Marella Celebration - Spirit of Iberia (from Malaga) Cruise Destinations

Hello, we depart on our first ever cruise next month on the Marella Celebration and wondered if anyone could advise on ease of access from the port berths to the city centres. We've not yet booked excursions so any advise would be great. We will berth at the following ports;

Lisbon

Portimao

Cadiz

Casablanca

Gibraltar

Best Regards,

Congratulations on booking your first cruise, you may find it addictive, it can seriously damage your wealth if you do, but its a great life. We have cruised on Celebration many times over the years and always enjoy her. Sometimes it is better/easier to go with ship excursions on your first cruise, it will be more expensive but relieves you of any hassle, unless you are the adventurous types and are confident doing your own thing. Sometimes it can be better to share a taxi with others and cheaper.

There is a great camaraderie on-board and you will meet lots of people with great experience and knowledge who will always be willing to assist. Sometimes there is a shuttle bus provided in Casablanca, Lisbon and Gibraltar sometimes they are provided free by the port sometimes you will pay a few euro's. As you are travelling early in the season this could change, it also depends on the port you dock at and how many other ships are berthed. We have always found Lisbon, Cadiz and Gibraltar nice to walk around, there are also hop on hop off busses available if walking is not your thing. Casablanca is interesting, you need your wits about you in some areas. We have not been to Portimao. Cadiz is easy to do your own thing and close to port. I would check out the cruise excursions and see if there are any "must do's".

Hello, we depart on our first ever cruise next month on the Marella Celebration and wondered if anyone could advise on ease of access from the port berths to the city centres. We've not yet booked excursions so any advise would be great. We will berth at the following ports;

 

Lisbon

Portimao

Cadiz

Casablanca

Gibraltar

 

Best Regards,

Can't help with Portimao or Casablanca but hope this info on your other ports may be of help:-

GIBRALTAR - If you want to so the Rock Tour there are 8 seater minibuses waiting outside the cruise terminal; cost in 2017 was 25 Pounds compared with 33 Pounds for the similar Marella excursion (can be even cheaper if you take a taxi tour from Casemate Square). If you want to shop on Main Street it is a 15 minutes walk from the port to Casemate Square at the bottom of Main Street (the cable car is right up at the opposite end) or the port provides a shuttle bus at a cost last year of 4 Pounds return. Remember that you may get some Gibraltan Pounds in your change (we were in Gib last Friday for the day and got a lot of local coins) and, as these are not legal tender in the UK, spend them before leaving.

CADIZ - The old city is lovely and only a 5 minutes walk from the port - don't miss seeing the Cathedral and visiting the indoor/outdoor market close by. A HOHO bus runs from the port gates but isn't very interesting as it mainly just goes back and forth along the same stretch of beach; it cannot enter the old city as the streets are too narrow..

LISBON - The first time we docked in Lisbon we jumped on one of the old local trams (think San Francisco style) that was cheap, brilliant and took us to parts of the city we would have missed otherwise. The second time we took the HOHO buses - there are 2 routes. You can get on a bus for the first route right outside the cruise terminal but we didn't find this very interesting - went round and round the new museum area of the marina then up to the airport. You need to go to the main square (15 minutes walk from the port) to get a bus for the second route but it is well worth it as the tour was very interesting taking in many of the cities most famous sites. In Lisbon tuk tuk tours are very popular but pick one up outside the cruise terminal rather than booking the more expensive Marella tour.

