Well if I have a choice I prefer not to tender. But at some ports there's no way around it. So here is the good:
Read and follow the instructions give in the Ship Newsletter and on the in-cabin TV. Show up early for your tender tickets, have everyone in your party with you and ready to go.
Be patient and soon er than you know it , you will be ashore.
You'll get the "best" experience when the ship can use it's own boats.
If you are not on an excursion you can be more leisurely about going ashore.
At some ports (Belize) they use high-speed boats. Wheeee!
If you don't go ashore, the ship is really nice when almost everyone gets off!
The bad:
The ship has no control in ports that insist (for various reasons) that the port tenders be used. (For example in the Bahmas, we had to use the couintry's tenders even though we were going to the ship's private island) Those tenders held tons of people and they pack em in, so loading and offloading was a bit tedious and some folks find the rocking while waiting for a full load to be hard to handle. (If you are one, sit near the side).
The ship has no control over the weatther, so big swells will cancel tendering and there's no way around it. If you absolutely HAVE to visit a site (like Tulum) find out if tendering is necessary and be prepared to have your tour cancelled for imclement weather.
The ugly:
Inevitably som pax don't get, don't listen too, don't follow instructions and that sometimes results in disgruntled folks who feel it is their duty to let everyone else know how put upon they have been. It happens, but fortunately, for me, not often.
