Jade tenders/ports

[mysticalmom]

Hi everyone!

 

We will be on the Jade the first week of January, and after a lot of the reviews on the nightmarish tender/port docking process, I am getting a little nervous! Even though this is our first cruise with NCL, we went out on a limb and scheduled excursions in Belize and Roatan with independent companies. Now I'm worried we will not get off the ship in either place in time to make them.

 

The excursion in Belize departs from the dock at 9am going to Sharkray Alley, so if we happen to be late (like some have posted about recently), we will totally miss out on that.

 

The one in Roatan going zip lining is a little less strict on the departure time (it just says 1 hr after ship arrival), but it says it lasts a total of 4 1/2 hours, which, if we don't get off the tender boats until noon-ish, would not work.

 

What do we do?? Should we just cancel now and avoid the stress, or take the chance that by two weeks from now, NCL has worked out all the kinks in the port arrival process in both Belize and Roatan? I really want to go on these excursions, but not at the expense of my sanity- this is, after all, a vacation. :)

 

Any advice is welcome, especially from those who have recently been on this itinerary. Thank you all for any advice you can give me!

 

 

Kristi

[hawk1972]

Hi everyone!

 

We will be on the Jade the first week of January, and after a lot of the reviews on the nightmarish tender/port docking process, I am getting a little nervous! Even though this is our first cruise with NCL, we went out on a limb and scheduled excursions in Belize and Roatan with independent companies. Now I'm worried we will not get off the ship in either place in time to make them.

 

The excursion in Belize departs from the dock at 9am going to Sharkray Alley, so if we happen to be late (like some have posted about recently), we will totally miss out on that.

 

The one in Roatan going zip lining is a little less strict on the departure time (it just says 1 hr after ship arrival), but it says it lasts a total of 4 1/2 hours, which, if we don't get off the tender boats until noon-ish, would not work.

 

What do we do?? Should we just cancel now and avoid the stress, or take the chance that by two weeks from now, NCL has worked out all the kinks in the port arrival process in both Belize and Roatan? I really want to go on these excursions, but not at the expense of my sanity- this is, after all, a vacation. :)

 

Any advice is welcome, especially from those who have recently been on this itinerary. Thank you all for any advice you can give me!

 

 

Kristi

 

We are on the Jade at the end of January and I am concerned about the same issues.

It sounds like a lot of the original issues with tendering have been worked out, but still the question for me is, unless you have some sort of priority on the tenders (suite guest or NCL excursion), what time will we actually be able to tender off the ship? If we get up early and get tender tickets, will they be early enough to enjoy a full day in the port?

We were in Belize last year, but were with a group that had a suite guest, so we were on the first tender for our ziplining/cavetubing excursion with a private company.

We tendered in Trujillo (not a port this year) on lifeboats and it went smoothly and we had all the time we needed.

 

I am still kind of waiting to see. We want to do Lamanai ruins in Belize and because that's such a long day, we will probably go with the NCL excursion, even though it's about $50/pp more than the private one.

In Roatan I'm not sure. We just want to go to the beach and snorkel at West Bay, but want to have a full day there.

[Linda the Book Lover]

We are in the wait and see mode since we do not leave until March. We are still going to go the LFK in Roatan but we are lucky to be in a suite and can tender early. We are planning to play Belize by ear and arrange something when we get there since the island may or may not be ready.

[mysticalmom]

We are on the Jade at the end of January and I am concerned about the same issues.

It sounds like a lot of the original issues with tendering have been worked out, but still the question for me is, unless you have some sort of priority on the tenders (suite guest or NCL excursion), what time will we actually be able to tender off the ship? If we get up early and get tender tickets, will they be early enough to enjoy a full day in the port?

We were in Belize last year, but were with a group that had a suite guest, so we were on the first tender for our ziplining/cavetubing excursion with a private company.

We tendered in Trujillo (not a port this year) on lifeboats and it went smoothly and we had all the time we needed.

