Just how bad is tendering to Half Moon Cay?

[Joebucks]

I have a cruise on the Sensation later this year that includes a HMC stop. I'm really excited for it. We will be docked from 7:30-3:30 and I want to maximize my time. I have never tendered before. How long should I expect to wait to get there/go back? I generally think FTTF is a waste, but may reconsider for this.

[jimbo5544]

I have a cruise on the Sensation later this year that includes a HMC stop. I'm really excited for it. We will be docked from 7:30-3:30 and I want to maximize my time. I have never tendered before. How long should I expect to wait to get there/go back? I generally think FTTF is a waste, but may reconsider for this.

 

 

 

The difference between the first tender and general availability is about an hour. We have been on the first one (the one with the crew and the food) and several of the ones that follow. You could have Fttf and still be on number 3 which could be a half hour.

 

 

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[tango55]

depending on the weather try to get the first tender tickets .I went back to hmc after the crowds left and took great pic's of a deserted beach.came back with the crew.our stop was 8- 5.if it is windy you will not get off the ship

[schazzy]

We always wait until general availability to board, it gives you plenty of time to leisurely get ready and eat breakfast. I see no point in rushing down to wait in line or get a good ticket number or what have you just to try and get there just a little earlier. You avoid the rush and still have plenty of time to enjoy the port. and the ride over to HMC is not long at all.

[kona_wahine]

I’m one that wants as much time as possible so I’d get FTTF just for that benefit. Or rent a cabana if you can.

[MommyAJ6]

I’m one that wants as much time as possible so I’d get FTTF just for that benefit. Or rent a cabana if you can.

Does getting a cabana get you off first?

[MommyAJ6]

depending on the weather try to get the first tender tickets .if it is windy you will not get off the ship

How common is that? I've never cruised, but it seems to be a common occurrence that ports are skipped due to waves or weather. Is this generally seasonal or random?

[Pellaz]

Does getting a cabana get you off first?

 

Yes, it does.

 

I've had either FTTF or a cabana rental at HMC for all the times I've made it there and I've always been on the first tender. It's great getting there early and getting settled, and watching everyone else arrive after you.

 

How common is that? I've never cruised, but it seems to be a common occurrence that ports are skipped due to waves or weather. Is this generally seasonal or random?

 

I think the average is that about 1 out of every 5 visits to HMC are missed due to wind, weather or waves. I personally am only 2 out of 5 attempts, but I tend to cruise in mid-October and this might affect my chances. :o

[Towel Critter]

Tendering TO isn't bad. Tendering FROM is a different story. Everyone seems to be ready to return to the ship at about the same time.

[maryred]

Does getting a cabana get you off first?

Any early or at your leisure (cruise line affiliated) excursion at any tender port will get you a higher priority than even Diamond passengers for boarding the boats. Just follow the instructions that come w/ the tickets or are delivered the day before to your cabin.

[evandbob]

Any early or at your leisure (cruise line affiliated) excursion at any tender port will get you a higher priority than even Diamond passengers for boarding the boats. Just follow the instructions that come w/ the tickets or are delivered the day before to your cabin.

 

 

While the first part of this opinion is factual about having an excursion and getting some priority tendering, it's not really true about getting on a tender before Diamond (or other priority) guests. Diamond guests will receive special instructions in their cabin the evening before a tender port stop for either a speedy first off the ship tender or a more leisurely ride to a port.

 

Used to be that a Diamond or Platinum guest could just go to guest services and get escorted to the tender. Used to be that Diamond & Platinums had priority when returning to the ship either on the tender or through the gangway. They haven't taken away the Diamond first off the ship yet.

[Joebucks]

So will FTTF get me priority tender going BACK to the ship too?

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

There is no priority line to go back to the ship, at all.

[Joebucks]

Considering I don't like waking up at the crack of dawn, I probably wouldn't be ready for the first tender anyways. No priority back will probably equal no FTTF for me. Thanks.

[Qchell]

We were there last week on the Elation. Not a single issue at all. We did not have an excursion and were just planning a simple beach day. We did not go down the moment they started boarding and took our time, however, I don't recall it being that long though. We walked down and walked right on to a tender, 15 min later we were on the beach. When it was time to leave we walked to the boarding spot, again, right on to a tender and back to the ship. Note: We were the only ship in port and it was on the Elation which is a Fantasy (smallest) class ship.

[salty dingo]

Tendering is quick... not a very long ride.

 

No need to rush off ship, IMHO. If you start out early you will probably have had enough and be ready to return long before the last tender. The sun can get pretty brutal and can take a toll in a few hours.

[coevan]

How common is that? I've never cruised, but it seems to be a common occurrence that ports are skipped due to waves or weather. Is this generally seasonal or random?

 

 

about as predictable as the weather in general, December and January come with "Christmas Winds" which can be friskier than summer weather

[jimbo5544]

Any early or at your leisure (cruise line affiliated) excursion at any tender port will get you a higher priority than even Diamond passengers for boarding the boats. Just follow the instructions that come w/ the tickets or are delivered the day before to your cabin.

 

 

 

....but not on HMC

 

 

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[BigCruze]

We book the Villa so off on the first one. If weather is bad you can forget about it. Other than that smooth sailing

[cb at sea]

Tendering is NOT the nightmare you're imagining. The ride is about 5 mins....if you can't get on the 1st tender, you will get on the next. It's like a HUGE ferry...about 150-200 people at a time. Don't overthink it, and don't stress about it!

[joepeka]

Tendering TO isn't bad. Tendering FROM is a different story. Everyone seems to be ready to return to the ship at about the same time.

Yes to this. From the time we got off the tram at the security checkpoint, it was like 45-50 minutes of slowing moving forward to the point you could board the tender back to the ship. We got on the tram about an hour before the announced time you had to be back on board so we barely made it. And there was only one ship at HMC that day (two months ago).

[jimbo5544]

Yes to this. From the time we got off the tram at the security checkpoint, it was like 45-50 minutes of slowing moving forward to the point you could board the tender back to the ship. We got on the tram about an hour before the announced time you had to be back on board so we barely made it. And there was only one ship at HMC that day (two months ago).

 

 

 

I have never heard of more than one ship at HMC, have you?

 

 

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[joepeka]

I have never heard of more than one ship at HMC, have you?

 

 

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Not with Carnival but HAL has (and does) schedule two ships at HMC. It's not common but does happen with them since they essentially own the place. Our last cruise on Conquest had it's itin scrambled because HAL had both Zuiderdam and Eurodam scheduled the same day as us so we were bumped to a different day.

[jimbo5544]

Not with Carnival but HAL has (and does) schedule two ships at HMC. It's not common but does happen with them since they essentially own the place. Our last cruise on Conquest had it's itin scrambled because HAL had both Zuiderdam and Eurodam scheduled the same day as us so we were bumped to a different day.

 

 

 

Huh, interesting. Thanks, I guess when it is your ball, you control the game.

 

 

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[joepeka]

Huh, interesting. Thanks, I guess when it is your ball, you control the game.

 

 

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Yes sir! :D