Oh is there anything that we should definately see? Obviously my main thing is to get some Madiera wine!
Well the most popular thing I think are the toboggan rides. I am sure there will be a
DCL excursion which will have advantages, but you can go and do that yourselves. From Funchal, the capital and where the cruise terminal, such as it is, is, there is a cable car up to Monte, where the runs go from. We didn't do a ride, but friends did. One problem is the toboggan folk leave you at the bottom of the hill to make your own way to wherever you want to go. I would think with DCL they would meet you down there. At Monte, before the ride are Tropical Gardens which are nice, but steep if you have mobility issues. We had a free tot of Madeira wine here!!
There is also a lovely botanical gardens on the opposite side of the hill to Monte. We didn't go, but plant loving friends did and loved it. Their photos were beautiful. I think you can cable car accross the ravine from Monte, or there is a different cable car somewhere out of Funchal. Again I am sure DCL will have excursions there as it is very popular.
I would presume there will be a tour of a Madeira wine place, madeira cake place etc. An around island tour would be striking. The north coast is supposed to be nice, The roads can be scary! There are catamarans and other boats that go out from the marina which is just accross from the cruise terminal. Funchal itself is nice if you don't want to stray too far. You can walk from the ship but it might be too much of a walk for some. I'm thinking there will be some transport provided. There are some posh shops and nice cafes. There is also, not too far away some poor areas.
You can have a famous afternoon tea at Reids Hotel which is very English!!!
We stayed a few miles out of Funchal on the top of a hill which became covered in cloud far too often!! We drove to a few fishing villiages, but I didn't like negotiating the small scary roads, so didn't venture too far. We did however love going into Funchal.
I'll post some pictures.
Some of the scenery. Note the crops grown right to the cliff edge. The workers hang over the edge, or on ledge over the cliff side!!! Funchal and the cruise terminal is in the larger bay.
Slightly more inland view,
The view accross to Funchal from the cruise terminal. It was very warm, but those low clouds come in at any time.
Going up in the cable car.
View down from Monte, You can see the cruise terminal jetty where the magic will be docked.
The toboggans ready to go. The guys supposedly have a shorter life expectancy.
Zooming down the hill. That is John looking on!!!!!
Tropical Gardens.
Most of the other photos I have are similar, or are of our fantastic accommodation we had.
. According to the CM, if I wanted to use DCL air and fly in a day or two ahead I had to also use their hotel - something like $700/night! For the WB TA I booked my own transportation and post cruise hotel. DCL's air was really expensive, and I got much better deals on my own. This time, their air is really good though, so we'll see what we actually end up doing
.
) I'm sure Dan will enjoy the cruise. I was worried about my husband when we first did the 
But those of you who will be flying over only for this cruise, are you going to leave the details to 
LOL How is the weather near you today???? 
We are getting our own airfare and hotel.