 

I am still kind of waiting to see. We want to do Lamanai ruins in Belize and because that's such a long day, we will probably go with the NCL excursion, even though it's about $50/pp more than the private one.

In Roatan I'm not sure. We just want to go to the beach and snorkel at West Bay, but want to have a full day there.

 

 

I had seen that the cruise excursion people got priority, but suite guests do as well? I am in an aft suite (Deck 10- it's a penthouse suite, I think?), so does that make a difference, or is it only the Haven suites that have priority?

 

I feel exactly the same way. If we don't get a full day, then I'm not sure paying for an excursion is worth it, unless it's an NCL excursion. Add on top of that that Roatan is the shortest port day, and it's even more of a difficult choice. :(

[Linda the Book Lover]

I had seen that the cruise excursion people got priority, but suite guests do as well? I am in an aft suite (Deck 10- it's a penthouse suite, I think?), so does that make a difference, or is it only the Haven suites that have priority?

 

I feel exactly the same way. If we don't get a full day, then I'm not sure paying for an excursion is worth it, unless it's an NCL excursion. Add on top of that that Roatan is the shortest port day, and it's even more of a difficult choice. :(

 

You will get a paper in your cabin with the meet time to be escorted to the tenders. Should you not wish to go then you just call the concierge and he/she will arrange for you to be escorted to the tender area. At least this is how it worked for us in the past.

[hawk1972]

Maybe I should see if there are any suite guests on our roll call and see if they will let us go on the tenders with them.

[Paul Bogle]

In Belize City the tendering process usually goes very efficiently. We have booked independent excursions there on our last three calls and never had any difficulty arriving in time for our trip.

 

I can't speak to the process at Coxen Hole as it will be our first time there in February. I'm anxious to here from others doing independent excursions in Roatan and how the tendering process worked for them.

[NMLady]

I had seen that the cruise excursion people got priority, but suite guests do as well? I am in an aft suite (Deck 10- it's a penthouse suite, I think?), so does that make a difference, or is it only the Haven suites that have priority?

 

(

 

Suites get priority. I think they are led to a different line though.

Platinum members get a priority ticket which means no other tender ticket needed.

[DMH15]

Usually the Concierge has taken us down a crew elevator and through crew areas to the front of the line and immediate tender access.

[olycruisecritic]

We came off the Dawn 12/6-12/13 sailing. Roatan wasn't a challenge tendering in for us, as it appeared that there enough tenders...at least early on in the process and we were able to go ashore before they instituted the mandatory ticket/group numbers. We were ashore by 9 a.m. for an independent dive excursion.

Belize was a completely different story with four ships at anchor, not enough tenders, and a long trip to shore. If we had a private excursion there (we didn't), we would have definitely missed the meet up. If you are on a ship excursion (or have a suite), you typically get priority and do not need tender tickets --otherwise (at least on the Dawn) you had to grab a ticket in the crowd in the Spinnaker Bar at the port time; and wait for your group number to be called. Hopefully they get the kinks ironed out in Belize, or you experience fewer ships at anchor on your port day. Hope this is helpful :)

[sommergirl25]

Just got off the Jade. If you had a shore excursion booked, you are able to tender as soon as the ship had been cleared in Belize. We did not have an excursion booked and didn't go to get a tender ticket until about 9 (they started handing them out at 8) and was not able to take a tender until around 11. In Honduras, they actually docked at the port and let anyone that wanted to get off the ship disembark around 7:30 or so. It was only going to be docked for about 45 minutes. Then everyone else had to get a ticket. I don't know how that went because we got off at port. Tendering back at the end of the day was super easy. They had a line and used the lifeboats to tender back.

[Linda the Book Lover]

sommergirl25

 

I appreciate the update. I think we might have an early breakfast and then go enjoy LFK.

