Cruise Mallorca, Party time for the young at heart

It is some time ago that I mentioned cruising to Mallorca, a new hype. Last week, some of my cruise.co.uk colleagues visited Mallorca for an extended hen night party (actually, 6 nights party).
During their stay, they also explored the Island and reported on a daily basis, at 9 am sharp (if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!), about the highlights of ths fantastic cruise destination.

The only issue is that hen night or stag night parties do not mix with cruising, as at night the ship will be sailing. But what about going there, have your party and after that go on a cruise, have your wedding on board and sail across the Med as a honeymoon trip ?????????
Below is what they came up with.
Palma de Mallorca, a major port city on the island of Mallorca and the capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is a delightful cross between the Arabian Nights and the Renaissance, reflecting its checkered past of African and European control. It is the largest city on Mallorca, home to about 300,000 people — a big, bustling place, with most of the tourist action in the old part of town around the Cathedral.
The architecture of this ancient Mediterranean port blends Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles. Palma’s winding streets make way to grand churches, yacht harbors, beaches, fountains and old castles. Because there is so much history, so close together, it’s a perfect port to explore on foot. The snaky, narrow streets hold many surprises — including the occasional dead end (beware of the passages around the Cathedral … you truly cannot get from here to there!).
This sun-kissed port is also an outdoors city in-season, with much pedestrian traffic and the opportunity to eat or relax outside in a myriad of settings — some free (parks and boulevards), and some in conjunction with visits to museums and historical sites (always look for interior courtyards, extra features of older buildings). For sun worshippers, the beaches are close by and the water is wonderfully clear.

Where You’re Docked
The port of Palma de Mallorca is on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma. Ships dock in a remote commercial pier about four miles from town, an unpleasant walk through industrial areas.

Language
Catalan and Spanish, but most shopkeepers and museum attendants speak some English.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money
The euro. ATMs are plentiful, particularly in the shopping areas in and around the main thoroughfare, Passeig des Born.

Best Souvenir
Any locally made handicraft from the wood of the olive tree — these are unusual and unique to the area; also leather goods and Majorica pearls.

Hanging Around
Take a cab or shuttle to the Cathedral and start from there. This magnificent church is the center of the oldest and most historic part of town, and overlooks the Parc de la Mar, a picturesque seaside park with a small lake and panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The park contains many shade trees and benches for those inclined to sit a while to watch the world go by. Nearby is the Avinguda D’Antoni Maura, lined with sidewalk cafes and snack shops, and the adjacent Passeig des Born for serious shopping. The major museums and architectural highlights are close by, too.

Getting Around
Cabs are plentiful at the cruise terminal and may be shared with another couple. The cost for a trip into town is about 10 euros. Also, most cruise lines offer a shuttle from the port to a central point in town near the Cathedral; check your ship’s shore excursions desk for availability and pricing. After arriving in the old part of the town, everything is within easy walking distance.

Watch Out For
As in other parts of southern Europe, the siesta is alive and well in Palma. Many shops, churches and museums close in mid-afternoon for several hours, so check before you go. Also, beware of cabbies who insist the only fare they offer is a “city tour.” Taxis are legally required to pick up all passengers and drop them off where they request. Anyone encountering a problem (passengers who disembark first sometimes get the tour pitch) should report it to personnel in the cruise terminal or onboard the ship.

Party Time
Magaluf is the party center of Mallorca, so it was obvious why this was the destination of our cruise.co.uk girls hen night party.
The diversity of Magaluf nightlife is such that there is something for everyone. For the 18-30 crowd there are hundreds of bars and some of Europe’s best clubs and discos. For maturer visitors and families there are more laid back bar venues, many with excellent entertainment and a good selection of places to eat.
Most of the nightlife is centred on the bars and clubs which are located along what is known as ‘the strip’. This is a hill called Punta Balena which runs from the main tourist information office in the town centre up to the hotel district of Torrenova.

