Giantfan13 Posted September 9, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 9, 2017 We will be docking here for the day 10-6 in November (on a Sunday). I haven't seen any info on this port on this site (If I am on the wrong forum, please let me know). Does anyone have any info on what one should do or see here? Cheer Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WisRiver Posted September 9, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 9, 2017 In April, 2017 we did the west to east transatlantic on Holland America. Our first stop in Horta was cancelled because of high winds. We had arranged for a full day tour starting in Ponta Delgado with Pedro Ferreira ar Azores Tours. http://www.azores-tours.com/en/tours/. We were a group of four so we paid for entire van. We specifically asked to do bathing in the hot springs and the meal cooked in the hot springs. We had a great day. You have to pay in cash at the end of the tour. Our driver helped us find an ATM in Ponta Delgada for euros. If you have questions you can contact me at wisriver2322 at gmail dot com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 10, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 10, 2017 We visited this port for the first time in 2015. I would recommend that you take a tour. We visited the town but there was not enough to do there on our own. Depending on time of year sometimes getting in and out of this port is a problem as well and if there are high winds here the port stop has to be cancelled. We will be revisiting this port again and we are doing research right now in terms of tour options using Trip Advisor. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted September 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 10, 2017 This is so weird because there were several threads about the Azores on this board, but when using the search function there are zero hits. I even had a thread on Ponta Delgado. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I guess there must be a problem with the search function unless some posts were removed. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted September 13, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Thanks for some of the great advice. We were looking into a tour from a company on Trip Advisor that was rated highly. There were so many options that I got confused as I have no idea what I want to see, or should see? We are doing a TA and this is our last stop before we cross the Atlantic, so we sure don't want to risk even the slightest chance of missing the ship with an all day tour. Are there certain 'highlites' that one should see when visiting this port? Cheers Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted September 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I'd do a lunch tour where they cook the meal in the volcanic heated ground, and perhaps do a swim in the thermal pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted September 14, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted September 14, 2017 A couple of people on our Roll Call said that it is rainy and such a good deal of the time?? They also said that there are taxi's readily available who do tours. Would this be a viable option, to wait as see how the weather is and then try a taxi tour? Cheers Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulch Posted September 15, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Hi! Here is what we decided to do - hope it helps you with some of your decision-making: We are stopping in the Azores on our first Trans-Atlantic in October. Ponta Delgado is our first port of call, with two more scheduled for the Eastern Caribbean before the cruise ends in Miami. On the one hand, I didn't want to miss a port that we might never visit again. On the other, our first catch-up port NOW would be Miami. This means that if we miss the ship, there is NO catching up at the next port. Fortunately, we are traveling with a couple who have been to Ponta Delgado a few times. They assure us it is a tiny island and getting back to the ship should not be a problem. We consequently scheduled a private tour for the morning, with the idea of going back to the ship around lunchtime. I would like to try a volcano-cooked stew; but except for the novelty (it does sound cool!), I'm not sure the food would taste that exceptional. Our plan is to have lunch in town (walking distance to the ship) or back on-board. This gives us a couple of hours "cushion" if there are issues with our vehicle or tour. I also asked the tour operator about weather. We prepaid for the tour (credit card) and if the ship does not stop at all, we get a full refund. If there is bad weather on the island, we will modify the sites we visit since bad weather might be on one side of the island only. If the tour does not work out for any reason, we lose our "investment" of $200 (split four-ways). I've blown more on less before, so I am pretty comfortable with our current plans. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pompeii Posted September 15, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 15, 2017 We were there in April and used https://www.azoreantours.com/ for an all day tour of the island and lakes. Even though I'm sure the in-ground baked lunch would be cool, our guide said that's the "weather-alternative" option, ie if it's raining and you don't want to be out and about. If the weather is good, definitely drive up to see the lakes. Beautiful doesn't begin to describe it! Our guide, Carlos, took us all over the place, including a distillery and a little town with a really nice church, along with the lakes, for a full day tour. We had a great time and it was absolutely a stunning island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted September 15, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Once again, thanks so much for all the great suggestions. We will definitely look into them. Cheers Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted September 17, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 17, 2017 I remember reading something about the Azores being one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted October 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 11, 2017 We were there some years ago -- six at the most, probably less -- and just went around town on our own. My main object was to buy a camera since I'd managed to leave mine at home. This was our first port of call on a transatlantic, Miami to Barcelona. We enjoyed the town very much and there was plenty to see. No, not a lot of museums, etc., but we enjoyed the day. And I got a lot of photos with my new camera ... So my conclusion is that you do NOT need a tour guide, but a guide can probably point out more than our little guide book did. