Time travel on the Atlantic - Nice crew, great tour on this old looking unique carrack. You have time to swim mid tour, and a good chance to see some dolphins or whales.

Got to live out my pirate dream - From the second I saw this ship from shore with its sails unfurled I knew I had to go on a trip with them. If the primary reason for your trip isn't to travel on a pirate ship (okay not technically a pirate ship but whatever) then I'm not sure what you're doing. I wanted to tour a bit of the coast on the water, I wanted to swim in the ocean, and I wanted to see some dolphins. I did all three of those things and I did it on a pirate ship. I could not have asked for more. The ship itself was awesome and I can't believe people were just sitting in the same spot the whole time instead of exploring below deck and walking around the ship. We were obviously lucky to spot some dolphins and to have good sailing conditions but even without those things I would have still been satisfied. The crew was super friendly and fun, and the ship has a decently stocked bar. The swimming portion is very brief and comes quick so you better be ready, but jumping and diving off a pirate ship into the ocean was awesome.

Great afternoon on the Santa Maria de Colombo - Great afternoon on the Santa Maria de Colombo. Great scenery and Madeira cake and wine tasting included. Amazing views across the Funchal coastline and an opportunity for swimming at the cliffs before return. Would definitely recommend.

Great trip to do with your family - We were a group of 6 people from three different generations and we all had a great time. The ship is fantastic, you really get the idea of how it must ahve felt to be travelling in the 15th century. The crew is very helpful and the views from the boat are gorgeous. Great way to see some of Madeira's beatiful coast.

A very unique experience - What a unique and great experience sailing on the replica ship! Our boys loved exploring the ship and playing pirates! The staff were friendly and super helpful…. The swim stop was great! I would say you need your sea legs it gets very choppy on board!!

Great trip - Excellent boat trip. Really enjoyed it and we’re lucky enough to see a turtle. Would have been nice to learn more about the ship and it’s building other than just where it was built but still a great trip to do.

Beautiful sea walk - Nice cruise but no dolphins seen! Beautiful walk along the coast and stop swimming with nice snacks.

Promenade - Very realistic replica of the caravel Friendly walk in peace Little atmosphere on the boat He doesn't set sails against the picture

Meh...fine for a trip but wouldn't do again. - Great crew and the wine and cake were fun (note: drinks NOT included, just this bit of wine and cake). Boat left late waiting for obnoxious entitled people to arrive who then jumped off the boat wherever they wanted, rearranging guests. Incredibly annoying.

SAILING TRIP WITHOUT ANY SAILING - This was a clear example of dishonest advertising. I shelled out 40 Euros for a three hour sailing trip along the coast of Madeira in the area of Funchal. The tour booklet promised "Sailing Trips" along the coast, "Possibility to see Dolphins and Whales", "Stop for swimming", and "a taste of Madeira Wine and Honey Cake". We motored along the coast, we stopped for a swim and we enjoyed a taste of honey cake. We saw no marine mammals but that is understandable as whales and dolphins are not within the control of the tour operator. We did not see the Santa Maria under sail. Half way through the trip I asked one of the crew if the sails were going to be set. He said during the "voltar" (return trip) if the winds were appropriate. What I saw was that the Santa Maria steamed wide of the coast for an hour and a half, a period in which the sails could have been set in complete safety, had the captain chosen to do so. Then the ship steamed in near to shore for the swimming opportunity and so that passengers could take photos of landmarks. Then the crew unfurled the main course (principal sail on the forward mast). Then, within a minute or two they furled it up again. The ship remained under motor power the whole time. Where this occurred was close to shore and in a dying breeze. It would not have been a good idea to try to sail off a lee shore in a dying breeze. It certainly looked to me as if the captain deliberately arranged the activities of the cruise to avoid setting the sails, the main reason I went on the tour. Other than failing to honour the main selling point of the trip, I would say the Santa Maria provided a pleasant experience. But they did not even attempt to operate under sail and as such they engaged in dishonest advertising for a trip that was certainly not worth 40 Euros to me.