The island of Madeira is located in the Madeira archipelago and is owned by the nation of Portugal. The main island itself is 530 miles southwest of Portugal, and is only one of two inhabited islands in the region. Madeira has one of the world's highest ocean cliffs, and a tremendous variety of terrain. The animals and plant life on the island are fascinating, and there is so much to see and do that you will be amazed. You will be spending most of your time away from your ship in the main city of Funchal. You will be delighted at the exquisite dining facilities available on the island, and the shopping and nightlife is surprisingly lively. There are a number of very nice stores and spirited bars and nightclubs. The locals are quite friendly and are happy to share their island paradise with you. Madeira is a great vacation destination, and in fact, it redefines the term. If you are interested in golf, then this is definitely the spot for your next leisure trip. The Campo de Golfe de Madeira is outstanding, and both the play and the scenery are perfect. The island's climate is lovely, and you will be surrounded by striking natural beauty. The hills and coastline are magnificent, and dazzling blue waters surround the island. Madeira also features forestland that is perfect for hiking and exploration.

Tristao Vaz Teixiera and Joao Goncalves Zarco discovered the island of Madeira in 1419 while exploring Africa. They named it Madeira, meaning wood, because it was densely covered with forests. Nowadays, the term would not be as applicable, due to so much construction and modernization on the island, However, there are still plenty of remote areas full of natural beauty on Madeira if you prefer some solitude.