Tendering at Grand Cayman?

[Macdooger4]

Will be on Paradise in July. Do you know if we tender at Grand Cayman? If so, what do you guess the average time is from tender line to port? What's the longest you think it should take? What's the longest you have experienced? Getting nervous about this......

[golfadj]

Will be on Paradise in July. Do you know if we tender at Grand Cayman? If so, what do you guess the average time is from tender line to port? What's the longest you think it should take? What's the longest you have experienced? Getting nervous about this......

 

You will tender but a 7 or so minute ride

[geovet]

They always tender at Grand Cayman. The ride is quick, maybe 10 mins. Waiting depends on what time you go and what number you get at the main theater. Another 10-30 mins. If you book an excursion or plat, your first on.

[Eng23]

There is no pier in Grand Cayman. All ships tender at Grand Cayman.

[Macdooger4]

Thank you! We have an early excursion, but we booked it independently, will carnival acknowledge that or will they not care since it's not a carnival excursion?

[geovet]

Thank you! We have an early excursion, but we booked it independently, will carnival acknowledge that or will they not care since it's not a carnival excursion?

 

No they will not.

[IGGY63]

Go early to get your 'Tender Number' the morning you arrive in Grand Cayman.....

[siestakeys04]

Just make sure u get back sooner than later the line back can get crazy long:rolleyes:

 

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[ferretface]

You could also check and see if FTTF is still available for your cruise. It's $49 for the cabin and you get priority tendering.

[keystonemama]

Here's a pic of the tender and distance from the ship...as someone else said, upon returning, the lines do get long and hot due to lack of shade....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=34043814&postcount=67

Edited January 5, 2014 by keystonemama

[josieallen]

We did FTTF too and it was great!

[CTCruisers]

The wait is much longer getting back to the ship, especially if there are a few other cruise ships in port. I was in town on business one time and there were 6 ships in the harbor. The lines were very long and it was a hot sunny day with no shade for those in line waiting to get back to their respective ships.

 

If you can get FTTF, you can get behind the Platinum level cruisers for priority boarding to get off the ship. If not, you will need to get down to the theater to get your number (your entire party has to be with you) as soon as you can and wait to be called.

 

Having FTTF does no good getting back to the ship, you are just another person in the line.

[Ehpride]

They've talked about building a pier for years, but it's not in the works yet. I always book an independent excursion and get there early for a tender ticket and haven't had a problem yet but Carnival excursions take precedence.

[MrBanana1240]

Short ride. Amazing island. Enjoy your trip!

 

 

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[cruizinisthebest]

Thank you! We have an early excursion, but we booked it independently, will carnival acknowledge that or will they not care since it's not a carnival excursion?

 

It won't matter to them in terms of pushing you to the front. Just follow the directions for catching a tender and get there as early as you can. Nothing to be nervous about. The ride is quick and painless.

[Macdooger4]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

The tendering to land isn't a long ride but the water can be choppy so it can be a real bumpy ride back and forth. IIRC, depending on what time you are headed back to the ship, the line for tenders back to the ship can be ridiculously long. I once waited an hour or more in a line wrapping around the port area to get back. Don't cut it too close when returning from your excursions there. Chances are you will not get left but don't leave anything up to chance.

[golfadj]

Take your group very early to the lounge and tell one of the social hosts you have an early tour and they will usually work you in early.

 

Worked for us in our pre platinum days

[rhinomike]

I was just on the Sunshine and we were in Grand Cayman a few days ago. Getting off was horrible. Took us an hour and we are platinium. Getting back on was not bad.

[cruzinlisa]

You will definitely tender. As others have mentioned if FTTF is available, go for it. Our experience with tendering there was not a good one. But that was before FTTF was invented. The ship arrived later than I believe we were supposed to and there were long lines. We waited at least an hour before attempting to get a tender ticket (thinking the line would die down) and then waited another hour to get a tender. Ugh. It was bad enough that DH said we would never tender again. But of course that did not last. ;)

[golfadj]

Never understood why so many ships go there. Wish they would boycott GC until they agree to build a pier.