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyCapt Posted February 2, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I remember reading something about the Azores being one of the best places in the world for whale watching. We'll be there in April, 2018 and thought about this as an option for the day. Anyone have first hand experience with any of the whale watching tours there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted February 4, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 4, 2018 We'll be there in April, 2018 and thought about this as an option for the day. Anyone have first hand experience with any of the whale watching tours there? Here’s a summary from last April https://www.azoreswhalewatch.com/research-reports/april-sightings-summary/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyCapt Posted February 4, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Here’s a summary from last April https://www.azoreswhalewatch.com/research-reports/april-sightings-summary/ Thanks for that link!...interesting information...we'll hope the weather cooperates for us to go out the day we're there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konazo Posted March 1, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 1, 2018 We took a fun carriage ride around town and would recommend that. There is a locals market that is interesting as well...do not remember if it is open every day and hours -you could probably google it, if interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justcrusn Posted March 1, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 1, 2018 We did the whale watching. We saw only pilot whales and dolphins. It was a fun day, music and rum punch and the dolphins raced the boat, but nothing like the whales you see on tv breaching and flukes out of the water. The pilot whales were very small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ontario Cruiser Posted March 8, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Word of caution. If you are booking tours try and do one that you can pay at the por. The ships can't always dock due to winds or rough waters. We had that happen Ontario Cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny AZ Girl Posted August 5, 2018 #20 Share Posted August 5, 2018 I just want to have a question clarified. We are considering a half day tour through the ship as the tour operator we have booked with is not getting back to us and I am afraid is unreliable. If we do the half day tour is walking to and from the ship to town an option? It is our last port day on a TA cruise and I would love to have a local lunch. I can have plenty of American food on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konazo Posted August 5, 2018 #21 Share Posted August 5, 2018 I just want to have a question clarified. We are considering a half day tour through the ship as the tour operator we have booked with is not getting back to us and I am afraid is unreliable. If we do the half day tour is walking to and from the ship to town an option? It is our last port day on a TA cruise and I would love to have a local lunch. I can have plenty of American food on the ship. Town is an easy walk from the ship. There are carriage rides around town as well as shops and restaurants. Enjoy your day. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted August 5, 2018 #22 Share Posted August 5, 2018 We were there on NCL about 8 years ago. My recollection is that we walked into town easily. I didn't see any likely looking restaurants, but then we weren't looking for any! It was a pleasant town to walk around though. (I had forgotten my camera and only realized that as we were half way to the ship -- this was a NY-Barcelona. Ponta Delgado was my first chance -- i.e., our first port -- where I could pick up one for the rest of our cruise.) Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted August 6, 2018 #23 Share Posted August 6, 2018 I'm on the jewel and azores is our last stop before san Juan. I'm glad I found this thread regarding possibly not docking. I have booked a coasteering tour with a company that says I can pay in cash on arrival. Some of the places want money up front and I'm not a real fan of that unless it's a small deposit. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted August 6, 2018 #24 Share Posted August 6, 2018 I should add I'm on the jewel in November 2018 crossing so I dont confuse anyone Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillandChristy Posted August 8, 2018 #25 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I just want to have a question clarified. We are considering a half day tour through the ship as the tour operator we have booked with is not getting back to us and I am afraid is unreliable. If we do the half day tour is walking to and from the ship to town an option? It is our last port day on a TA cruise and I would love to have a local lunch. I can have plenty of American food on the ship. Ginny, we have been to Ponta Delgada 5 times and the best tour operator is Gary Travassos of Azorean Tours. Give him my name and he will treat you well. We have enjoyed a local lunch in Furnas with him several times that is very reasonable with good food. Email me at ortenw at gmail dot com and I can answer your questions and give you other details. IMO the areas of Sao Miguel (the "Green Island") outside the city are more interesting and a full day tour would be a better experience. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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