MALAGA - It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates so a shuttle bus is provided at a cost of 5 Euros. If you feel energetic and want to walk through the port you will pass the recently built 'Muelle Uno' ('Pier One') bar. restaurant and shops development that is a good place to break your journey. When you get to the port gates go straight across 2 roads (the second is Malagas main artery the Avenida Alameda Principal) and you will be in the heart of the old city. SHOPPING - Malaga is a great place for a bit of retail therapy - the main shopping street is the pedestrianized Calle Larios. As well as all the well known international stores, and the big Spanish department store El Corte Ingles, the city is home to many artisan shops many of which specialise in local food produce, hand crafted Silverware and Flamenco clothing. Large shops are closed on Sundays but some small/privately owned/artisan shops stay open. ARAB BATHS - Missed by most visitors to Malaga the Arab baths are a great place to unwind and be massaged by experts using centuries old techniques. GIBRALFARO CASTLE - Bus 35 from the Parque de Malaga (park opposite the port) will take you right up the hill to the Gibralfaro Castle entrance. Soaring over the city, the 14th century castle was built to defend the citadel and provides spectacular views over Malaga bay and over the Bullring. After visiting the Castle walk back down the hill for less than 5 minutes and you will come to the entrance of the Parador Hotel - a really lovely place to stop for a Coffee break; you can get the bus back into the city centre from outside the Parador gates. ALCAZABA - Situated below the Gibralfaro Castle is the Alcazaba, a fascinating Moorish Citadel with many features similar to those found at the Alhambra in Granada (but without the crowds!). You can buy a reduced price joint entrance ticket for both Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. ROMAN THEATRE RUINS AND DIG - Situated at the base of the Alcazaba, visitors are now allowed to walk through the ongoing archaeological Dig to get a closer look at the ruins; closed Mondays. CATHEDRAL - A truly spectacular building known as the One Armed Lady as only one tower was built - probably due to lack of funds but legend has it that money for the second tower was sent to rebel US forces to help them in their battle against the Brits in the War of Independence. Next to the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace Square which is a great place to sit and people watch. MUSEUMS - Malaga is home to far too many museums to list them all but these are my particular favourites:-Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Glass + Crystal Museum and Motor Museum/Fashion Museum. TAPAS BARS - Malaga is a Foodies paradise. You are spoiled for choice of high class restaurants but, for us, Tapas is the only way to go. Definitely try the local speciality 'Fritura Malaguena' which is a delicious mix of deep fried small fish. Just follow locals into a bar and you won't go far wrong. CHURROS - Churros are deep fried Donut-like fingers served with very thick Hot Chocolate or Coffee (dunking is compulsory lol!) can be found in many of Malagas traditional bars but Casa Aranda is a Churros institution visited by people from all over the world. BEACHES - If walking around a city isn't your thing, Malaga has several beaches close to the city centre. The best known is La Malagueta Beach about 5 minutes walk from the port entrance - the beach is especially popular with locals and is fringed with some good Chiringuitos (beach bar/restaurants).. HOHO BUS - The sightseeing tour bus stops immediately outside the port gates and takes you all around the city including a trip up to Gibralfaro Castle. MALAGA PARK/PARQUE DE MALAGA - Situated just across the road outside the port gates (and by the drop off point for the shuttle bus) this is an oasis in the city. Parakeets, Tropical Trees, small childrens play area and peace + quiet make this a lovely place to relax.

I wish you a wonderful first cruise - I am sure that it won't be your last.

In Portimao you can walk to the beach (turn left outside the port) then up into the town and return to the port from there, making it into a circular walking tour.

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Hello, we depart on our first ever cruise next month on the Marella Celebration and wondered if anyone could advise on ease of access from the port berths to the city centres. We've not yet booked excursions so any advise would be great. We will berth at the following ports;

 

Lisbon

Portimao

Cadiz

Casablanca

Gibraltar

 

Best Regards,

What date? I ask as I started a roll call for the April 8th sailing and haven't had a single response..I just don't think Brits even look at the roll call section!

When we cruise with US lines the roll calls are absolutely buzzing!

Such a shame as you can learn a lot and make new friends.

What date? I ask as I started a roll call for the April 8th sailing and haven't had a single response..I just don't think Brits even look at the roll call section!

 

When we cruise with US lines the roll calls are absolutely buzzing!

 

Such a shame as you can learn a lot and make new friends.

Ooh we're on the same time as you... I was here looking for info too... Will head over to roll call and say hi!! 😁

Thanks everyone for the feedback, greatly appreciated. I now feel much more confident doing our own excursions