It is that time of the year again when I feel restless and bored, and what better way to cure this than traveling. This time I chose to go to the historic island of Corregidor.
My research told me that only Sun Cruises offers ferry rides to Corregidor island from Manila, I wasn't worried though as all the reviews I found about them on the web were positive. So I went to their
website and checked out the different rates and
packages that they had. I was initially tempted to take the package that came with lunch but backed out when I read that the food that came with the package was not good. I decided to take the package which came with a walking tour instead primarily because I was scared of not knowing where to go when I get there.
Shortly after, I called Sun Cruises to ask them if guests were allowed to bring food to the island as this was one of the suggestions of a blogger who did not find the food sold at the Corregidor island good. Now I had a pretty good impression of Sun Cruises until that phone call. Their website was very efficient, booking process could be done online, plus all reviews on Sun Cruises online were saying that customer service was really good. So I was totally shocked when I had a bad experience with the girl from Sun Cruises that I spoke with on the phone.
When asked if food can be brought to the island, the girl answered, in so many words, no. Not even an explanation as to why when there were only two restaurants in Corregidor Island selling over priced food. Then when I asked her to check if my reservation was already confirmed, she actually said that they didn't have an internet connection at that time. Because of all that, I had very low expectations of my trip to Corregidor Island.
Check in time at the Sun Cruise terminal was at seven in the morning. I took the LRT going to the Vito Cruz station and then took a jeepney to the Sun Cruise terminal. Let me tell you that even without the crowd, riding the train was so stressful so take a cab if you could.
Once I got to the Sun Cruises terminal, all my stress disappeared. I loved looking at Manila Bay with the tall buildings behind it. That view just took my breath away.
Then when we boarded the ferry boat, I was super impressed with the fact that it was air conditioned and equipped with a snack bar and comfort rooms. Ignoramus here was thinking that we were going to board a small fishing vessel converted into a ferry boat. A part of the deck was uncovered, and some people (one of them was me) stayed there to experience watching the nearby islands go by (and occasionally floating trash) with the strong sea breeze blowing in their faces.
The view from the dock of the island was incredible. You could see trolley buses waiting for the guests, a huge forested hill, a lighthouse, and lots and lots of greenery.
Since I booked the walking tour, I didn't get a chance to ride the trolley bus. The good thing about the walking tour is that you get to linger on the different points in Corregidor Island longer plus there is a tour guide who can answer your questions. The bad thing is that you don't get to see all of the island and it is a bit tiring.
I got so addicted to taking continuous photos with my Samsung Galaxy Tab. It's so amazing to be able to take 360-degree surround photos of Corregidor Island. Any photographer should include Corregidor island in their trips when visiting Manila.
I would have loved Corregidor Island more if the buildings were rebuilt. When I saw the tourists of different nationalities going there, I wondered why the government does not make more of an effort to market Corregidor island internationally. Corregidor could be packaged with Bataan as a world war two historical tour.
If you don't book the walking tour with Sun Cruises, you will have a different itinerary at Corregidor Island. The normal tour goes to most of the sites in Corregidor Island but only get to stay a few minutes per site due to time constraints while the walking tour only goes to the more important sites of Corregidor island but allows you to linger in them longer.
Customer service by Sun Cruises was great from the check-in process, the ferry ride, the tour, and the hotel. Everyone was all smiles and very accommodating. I have to say that I had very low expectations of my Corregidor Island trip, but I ended up having a great time. Kudos to Sun Cruises!
I hope this Corregidor Island Travel Itinerary Guide and Sun Cruises Review helps you. If you wish to book a Corregidor Island cruise with Sun Cruises, just click
here.
Hi! I enjoyed reading your honest review of Sun Cruise's service. I plan to bring balikbayan relatives to Corregidor. Since lunch was not included in the walking tour that you took, where did you have lunch in the island? Was it better than the one included in the day tour package? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for your comment. I actually brought sandwiches and chocolate bars with me. My friend and I ate at the restaurant in the only hotel in Corregidor. We bought drinks from the restaurant though so they wouldnt be able to kick us out. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! very helfpul! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI dont believe this comment. It shows ONE person only. LIAR
ReplyDeleteMeron pong mas murang paraan para makapunta ng Corregidor. Tyagaan nga lang. Eto po nakita ko: How to travel cheaply to Corregidor?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Based on sa itinerary shown, it will be more expensive pag hindi group.
ReplyDeletehi..my mom and i are planning to visit the corregidor island on christmas day..and we want to stay there for 2 nights...my mom is 60y/o..what would be the best package for us?? thank you...
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. I recommend that you book the day tour package which includes roundtrip ferry transfers, guided tour and entrance fees, and buffet lunch AND the overnight room. Room rate is 2k which includes breakfast for 2.
