What Is a Tender and Why Are They Used?

When looking for a cruise, a term you may see in your itinerary is ‘tender’. First-time cruisers may not have come across it before, so what is tendering on a cruise? If you’re looking for answers, search no further, as we will cover what tenders are, why they’re necessary, and how you can make the most of them on your next cruise.

What Is a Tender?

Let’s begin with a simple definition. When we refer to a ‘tender’, we’re talking about a small boat that’s used to transport passengers between a cruise ship and a port where it is unable to dock. This is required when the ship is too large to enter the port, or the port’s geography or structure makes it inaccessible to cruise ships.

Tenders are usually carried on cruise ships and double as lifeboats. Guests may imagine them as small wooden boats from the movies, but they don’t need to worry! Tenders in the real world are much more comfortable, purpose-built for sightseeing and capable of carrying between 80 and 150 passengers to a destination at a time.

If you’re a first-time cruiser, the idea of stepping off your cruise ship to board a smaller ship may cause a few nerves, but there’s no reason to be concerned. Tenders are necessary, and learning why can not only calm your worries but also make you more excited for your cruising adventure!

Why Are Tenders Necessary on a Cruise Ship?

There are many reasons why your ship may need to tender at some ports rather than dock. Don’t be deterred from booking a cruise that includes tender ports; it is an exciting addition to any sailing! While getting on and off the ship is a little more effort than simply walking off when docked, your cruise line will have been doing it for years, meaning the tendering process will be down to a fine art. 

Big Ships and Small Ports

To offer the most comprehensive onboard experience, cruise ships are becoming larger. This size, however, isn’t regulated with any specific port in mind, meaning some destinations with smaller ports will become inaccessible to certain ships.

Destinations such as the Mediterranean or Northern Europe feature some of the smallest, most exclusive ports in the world (built long before the first cruise ship was built), so even some of the more modestly sized ships sailing the seas today can’t always fit into port. 

Tendering is also common throughout the Caribbean, especially on private islands where there’s not much of a port area at all.

Tricky Geography

Safety is the top priority of any cruise experience, and if docking into a destination poses any challenge for cruise staff that could potentially be dangerous or risky, tendering offers a safer, simpler option for helping guests ashore to enjoy their day in port.

A good example of tricky geography that tendering helps navigate is shallow water. If there’s a chance that the water closer to land could be too shallow or too rocky, a cruise ship can dock just offshore in deeper water and transport passengers on smaller tenders, which can navigate shallower waters without danger.

Maximising Port Availability

When you head out on a cruise, it’s normal to want to get the absolute most out of every opportunity. Veteran cruisers may know that cruise destinations can become crowded with cruise ships docking at the same time, so to prevent booked-up ports from stopping guests from visiting, tendering can be a lifesaver.

The option to tender into port means guests can experience everything their itinerary has to offer, especially when it comes to cruises where each day brings a different port. Tendering ensures that not a day goes by without the opportunity to explore.

Easy Access For Shore Excursions

Guests who have booked a shore excursion in a tender port need not worry about getting to shore. For activities or tours that begin early in the day, passengers enjoy priority for tenders, while non-excursion passengers will usually be required to wait on board until all tour guests have been taken ashore. 

If your excursion begins in the afternoon, you should have no difficulty getting off the ship in time (as tender queues usually reduce significantly by lunchtime).

Tendering On a Cruise: Our Essential Tips

We’ve covered what a tender is and why it is a necessary (and helpful) aspect of cruising, so now let’s look at how you can make the most of it! Here are our top tips for tender ports:

• Listen Out For Announcements: Guests may need to collect a tender ticket before boarding, which is key for keeping queues and waiting times to a minimum. Make sure you keep an ear out for updates.
• Secure Mobility Support: Some cruise lines may be unable to transfer wheelchair users due to health and safety precautions, but they will always try to accommodate those with mobility requirements when given sufficient notice.
• Take Your Time: There’s no need to rush back on board if you’re having fun. The last tender of the day is often the quietest, so it can offer a relaxing end to your day.
• Head for the Upper Deck: If your tender has an exposed upper deck, try to grab a seat up there. Here, the views are unobstructed, allowing you to enjoy the best views of the ocean and shoreline.
• Take Your Camera: Seeing the ocean and shoreline from water level is a truly unbelievable sight, and photographers can get some incredible shots from tenders.

Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club

Whether you’ve never cruised before or love sailing around the world, get ready to book the cruise getaway of a lifetime with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our Cruise Experts will be happy to assist you.