7 Tips for Cruises to the Azores: Know Before You Go

Table Of Content

• Spain, Portugal & the Spectacular Bird Migration
• History and Things to Do in Praia de Vitória
• SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
• Covid-19 advice for cruises to Ponta Delgada (Portugal)
• Top 10 Cruises to Azores Islands, Portugal
• Book a Sightseeing Tour or a Private Tour on Your Azores Cruise
• East Mediterranean Ports

The center offers one-of-a-kind immersion into space exploration, including the chance to strap into a rocket launch simulator for an adrenaline-pumping thrill. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday. BD Grade Superior Ocean View Adapted cabins are on decks 6 and 3, with a picture window.

Spain, Portugal & the Spectacular Bird Migration

Dating back to the 15th century, it was an important port for Portuguese and Spanish merchants due to its sheltered harbor. Ponta Delgado is sometimes the only stop in the Azores on repositioning cruises, but it’s definitely one not to miss, according to Cruise Critic members. In 1451, the navigator Diogo de Teive discovered the coast of Faial during his first voyage of exploration. The islands have a combination of traditional Portuguese buildings, breathtaking scenery with hedgerows and meadows covered with hydrangeas, pineapple plantations and a whopping population of two cows to every human. Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.

History and Things to Do in Praia de Vitória

In the center of the island is the Caldeira do Faial, the vast crater of the extinct volcano from which the island originated. A visit to Monte do Guia and a climb to the chapel gives a magnificent view of Faial and the neighboring island of Pico. In summer, the landscape is covered by a carpet of the pink, cream and mauve flowers of the Hortenses, which gained their name from the town.

SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED

The Azores is a prolific wine-producing region, so a glass or two is a must. The Azores enjoy mild weather throughout the year, benefiting from the warm water of the Gulf Stream. Temperatures will average between 52 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit from November to March, 65 to 71 from April to June, and between 62 to 75 degrees between September to October.

Hike the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, a volcanic crater that’s home to two lakes—one blue and one green. Pay a visit to the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the only tea farm in Europe, and learn about the tea-making process while enjoying views of the radiant, deep green valley below. Discover the wild landscapes and rugged green coastline of the awe-inspiring island of Sao Miguel on an Azores cruise. A remote archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are part of Portugal and are a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those seeking rest and relaxation.

You'll cruise the Atlantic for the first nine days, living it up on a ship that is packed with ways to play and relax. You'll arrive in idyllic Tenerife in the Canary Islands on the tenth day. Immerse yourself in the local Spanish culture by spending part of your day exploring the Museum of Nature and Archaeology or the Basilica de Candelaria shrine. Set to launch in the summer of 2024, Utopia of the Seas℠ will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, Royal Caribbean's class of ships packed with adventure and entertainment.

Horta, Azores Cruise Ship Schedule 2023 - Crew Center

Horta, Azores Cruise Ship Schedule 2023.

Posted: Sun, 18 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The topography of the Azores – towering mountains, calderas, volcanic sand beaches, waterfalls, lakes, primeval forest and rolling green hills – means geotourism is very popular here. You may not have given much thought to needing tips for Azores cruises, but if a transatlantic crossing is on your bucket list, chances are good you’ll be in need of some advice. The Azores archipelago, which is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is featured on repositioning cruises of more than a dozen cruise lines, and stopping there is part of their bi-annual transatlantic crossings.

The islands are dotted with charming villages and towns, where visitors can explore historic churches, traditional houses, and local markets. The Azores are also known for their vibrant festivals and events, which celebrate the island’s culture and traditions. On an Azores cruise, you'll have the opportunity to explore the quaint cobblestone streets and centuries-old Portuguese plazas of Ponta Delgada. Step into the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres church to see its ornate, Baroque-style interior, or explore the beautiful Palace of the Governors, which was once the home of wealthy aristocrats. For sweeping views of Ponta Delgada and the Atlantic Ocean, take a cable car ride up to Monte Brasil.

Our team has designed this cruise to take in the natural wonders of Portugal. Visiting the hidden gems of the Azores archipelago presents chances to explore the Sete Cidades crater lakes and Angra do Heroísmo – an important stopover for navigators crossing the Atlantic. Wildlife charity ORCA will have representatives on board to help you search for marine life from the decks of Bolette. Elsewhere you will find maritime history in Lisbon and levada trails and gardens in Madeira.

It lies on the southeast coast of the island, with a beach of black volcanic sand. The marina is filled with yachts which stop there during their voyage across the Atlantic. The walls and footpaths of the marina are covered in paintings of some of these boats, put there by the owners as a memento of their visit. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a family-friendly vacation or an extended voyage, you'll find cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida that tick all your boxes. Not far from Port Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great place to spend a day admiring the vast scope of NASA.

Encompassing ports of paradise and incredible culture, Orlando cruises are the ideal vacation getaway. Foodies will delight in fresh, authentic Caribbean dishes on this itinerary to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wonder of the Seas®. In Cozumel, Mexico you'll find lunch specialties featuring locally caught seafood, often grouper and red snapper fried on a plate with rice and a vibrant salad.

Ponta Delgada is a cruise port of call usually visited in Transatlantic and European Atlantic itineraries during the Spring-Summer season. As many as 149,000 passengers and over 140 cruise ships visited Ponta Delgada in 2019. This may be the coolest meal you’ll have in the Azores; er, make that hottest – volcanic hot that is. Thanks to the active volcanoes located on São Miguel and some creative chefs, this local dish is sure to be unlike any you’ve had before since it’s cooked in volcanic soil.

Cruises that include the Azores often call at Lisbon on Portugal’s mainland as well as Spanish ports like Malaga, Cadiz and Barcelona. Also look for cruises that visit both the Azores and Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Three of the most popular ports of call in the Azores are Ponta Delgada, Praia de Vitória and Horta.

It has a long pier for two large ships and is around 700 feet (200 meters) from the main avenue of the historical city. Restaurants and cafes where you can try local cuisine are located all the way from the pier to the city center of Ponta Delgada and beyond, though the majority of them are located in the city center. Here are some food items you won’t want to miss trying if you want to eat like a local. One of the most iconic sites to see in Ponta Delgada is the Late Gothic style of the Church of São Sebastião standing beside the beautiful arched gates of the city. The Church of São Sebastião was built between 1531 and 1547 and gleams in the island sunshine with its white walls and ballast trim. It is an excellent example of Azorean architecture, making it a top site to see during a cruise to Ponta Delgada, and it’s worth a visit inside to see the beautifully carved wooden altar with its gilded accents.

Your Azores cruise will sail to Ponta Delgada, a culturally-rich city full of historic Portuguese churches, baroque architecture, and dramatic natural surroundings. Walk the charming cobblestone streets to find small, family-run shops, traditional restaurants, and picturesque plazas. Visit the Sete Cidades crater for breathtaking views of the twin lakes, and sit on a quiet beach to watch the waves crash against the volcanic cliffs. With so much to see and do, a luxury cruise to the Azores with Celebrity is an experience you'll never forget.