ReplyDeleteWhat I read in this article is exactly what I experienced. Actually, I went to Corregidor first before I read this. My expectations about the place is also not so exciting nor nice 'coz I thought I would only see the ruins but after the tour, I was able to say, "it has exceeded my expectations". The place is nice, it's not so tiring for me, not so crowded, its windy, very close to the nature,delicious food, nice sea and mountain views, friendly staff, and clean surroundings except the sea water when we docked at the island but I would still give it a 5-star rating. Never in my life enjoyed such a nice experience with nature and history.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jerome. Which tour is best for my 87 year old Mom and my 90 year old Dad. Will Sun Cruise have wheelchairs available for them, if needed? Will the points of interest easily accessible to my Mom and Dad? Do they offer senior citizen discounts? What about group discounts? Thanks in advance for your response and enjoyed reading your write-up above.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. It's best if you contact Sun Cruises regarding the wheelchairs.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.corregidorphilippines.com/contact.html
Hello! Just want to ask, how is the food in the buffet lunch of the tour? Is it worth the price? And if ever you're not going to avail of the buffet lunch, are there alternative places to eat with reasonable price? Thanks
ReplyDeleteIs the food from the buffet lunch worth the price? And are there alternative places to eat with reasonable price and good food if you're not going to avail of the buffet lunch? Thank you for your response. :)
ReplyDeleteThe normal tour goes to most of the sites in Corregidor island but only get to stay a few minutes per site due to time constraints while the walking tour only goes to the more important sites of Corregidor island but allows you to linger in them longer.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. Im not sure if the buffet is worth the price. There are no alternatives. Its either the buffet or the a la carte at the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteoh okay :) Did you avail of the a la carte at the restaurant? How is the food sir? Thank you for your time. :)
ReplyDeleteI actually brought my own food. I ordered drinks from the restaurant just so they wouldn't be able to ask me to leave. =)
ReplyDeleteHi, what is better for day trip, the normal tour or the walking tour? I really want to explore the important sites of the island.
ReplyDeleteI personally will recommend the walking tour because there is a guide that knows a lot about the history of the island and you're not "rushed" from one site to another.
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome! We are planning this saturday in group but we wanted to have overnight at d hotel.how?
ReplyDeleteYou can visit this page for details on booking an overnight stay:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.corregidorphilippines.com/packages.html
You can visit this page for details on booking an overnight stay:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.corregidorphilippines.com/packages.html
Hi would u mind giving me an honest feedback abt this? Just want to know kung mganda ba tong offer nato. Mahal or mas mura? Planning to buy this as a bday gift for myself. If ever.. this would be my first solo out of town travel and am into music thats why am considering this given the fact that it comes with songwriting workshop.. pls respond.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.metrodeal.com/mobile/deals/Metro_Manila/Gary-Granada-Songwriting-Clinic/220316569
Hi. Yes, I think the price is right. Just make sure to read the fine print before doing anything. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks. Pero tingin mo. Ndi sya ganung kamahal? Considering na am after the songwriting clinic that comes with the trip itself at corregidor lang din nman ung destination.. i mean.. ang lapit nia lang for 5k expenses. :)
ReplyDeleteFerry Transfers cost Php1,500.00/person. The food, accommodations, and tour probably cost a few thousands.
ReplyDeleteYou can check this page to get a better view of how much each component of the package costs: http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/packages.html
I'm not sure what the value of the song writing workshop is.
Sir, mas better po ang walk tour rather sa tour package? How much po ba ang cost kapag walk tour? Mapupuntahan din po ba lahat ng place pag walk tour gaya ng sa tour package? May specific time po ba ang walk tour? Thanks and God bless.
ReplyDeleteAdvantages of the walking tour: Smaller group, senior tour guide, you get to stay on the important sites longer
ReplyDeleteDisadvantages of the walking tour: You will do a lot of walking, there are some places that you don't go to anymore with the walking tour.
Package costs: http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/packages.html
"I would have loved Corregidor Island more if the buildings were rebuilt."
ReplyDeleteThe ruins of the buildings as how they were left after the war is actually part of the draw of Corregidor to most people (including me). It's a place frozen in time. It is also impossible to rebuild the ruins since they are not structurally sound anymore. They would need to demolish everything and build replicas of the old buildings in their place. It won't be the same buildings from the past now, would it? Preserving all these ruins, guns, and even significant craters caused by bombs that significantly changes the tide of war is actually commendable. That's real history there.
"Corregidor could be packaged with Bataan as a world war two historical tour."
The tour provided by Sun Cruises is not "a world war two historical tour" for you yet? What do you have in mind? Live actors in old uniforms running around modern shells of the old buildings acting like the war is still going on?
Hi. I was referring to Corregidor and places in Bataan where the death march took place like Mariveles in a tour. Sorry if that wasn't clear. I'm not sure though if this is being done already and I just didn't know it.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the buildings being rebuilt comment. I guess I just couldn't see that during that time.
Hi! We plan to go at Corregidor. Just saw your post and seeking recommendations etc. What is the best options: Historical Tram Tour or walking tour since it's for our thesis.
ReplyDeleteThe walking tour is more personal because it's a small group and you get to linger in the different spots in Corregidor. :)
ReplyDeleteIm planning to go there,I wanna ask how was Sun cruises? Do they have a good service because i have seen bad reviews on facebook. Im worried.
ReplyDeleteHello. Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure what kind of negative reviews they have been getting but they were okay (in 2013).
Delete