“Tenders” are part of cruising – but we’re not talking about the delicious chicken variety. A “tender port” is one where your ship won’t be able to pull right up to a dock, but will drop anchor off shore. The small boats that will ferry you from ship to shore and back again are called “tenders.”
Some cruises
don’t include any tender ports, and some include several. Tender ports are
usually indicated on the cruise itinerary. Some tender ports simply don’t have
dock facilities; others do, but the dock area may be too small or the water too
shallow to accommodate your ship. Some ports that require tenders are in appealingly
remote destinations, but some are in popular vacation spots like Bar Harbor,
Cabo San Lucas, and the Greek Isles.
Tender
boat style varies from one ship to another. Some ships use their lifeboats,
while others carry boats dedicated to tendering. Some cruise lines hire local
tender boat operators; their boats may be basic or equipped with roofs to
provide shade, cushioned seats, and bathroom facilities. All boats used for
tendering have life vests and other safety gear.
One of the
best things about a ride in a tender is the view. Trips between ship and shore may
take about five to 15 minutes – time to admire views of the ship, the water, and
the place you’re visiting.
There’s
usually a rush to get on the first tender boats of the day; if you wait a bit,
you can have a leisurely breakfast and avoid the rush. When you’re coming back
from shore to ship, though, don’t wait too long: if you miss the last tender
back, you may be left to make your own way to the ship’s next port.
Note that
priority tendering is a common reward for members of cruise line loyalty
programs – it’s a nice extra.
Tenders may
not be able to operate in poor weather, so be aware that rough seas may give
your ship’s captain no choice but to skip a tender port. And if you have limited
mobility, a tender boat might not be for you; ask Anita, your professional travel
advisor for advice and guidance.
If you
want to avoid tender ports completely, look for itineraries that call on larger
ports that have more extensive docking facilities. Or, look at sailing on a
smaller ship that can dock at smaller piers that can’t accommodate bigger
ships.
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