Tender delays are common — plan for them
At Villefranche-sur-Mer, tender delays are a normal part of port day — not an exception. When several ships anchor in the bay simultaneously, hundreds of passengers compete for the same tender boats. Build delay contingency into your planning from the start.
If your arrival tender is delayed
- Contact your excursion guide immediately — use the phone number on your booking confirmation
- Do not leave the tender queue — you cannot control the delay, but you can control whether you board the next available boat
- Head to the meeting point once you land — do not wander far from the harbour area
- Consider a shorter activity if the delay has consumed most of your usable time ashore
If you are worried about the return tender
Return queues are the critical risk. Be at the Villefranche harbour landing well before all aboard — not at the published departure time. If your excursion is running late, tell your guide immediately.
Read our tender information guide and use the cruise planner to build return margins into your port day from the start.
Prevention on port day
- Take an early tender where appropriate
- Confirm all aboard on your cruise app the night before
- Keep your guide's contact number accessible
- Stay near the harbour if waiting for a delayed meeting time