Major newbie question - "Tender" Ports

[LunaTEKKE]

Hi All -

I have seen references to "Tender" ports on other threads. Does this mean the ship docks a ways away from shore, and you have to take some sort of shuttle into the port? If so, how big of a wait/hassle is it to get to shore?

Thanks!

[Sheffie]

You are correct in assuming that the ship anchors away from the dock, and you will take a tender to the pier. Quite often the tenders are the big lifeboats that the ship has onboard. There are times when you will be on a tender that is owned by an operation at the port.

Grand Cayman and Belize are tender ports, as is Cozumel, for the most part, since the hurricane last year.

I hope this helps.

[Donna]

[size=18]Sometimes the actual tender ride is short, like for instance, Grand Cayman, its not too bad. In Belieze you do have a longer tender ride, because you "anchor" farther out, just depends on the ports.[/size

[LunaTEKKE]

Thanks to Michelle and Donna for the responses...I'm still trying to get all the terminology down!