"tendering"

[mountainlady]

Will be taking my first cruise next Friday, aboard the Princess Dawn to Alaska. I have a question regarding tendering. It looks like we will tender at at least one port. Not positive what that means, but would guess it means the ship anchors offshore, and small boats take you to the pier? If so, do you have to leave and return at pre-set times? Do you have to stay in port the entire time to wait for a return boat to your ship? Just trying to plan ahead, hope someone can answer this for me.

Thanks

[carlmm]

You are right, small boats take you ashore.

Upon arrival times might be allocated to passengers to avoid a rush all at the same time. Often you have to pick up a tender card somewhere in a lounge. This will be explained to you on the ship.

After the first rush you can leave as you please. The same is true for returning. No need to wait for the end of the day. Just go to the tender location and take the next available. In low times tenders might run only every 30 minutes or so, in high time continously.

[LHT28]

The tenders run continuously through out the day

 

you may have to get a ticket to board the tender in the morning if you are not on a ship's tour but when all the tours have left the ship they open up the disembarking

 

Make sure you check the time for the last tender usually 30-45 minutes before sailing time

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

Tendering is part of the fun of a cruise, in large part because you can view the ship from water level. If you can do so, sit outside on the tender's top deck or sit outside on the lower deck.

 

The ship's personnel will be there to help you on and off the tenders.

 

Take as light a load as you can because you will most likey have to use both hands when entering and getting off the tenders.

 

Have fun.

 

Fred

[Krazy Kruizers]

mountainlasy

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Most ships have 4 to 6 lifeboats that are used for tendering. They are a little larger than the regular lifeboats.

 

If you are going ashore independently, you will have to report to a certain lounge (will be listed in your daily program) to get a tender ticket. They ask you to stay there until your number is called. When your number is called, you will proceed down to the gangway.

 

You will not need a tender number once you are on shore and ready to return to the ship. You will just get in line.