Tendering

[Minnie368]

what does it mean if it says a port requires tendering?

 

[NewYorkcruiser]

The ship anchors and you take a smaller ship in to port instead of your ship pulling up to the dock. Sometimes there are too many ships in port so some have to anchor and tender people in and sometimes the water isn't deep ebough at the docks to accommodate a cruise ship .

 

[PrincessShmoo]

what does it mean if it says a port requires tendering?

The ship does not dock in port (at a pier). It anchors out in the water, and small "tender" boats transport people from/to the ship and port.

 

[xlxo]

Additional thoughts...

• additional time is required to debarkation and embarkation
• swimming is not permitted
• some passengers may have difficulties with the mid-ocean transfers (eg wheelchairs)

 

[jdb in AZ]

Also, when the tenders are ready, hundreds of people want to be the first to board. Priority is given to DCL excursion passengers. If we aren't doing an excursion we have a late/leisurely breakfast and wait til there's no longer a line for the tenders (there will be a P.A. announcement to that effect) then we go ashore and explore on our own. Passengers returning from DCL excursions often return after other passengers are required to be onboard so those excursion people don't have to wait in long lines to board the tenders.