Large cruise ships calling at Stanley commonly anchor offshore and use tender boats to carry passengers to pontoons directly in front of the Jetty Visitor Centre. Smaller expedition vessels may instead berth at FIPASS, where courtesy transport connects passengers with central Stanley.
How the process works
Your ship controls tender tickets, boarding sequence and final return time. Once ashore at the Public Jetty, the visitor centre, Ross Road and central attractions are immediately accessible on foot.
Why weather matters
Wind and sea state can slow, suspend or prevent tender operations. A published port call is therefore not a guarantee that passengers will land. Follow ship announcements rather than relying on a shore-side schedule.
Accessibility
Tender transfers involve movement between the ship and a small boat and can be affected by swell. Travelers with limited mobility should ask their cruise line about its specific transfer requirements and assistance before sailing.
Protect your return
Independent visitors should treat the final tender—not ship departure—as the hard deadline and return with a generous margin. Organized ship excursions follow their operator’s return arrangements.
What tendering changes for your itinerary
A ship being scheduled in Stanley for eight hours does not mean eight hours ashore. Launching tenders, sea conditions, queues and the final return deadline reduce usable time. Book independent excursions only with providers who understand cruise operations, and aim to be back well before the last tender. If conditions deteriorate, follow ship instructions immediately rather than relying on the original schedule.
