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Yes, Cicar is good and have heard good things about AutoReisen. Tried to rent a car for this Christmas period from Santa Cruz Port and the only company I could find open over this period at the port was a company called Comauto. Well, their customer service is terrible and I'm still awaiting a reply to my queries over a month later! Tried to call them at every office in Tenerife in June and they had gone on holiday for a month, I found out later from their Facebook page. Unfortunately the Cicar office is closed at the port when we are there, so we have had to rent from them at the northern airport.

Yes, we too love our freedom and prefer to do our own thing on our trips. Really not a fan of coach trips and spending such limited time at each stop, then taking 2 hours for lunch (when we'd rather be exploring). We are just a bit wary of hiring a car on a cruise, as I'd be scared about getting back to the ship on time. We will do it on this trip in Tenerife as we do an overnight there, so can get back to the ship late evening. It's a shame some of the port car hire places are closed over the Christmas period too and you have to hire from the airports, which takes up valuable time getting to and from said airports to pick up/drop off the car. Thanks for your reply though Hank and will surely hire a car if we go back to La Palma.

Thanks Barbara for all the info and good to know that La Palma is your fav! Yes, sadly mass tourism is invading every corner of the earth these days and making everywhere so crowded, which takes a little bit of the enjoyment away! Hope to visit all the canaries in time. It's a shame Fred no longer sails to El Hierro, as I like quiet and unspoilt locations and a chance to get away from the crowds for a short time, as least.

Which is your favourite Canary Island Tring? Which cruise did you do that included La Gomera and El Hierro for future reference please? Thanks

Thanks for the info! Did use Cicar/Cabrera Medina last year in Lanzarote and agree, they are very good and we liked that there were no extra fees.

Yes, will drop them a line...tried to call them yesterday, but was hold for ages, so hung up.

Thanks...will check them out there.

Thanks so much Tring for your reply! I think we will probably take the ship excursion to the caldera national park, which is half a day and then look around the town for the other half. Would definitely have gotten a car if we had longer and we can always go back if we like it and spend more time there.

Thanks for the replies

Hi all - will be doing a Christmas cruise on Azura departing Tenerife on Dec 23. Arrives back in Tenerife on Dec 29 with an overnight in port, before we disembark for the flight home on the 30th. Thinking of hiring a car for the whole day on the 29th and would like to book it soon, but have no idea at what time (roughly) we will be able to get off the ship. Booking only says "early morning". Does anyone have a rough idea of a docking/disembarkation time? Checked Santa Cruz port schedule, but the Azura schedule is one of the few arrival/departure times that are blank. Many thanks.

Hi all - will be taking a Christmas cruise on Azura this year and wondered whether anyone has rented a car on La Palma v's doing a ship excursion? Have done several cruises before with different companies, but have never hired our own car for the day. Any personal recommendations for the ship excursions? Many thanks