CRUISING MANILA PART 2: CORREGIDOR ISLAND DAY TOUR

After a well-rested night at Palm Plaza Hotel, we had an early check-out for our tour that day. We never anticipated that there would have a marathon going on along Roxas Blvd, so most vehicles on the north bound lane was not passable. We needed to walk from CCP Complex all the way to SunCruises docking area. After 10-15 min of brisk walking, a long queue of other passengers was the unexpected scene that morning. We thought that we were almost late for boarding, but most people on the line were getting their boarding sticker which took a lot of time.

Tip:

* Be there 1 hour earlier before boarding to avoid long queue of other tourists even though you already have the reservation.

* Wear comfortable clothes and don’t bring anything you don’t need during the entire tour.

* Be aware of the allotted time for each stop on the major sites to avoid being late from the group.

Itinerary

January 18, 2004 (Sat)

          Lunch

          Check-in at Palm Plaza Hotel

          Free Time at Robinson’s

          Manila Bay Cruise

January 19, 2014 (Sun)

          Early check-out at Palm Plaza Hotel

          Corregidor Island Day Tour

Individual Tour Expenses 

Accommodation: P1000/head (P2000 for 2 persons, without buffet breakfast)

Manila Bay Cruise: free (the regular rate is P550/pax) with buffet dinner
Fuel Surcharge: P100 per person 

Corregidor Day Tour: P1600/head with buffet lunch (regular rate of P2399 per person)
Fuel Surcharge: P100 per person 

Transportation: P200/head (we usually took a taxi going to Sun Cruises office)

Food: P200/head including snacks

Total Expenses: P2200 per person

Total Savings: P2349 per person

Rate

Corregidor Day Tour with Buffet Lunch

Promo Rate: P 1600 with free Manila Bay Cruise with buffet dinner

Regular Price: P 2399 / pax

Ferry

The SunCruises ferries are mostly double-decker and air-conditioned. It has 285 sitting capacity with speed of 26 knots. The upper deck has a viewing area and a snackbar while the lower deck is where most passengers are seated.

Sun Cruises docking area in Corregidor Island

Tip: Request for the seat located at the middle of lower deck to avoid dizziness

Before the ferry goes, the crew has played the video showcasing the whole island of Corregidor and the brief history during the World War II. It also showed the safety reminders for passengers and emergency exits. After a few minutes, one stewardess demonstrated the proper way of putting on the life vest in case of emergency evacuation.

Tip: You can ask for bag if you feel that you are throwing up.

Tram

I’m not really sure how many trams SuCruises has but what I saw that day was approximately 8. Each tram has 7 rows which can accommodate a total of 35 passengers, excluding the driver and one tour guide per tour.

Refer to your boarding sticker to know what tram you belong 

Our passionate tour guide, who gave us lots of information during our tour in the island

We had a great team in our tour: Nikki, our tour guide, and Kuya Jerry, our driver. Ms. Nikki fed us with a lot of information and shared her experiences during her work in the island. She actually majored in Business Administration but decided to undergo a training under Department of Tourism (DOT) to be a licensed tour guide. Being a tour guide was actually her first job and has been working in SunCruises since then.   

Tip: Sit on the ride side of the tram for a better view of the ruins and other structures.

Corregidor Island

Corregidor Island coined its name from the word ‘corrector’ which means a correctional institution, and used to serve as the place for prisoners. The shape of the island looks like a tadpole which has a tail and its head on the other end. 

Refrigerator magnet as one of the most common souvenirs in Corregidor

This island is 26 nautical miles away from Manila Harbor or an hour travel by a fast-moving ferry. It is considered as the largest island from Manila. Several years ago, this place used to be called as ‘Maribeles;” hence, many still know that it is a part of Bataan. Well in fact, and to my surprise, Corregidor Island is a part of Cavite. The whole place is acknowledged as the national shrine. Besides, nobody stays in the island and most people there work for Sun Cruises and other agencies that protect the area.

During the 1940s, Bataan is under the governance of the USA, so the locals who had stayed in the island had the privilege to be American citizen.
At exactly 12 noon, we headed for the location where Sun Cruises accommodation is nestled. We had our buffet lunch there for more than an hour before our last tour that day.

Sun Cruises hotel accommodation as well as the area for its buffet lunch

They usually give a glass of refreshing gulaman in pandan flavor as the welcome drinks

A mini souvenir kiosk is found on the left side of the hotel

The dining are is located on the right side of the hotel

You can go back and have some of these as much as you want to, but please, no leftover.

Dos  

1. Passengers have to comply with the rules and regulations of the tour operator most especially the safety instructions provided by the tour guides.

2. Notify SunCruises if the passenger has special medical needs or assistance upon reservation. While on the tour, notify the guide or the driver in-case of emergency. Medical staff is provided as needed. 

3. Dress light or comfortable clothes.

4. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before the tour starts. They provide umbrellas for the guests. 

5. Rehydrate as much as you can.

6. If you are in the tranvia, always put down the armrest to avoid accident. 

7. Watch your steps on the staircases, in the tunnel, and along the trails

8. Be careful with the bomb crater, open pitfalls, and metals protruding inside the tunnel.

9. Mind your trash. Maintain the island as clean as possible.

10. Be aware of your check-in time (an hour before departing) and cut-off time (30 minutes before leaving)

Don'ts

1. Don't leave your valuables unattended.

2. Pregnant women are not permitted to travel.

3. The following are not allowed in the vessel: 

   - any kinds of firearms

   - explosive items 

   - live animals

   - corrosive materials such as acid & alkaline-based substances, and other forms of                 chemicals

   - anything flammable 

   - compressed toxic gas

   - prohibited drugs or substances

4. Avoid standing while the vehicle is moving. Don't extend your arms or any parts of your body outside the tranvia.

5. Smoking is strictly not allowed in the bus.

6. Bringing home pieces or relics in the island is not permitted. 

For Reservation:

Location: Sun Cruises Terminal

Fernando Ma. Guerrero

Paseo Palisoc Sts., CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City

(Just at the back of Folks Arts Theatre)

Telephone #: (+632) 834-6857 to 58 / (+632) 831-8140

Cellphone #: (Globe) 0917-513-2625 (Sun) 0922-337-0068

E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph

Website: www.corregidorphilippines.com

FB: /CorregidorPH

Corporate & Group Bookings

(10 or more persons)

Telephone #: (+632) 527-5555 loc 4511 / 4512 / 4111

E-mail: Sales@suncruises.com.ph

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Blogger's Note

Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.