Tour starts at 8:30 AM and goes directly to the Cable car and toboggan ride. Tour ends at 4:15 at Blandy's or they will take you back to the ship. Cost is 30 Euro for the total tour. Those of us who are touring and tasting will have to make our own way back to the ship.
I want to be clear this is a custom tour and we all can make it what we want. If we are going way too fast without seeing anything but from the van windows, that is not what I want. We may want less stops and more time in the places we visit.
I like the idea of a guide also but also like the flexibility of smaller vans. Maybe they will allow us to have more than one guide? It is something I can at least ask.
We have plenty of time to get this sorted out and they are willing to work with us to make our "perfect" itinerary.
Please keep your suggestions and questions coming!!
I think we would prefer the smaller vans but I would still want a guide so we at least know what we're seeing. I also agree that we don't want to just fly by everything. Having a little time in each place to take some pictures and take it all in would be nice.
With that said, Gus and I are open to whatever works best for everyone and will go with the flow of whatever's decided.
Ok I am WAYYYY back at page 123 trying to catch up (and have not caught up from pages 73 - 100 either) but I was out looking at excursions and the Dolphin Swim is up at Tortola now = this may be old news but I am so far behind! There are 3 times to take it - we are doing the first one at 9:30 I think. My daughter will be so excited!
Krisann
I think we would prefer the smaller vans but I would still want a guide so we at least know what we're seeing. I also agree that we don't want to just fly by everything. Having a little time in each place to take some pictures and take it all in would be nice.
With that said, Gus and I are open to whatever works best for everyone and will go with the flow of whatever's decided.
I agree that the smaller vans might work better, but I also would want a guide so as to know what we're seeing. I would love to see the volcanic pools, even though we might not be able to swim in them.
How much of a hassle is it to get back to the ship after the 4:30 Blandys tour?
Attention Daniel Taxi Madeira Taxi Tour Update Post One of Two Cruisers
I need some input from people on this tour if they want the large bus versus the smaller one. I am going to suggest the she post here on the DIS.
Hello Noel,
Weve been thinking that, as your group has been growing so much, maybe well accommodate you in a 55 passenger bus and youll have not only a driver, but a guide as well. Now, I need to know if you and your group like the idea. Even though it will be one driver and one vehicle only, the price will still be the same, because well be adding the guide, which is necessary in a group this big.
Thank you so much for having taken care of Dee Judson, it was so kind of you.
Oh tell your tour companions that the Cable car and the Toboggan rides arent included in our price either. Just for a reminder: a one way Cable Car ride costs 10 Euros and the Toboggan ride costs 12.50 Euros.
Yes, when the other people pay through Paypal, if they add a note saying that theyre coming in Noel Birkners group, will be quite fine.
Another thing if this interests you Ive been answering questions about Madeira on Cruise Critic. I saw a thread about Madeira started by someone else, but the OP had disappeared and there were some unanswered questions, so I went ahead and started answering. Here is the link:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=998248 . My screen name is biaria, from Eusébia Maria, my two Christian names. When I went to CC to get this link, I saw that there is a thread started specially for me, Ill go read it when I finish e-mailing you.
Still another thing did you see our website already? If you didnt, you can have a look here: http://www.danielmadeirataxis.com/
All the best,
Eusébia.
Marilyn,Ah, sorry. I meant the other way of giving points for repeat customers and suite customers etc that you mentioned, how would that make a difference with booking Palo reservations etc. There would still have to be priority for earlier booking for those with higher points, so those lower down the point scale would miss out, like now, and still have to go to Rockin Bar D at embarkation.
I like Frank Sinatra music so I must be in the Ancient category!!
Noel - I really like Frank Sinatra and I am 42, but I also like Aerosmith and Bon Jovi so I am flexible - not to mention the sexy Toby Keith for country. You are definitely not ancient!
I am going to keep my Madiera tour with DCL but thank you for organizing and arranging. I am sure you will all have a blast and I want to hear about it in the Promenade Lounge!
Thanks for the welcome back, I have really missed you all. I am almost caught up, but will not be on again till Thursday.
Its in the Castaway Club area. On the left it tells you what level you are and how many cruises you have taken. It then gives a link to "View My Cruises". It has your past and upcoming cruises listed.
I will have had 50 nights onboard before I become gold.
Marilyn,
Under the current Castaway Club program, any completed cruise counts as one point.
Some of us feel that to be fair, longer cruises (such as a Panama Canal or Transatlantic cruise) deserve additional credit.
It simply helps those who book longer cruises to reach Gold or Platinum levels faster.
Woody
We had to pay the fuel supplement, and I never got a satisfactory answer why some had to pay, but not others. I am not pleased.So I've been trying to find out more information about this stupid fuel suppliment charge. I called DCL . . . . The supervisor was very belligerent and said sorry here's an email address for your gripe.
Seriously, do they not know that we talk???
Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier (we were entertaining guests), but I see your question was answered.How do you see it? I have a terrible time navigating their web site.
Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier (we were entertaining guests), but I see your question was answered.
Today we had out of town guests (one of whom has never been west of the Mississippi!). We went to Philippes. It's a Los Angeles landmark.
Woody
Okay, I am finally caught up! Welcome to all the newbies. I did not see Toy Story 3, I am saving myself for the cruise. I hate to cry in public so if I go to the theatre, maybe I can hide!!!
To tell you a great Disney story, when Abby was in first grade, she needed surgery on her nose. I called the Downtown Disney store to tell them that I wanted the Mr. Potato Head assortment sent for my daughter's surgery. I paid of course, but they sent it Fed-Ex with a beautiful card regarding her surgery and a bunch of character autographs. I thought it was SUPER sweet and I didn't expect anything. I still remember her smile through all the gauze!