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Cruise ports where you tender ashore
36 ports of call where our guide says you may ride a tender boat to shore, always or on some ships or days. Data last checked: Oct 2026
Caribbean (3)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cayman Cayman Islands | Moderate | Tender Tender port, no ship pier. Tenders land at the North Terminal, South Terminal, or Royal Watler Terminal in George Town (all within a short walk of each other). |
| Samaná Dominican Republic | Moderate | Tender Tender port: ships anchor in Samaná Bay |
| St. Lucia (Castries) Saint Lucia | Moderate | Dock or tender La Place Carenage (smaller ships and tenders; in town) |
Bahamas & Bermuda (3)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay Bahamas (Little San Salvador) | Easy | Dock or tender Dock (new 2026 pier; tender possible) |
| Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas (Berry Islands) | Easy | Dock or tender Dock (temporary pier; tender on some days) |
| Princess Cays Bahamas (Eleuthera) | Easy | Tender Tender only |
Mexico & Central America (2)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Belize City Belize | Book a tour | Tender Tender port: ships anchor offshore |
| Cabo San Lucas Mexico | Easy | Tender Tender port: ships anchor in the bay |
Alaska & Pacific Northwest (1)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Sitka Alaska, USA | Moderate | Dock or tender Tender landings downtown (Crescent Harbor or O'Connell Bridge) when ships anchor |
Western Mediterranean (3)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice) France | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land at the old-port quay |
| Monaco (Monte Carlo) Monaco | Easy | Tender Port Hercule (tenders, or Quai Rainier III for some ships) |
| Cannes France | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land at Quai Laubeuf by the Vieux Port |
Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles (6)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini Greece | Moderate | Tender Tender port: tenders land at Fira Old Port (Skala) below the cliffs |
| Mykonos Greece | Easy | Dock or tender Tenders to the Old Port (some ships) |
| Argostoli (Kefalonia) Greece | Easy | Tender Argostoli waterfront pier (tenders on busy days) |
| Dubrovnik Croatia | Easy | Dock or tender Tenders to the Old Town harbor (some ships) |
| Kotor Montenegro | Easy | Dock or tender Tenders from anchorage in the bay (larger ships) |
| Split Croatia | Easy | Tender Split cruise berths on the harbor (tenders rarely, on busy days) |
Northern Europe (3)
Hawaii (1)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Kailua-Kona (Big Island) Hawaii, USA | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land at Kailua Pier on Aliʻi Drive |
Canada & New England (2)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Bar Harbor Maine, USA | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land at the Town Pier |
| Newport (Rhode Island) Rhode Island, USA | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land at Perrotti Park on America's Cup Avenue |
Australia & New Zealand (2)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) Australia | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders to Port of Airlie |
| Bay of Islands New Zealand | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders to Waitangi Wharf (sometimes Paihia) |
Asia (2)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket Thailand | Moderate | Tender Tender to Patong Bay (most ships) |
| Hạ Long Bay Vietnam | Moderate | Dock or tender Tenders from anchorage in the bay (some ships) |
South America (2)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Punta del Este Uruguay | Easy | Tender Tender port: tenders land in the harbor on the peninsula |
| Punta Arenas Chile | Moderate | Tender Arturo Prat pier (tenders on some calls) |
Indian Ocean (1)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Malé Maldives | Moderate | Tender Tender port: ships anchor; tenders to Malé jetty |
Pacific Islands (5)
| Port | Rating | Tender details |
|---|---|---|
| Moorea French Polynesia | Moderate | Tender Tender port (Cook's Bay or Opunohu Bay) |
| Bora Bora French Polynesia | Moderate | Tender Tender port: Vaitape |
| Lifou New Caledonia | Easy | Tender Tender port: Easo |
| Mystery Island Vanuatu | Easy | Tender Tender port: tiny uninhabited islet (Inyeug) |
| Rarotonga Cook Islands | Easy | Tender Tender port: Avatiu harbour |
How this list is made
We include every rated port whose guide lists a tender for at least some ships or days. "Dock or tender" depends on ship size and berth availability; your cruise line confirms which one shortly before the call.
Quick answers
How much extra time does a tender port need?
Plan on queues both ways. Our port guides suggest being at the tender pier well before the last tender, often 45–60+ minutes before all-aboard. Check each port's back-on-time tip.
Do I need tender tickets?
Many lines hand out tender tickets on the morning of the call; guests on ship excursions usually go first. Check your daily planner.