Catalina Island - Tendering/Timing Question

[DieselsCruzzzzin]

I will be on Navigator later this month and have a port stop in Catalina Island. We are supposed to arrive at 8am but I know this is a tender port. We're contemplating doing a golf cart rental - any recommendations for the earliest rental time? Thoughts on if we would make a 10am rental time? 

The only time we've ever had a tender port we had booked a shore excursion through Royal so we were tendered to shore with the excursion group.  

[Ryan79]

I wouldn’t do an 10am time. 8am is the time it arrives, not the time the tenders start. There will be many other cruisers who will have tender priority over you (Key, higher tier C&A, those who booked RC excursions, suite guests) and there is no way to know when your non priority group will be called. 

[DieselsCruzzzzin]

Thanks. That’s what I thinking but figured I’d ask just in case. 

[Cactus527]

If you don't have an RC excursion planned, you'll have to get a ticket for the tender too. Who knows how many people will be in line ahead of you and get earlier slots! Definitely push it back a bit. That being said, you may find it a breeze and be on the island by 9am. Experience tells me you'll probably be later versus earlier...