Canary island cruise excursions. Buy vs make?

[technogogo]

With our Canary island cruise on Azure coming up soon, we've been sent details of the excursions.

 

So I'm wondering which ones we should buy through P&O and which we can arrange ourselves? Initial research suggests that the ports are close to many of the attractions. Or major towns where trips or taxi's can (probably?) be readily obtained. I'm not trying to be cheap. But also want to avoid the situation where you pay out nearly £100 (family of 4) to end up touring the town right next to the port. Done that before!

 

Any specific advice for Canaries very gratefully received.

 

Initial thoughts are that the downhill basket thing in Madeira and La Caldera de Taburiente in Las Palma are must sees. Vigo and Lisbon we've visited before. So not looking for specific advice on these lovely places.

[Thejuggler]

Madeira is easy to DIY - ships dock in Funchal harbour adjacent to the town centre. Some ships use buses to take you to the centre, some use local shuttle boats to cross from the outer breakwater to the inner harbour and drop you off close to the promenade.

 

The sledge ride starts from Monte - you can get a bus or taxi, or walk along the prom and take the cablecar - the sledge doesn't take you all the way back into Funchal.

 

A Madeiran bus ride would be a highlight. All the buses look too wide for the narrow and windy streets, but the bus drivers are amazing and fares are cheap.

 

If you want to see more than Funchal the taxi drivers are excellent and will do a tour for you - all taxis are Mercedes Benz so you get a comfortable trip.

 

If you want a more organised tour Strawberry Tours are excellent. I can recommend the Valley of the Nuns - it is absolutely stunning. We spent a Christmas Day there and had the best homemade apple pie in the local bar!

 

This link gives info and the photos show how close the ships are to the centre:

 

http://www.lido-tours.com/en/arriving-cruise.html

[LibraLass41]

A free shuttle bus took us from the ship to the prom where the cable car station is

 

 

You can buy a return cable car ride ticket or a single trip ticket and get the sledge back down, but this is going to be expensive for 4, but well worth doing

 

 

At the top of the cable car ride are wonderful gardens:

 

 

 

 

The is a HOHO bus also (hop on hop off) for 12 euros perperson, which covers two tours.

 

I loved Madeira and am going there for a week in early June, instead of a cruise.

 

The Canary Islands, which ones are you going too?

[technogogo]

thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I have also borrowed a book on Madeira. It looks like a great first port of call.

[technogogo]

Oh yes sorry LibraLass... missed your question.

 

We're going to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and Tenerife.