our lives across the harbor!

 

We look back now with amusement, but "The One Who Must Be Obeyed" had to change clothes for more than one reason upon return!

[Alexis]

This is mild compared to many of you, but for me, the worst.

Years ago we were stuck on the tender used to take us from our ship to Grand Cayman because the sea kicked up in minutes after we were on it. We were stuck in the middle between the ship and the dock with no place to go but rock and roll in the swells.

We were out there for a long time with the fumes from the tender blowing in our faces until it was safe to go back to the ship and board.

I was real sick when we got back to the ship. :o :rolleyes:

That was our worst tender experience. We have been real lucky on all our cruises. :)

[pris993]

Had two memorable experiences on in Monte Carlo and the other in Cabo San Lucas. In both cases, rough seas made getting back to the ship no easy task. Took about a 1/2 - 3/4 an hour in both cases. REally makes one realize how tough it might be to be in one of those tenders in an emergency.

[scottbee]

on Dec 25/2009 one of the Tenders for Celebrity Mercury had the controls jam, and she ran aground about 200 yards from where it was supposed to dock in Kailua-Kona, HI

 

I wasnt on it, but my wife witnessed it happening from another tender. At the next tender stop, a lot of people wouldn't get on "Tender #11"

[margincall]

In Belize I think we may have been on that "Mr Toads Wild Ride"-lol-First my DW almost went in the drink and pulled the deckhand with her, Then

one of the passengers was in a wheel chair so they very graciously helped her out of it and told her the crew onshore would help her back in. WELL THE tender starts off bouncing its way towards shore when they realized-oops--they left her chair on the platform at the Valor. Well we had to unbounce and bounce back to the ship then turn around and start it all over again

[orianagal]

Kind thanks everyone have enjoyed reading the stories

quite hairy to say the least !! ... :):D

Orianagal

[rkacruiser]

On one tender transfer from shore to ship, I experienced a "student driver" at the helm. One of the sailors was being taught how to operate the tender by one of the experienced sailors. All was well until we arrived at the ship's tender platform. Try as he might, he just could not get the side of the tender lined up with the platform. He would hit the platform, then back away, try again, this time missing the platform and hitting the side of the ship. I was sitting where I could see the officer in charge standing on the platform becoming increasingly upset. Suddenly there was a short, sharp radio message, probably from the Bridge, and the senior sailor took over the controls and properly docked the tender. I wondered afterwards what was said between the officers and the sailors.

[mickym]

Ok, I'm relatively new to cruising, fifth planed for Jan., but never really considered that tender rides could be that hairy. Here I thought the sea gulls making their deposits on our heads was bad. Enjoyed your stories everyone and if the seas are rough on tender days I may just stay on the ship.

[mypleasure]

On our galapgos islands cruise every shoretrip was in a zodiac which is a rubber dinghy. There were two zodiac drivers, one of which seemed to manage to get me soaked every time. It became a standing joke between him, myself and the rest of our group. One afternoon we arrived at the island to find a bull sea lion and his harem had taken over the dock area for a bit of sunbathing. He did not like our presence and was barking a lot and acting very threateningly. We had to get out onto some rocks 50 yards away that were covered with weed and were very wet and slippy. A couple of people slipped and got scrapes on the volcanic rocks. When we got back to the ship it was easier because the sea lions had moved on. The ship doctor was waiting at the gangway when we got back and all cuts and scrapes were treated promptly free of charge. War wounds were displayed for all to see at dinner that night.

[carol louise]

In 1999 on the Norwegian Wind we tendered into Cancun. The drop in the ocean floor is very gradual and the ship was anchored about a 45-minute tender ride away. It was 7 am, and we passengers were sort of sleepy. As we neared land, I was looking through a pair of binoculars and noticed a lady on a small ledge on the steep rocky shore some distance away, removing her clothes. She was wiggling and dancing for our enjoyment, and one by one I heard my fellow passengers wake up, notice her, and start chuckling. Then we saw a couple police officers starting to clambor down the rocky cliffside; they must have heard her radio because they were not in a position to see her from above. She apparently heard them coming because she put her clothes back on and by the time they reached her she was dressed again. Our tender pilot did not seem to pay much attention; I wondered if she did that regularly, and the police knew to look for her when tenders passed.