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If you have ever seen the word ‘tender’ or ‘at anchor’ next to a port on your cruise itinerary you may have wondered what it means and why it matters. Tendering is a routine but important part of cruising, particularly as ships become larger and itineraries include smaller or more remote destinations. This post explains what tenders are, why they are used, how the process works, what you should consider and what to expect before arriving at a tender port.
If you have ever seen the word ‘tender’ or ‘at anchor’ next to a port on your cruise itinerary you may have wondered what it means and why it matters. Tendering is a routine but important part of cruising, particularly as ships become larger and itineraries include smaller or more remote destinations. This post explains what tenders are, why they are used, how the process works, what you should consider and what to expect before arriving at a tender port.
What Is a Tender on a Cruise Ship?
A tender is a small boat used to transport passengers – typically 100-250 at a time, but Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas tender boats can carry up to 450 passengers each – between the cruise ship and the shore when the ship cannot dock directly at the port (see below). In these situations, the cruise ship anchors offshore and smaller boats – called tenders – shuttle passengers back and forth. Some cruise lines refer to this as water shuttles or land shuttles.The service is always free of charge for all passengers.
TENDERS CAN BE: ➡️ The ship’s own lifeboats adapted for passenger transport (this is the most typical) ➡️ Local ferries, catamarans, or tour boats supplied by the port,
Why Do Cruise Ships Use Tenders?
Tendering is used when a cruise ship can’t safely or practically berth at a pier. As cruise ships continue to grow in size, tendering is becoming more common at destinations that were originally designed for much smaller ships. Typical reasons for tendering include:
Port Infrastructure: Some ports don’t have piers large enough or deep enough to accommodate modern cruise ships, especially in smaller islands or historic towns (St Peter Port in Guernsey is one example).
Environmental Protection: Certain destinations restrict large ships from docking close to shore to protect coral reefs, marine habitats, or fragile coastlines.
Congestion at the Port: If all berths are occupied when the ship arrives (which is typical in popular but smaller ports such as Kotor for example), tendering may be used instead of waiting for a dock to become available.
Scenic or Remote Locations: In some cases, tendering allows access to beautiful but undeveloped locations that would otherwise be unreachable by large vessels.
How Does Tendering Process Work for Cruise Passengers?
When a ship tenders, passengers are organised into groups to manage capacity and maintain safety.
This prevents overcrowding in stairwells and corridors and allows tenders to operate efficiently and safely. This is usually done through numbered tender tickets, group labels, or priority boarding categories. The process for tendering is usually organised as follows:
Announcement from the ship – The captain or cruise director will inform passengers that the port is a tender port and when the captain has received authorisation from the port and safety teams on board that tendering operations can begin.
Ticket or group system: Passengers will usually be given a tender ticket with a group number, or certain excursions may be prioritised. If you are exploring independently, you will usually need a tender ticket. These are issued either via a self-service board where you select a numbered ticket, or by crew members at a designated desk. This information is usually provided via onboard announcements, the daily programme, or a notice in your cabin – typically the day before the port visit.
Typically, Lower numbers are called first. Once all numbered groups have disembarked, the ship then moves to what is known as open tenders, where no ticket is needed and passengers can board as space becomes available. If you miss your number, just go to the tender boarding area and will usually be placed on the next available boat.
While tender tickets are usually issued on a ‘first come first served’ basis when on board, some passengers get priority tickets and tendering is handled automatically. This is usually for:
- Passengers on ship-organised shore excursions,
- Guests staying in suites,
- Loyalty programme members with elite status.
- Passengers who have purchased a priority programme (such as “The Key” or “Faster to the Fun”),
Boarding the tender: Passengers board the tender via a platform (like the Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge Class ships) or small gangway from a lower deck of the ship. Crew members will be on hand to assist you with boarding, particularly if the tender is moving with a swell. If the swell exceeds certain safety limits, then tender operations may be temporarily paused until it is safe to continue.
Short journey ashore: The crossing to shore can take anywhere from a few minutes to around half an hour, depending on the distance and conditions.
Return via tender: The same process is used to return to the ship except this a just via a queuing system on the dock or pier. Once again staff will be on hand to ensure guests board the tenders safely.
Tenders operate continuously throughout the day. To return, you simply queue at the shore tender point – and no ticket is required for this part of the journey. However, you will usually need to show your ship ID card before being allowed to board the tender. Children will also need to be accompanied by a responsible adult in their party.
It is very important to remember that the last tender time is strictly enforced. The ship will not wait for late passengers who are not on a ship-organised excursion. The final tender is also often the busiest, so my tip is not to wait until the very last tender – try to head back to the tender station at least 30 minutes before the last tender is due to depart.
