How long is the Tender?

[jcs56]

I keep hearing about tendering in Belize. How far is it? How long does it take?

[kirbmeister]

We were told about 30 minutes, but it didn't seem near that long. That probably included loading time.

[Mike2131]

I keep hearing about tendering in Belize. How far is it? How long does it take?

 

The ship will anchor pretty far out, so the time is longer than at other ports. I would estimate that our time was about 20-30 minutes. It seemed shorter coming back than heading in to port - probably due to loading time.

[slineberry528]

We were on the Valor a couple of weeks ago. it was at least 20 min. the ride back seemed longer.

[kirbmeister]

How long it seems probably depends when you get there. We were about the last on the boat both coming and going, so the boat left right after we got on.

 

At least in Belize the tenders were fairly small so they loaded and unloaded quickly. In Cancun the tenders were very large and the loading and unloading took forever.

[konthego]

it took 20 minutes from ship to port but only 15 minutes back. The guy was motoring on the way back. This does not include loading time, just travel time. waves were at a minimum.

[smilesntravels]

I have not yet tendered into a port yet. So, my question is this: what if you get back for the last tender boat, and it's already full. Since you're there on time will they come back for you. It might sound like a silly question, but I'm just wondering. Thanks!

[Mike2131]

I have not yet tendered into a port yet. So, my question is this: what if you get back for the last tender boat, and it's already full. Since you're there on time will they come back for you. It might sound like a silly question, but I'm just wondering. Thanks!

 

Nothing to worry about. The tender operator (ship or private) will radio the ship to let them know the situation and they will send an additional tender.

 

[smilesntravels]

Okay, thank you. I just wanted to make sure that if you're there on time, but the tenders are full or there are long lines you wouldn't get stuck...;)

[montgomeryfamily]

All of the different cruise lines have staff on shore to help with the tendering for their ship. This includes security staff and other crew. They always ride back on the last tender that the ship is intending to use. But they never leave when passengers are there on the dock, as they are they last to board the last tender. So if you are there on time, that crew should be there and even if the so-called last tender is full, the ship will send back another boat in order to pick up the crew and other passengers remaining.

 

You know you are in trouble if you get there and all of the cruise line staff is gone. :(

[houstoncruisers2001]

Seemed to us that the tenders were hauling butt to and from our ship. They were alot faster than the ones in Grand Cayman, but as it has been stated, it's a farther ride.

[BobbieSu]

There were two types of tenders operating when we were there. We were on the large new ones both coming and going, and took 15 min travel time. However the smaller older boat which still held quite a few people took 30 minutes. I think it was just a matter of luck which one you got on.

 

Su

[Susky]

Of course, if you're late, and the run a special tender for you, you'd better be prepared to hand over a nice tip! :D

[smilesntravels]

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, that would not be a good sign if you get there and everyone is gone! ;)

[Awesummom]

There are more than 2 or 3 tender boats. We we were watching as the earlier tendering people were leaving the ship and there were several boats in the water waiting to move up to the gangway as a full tender headed to the port. So as one filled up and headed out, another was waiting. Returning to the ship is the same way. You are not standing there waiting for a tender to show up.

 

Have fun!

[smilesntravels]

Thanks Awesum! I love the water, and can't wait. So even tendering will be exciting for me....lol

[mrh]

The tender does move pretty quick. But the ship docks 5 miles out. Took us about 20 minutes.