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The Mediterranean, at ease

Cruise call in Maó

Marella Explorer

The Marella Explorer (Marella Cruises (TUI)) berths in Maó at 08:00 and sails at 18:00. Once you take off disembarking and the margin to get back, you have around 8 h 30 min truly ashore. Here is what that time is good for — and what it isn't.

Your call, hour by hour

Arrives
08:00
Departs
18:00
Time in port
10 hours
Real time ashore
8 h 30 min
Where that number comes from

From the call we subtract 30 minutes to disembark and clear the quay, and 60 minutes of margin to get back: the all-aboard is usually between half an hour and an hour before departure, and we take the worst case. We would rather you had time to spare than have you running.

A lot of you come ashore at once

This ship lands more than 1,500 people on a small quay. The first half hour is a queue, and the port's taxis run out fast. With a car waiting, you start your day an hour before everyone else.

What you have time for

  1. Ciutadella plus a southern cove on the way

    spare 2 h 44 min

    The full day: cross the island, see Ciutadella and drop down to a southern cove before heading back. Close to two hours of driving in total — it only works if the call is long.

  2. Ciutadella, at the other end of the island

    spare 4 hours

    Forty-five minutes along the road that crosses Menorca, and as many back. In exchange: the old town with the most character in the Balearics and its narrow harbour.

  3. A southern cove: Cala Galdana

    spare 4 h 22 min

    Half an hour to Cala Galdana and, if you fancy the walk, half an hour more on foot to Macarella, the island's postcard.

  4. Fornells: the bay and a lobster stew

    spare 4 h 50 min

    Twenty minutes north, a white fishing village on a huge bay, and the lobster stew that made it famous.

  5. Es Grau: beach and lagoon

    spare 5 h 30 min

    Fifteen minutes by car and you are in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve: quiet sand, the lagoon behind and the boats still.

  6. Maó on foot, no car

    spare 6 hours

    From the quay you climb to the upper town: the Claustre market, the Georgian streets and a drink looking over the harbour. No car needed.

  7. Favàritx lighthouse

    spare 6 hours

    Black slate, an almost lunar landscape and the island's most cinematic lighthouse, half an hour from the quay.

A Menorca Bus Mercedes E-Class and V-Class waiting on the cruise quay in Maó.
On the quay in Maó, at docking time · Photo: Menorca Bus

When it calls at Maó

Dates from the Maó cruise-call calendar · See the full cruise calendar →

Times can change

These are this ship's usual hours in Maó, not a promise: the line can change them and the sea has the last word. Always confirm your all-aboard time with your ship. Calendar updated on 11 August; it covers around 82% of the season.

Carry on here

Trip planner

If you come back for longer, we'll build the whole trip.

Where the sea is calm

Before choosing a cove, see where the wind isn't blowing today.