A ship's tender, usually referred to as a tender, is a boat or ship used to service or support other boats or ships. This is generally done by transporting people or supplies to and from shore or another ship.

Mar 12, 2025 · Tender ports are those where the cruise ship can’t dock directly at a pier, and so special boats called tender boats or water shuttles are used to transfer guests from the ship to the shore. They may have shallow waters that aren’t suitable for larger ships, or they may just lack the necessary shore space for a pier that can handle cruise ...

Dec 15, 2023 · Tendering on a cruise refers to the process of boarding and disembarking from a cruise ship via smaller vessels, known as tenders, when the ship cannot dock directly at the port. This occurs primarily when the destination lacks a suitable pier or when the water is too shallow for the ship to approach the shore.

Dec 2, 2024 · From St. Barts to Santorini, here's a guide on 11 ports where you can expect to take a tender boat from your ship to shore.

Usually, a tender on a yacht, fishing, or cruise ship is carried by the vessel itself for fast transport. Either they are hoisted on decks or securely towed behind the ship to access quickly and conveniently into the water. Tenders run to ports and from the ship to service its needs while buoyant, mooring, or anchoring rather than docked.

Jan 27, 2025 · Tender boats are small boats used on big yachts and cruise ships to carry passengers and luggage inland when the dock is too narrow for the ship to enter. Today’s article includes a thorough explanation of tender boats and associated boating terms.

Dec 10, 2023 · Definition of Tender on a Cruise Ship. A tender on a cruise ship is a smaller boat or vessel that is used to transport passengers and cargo between the cruise ship and the shore when a port lacks proper docking facilities.

Jun 6, 2021 · Boat tenders are a vital addition to every moderately sized vessel on the water. The name ‘tender’ comes directly from their main objective, to tend to the needs of a larger vessel.

Jul 15, 2022 · A tender is a small boat that’s used to transport passengers between their cruise ship and the port when the ship itself is unable to dock. These tenders are usually carried by the cruise ship, and often double as a lifeboat.

Dec 3, 2024 · When docking is not an option for a cruise ship, it instead anchors in the deeper water offshore and uses smaller boats, called tenders, to transport passengers to and from shore. This process is also referred to as tendering.