ports
Tender
A small boat that ferries passengers ashore when the ship anchors offshore instead of docking.
When a port has no dock big enough for the ship, or the dock is already taken, the ship anchors offshore and passengers go ashore by tender: a small boat, often one of the ship's lifeboats, that shuttles back and forth. Tendering adds time at the start and end of the day, and in popular ports you may need a timed ticket to go ashore. In rough water the captain can cancel tendering for safety, which means skipping the port. Smaller ships tender more easily and more quickly.
Example
In Santorini, most ships anchor in the caldera and tender passengers to the old port below Fira.
Floreo tip
If you have a time-sensitive tour in a tender port, book it through the ship or leave extra margin. Tender lines on a busy morning can take an hour.
Related terms
Reviewed by a Floreo advisor.
Cruise Match
Want an advisor to narrow this down?
Tell us what matters to you. We’ll turn it into a practical shortlist and help with the details.
Find my cruisePrefer to talk? Call or text us(877) 279-9078text