Just start at the top or bottom of the strip and go walkabout to find your own favourites often with the help of the endless number of PRs who will be trying to get you into their place.
Well known favourites that you can’t miss as you stroll along the strip include Lennons Pub which has a massive terrace and Chaplins Bar which is famous for its party games. The Lush Dance Bar is another top entertainment spot whilst The Office has become a regular stop for revellers. The Three Lions is always packed and Mulligans at the top of the hill is yet another top venue.
As well as the strip you’ll find plenty to amuse you actually down at the beach where there are numerous bars and restaurants open until late. Daquiris Palace do a fabulous range of frozen cocktails on their huge terrace overlooking the sea whilst. The Boatyard is a good British pub which is also on the beach and Linekers sports bar with its eleven giant screens is on a street just off the promenade.
On Avinguda de l’Olivera, the main street where the BCM nightclub is located, you’ll come across a good selection of more familiy orientated bars than you will on the strip. The enormous and ever popular Benny Hills is well known for good, clean family fun whilst the Boston Bar provides great entertainment for all the family. Mrs Doyles Irish Pub is Magaluf’s top Irish venue with live music from Mick the Fiddler. It’s just around the corner from Morgans.

As for nightclubs, Magaluf has become one of Europe’s top destinations which attract well known DJs and clubbers from all over the continent. BCM Magaluf is the largest and best known which operates on three distinct levels and has an amazing laser show and top notch dancers. Boomerangs, Poco Loco, Fusion and Bora Bora are other top venues whilst Heaven is a popular lapdance club, frequently visited by the cruise.co.uk girls.

Shopping
Almost every main street and side street in the old town area contains shops; many are grouped in and around Passeig des Born and Avinguda Jaume III. A couple of unique boutiques include Antiguedades (Placa de la Almoina 4) for locally crafted jewelry and Arte-Facto (Cerrer Sant Pere 8) for regional handicrafts, including unusual umbrellas.
Placa Major is a short walk from the center of town; it is an unusual underground shopping mall, and the stores do not usually observe siesta.

Been There, Done That
Fundacio Pilari i Joan Miro (Joan de Saridakis 29, 971-701-420, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily except 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday) is a short cab ride from the downtown area. The museum, which is built around four of Miro’s workshops from his years living on the island, holds pieces from those workshops that were donated by Miro, and includes documents, drawings and sculptures. Special exhibits complement the central theme. It is a simple yet elegant grouping of buildings that provides some interesting insights to this popular artist.

Valldemossa is the island’s most beautiful town. It is set in the hills, a short 30-minute cab ride from Palma (about 50 euros roundtrip). A lovely place to stroll, it’s not crowded and is filled with attractive small shops and cafes. The Monastery Complex is the main feature of the town and incorporates a palace, the municipal museum (Museu Municipal de Valldemossa), and a neoclassical church. The complex also contains cloisters with several cells (rooms) given over to displays, one of which contains Chopin and George Sand memorabilia (they stayed here together in 1838). The old town is worthy of a look, surrounded by thousand-year-old walls and farming terraces.

Lunching
The small streets radiating from Passeig des Born are filled with restaurants and sidewalk cafes of all types and price ranges. Look for local dishes like sopas mallorquinas, a bread-and-vegetable-based soup, and pa amb oli, hearty bread spread with Spanish olive oil. Paella, though not traditionally Mallorcan, can be found on many menus. Seafood in other preparations and roasted meats are also mainstays.

On a Budget: For inexpensive tapas, seek out the charming “Cafe i +” (Caputxines 2), a nook off of a small street that also serves as an art gallery (the art is for sale). Be sure to sample anything made with lamb and the garlic mayonnaise.

Local Eats: La Boveda (Calle Boteria 3), near the Cathedral, is well known in Palma for its tapas and entrees of veal, pork, chicken and fish. The restaurant is open for lunch every day except Sunday. Also nearby is Cellar Pages (Carrer Felipe Bauza 2); the hot ticket on the a la carte menu is the fish of the day (have it grilled). It’s likewise open for lunch every day except Sunday; reservations are recommend — it’s a small space.

Gourmet Lunching: For a real splurge, wander down into the harbor area to La Lubina (Muelle Viejo), snag an outside table, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the pier while enjoying fresh seafood. The staff is friendly and stands ready to assist diners with the comprehensive menu. Lunch starts at 1 p.m., and reservations are a good idea.