Cruise #6-Sitka, Alaska

We were "tendered ashore" after we arrived at Sitka

The Docking Difference

When a cruise ship docks, it tethers itself to a dock or port and lowers a bridge so passengers can walk directly off the ship and into the port of call. Cruise ships most commonly dock at larger ports because they are usually better equipped to accommodate cruise ships' enormous size. When ships anchor, passengers are "tendered" to shore on tender boats. Tendering usually involves a shorter stop time because ships -- even large cruise ships -- can shift positions over time, even with a dropped anchor. If your itinerary indicates that your ship will tender at a particular port, that port is likely smaller in size, or the waters surrounding it cannot support large ships. Your ship will be in the waters away from, but still in sight of, the shore -- a roughly 10- to 40-minute small boat ride from the ship. The difference between docking and tendering can mean the difference between having all day or only a few hours to explore a port of call. This is because docked ships allow passengers to leave at their will -- and at their own pace -- to explore the town. Anchored ships, however, usually provide small boats that can ferry passengers to shore approximately 20 to 30 at a time, although some ports provide larger ones.
(Credit: USA Today.com)

This modest Cathedral that sits in the center of town is a big attraction to tourist because of its history.