We are cruising out of Barcelona in May (we're very excited) and Gibraltar is one of the stops (and a big bucket list item for us).

We're not sure about anything that involves going up the Rock. I use a cane, and DH is NOT exactly a spring chicken, and some of those steps, etc. look very steep.

We are discussing a couple of shore excursions, but they're expensive, and right in the middle of the day. We definitely want to get a little shopping/wandering done and I've got a couple of very specific errands that involve M&S. How easy is to get a cab/shuttle bus from port into town (and more importantly back out again, I'm deeply paranoid about missing the ship)? The excursions we were looking at involve Europa Point, which I think DH would really like, but I'm concerned about the timing.

I would be up to walking back to the ship in a pinch (it appears to be about 1.5 km from the port to the town), but we'd prefer not to, and I always worry about getting turned around in an unfamiliar place.

Traveling party is myself 55 (minor mobility issues, mostly balance related), DH 56, and DS 26. DS has some very minor delays, but is essentially an independent adult and is very, very interested in European military history. There's an excursion to the WWII tunnels that he'd like, but I'm almost certainly not up to, and DH probably isn't either. He could absolutely go by himself, but he'd like to be part of any town wandering (and has a separate M&S errand).

We are pretty easily amused, and just being in a place ticks a lot of the boxes, but I sort of feel we should do a little more than just wander around town and go shopping, even if it's high priority shopping. DS also wants a pub lunch. Very badly, and any recommendations for that pub lunch would be very much appreciated.

Hi, persimmondeb . Sorry I can't be of help here. Just wanted to mention you may have more luck at the other travel forum... https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForu...Gibraltar.html
Best of luck!

How long do you have in Gibraltar before you have to reboard the ship? The walk from the terminal to Main Street is about 25-30 minutes where there are all kinds of shops, cafes and pubs. From Main Street the walk to the base of the Cable Car is only 10 minutes or so. We took a minivan tour up the Rock to see the Siege Tunnels, Saint Michaels Cave and the Apes Den as the Cable Car line was pretty long and we didn't want to wait. The driver of the minivan tours are very informative and they narrate the sights of the Rock as you proceed. Overall tour time I believe was 2 hours or so. Worth it just to see the Barbary macaques (the monkeys). Absolutely worth numerous fun photos as they perch right on an extended arm. Cant help on a pub lunch-we had a wonderful meal at a great Indian Restaurant.

I've been to Gibraltar a couple of times and recall there were plenty of taxis about. I also believe there are taxi tours that one can arrange for a reasonable price per person. If it's like every cruise port I've been to, all the cab drivers will be well aware of people needing to get back to the ship on time; I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I've had a couple of meals/drinks at the Lord Nelson bar right on the main square. A bit touristy for sure, but good beer and food, and a nice outdoor seating area.

As for Europa Point, be mindful that it's at the far end of the town, but well worth the drive. The big mosque (evidently visible from Morocco, one of the aims when it was built) is quite impressive, set against the rock.

If you will click my profile, you'll find a link to my trip report from a 2018 trip to Spain where we visited Gibraltar as a daytrip from Marbella. We took a taxi tour (the taxis came to the border crossing and wait until they had a full van) and gave an excellent tour for 38 pounds if I recall correctly (price has probably changed). I would be willing to bet that the same tour could be lined up from the port (probably have taxis waiting there as at the border crossing at La Linea).

I'm having some trouble posting (particularly with quotes) but thanks for the suggestion about the other travel forum.

We'll pretty much have a full day. Very good to know about cabs. We were likely going to give the monkeys a miss, but if we could take a taxi to Europa point that might be a thing. Presumably we'll be able to see it from the ship, but DH is very excited by the idea that AFRICA is right over there.

Thanks for the Lord Nelson suggestion, I'll check it out online. Touristy is fine as long as the food is decent.