Rough tenders (South America in December)

Do you normally get a warning that a tender is going to be rough (waves, wind) or do they just throw you in and tell you to hold on?! It would be nice to know in advance in case you just want to stay on the ship! :)

If the seas are rough they won't be tendering.

You will miss the port if it is rough or high wind.

No, they don't tell you if it is rough, and it is not uncommon for a tender ride to be bouncy. The best indication is to watch the earlier tenders and see how they are bouncing around as they go to and from the ship. Don't pay much attention to what they are doing when they are next to the ship, they tend to bounce a lot more there.

We had a day in Astoria when we docked in the morning and so everyone walked off the ship. The ship was moved well up the river during the day and we had a very long choppy and windy tender to get back on it in the afternoon.

It can be quite calm anywhere at 8am when starting the day with everyone loving a calm tender trip. Who knows what it will be like at 4pm when you want to return.

"You pays your money and you takes your chance"