[zoiebear]

Just got off the Jade. If you had a shore excursion booked, you are able to tender as soon as the ship had been cleared in Belize. We did not have an excursion booked and didn't go to get a tender ticket until about 9 (they started handing them out at 8) and was not able to take a tender until around 11. In Honduras, they actually docked at the port and let anyone that wanted to get off the ship disembark around 7:30 or so. It was only going to be docked for about 45 minutes. Then everyone else had to get a ticket. I don't know how that went because we got off at port. Tendering back at the end of the day was super easy. They had a line and used the lifeboats to tender back.

 

Did they let you know the night before or sometime that they were docking for 45 minutes first before tendering at roatan?

[vinnytman]

Hi everyone!

 

 

 

We will be on the Jade the first week of January, and after a lot of the reviews on the nightmarish tender/port docking process, I am getting a little nervous! Even though this is our first cruise with NCL, we went out on a limb and scheduled excursions in Belize and Roatan with independent companies. Now I'm worried we will not get off the ship in either place in time to make them.

 

 

 

The excursion in Belize departs from the dock at 9am going to Sharkray Alley, so if we happen to be late (like some have posted about recently), we will totally miss out on that.

 

 

 

The one in Roatan going zip lining is a little less strict on the departure time (it just says 1 hr after ship arrival), but it says it lasts a total of 4 1/2 hours, which, if we don't get off the tender boats until noon-ish, would not work.

 

 

 

What do we do?? Should we just cancel now and avoid the stress, or take the chance that by two weeks from now, NCL has worked out all the kinks in the port arrival process in both Belize and Roatan? I really want to go on these excursions, but not at the expense of my sanity- this is, after all, a vacation. :)

 

 

 

Any advice is welcome, especially from those who have recently been on this itinerary. Thank you all for any advice you can give me!

 

 

 

 

 

Kristi

 

 

I was in the 12/5 sailing. No issues tendering in Belize or Roatan. They seemed to have whatever kinks worked out.

 

Don't stress. It's super easy. You should make all your excursions with no issues. You'll have a blast!!!

[sommergirl25]

Did they let you know the night before or sometime that they were docking for 45 minutes first before tendering at roatan?

 

No. We were confused because the night before the lady at shore excursion desk said we would be walking off the ship but our daily that night said we would need to get a tender ticket. That morning they made an announcement that we would be able to get off the ship for a while before they started tendering.

[pspercy]

Usually the Concierge has taken us down a crew elevator and through crew areas to the front of the line and immediate tender access.

 

Same as us in effect a couple of weeks ago. We had an NCL excursion in Roatan. We gathered in the theater (forward) then went straight down to the crew corridor to merge with the line right at the exit, might have even had our own line to "ding" out, I forget. Anyway, it was quick.

[mysticalmom]

Thank you everyone- all this info is so helpful! I think we just might make our excursions, if all is still well in a couple of weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

I just talked to a friend who happened to be on last week's sailing of the Jade as well, and she said that tendering wasn't a problem for them either. She did mention, however, that on one excursion (it was an NCL one, but not sure if in Belize or Roatan) they had buses break down, and it caused them to miss out on half of the tour they were taking. She went on to say that no one was apologetic or helpful when they brought this up once back on the ship, which was disconcerting. She added, as others have, that the crew in general was not very helpful throughout the trip, and she felt as though they viewed the passengers as a nuisance more than anything. :(

 

One other thing she talked about was that they had no water for an entire day, without any explanation or apology at all. Sounds like there are still a few kinks to work out, but I'm sure we will still have a fabulous time! ;)

[vinnytman]

Thank you everyone- all this info is so helpful! I think we just might make our excursions, if all is still well in a couple of weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

 

 

I just talked to a friend who happened to be on last week's sailing of the Jade as well, and she said that tendering wasn't a problem for them either. She did mention, however, that on one excursion (it was an NCL one, but not sure if in Belize or Roatan) they had buses break down, and it caused them to miss out on half of the tour they were taking. She went on to say that no one was apologetic or helpful when they brought this up once back on the ship, which was disconcerting. She added, as others have, that the crew in general was not very helpful throughout the trip, and she felt as though they viewed the passengers as a nuisance more than anything. :(

