4th July 08 - Overnight in Madeira (Ventura)

[Guest Daimen]

Hi all,

 

This is the first cruise we're going on that has a overnight stay at port. Are we free to leave the ship and re-join her later that say (say early morning ... ) or are things "locked up" after a certain time?

 

If you see what I mean ...

 

Dai

[The Monocled Mutineer]

No. Security remain on duty. You re-embark showing your cruise-id just as you would do during the day.

[Pontius Navigator]

And what had you got planned for Madeira?

 

As you will not be contrained by the ship time you could consider a Levada walk. Not too strenuous but it could take a few hours.

 

http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/walking-uk.php

 

Or you could explore further afield.

 

http://www.madeira-web.com/

 

We liked Porto Moniz in the extreme north west. If you go over the mountains there is a precipitous approach with superb views. The pool complex is built out of the lava rocks on the foreshore and well worth seeing even if you don't venture in.

 

There was a Gullet (sic?) cruise, based in Funchal and opertaing out of Canical, the timing may be wrong.

 

Eating:

 

Try the Lido in Funchal, a short step from the centre, passed Reid's Palace Hotel. The coffee in the cafe overlooking the lido is good and cheap, it was €1 (2006). Next to the cafe is a restaurant specialising as you would imagine in fish. Although there is a menu you are encouraged to look at the fish of the day.

 

If you are from Tyneside then you should continue passed the modern harbour and along the shore line path until you reach the old dock. there you will find the original Tyneside iron capstans and machinery.

 

Camara de Lobos, the tallest sea cliff in Europe, impressive but really not worth the effort or time.

 

Calheta, impressive harbour built into the Atlantic and the beach created from 10 ship loads of Moroccan sand. Very raw in 2006 and not really worth the effort of visiting.

[Morgans]

You will be free to do your own thing in the evening. Many people will be ashore until the early hours.......if not even later!!! Have a great time.

[Guest Daimen]

Lovely, thanks for all your replies. I wassn't sure.

 

Happy Cruising! :-)