bdaddyiii Posted June 27, 2014 #1 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I am looking to book the Epic out of Southampton to Barcelona with stops in Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Grenada (Malaga), Spain; and Cartagena, Spain. I realize the ship passes through the Strait of Gilbratar and does not stop at the Rock but can you see it from the ship? I have not been able to find any excursions listed for these stops either which I find sorta funny but any information would be helpful. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted June 27, 2014 #2 Share Posted June 27, 2014 We passed through the Straits of Gibraltar on our Jade cruise from Barcelona to Morocco and the Canary Island in 2011. We did not see the rock. I think we passed it in the middle of the night and too far had it been in daytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokiePoq Posted June 27, 2014 #3 Share Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) We saw lights at a distance. Every passage has been at night. DH even got up in the middle of the night at the time the ship said we'd be passing it. However, we were able to take a tour to Gibraltar and the rock from Malaga. It's was a ship's tour which had not been advertised online, IIRC. If you've not been to Malaga before, the Alhambra tour is not to be missed. The Gibraltar tour was great but Alhambra was one of the best ever. Edited June 27, 2014 by HokiePoq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted June 27, 2014 #4 Share Posted June 27, 2014 We saw Gibraltar from the Spirit when we passed by on the way to Casablanca in April. On earlier cruises I believe that it was dusk or dark by the time they got there. On this Epic itinerary, as you pass through heading into the Med, going to Malaga it is likely to be during the night so it's likely to be dark and very early in the morning. As said above, NCL usually run excursions to Gibraltar from Malaga. I believe it is quite rushed though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggitt Posted June 27, 2014 #5 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I am looking to book the Epic out of Southampton to Barcelona with stops in Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Grenada (Malaga), Spain; and Cartagena, Spain. Is Epic sailing out of Southampton? When is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdaddyiii Posted June 27, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted June 27, 2014 The Epic is sailing out of southampton Oct 2015. It is only one sailing that year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie51 Posted June 27, 2014 #7 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Thank you for the info. I didn't realize you couldn't see the Rock as the ship sailed by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted June 27, 2014 #8 Share Posted June 27, 2014 We did not see the rock. I think we passed it in the middle of the night and too far had it been in daytime. It certainly wouldn't be too far in daytime. The Strait of Gibraltar is less than 10 miles wide, so the only reason you wouldn't be able to see Gibraltar would be if it was dark or in bad weather. Unfortunately, as said above, it is often dark at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letmego4 Posted December 17, 2015 #9 Share Posted December 17, 2015 We saw lights at a distance. Every passage has been at night. DH even got up in the middle of the night at the time the ship said we'd be passing it.However, we were able to take a tour to Gibraltar and the rock from Malaga. It's was a ship's tour which had not been advertised online, IIRC. If you've not been to Malaga before, the Alhambra tour is not to be missed. The Gibraltar tour was great but Alhambra was one of the best ever. Where exactly did the tour bus drop passengers off once you got to Gibraltar? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 18, 2015 #10 Share Posted December 18, 2015 So,,,, we were on the Epic and spent several hours sitting and watching while we transited the Straits of Gibraltar and saw the rock. We were in a forward facing balcony and had a 180 degree view as we transited the Straits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulster-cruiser Posted December 18, 2015 #11 Share Posted December 18, 2015 So,,,, we were on the Epic and spent several hours sitting and watching while we transited the Straits of Gibraltar and saw the rock. We were in a forward facing balcony and had a 180 degree view as we transited the Straits. Were you on the return trip from Southampton? On the inbound to Southampton we couldn't see the rock due to the weather unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 18, 2015 #12 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Were you on the return trip from Southampton? On the inbound to Southampton we couldn't see the rock due to the weather unfortunately. We were on the Southampton to Barcelona cruise after the completion of the Dry Dock. We transited during the early afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirsty_r Posted December 18, 2015 #13 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Where exactly did the tour bus drop passengers off once you got to Gibraltar?Thanks! I've booked this and could tell you when i get back in Feb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted December 19, 2015 #14 Share Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) I am looking to book the Epic out of Southampton to Barcelona with stops in Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Grenada (Malaga), Spain; and Cartagena, Spain. I realize the ship passes through the Strait of Gilbratar and does not stop at the Rock but can you see it from the ship? I have not been able to find any excursions listed for these stops either which I find sorta funny but any information would be helpful. Thanks In daylight, you will see the rock if weather conditions are favourable. Be aware that, even in good weather, the rock can be shrouded in cloud. Binoculars would give a better view, as the rock is in the distance when in the Strait. With regard to an excursion from Malaga to Gibraltar, I would advise against as it will take over two hours road travel each way with a restroom break. Apart from the distance, there is ongoing friction between the Spanish and British authorities which frequently causes delay at the border crossing.....often at least half an hour! Whilst an interesting destination, it is far from being a "must see" IMHO. Edited December 19, 2015 by hamrag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted December 19, 2015 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Saw some lights at night on a Epic transatlantic. Nothing special, could have been any coast/island in the dark. Not sure if I would even go on deck during day time the next time.. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 19, 2015 #16 Share Posted December 19, 2015 In daylight, you will see the rock if weather conditions are favourable. Be aware that, even in good weather, the rock can be shrouded in cloud. Binoculars would give a better view, as the rock is in the distance when in the Strait. FYI. You're responding to an OP from June 2014. The one-off re-positioning cruise occurred 2 months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted December 19, 2015 #17 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Where exactly did the tour bus drop passengers off once you got to Gibraltar?Thanks! If it is a "tour" of Gibraltar- you would be taken up the rock, where they would have a few stops, where you would be given an amount of time to return. The caverns, apes and bunkers are usual stops. It is an easy drive from Malaga which I done a few times. BUT you would need a very long port day. I rent my cars at the rail station, which I'm usually coming in on. which depending on the dock used, needs a cab. When I've been there on a cruise ship- the Hop On Hop Off Bus is a good option with shorter time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulster-cruiser Posted December 19, 2015 #18 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Traffic from Malaga to Gib can be bad too. When you get there, there is also the risk of long queues to get over the border. You can park up on the Spanish side and walk over which can quicken things up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockdoctor Posted December 19, 2015 #19 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Thank you for the info. I didn't realize you couldn't see the Rock as the ship sailed by it. It was a surprise to me too. Take a look at google earth. Gibraltar is a small peninsula, some distance from the Strait of Gibralter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirsty_r Posted December 20, 2015 #20 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Traffic from Malaga to Gib can be bad too. When you get there, there is also the risk of long queues to get over the border. You can park up on the Spanish side and walk over which can quicken things up. The ncl tour is a transfer only... They take you to the border you walk across and another bus takes you into town. They aim to give you a minimum of 4 hours on the rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirsty_r Posted December 20, 2015 #21 Share Posted December 20, 2015 It was a surprise to me too. Take a look at google earth. Gibraltar is a small peninsula, some distance from the Strait of Gibralter. But it is visible in daylight through the strait, I thought it might have been lit up at night but unfortunately not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letmego4 Posted December 21, 2015 #22 Share Posted December 21, 2015 I've booked this and could tell you when i get back in Feb? Thanks, that would be great! We are set for the NCL transfer, but need to let our tour guide know where to pick us up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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