Celebrity Cruises
Wed, 28 Jul 2027
- Arrival
- 07:00
- Departure
- 18:00
- Time in port
- 11 hours
- Passenger capacity
- Capacity varies by sailing
View the full July 2027 schedule.
Celebrity Ascent in Portofino
Cruise planning guide for passengers visiting Portofino aboard Celebrity Ascent.
Return to ship on time, cruise passenger friendly
Cruise passenger snapshot
Arrival port
Portofino (tender)
Tender port
Yes — Portofino
Typical visit length
Approx. 11 hours
Best for
Portofino village, coastal scenery, and Riviera excursions
Recommended tour style
Small-group or private shore excursions
Return-to-ship confidence
Build 45 minutes before all aboard plus tender queue time
Celebrity Ascent Portofino schedule
Celebrity Ascent typically spends a full day in the Gulf of Tigullio when Portofino is on the itinerary — published calls in our schedules often run from early morning to early evening, giving ample time for a Riviera excursion after tendering ashore.
Celebrity Cruises uses standard Gulf anchorage and village tender landings. Ascent is a larger ship, so morning tender queues can be busy — take an early boat if you have booked a harbour meeting time.
See our Celebrity Cruises Portofino guide for tender planning and excursion recommendations.
11 hours
Best excursions for Celebrity Ascent passengers
These Portofino options suit tender passengers who need reliable return-to-ship timing. Match the excursion duration to your published call length before booking.
Most Popular · Recommended
Small Group Santa Margherita, Camogli & Portofino Shore Excursion
Our top recommendation — Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, and Portofino village in one small-group shore excursion with coordinated transport from the harbour.
View details →8+ hour calls
Camogli & Portofino coast tour
Ideal when you want authentic fishing village atmosphere plus Portofino village time on longer port days.
View details →5+ hour calls
Portofino coastal walk
Compact guided walk on the Portofino headland with village free time.
View details →Short to standard calls
Independent Portofino harbour walk
Explore the piazzetta, harbourfront cafés, and boutique streets at your own pace after tendering ashore.
View details →Private Italian Riviera excursions can be arranged on longer port calls when you want a fully customised itinerary. Contact your excursion provider with your ship's arrival and departure times.
Tender information for Celebrity Ascent
Portofino is normally a tender port. Celebrity Ascent will anchor offshore and transfer passengers by tender boat into Portofino village, near the harbour.
Celebrity passengers should watch the cruise app for tender ticket distribution the evening before. Ascent carries many guests ashore on popular Riviera days.
Early tenders can be busy, especially when several ships are in the Gulf on the same day. Do not plan an excursion to start immediately at published arrival time; allow time to queue, transfer, and reach the meeting point.
Read our full Portofino tender guide for queuing advice and return-to-ship margins.
Long call 9+ hours
- Best window for the Camogli and Portofino coast tour or a relaxed multi-village Riviera day.
- You can combine village time, coastal scenery, and lunch without rushing.
- Still build in tender queue time — long port days attract more passengers ashore.
- Use the cruise planner to confirm your personal return deadline.
Use the Portofino cruise plannerwith your ship's times to see which excursions fit comfortably.
Meeting point and arrival advice
Guides normally arrive shortly before tour departure, not at the moment your ship's published arrival time begins. Passengers who tender ashore very early may not see the guide immediately — this is normal.
- Allow time for tender queues after your ship clears passengers.
- Keep your excursion supplier contact details handy in case of tender delays.
- Meeting points are usually near the Portofino harbour and piazzetta — see our meeting point guide.
- If your tender is late, read what to do if your tender is delayed.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Celebrity Ascent tender at Portofino?
- Most cruise ships do not dock directly in Portofino due to the small size of the harbour. Instead, ships anchor offshore and passengers are transported into the village using tender boats. The tender ride itself offers fantastic views of the Italian Riviera coastline and the colourful Portofino harbour as you arrive. Allow extra time for queuing on busy days.
- How long is Celebrity Ascent usually in Portofino?
- Based on published schedules, Celebrity Ascent typically spends approx. 11 hours in port when call times are confirmed. Always verify arrival and departure times with your cruise line before booking an excursion.
- What shore excursions suit Celebrity Ascent passengers?
- The Small Group Santa Margherita, Camogli & Portofino Shore Excursion works well when your port call is seven hours or longer once tender time is counted. The tour itself runs approx. 4 hours. See tour details for full information.
- When should Celebrity Ascent passengers return to the tender pier?
- Be at the tender landing at least 45 minutes before all aboard. Build in 15 to 20 minutes each way for the tender transfer, plus queue time when multiple ships are in the Gulf.