Thread: Hal's policy on Tender Tickets

My question is that I have seen it mentioned that you have to get a tender ticket on HAL? Where do you get one of those (we'll be on the Zuiderdam)? We've never had to get that on the other cruise lines.

It depends on the port if a tender ticket is required. For example, not only Hal but all ships tender at Grand Cayman and Cabo San Lucas.

Sometimes there are more ships in port than a dock can handle. In this case a ship will have to tender. This occurs in St. Thomas especially in Dec. do to the high number of ships in the Caribbean at that time of the year.

The dailies will list where to go for a tender ticket if it is needed.

What ports are you visiting?

Originally Posted by Big4Chaps

My question is that I have seen it mentioned that you have to get a tender ticket on HAL? Where do you get one of those (we'll be on the Zuiderdam)? We've never had to get that on the other cruise lines.

There will be announcements as to what time pax should get their tender ticket. Usually these are for the ones on excursions, and the rest of the pax will be able to leave later without having to have a tender ticket. This is also done on Princess. It works very well, and keeps lines from backing up and preventing excursion passenger from being late at their meeting place.

Originally Posted by Sea Otter

What ports are you visiting?

We will be stopping at Half Moon Cay, Tortola, St. Thomas, & Nassau. I know some will be able to dock, but I had never heard of having to have a ticket before tendering.

Thanks, Kathy, I'll listen to see where we need to go to pick up a ticket. Sounds like we only need one if we have a shore excursion waiting on us.

Tender tickets are used to prevent everyone from trying to leave the ship at the same time, clogging up staircases, and elevators.

Hal sponsered excursions are usually the first to be allowed to leave the ship when tendering is required.
You are told where to go to meet for the excursion and they will hand out the tender tickets at that time.

There will be another place for all others to get a tender ticket which will be announced in the dailies. If you wait until everyone else has left the ship, no, you will not need one.

I dislike tendering. One cruise we had at least an hour and a half wait to get to HMC. We finally gave up and went to the pool instead.

Tortola
The ship usually docks, but I have read where a ship had to tender because of the number of ships in port. I don't believe this happens very often.

St.Thomas
The ship usually docks BUT may have to tender.

Nassau
The ship docks.

Half Moon Cay
Tenders.

Sounds like the only tendering we'll have to do will be at Half Moon Cay. That'll be great. We like to get up & get started early everyday!

Have a great cruise.

Looking at your schedule, you will only have to tender at HMC.

The night before you will get the next day's daily program which will tell you when and what lounge to report to to get a tender ticket. Then you wait in the lounge until your number is called. Sometimes it is busy - the worst times are from 9 - 10 AM.

If you have booked a HAL excursion for the island, then look at the time and place on it to report for your tour - no tender ticket needed.