What You Need to do Before Visiting a Tender Port
It’s important to ensure you are prepared for a tender port – perhaps more so than a port where you are docked. This is because returning to the ship at a tender port takes so much more time, for example it can be an hour round trip is you realise you’ve forgotten something important on your way out. So, my tip is to make sure that you prepare everything in advance:
✅ Ensure you have your ship card or ID as you’ll need this to disembark and re-board at the pier
✅ Remember to take all the cash or cards you need ashore and your passport if this is also advised by your cruise line.
✅ Sun cream, insect repellent, hat
✅ Any medication you may need
✅ A bottle of water for hydration - just in case you are waiting in the sun at peak times
✅ A towel if swimming is planned (complimentary beach towels are usually available in tour cabin but must be returned to the ship)
✅ Motion sickness tablets if required – sometimes tenders can get bumpy in the slightest swells. Try to sit outside on the boat and focus on a distant point on the horizon.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tender Ports
Advantages
✅ Access to ports otherwise unreachable by large ships,
✅ Scenic transfers and unique photo opportunities, tenders are often quite enjoyable boat rides.
✅ The ability to visit smaller, unique and less commercialised destinations or exclusive ports.
Disadvantages
🔽 Can involve long waiting times to disembark and return, restricting the time you have in port
🔽 Less convenient than walking straight off the ship
🔽 Tender ports are statistically more likely to be cancelled than ports with permanent docking facilities.
🔽 Tender ports can be cancelled at very short notice.
🔽 Reduced accessibility for passengers with limited mobility.
Tips for Passengers at Tender Ports
➡️ Book ship excursions if you want priority tender access and to avoid losing your booking costs if the port needs to be cancelled.
➡️ Allow extra time for getting ashore and returning to the ship. If exploring independently – don’t book activities ashore right at the start of the day. You may not get to shore or your meeting point in time.
➡️ Wear sensible footwear and be cautious when stepping on and off the tender.
➡️ Check accessibility options with guest services if you have mobility concerns.
➡️ Use handrails and follow crew instructions carefully
Weather and Sea Conditions on Cruise Ship Tenders
Tendering is highly weather-dependent. Rough seas, strong winds, or poor visibility can make tendering unsafe. In such cases, the cruise line may delay or suspend the tender process, and in some cases, the entire port visit may be cancelled (this is typical in St. Peter Port in Guernsey – where I have visited 6 times on various itineraries but only managed to tender to port on 3 occasions due to poor weather/strong winds).
Crew members are always on had assist getting on and off as the tender may move with the water. Rough seas or strong winds can make boarding unsafe and may lead to delays or cancellation of the port altogether (this is typical in St. Peter Port in Guernsey – where I have visited 6 times on various itineraries but only managed to tender to port on 3 occasions due to poor weather/strong winds).
Because tender boats are smaller vessels, they are more susceptible to motion and can feel significantly rougher than the cruise ship itself. Passengers prone to seasickness are also advised to take precautions.
Accessibility and Mobility on Cruise Ship Tenders
Because tender boats move with the water, boarding can be challenging especially for passengers with mobility limitations or for very young children. The tender may move up and down or shift slightly when stepping across, even when securely tied to the ship.
Passengers with walking aids, canes, or crutches may find boarding difficult, and those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters are sometimes unable to tender at all due to safety risks. It’s always best to speak with Guest Services in advance and before you book any shore excursions – either through the cruise line or independently.
How Do I Know if I Will Need a Tender to Get to Shore?
Each cruise line will show information on the itinerary as to which ports are tender ports. If in doubt- speak to your travel advisor or direct with the cruise line. But here are some of the popular lines
List of Cruise Line Tender Ports:
➡️ List of Cruise Line Tender Ports:
NCL Tender ports
Holland America Line Tender Ports
Princess Cruises Tender ports
Royal Caribbean Tender Ports
MSC Cruises Tender Ports
Celebrity Cruises Tender Ports
P&O cruises Tender Ports
Cunard Tender Ports
Love me Tender?
Tenders are an essential part of cruising to certain destinations. Some people can be very nervous about boarding or using a tender. Hopefully this post will have given you some more insight and information to prepare.
On a calm day, the tender ride itself can be an enjoyable part of the experience – offering fresh air, sea views, and one of the best opportunities to photograph your cruise ship at anchor – if you manage to get a seat on the open top (if the tender boat has one)
While tenders add an extra step and time to getting ashore, they also open the door to many of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places. With a little planning and patience, tender ports can be a unique and enjoyable part of your cruise experience.
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