Regal Princess 2018 14-Day Transatlantic Cruise Review
Day 8                      Azores Islands (Ponta Delgada), Portugal                                    
Scheduled Arrival:   7:00am              Scheduled Departure:  1:30pm              
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!         

Arrival:  After having moved our clocks forward several times while crossing the Atlantic, we were on time with the Azores which is a cluster of nine Portuguese Islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  Sao Miguel Island is the largest of the nine and is also called the “green island”. It was another beautiful day as we docked at Ponta Delgada, the port and capital of Sao Miguel, around 7:00am.
​
History:  Portuguese settlers came around 1450. Ponta Delgada was founded as a village in 1509. The beautiful monuments and churches were influenced by the Portuguese as far back as the 16th and 18th centuries. Many volcanoes have occurred on the island through the centuries. In the interior of the island you will see many hot springs, volcanic cones and craters. Major industries include agriculture (especially pineapples due to the rich volcanic soil), dairy farming and tourism. 

Port of Ponta Delgada on island of Sao Miguel, one of nine Portuguese islands located in middle of Atlantic Ocean

Portuguese settlers arrived around 1450 and founded village in 1509 - now capital of Sao Miguel

Beyond city is lush green countryside

Excursions:  All of the excursions for the morning included a coach tour of the beautiful island of Sao Miguel with various points of interest.  Some visited small picturesque villages and farm houses built of undecorated lava. Others traveled to see geothermal wonders and botanical gardens including the pineapple greenhouses. For the adventuresome, there was a tour of the rugged volcanic terrain of Sao Miguel via a four-wheeled drive vehicle. Our tour was the Crater Lakes Scenic Drive, specifically to see Crater Lakes. These were two lakes (one with green water and the other with blue) that were located in an extinct volcano’s caldera. Unfortunately, just as we arrived the morning mist shrouded the lakes and did not completely lift the entire time of our stop.  We did see some beautiful countryside, so it gave us a good look at Sao Miguel.

Sao Miguel is called the "green island"

Major industry is dairy farming and tourism along with agriculture (pineapples)

Very proud of their cows and the milk and cheese they produce

Beautiful green countryside

Crater Lakes - one is green and the other blue in caldera of extinct volcano - mist drifted in and limited our view of the lakes

Rolling hills

Known for its rich volcanic soil

More beautiful green hills

Valley and ocean below

Colorful homes

Side street of Ponta Delgada

After lunch walked to city center and city gates

Located on Deck 5 Midship

Afternoon Activities: We arrived back at the ship in time for lunch which we had at the International Café, Deck 5 Midship. There were different selections of sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts each day and always delicious. There was no cost unless you requested a drink. After lunch, there was time to get off the ship to walk into town before the ship was scheduled to leave. We really didn’t have time to visit any of the little shops but were able to see the city center and the city gates. Again, there were many activities going on all over the ship – trivia, movies, dance classes, and music in different areas of the ship. 

Various selections at International Café

Various selections at International Café

Various selections at International Café

Various selections at International Café

Various selections at International Café

Various selections at International Café

Dinner and Entertainment:  We had dinner again at 5:00pm at our favorite table in the Symphony Dining Room and were able to get to the Princess Theater for the early show. Jamie Allen, a very talented magician, kept the audience guessing the entire show as to how he was able to do the magic tricks he was doing right before our eyes! A great show!  

Appetizer

Soup

Shrimp dish

Quiche

Dessert roll with raspberry sauce

Sugar free dessert

There's More! Continue To The Next Part Of This Cruise Review:
Click Here To Go To The Next Day's Review
Click Here To Return To The Review's Mainpage