 

 

 

One other thing she talked about was that they had no water for an entire day, without any explanation or apology at all. Sounds like there are still a few kinks to work out, but I'm sure we will still have a fabulous time! ;)

 

 

When we were on the Jade a couple weeks ago, we thought the crew was fantastic-- except for one of the restaurant hostess'. We had a run in with her 3 nights straight. When we complained it was apparent we weren't the only pax having issues with her. They made it up to us with a few free bottles of wine and champagne. But we didn't let her ruin our trip.

 

As far as the bus breaking down, these things will happen from time to time. Don't let it discourage you. And also, always bring bottle water with you. It was around 80 degrees and 90% humidity when we went, so you never want to be without water. We always bring bottle water on shore excursions. Some tour operators have water, others don't. Better just to have some.

 

Have a great vacation!

[mysticalmom]

When we were on the Jade a couple weeks ago, we thought the crew was fantastic-- except for one of the restaurant hostess'. We had a run in with her 3 nights straight. When we complained it was apparent we weren't the only pax having issues with her. They made it up to us with a few free bottles of wine and champagne. But we didn't let her ruin our trip.

 

As far as the bus breaking down, these things will happen from time to time. Don't let it discourage you. And also, always bring bottle water with you. It was around 80 degrees and 90% humidity when we went, so you never want to be without water. We always bring bottle water on shore excursions. Some tour operators have water, others don't. Better just to have some.

 

Have a great vacation!

 

Thanks, vinnytman! I'm pretty low maintenance, so I tend to have a good time regardless of a few bumps in the road. I'm sure we will have a great time, and now that we are fairly sure that our excursions won't be affected by the tendering process, I feel much better. :)

[Laszlo]

Unless things have changed you do not tender in Roatan. We have been there twice on the Dawn and Sun. The ship docked at 7:30am and we walked off at 7:45am

[hawk1972]

Unless things have changed you do not tender in Roatan. We have been there twice on the Dawn and Sun. The ship docked at 7:30am and we walked off at 7:45am

 

Things have changed this year (2015-16). Roatan is now a tender port for the Jade.

[Laszlo]

Things have changed this year (2015-16). Roatan is now a tender port for the Jade.

 

Any idea why? I know its a single ship pier, is another ship there the same time the Jade is? Just saw your going out of Houston, thats why

Edited December 21, 2015 by Laszlo

[hawk1972]

Any idea why? I know its a single ship pier, is another ship there the same time the Jade is? Just saw your going out of Houston, thats why

 

From what I understand from other cruisers who have returned, the NCL Dawn and RCCL Liberty have priority.

 

The Jade has been allowed to dock for a short time to discharge passengers a couple of times, but then it tenders.

[Laszlo]

From what I understand from other cruisers who have returned, the NCL Dawn and RCCL Liberty have priority.

 

The Jade has been allowed to dock for a short time to discharge passengers a couple of times, but then it tenders.

 

Makes sense, Houston was late to the game

[SUPREME CRUISER]

Had a great cruise Thanksgiving week, the cruise was totally booked and lots of children, all having a great time! We were 5 adults and enjoyed the overall cruise experience, if you stress about things, then suggest you count to 10. If you have priority you can depart the ship at your pleasure, although the Tenders were available and ready to go, they started as soon as the ship was cleared by local authorities. You can't plan on having issues, but found the reception desk accomodating if you needed assistance. Belize is a great enviroment for learning about the Mayan Culture and touring. Roatan is for scuba diving and snorkeling and see a beach---unless you like Monkeys and Zip Lining. The ship experience is like a floating club, become a member and enjoy----the staff overall is very accomodating and pleasant. Had great food at every venue including great meals at Cagney's.