At some ports the ship does not tie up at a pier. It anchors offshore and passengers go ashore in small boats called tenders. For anyone who uses a wheelchair or scooter, or who finds steps hard, the tender is the first question of the day, before any tour.
1. Docked or tendered?
Your itinerary usually says which ports are tender ports, and lines publish lists: Royal Caribbean's includes ports such as Cozumel, Santorini and Mykonos. Royal Caribbean also warns that even a port where the ship is scheduled to dock can change to tendering.
2. What one line says about tenders
- To board most tenders, guests must be able to take steps and use a collapsible manual wheelchair.
- Motorised wheelchairs and scooters cannot go on tenders unless roll-on capability is available, and roll-on capability is not guaranteed; you ask about it at the Guest Relations desk on board.
- Guests with assistive devices who cannot take a few steps will be unable to board tenders.
- Weather, sea conditions and other factors may prevent tendering, and the captain and staff make the final decision about transferring guests and devices.
- If guests cannot tender for these reasons, the line says no refund or credit is given for the missed port.
That is Royal Caribbean's policy. Other lines set their own; ask yours for the same points in writing.
3. Tender access and tour access are separate
Royal Caribbean grades its accessible shore excursions: Level 1 for guests who can walk short distances and manage motor-coach steps, with a folding wheelchair or scooter going in the luggage hold; Level 2 for guests who cannot manage coach steps or use a wheelchair or scooter full time, in vehicles with a ramp or lift for a limited number of devices. It asks for requests at least 10 business days before departure, with the device type, dimensions and weight, and says an able-bodied companion should accompany a full-time wheelchair user. A Level 2 tour at a tender port still depends on getting ashore.
4. Questions to send before you buy
- Is this port a tender port on my sailing, and could it change?
- Do your tenders require steps? Is roll-on access possible for my device, and how is that decided on the day?
- What are the device limits (width, length, weight) for the tender and for the tour vehicle?
- Who helps at the landing on shore, and what is the landing like (steps, ramp, floating pontoon)?
- If I cannot go ashore, is the tour refunded?
5. A calm plan B
If the answers are uncertain, plan a good day on board as the alternative rather than a disappointment, and keep tours at tender ports refundable where you can. Royal Caribbean also notes that ADA rules do not apply outside the United States, so standards on shore vary.
6. Question sheet
| Question | Answer | Who confirmed it, and when |
|---|---|---|
| Tender or dock on my date? | ||
| Steps on the tender? | ||
| Roll-on for my device? | ||
| Tour vehicle has ramp or lift? | ||
| Refund if I cannot go ashore? |
See also decoding walking, steps and standing and ferry access questions.