Elite tendering benefit

[Barwick Cruiser]

We will have Elite status for the first time on our next cruise.  We have a couple of tender ports and at one of them will be wanting to take advantage of the Elite priority tendering.  Can I get priority tickets for the others in our private excursion group (14 of us) or will we be limited to tickets for just DH and I?  No worries if just us but want to know what others have done when doing a private excursion with some Elite and others not.  

[davekathy]

13 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

We will have Elite status for the first time on our next cruise.  We have a couple of tender ports and at one of them will be wanting to take advantage of the Elite priority tendering.  Can I get priority tickets for the others in our private excursion group (14 of us) or will we be limited to tickets for just DH and I?  No worries if just us but want to know what others have done when doing a private excursion with some Elite and others not.  

No tender tickets for elite, elite plus or zenith. You will be notified by the CC host the evening before either by a phone message left on your stateroom phone or a letter left in your stateroom telling you where and what time to meet the CC host. You will be escorted by the CC host to the tender. This benefit isn't for everyone in your party just elite, elite plus and zenith. 

Edited June 7, 2019 by davekathy

[cruisestitch]

I doubt if they will allow your companions to have priority tendering.  You can try asking the Captain's Club host but don't be surprised if they tell you no.  

[davekathy]

Is anyone in your group staying in a suite?  Suite guests also get priority tendering. No tickets required and the process is the same as elite. 

Edited June 7, 2019 by davekathy

[mjscruffy]

We used the priority tender when we were elite and asked ahead of time if we could include our non-.elite tour buddies (4 of them) and we were able to do it.  Doesn't hurt to ask. 

[Luvcrusn]

My theory: If you don't ask, the answer is a definite no, if you do ask you may be pleasantly surprised. Either way, accept the answer graciously.

[jelayne]

A lot depends on how many Elite and E+.  We have been able to take others with us (4-6) but recently there have been so many Elites that we have had to meet at a Central point and they took us to the tenders in groups of 15-20.  Had to be +/- 100 waiting when we got escorted to the tender. So we waited through 2 tenders others we talked to later waited 3 or 4 tenders.  

Ask the CC host/hostess what the process will be & if the others can join you.

[Northern Aurora]

Due to a difficult situation several years ago when several folks (including us) had tender priority but others in the private tour did not we reached the decision not to participate in a private excursion at a tender port unless everyone on that excursion has tender priority.

[TeeRick]

6 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

Due to a difficult situation several years ago when several folks (including us) had tender priority but others in the private tour did not we reached the decision not to participate in a private excursion at a tender port unless everyone on that excursion has tender priority.

Very good advice.

[TMLAalum]

We have been able to use priority tendering for a private tour group upon request. It helped that about half the participants had Elite or higher status. There were a few times that one of the group members were in a suite, and that person arranged for tendering even though they were not the tour organizer.

 

On our recent cruises, a roll call member was a mega tour organizer who had upwards of 100+ participants in a variety of tours in each port. Initially he was able to arrange for a separate disembarkation exit (forward when the main exit was midships) as well as a separate tender from there for tender ports. 

 

It did seem that this privilege for his tours was eliminated for the 2nd leg of the B2B.

[gold1953]

In some ports there is no priority tendering. Also if there are too many Elite and up the benefit is not offered.  I was on a cruise with family member who were first time cruisers ( 2 people) The CC host allowed it as she said the #'s were low and it was only 2 people. On our last TA no priority for any of us .. except the suites.

 If the tenders are slow or late starting due to weather they may not allow priority.

[Barwick Cruiser]

Great advice everyone!!  Thanks for the input.  I'll check with the CC host/ess onboard and go from there.  Unfortunately we'll have to go through immigration when we arrive in port as well so this could put a big delay in our plans!  We'll see how it goes, fingers crossed!!