Cruises to Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)

The terminal is equipped with seating, bathrooms, bank outlets, bus stops and taxi ranks. The huge El Muelle shopping complex opposite the port gates is worth a stroll. Besides international shops like Benetton, C&A and Mango, the mall has offbeat stores like Whatever Floats Your Boat and Bijou Brigitte selling quirky goods like character teapots and craftware.

The shopping complex is well-maintained and imaginatively presented, with regular themed displays. During my visit, a carnival was being celebrated with life-size Carnival Queen dolls at either end of the ground-floor walkway, while in the middle, glass case after glass case of Barbie dolls in different outfits, were on display.

Pickpockets roam the tourist areas. Be particularly vigilant during the high season and at crowded events, such as Carnival festivities.

On Foot: The terminal has a striking sail-effect canopy at its exit gate, so just head for that, and you'll find the city center, a five- to 10-minute walk away. Head left along the main walkway from the port gates (Avenida Maritima del Norte), and you'll get to Plaza de Santa Ana, the main square.

To reach the beach, walk straight through El Muelle, then turn right opposite the Elder Museum of Science and Technology. Go left again along Calle Luis Morote -- the main street for ATMs and camera and electronics shops -- and follow your nose to the sea. The beach itself is a long stretch of sand that's reached via a red brick-paved promenade and lined with snack joints and tapas bars.

By Bus: Regular free shuttle buses called guaguas (pronounced "wawas") operate every few minutes from the port gates to the city market. However, if you'd rather stroll into town, it's not far, and it's a pleasant walk.

By Taxi: To go farther afield, pick up a cab quayside or outside the dock gates, but be prepared to negotiate. Trips within the city boundaries are usually metered (check for this), but beyond that, you're on your own. Taxis are inexpensive for short trips, though are generally pricey if you're going around the island. Expect to pay approximately 450 euros for one to four passengers for a four-hour island tour, depending on how good a haggler you are (and how busy the driver is).

Editor's note: Allow plenty of time to explore on your own. You can run into traffic jams when visiting popular tourist haunts. And never let a cab go without fixing a pickup time to get back to your ship.

The currency is the euro, and you'll find plenty of banks, Bureaux de Change (exchange bureaus) and ATMs, both in the terminal and in the main shopping districts. For updated currency conversion figures, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Spanish is spoken there, and though many locals speak at least a smattering of English, you may want to carry a phrase book if you're heading off on your own.

Ships dock at the Santa Catalina terminal, a major hub both for inter island ferry services and cruise ships.