Tender ports?

[colesc15]

For the first time in years, we're going to two tender ports. How does their tickets work for tenders? Do they give them based on status or what? We're going to grand Cayman and Belize. Or do you just line up? We're emerald if that matters at all.

[Corby114]

Normally tickets are needed for the first hour or two when the ship arrives at the tender port. Passengers set to go on excursions are the first to leave the ship. After that normal disembarkation begins. Usually after that passengers head for the deck where the tenders are located and leave when they are full. If it’s very windy or the waves are high on most occasions a ship will skip a tender port and leave for the next stop ahead of time.

[jasper15]

On the ships I've been on, they have had "Early" tenders. Check your cruise compass. If these are on offer, you can get off the ship without a ticket if you leave as soon as the ship is cleared. On our most recent cruise, we were first in line. We just followed the instructions on the compass the previous night.