Port & Destinations Issue 7

14
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GIBRALTAR MINISTRY FOR BUSINESS, TOURISM AND THE PORT
Gibraltar can handle up to three cruise ships at a time.
PORT OF
#VISITGIBRALTAR
GIBRALTAR
WHAT TO SEE
IN TOWN
Museum of Gibraltar
The museum, in Bomb House Lane, is a
compact but fascinating introduction to Gibraltar
history. It starts 32,000 or more years ago with
the Neanderthals who lived here, showcases
memorabilia from military times, takes you into
a 14th-century Moorish bath house and houses
a relief map of the Rock created by Lieutenant
Charles Warren, who went on to join the Met but
was kicked out after failing to solve the Jack the
Ripper case.
Gin tasting
You learn two things during a gin tasting at
Spirit of the Rock. One is that Spirit of the Rock’s
gin is the only thing made in Gibraltar apart
from babies and money, the other is that the
Brits’ love affair with gin began with William
of Orange, who brought it to the UK when he
ascended the English throne and allowed it to
be sold tax free. There is loads more trivia – and
plenty of gin - to imbibe as Spirit of the Rock
owner Peter takes you on a fun journey through
the history of Mother’s Ruin.
Dolphin-watching boat tours
Nothing is guaranteed, but anecdotal
evidence suggests that dolphins love the
waters around Gibraltar so those on boat
tours have a good chance of seeing them
frolicking in the water. Boats operate yearround
from the Marina Bay area, a short walk
from the cruise ship dock.
Shopping
British cruisers tend to make a bee-line for
the off-licenses to stock up on spirits and
cigarettes (up to 40% and 75% cheaper than
here) before returning to the UK, but check
out the other shops as well. There are a few
familiar high street brands, but most are local
outlets, which makes a refreshing change.
MAY 2023 | STOWAWAY MEDIA
Minister eyes big increase in cruise calls
Gibraltar might be small but tourism
minister, Vijay Daryanani, also looks after
business and the port, has big plans for
its cruising sector. “I want Gibraltar to be
the main port of call in the Mediterranean,”
he says.
The territory has fared well in the
cruise bounce back since the Covid hiatus.
Some 185 ships are scheduled to call into
Gibraltar this year, marginally down on the
197 recorded in 2019, but 183 are already
booked for 2024 and more are expected. In
passenger terms, this year is expected to be
close to 2019’s figure of just over 328,000.
Daryanani is keen to increase those numbers;
the challenge is that the port can only take three
ships at a time. “We have to turn down calls so
we are looking at ways to take more, maybe
tendering passengers ashore.” He is also talking
to cruise lines with smaller ships about offering
turnarounds in Gibraltar. Realistically, they have
to be British lines as the only flights into and out
of the Rock are from the UK with British Airways
and EasyJet.
Daryanani is confident that catering for the
extra numbers these plans will bring is not a
problem. As well as existing attractions (and
a new one showcasing Gibraltar’s Northern
Defences on the cards after a Covid-induced
delay), tourism chiefs are looking to introduce
a hop-on, hop-off bus – “probably electric” – to
take cruise passengers to points of interest
around the Rock including the beaches.
Most cruise calls are in the shoulder
seasons of April, May, September and
October. From the cruise terminal (which is
slated for an upgrade), it’s just a 10-minute
walk to the Ocean Village/Marina Bay area.
There are shuttle buses into town (£2 per
person) for those who don’t want to walk.
CRUISE CALENDAR
Cruise lines calling into Gibraltar 2023
(CLIA members on sale in the UK only)
Azamara
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Fred Olsen Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Marella Cruises
MSC Cruises
Nicko Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Saga Cruises
Seabourn
Silversea
Windstar Cruises
More information at Gibraltarport.com
THE IDEAL
CRUISE SHIP
PORT OF
CALL
• Established, quality cruise facilities
• A wide choice of shore excursions
• Competitively priced bunkers delivered by quality operators
• Excellent international communications
• Broad spectrum of marine services
Gibraltar Port Authority
North Mole, Gibraltar, Tel: +350 20046254, Fax: +350 20051513
gpaenquiries@port.gov.gi
www.gibraltarport.com