Port Disembarkation/Tendering Priority Rules

[rtbotts]

We are sailing the Dawn shortly and it will be our first time on NCL. Is it true that it is impossible to get off the ship ahead of those who book excursions through NCL? We have booked our own excursions and are early risers so we had planned to try and be first off. However, if that is impossible, I do not want to go sit and wait and get a ticket that is for three hours later. Any advice would be appreciated if there is a way around this rule or if I would just be wasting my time going early. I have read somewhere that they often get into port early. Does this mean they will let us off early? I am particularly concerned about the tendered port of Belize. Thank you!

[Mistizoom]

This was three years ago, but on the Dawn I sent my DH down to get tender tickets about a half-hour before the announced start time of distribution, because I saw a tip here on Cruise Critic. Sure enough, they started handing them out earlier than announced and we were on I think the first or second tender. We got to Belize City in plenty of time for our private excursion. On a non-tender port you don't need to worry at all, just walk off when you want. Those on NCL excursions will be sitting in the theater until their excursion is called.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Mistizoom

[rtbotts]

This was three years ago, but on the Dawn I sent my DH down to get tender tickets about a half-hour before the announced start time of distribution

 

Thank you! :) That is good to know. I am also concerned that we have a party of six and getting everyone there at the same time (super early with me!) might be tough. If one of us could collect all the tickets that would be awesome. Has anyone tried this recently?

[KeithJenner]

In most ports it doesn't make much difference, as there isn't the great rush to get off straight away.

 

Exceptions are those where the ship arrives later in the day, ports where time is limited (like some in Europe where it is a journey to the city centre) and tender ports.

 

Excursions are often fairly late leaving as they meet up in the theatre. In tender ports they often use their own tender so they don't interfere.

 

At tender ports, they allow you to book timed tickets. Suites will have priority and some latitudes levels can jump the queue, but if you get a ticket early you should be ok.

 

In all my cruises I have never had trouble getting off in decent time.

[mousemom]

It is possible the ship will start tendering before the excursions times start, but I would not count on that. Distribution of tender tickets normally starts about 2 hours prior to the start of tendering. Check the time and location in the Freestyle the night before. Only one person needs to get tender tickets.

[rvsullivan]

We've done the trip on the Dawn three times now with another booked. The lines to get off for Belize can be very long and frustrating. Suites and NCL tours are the first off and go to the head of the line. Second or third tender get ashore almost as quickly. In December, tickets were issued the night before. They are certainly not enforced as much as they should. If you have a lower number for tenders, please go to deck 4 as early as you can and get in line. Many ignore the ticket numbers and just go, makes for a mess for a while. Get in line early and wait, you will get ashore pretty early.

[rtbotts]

We've done the trip on the Dawn three times now with another booked. The lines to get off for Belize can be very long and frustrating. Suites and NCL tours are the first off and go to the head of the line. Second or third tender get ashore almost as quickly. In December, tickets were issued the night before. They are certainly not enforced as much as they should. If you have a lower number for tenders, please go to deck 4 as early as you can and get in line. Many ignore the ticket numbers and just go, makes for a mess for a while. Get in line early and wait, you will get ashore pretty early.

 

Good to know! Thank you very much. I guess I will go early and bring a lot of patience and perseverance!

[rtbotts]

It is possible the ship will start tendering before the excursions times start, but I would not count on that. Distribution of tender tickets normally starts about 2 hours prior to the start of tendering. Check the time and location in the Freestyle the night before. Only one person needs to get tender tickets.

 

I will volunteer DH to go and get our tickets. Thank you for your reply!

Edited March 10, 2016 by rtbotts

[vicocala]

If you are in a suite do you have to get tickets, get an escort, flash your sign and sail card or something else?

[Medtech2]

I've never gotten tender tickets as I usually have an excursion but does anyone ever even ask for one? i just remember getting in line to get on the tender at GSC and no one asked for anything...

[lbrandon]

At tender ports, they allow you to book timed tickets. Suites will have priority and some latitudes levels can jump the queue, but if you get a ticket early you should be ok.

 

How does it work for suite guests? We are sailing on the Dawn in another week and we are staying in a suite for the first time. Do we just go to where they are handing out the tender tickets and show our keycard or does the concierge escort us to the tender?

[triptolemus]

How does it work for suite guests? We are sailing on the Dawn in another week and we are staying in a suite for the first time. Do we just go to where they are handing out the tender tickets and show our keycard or does the concierge escort us to the tender?

 

You will receive a letter from the concierge in your suite the day prior to a tender port. It will say something like "GOING ASHORE?" The letter will provide instructions on how to take advantage of the priority tendering. Typically, it involves meeting the concierge at a specific place as a group.

 

The tender lines tend to dwindle down to nothing after the initial push to get off the ship, but if there is a line when you wish to leave, you can contact the concierge anytime for priority tender access.

[vicocala]

You will receive a letter from the concierge in your suite the day prior to a tender port. It will say something like "GOING ASHORE?" The letter will provide instructions on how to take advantage of the priority tendering. Typically, it involves meeting the concierge at a specific place as a group.

 

The tender lines tend to dwindle down to nothing after the initial push to get off the ship, but if there is a line when you wish to leave, you can contact the concierge anytime for priority tender access.

 

Thanks, our only Haven cruise we didn't tender anywhere so I appreciate the info. One of the main reasons I got the up sell was for the priority tendering as we will be tendering at two of our four calls.

[don't-use-real-name]

January 2015 NCL DAWN Belize - used private tender service - there were 3 other ships at anchor and there was a fleet of private tenders coming and going from each -

time from ship to port about 15 minutes - it was raining to beat the band aka horizontal monsoons some of the tenders did not have a canopy cover -

a good thorough drenching remember a bumber shoot brelly umbrella.

And of course as always YMMV !

[triptolemus]

w-t-f?

 

:confused:

[dexddd]

Thanks, our only Haven cruise we didn't tender anywhere so I appreciate the info. One of the main reasons I got the up sell was for the priority tendering as we will be tendering at two of our four calls.

 

It has been pretty much explained above. Since you are going on the Spirit and I believe the same tender ports we went on in December, you get the letter as mentioned. The concierge, who I believe Florentina will still be on, was in Cagneys and we just walked in there when we were ready to go on the tender.

 

We walked to the mid-ship stairs and walked down to 4 (it was kind of a mess as tons of people were in line, they disable the elevators there, plus you have people coming in from deck 4 hallway. Security is trying to manage the folks and the concierge will get you in the short lines to go through security where you swipe your card and get on the tenders.