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Tender Ports and Priority (or lack thereof)


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I haven’t cruise for quite a while.  I’m about to go on a cruise with many tender ports.  Can one of you advise if those of us with tender priority (4/5 star mariner, Neptune Suites and Club Orange guests) can include others who don’t have any priority, with them as part of their group, so all get on an earlier tender?  This would be to ensure the private tour group all gets shoreside in time for our tours.  If yes, it can be done, is there a limit to how many we can include as our “party”?  If it can’t be done, that’s okay.  We just need to know what the rules are.

 

Thank you!

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I think it depends. I have experienced both allowed & not-allowed. I have also been on cruises when there were so many Priority passengers that it was discontinued. I would plan on it not be allowed, then you have no problems either way.

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40 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

I haven’t cruise for quite a while.  I’m about to go on a cruise with many tender ports.  Can one of you advise if those of us with tender priority (4/5 star mariner, Neptune Suites and Club Orange guests) can include others who don’t have any priority, with them as part of their group, so all get on an earlier tender?  This would be to ensure the private tour group all gets shoreside in time for our tours.  If yes, it can be done, is there a limit to how many we can include as our “party”?  If it can’t be done, that’s okay.  We just need to know what the rules are.

 

Thank you!

If they are on the same booking number with  you, then yes, you can.  If they are a different booking number, then no.  So if you and your friend are traveling together and sharing a cabin,  you can do it.  I was able to take my sister with me when I was 4 and she was 3.  

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For me it depended on the port.  If it was a port where everyone wanted off as soon as possible we were not able to take anyone with us.  We were in a Neptune suite.  Just our experience, Cherie

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If you have a large group - over a dozen or so - contact the Guest Services Manager and plead your case.   This has worked in the past SOMETIMES - but not every time...

 

On one cruise, our private tour met in a separate lounge, and we were escorted to the tender.   But this is very situational and not a matter of policy.  It won't hurt to ask, but you must ask days in advance - not the night before or on the day.    They may say no - but doesn't hurt to ask.

 

 

 

 

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One of my private tour groups had arranged to meet and the spot turned out to be close to where some of the roped off walkway was for the tenders, near an elevator. One of the crew-officer type-noticed us and ushered our group down. Another time, we had a lot of interesting "marriages" when we paired up the lesser stars with the 4*.  😮

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2 hours ago, Alberta Quilter said:

I haven’t cruise for quite a while.  I’m about to go on a cruise with many tender ports.  Can one of you advise if those of us with tender priority (4/5 star mariner, Neptune Suites and Club Orange guests) can include others who don’t have any priority, with them as part of their group, so all get on an earlier tender?  This would be to ensure the private tour group all gets shoreside in time for our tours.  If yes, it can be done, is there a limit to how many we can include as our “party”?  If it can’t be done, that’s okay.  We just need to know what the rules are.

 

Thank you!

Have had mix results, was able to do it a few times but was also denied on some. Also as others have said I have been on cruises with so many of us eligible for priority that the ship said no priority for tenders.

All you can do is ask once on board the worst they can say is no.

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11 hours ago, dfish said:

If they are on the same booking number with  you, then yes, you can.  If they are a different booking number, then no.  So if you and your friend are traveling together and sharing a cabin,  you can do it.  I was able to take my sister with me when I was 4 and she was 3.  

But the lower star mariner sharing the cabin with a 4 Star Mariner gets the same perks as the 4 Star, don't they?  Or has that changed since Covid?

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10 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

But the lower star mariner sharing the cabin with a 4 Star Mariner gets the same perks as the 4 Star, don't they?  Or has that changed since Covid?

Yes, they still do.  

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28 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

But the lower star mariner sharing the cabin with a 4 Star Mariner gets the same perks as the 4 Star, don't they?  Or has that changed since Covid?

That is still the policy.

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Last month on NS British Isles with many tender ports, 4 & 5* were directed to the Ocean Bar to pick up their priority tender tickets and then wait until called. To get into the segregated Ocean Bar sitting area you had to show your cabin key card with your mariner status on it to get in. Those on ship sponsored tours were directed to the World Stage while all others had to go to BB Kings to wait for their tender ticket to be called.

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13 minutes ago, CHOPPERTESTER said:

Last month on NS British Isles with many tender ports, 4 & 5* were directed to the Ocean Bar to pick up their priority tender tickets and then wait until called. To get into the segregated Ocean Bar sitting area you had to show your cabin key card with your mariner status on it to get in. Those on ship sponsored tours were directed to the World Stage while all others had to go to BB Kings to wait for their tender ticket to be called.

Similar system on the Zaandam in April. 

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