Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella.
When I took my most recent Marella cruise onboard Marella Voyager, we sailed from Palma de Mallorca.
I love Mallorca. It is such a beautiful island with so much to see and do. It has the added advantage that the cruise port is close to the airport and easily accessible.
If you get the opportunity to sail from Majorca, maybe look into adding a few days in port before or after your cruise. I highly recommend it!
From Plane to Port in 20 Minutes
The airport in Mallorca is just outside the capital, Palma.
The transfer takes only around twenty minutes from the airport building to the cruise port.
When you book your holiday with Marella, all flights and transfers are included. This makes everything very easy and stress-free.
When I walked out of the airport doors, there were Marella representatives to point me in the direction of the buses. Our bus was right outside, waiting for us. We didn’t even have to hang around waiting for the bus to leave; the journey was quick and easy.
A Port That Actually Works Smoothly
When we arrived outside the cruise terminal, I noticed how quiet it was.
Marella representatives were on hand to check us in and give us our cruise cards.
It literally took us six minutes to get through the cruise terminal and board the ship.
Mallorca Facts
Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. It is the seventh-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Balearic Islands have been an autonomous region of Spain since 1983.
You will also see Mallorca spelt “Majorca.” Mallorca is the official and correct spelling in both Spanish and Catalan. Majorca is an Anglicised version that is sometimes used in English.
The name Majorca dates back to the Latin origin of the word, “insula maior”, meaning larger island.
Along with other Balearic Islands – Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera – Mallorca is a highly popular holiday destination, particularly for tourists from the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The international airport, Palma de Mallorca Airport, is one of the busiest in Spain and was used by over 28 million passengers in 2017. Passenger numbers continue to rise year on year.
People in Mallorca speak Spanish (also referred to as ‘Castilian’ or ‘Castellano’, a variety of the Spanish language spoken in central Spain). Mallorquí is also spoken; this is a language with the same root as Catalán, which can change slightly depending on the location.
Due to the large number of foreign tourists visiting, English and German are widely spoken across the island.
The currency is the Euro.
Stay a Little Longer
Palma is a year-round holiday destination, which has long been popular with the British public.
Even in the coldest winter months, the temperature is around 15°C (59°F), which may sound cold to some, but winter temperatures in the UK typically range from 2 to 7°C (36-45°F), and the days are short and dark.
In the 1950s, Mallorca was one of the first places in Spain to experience mass tourism. By the 1960s, the island had become a prime destination for the then-new “package holiday” concept.
In the 1970s, many new hotels and apartments were built to accommodate the growing demand from holidaymakers.
Mallorca has remained popular with the British public.
There is a wide range of holiday accommodation options available on the island, and Marella offers a variety of Stay & Cruise packages to suit every traveller.
What’s a Cruise & Stay Holiday all about?
Marella Cruises
Our Cruise & Stay holidays give you the best of both worlds. It’s all about extending your getaway and soaking up more of your favourite sunny spot. Enjoy a seven-night holiday on land before boarding the ship, or spend three, four, or seven nights in a hotel after your cruise. We’ll also sort all your transfers – to and from the ship, the hotel and the airport – so you can holiday hassle-free. Our TUI reps will be on hand throughout your holiday, and you can contact them through the Navigate onboard and on the TUI app while at your hotel.
A City Made for Wandering
There is plenty to see in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, and ships dock not too far from the city.
Smaller and mid-sized ships dock at Muelle de Poniente, which is just over 2 miles from Palma Cathedral.
Larger ships dock at Dique del Oeste, but this is about three miles out from the cathedral.
Many ships provide shuttle buses into the city if you don’t want to walk, but taxis or public transport are also an option.
Popular Places To Visit:
- Palma Cathedral
- In the heart of the city of Palma stands the magnificent 14th-century cathedral known as La Seu.
- It’s almost impossible to miss this imposing golden sandstone building.
- The cathedral is one of Europe’s tallest Gothic structures, situated above Parc de la Mar and a superb sight for those arriving or leaving by sea.
- It costs around €10 for a general admission entry ticket, with guided tours and tickets to the terraces with panoramic views from the cathedral’s rooftops costing a little more.
- You can walk to, and around the Parc de la Mar in front of the cathedral, with its saltwater lakes and fountains, free of charge.
We had wonderful evening views of this iconic building when we left Palma on Marella Voyager
- The Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Opposite the cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, which dates back to the 14th century.
- This is the official residence of the King and Queen during their stays in Mallorca.
- A ticket to see the palace costs around €7 and is well worth a visit.
- Paseo Marítimo – The Waterfront
- The main waterfront area in Palma is the Paseo Marítimo, a promenade ideal for walking, cycling, and enjoying views of the sea and yachts.
- You can find luxurious yachts, popular bars, and restaurants, as well as a bustling atmosphere here. It connects the city to areas such as C’an Pastilla and El Arenal, located further along the coast.
- There are also various hotels and activities available along the waterfront, and it is a lovely place for a gentle stroll.
- Bellver Castle
- The fort above Palma is Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver).
- This unique 14th-century circular fortress has a history as both a royal residence and a military prison.
- On top of a hill, it offers panoramic views of Palma and the sea, and any cruise ships docked there.
- It houses the Museum of the History of Palma, and is one of the few circular castles in Europe.
- Hop on hop off bus
- If you don’t want to walk, as with most cities, there is a sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus available.
- To catch the hop-on hop-off bus from the Palma de Mallorca cruise terminal, look for the “Estació Marítima” stop, which is the closest stop to the terminal.
- You may need to walk or take a short taxi ride, depending on your ship’s exact docking position.
- You can purchase your ticket online or at the bus stop before boarding a double-decker bus to explore the city’s landmarks, with audio commentary available in multiple languages.
Sunshine Almost Guaranteed
The weather in Palma is far better than in the UK.
Palma experiences a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters, hot and dry summers, and warm, pleasant spring and autumn seasons.
Daytime temperatures in winter (December to February) average around 15-17°C (59-63°F), while summer (June to August) sees averages of about 25-27°C (77-81°F), often reaching over 30°C (86°F).
While generally sunny year-round, most of the islands’ rainfall falls in the autumn and winter months.
It’s Stress-Free Compared to the Big Cruise Hubs
Sailing from large, busy cruise hubs such as Barcelona or Rome can be far more stressful than sailing from Palma.
A standard taxi from Barcelona Airport to the cruise port has a fixed fare of €45, however, roads can be very busy in the summer.
Public transport options, like the train or metro are cheaper, but they require multiple changes and can take significantly longer than the 30-minute taxi ride. You will also have to manage your own luggage.
If you stay in a hotel in Barcelona and need to get to the cruise terminal, you would have to get a taxi, a shuttle bus, or you can walk along the roads and over a large bridge.
Walking can take quite a while, and it can be hard to manage with suitcases, particularly if the weather is hot. There is a lot of concrete and little shade!
I have seen three or four ships docked at Barcelona at one time. If your ship happens to be the one docked furthest away, this can add a significant amount of extra time to your walk!
Find out more about cruising from Barcelona here:
Everything You Need to Know About Cruising From Barcelona (Location, Transport and More)
If you are travelling from Rome, the cruise ships leave from Civitavecchia. This is a long way from the city of Rome.
The cost to get from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the Civitavecchia cruise port can vary significantly.
A taxi with a fixed fare from the airport is approximately €130, while pre-booking a transfer or using a private service may be a similar price.
For a more budget-friendly option, a combination of train and bus or train and taxi is available, with train travel costing around €12-€26 and taking about 2 hours.
You will have to walk to the cruise terminal from the train station or get a taxi. This can be quite a distance, depending on where your ship is docked.
I took the train from Civitiveccia station to the airport once, but it wasn’t an experience I would care to repeat.
I have never seen a train so overcrowded, and more passengers crammed themselves on at every station. There was a lot of shouting in Italian – and I really had no idea what was going on. It was all very stressful!
Civitavecchia port is over 40 miles from Rome airport, and the transfers can be expensive. It will take around an hour to get there by taxi, longer by bus or train.
One of the great things about cruising with Marella is that your flights and transfers are included, so you won’t have to worry about organising your own transfers and the additional expense that entails.
Have a look at the wonderful cruise I recently took with my mum from Palma de Mallorca on Marella Voyager below:
Before You Go
If Palma is a port stop on one of your cruises, find suggestions and information on what to see and do in a day here:
Palma de Mallorca – What to See When Visiting on a Cruise
Find out about the seven people who would love a Marella cruise here:
7 People Who Would Love a Marella Cruise
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