Marseille, France Cruise Port Guide

Table Of Content

• Marseille-Fos Port
• Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line. Detailed Review
• Cruising with MSC Cruises. Complete Guide
• Embarkation stands at MPCT, Môle Léon Gourret (Gate
• Cruises from Marseille
• Coming by plane or train
• Carnival Corporation orders fifth Excel-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line
• Carnival Cruise New Orleans: A Friendly Guide to Exploring the Big Easy by Sea

Additionally, Ponant, a French company, offers an alternative to the larger cruise ships with its maxi yachts. The numerous cruise lines based in Marseille, whether as the head of a line or as a stopover, offer a wide range of options to choose from. You can select the cruise that suits your preferences, whether you prefer a lively or tranquil atmosphere, a large liner or a smaller ship, or a sober or opulent setting.

Marseille-Fos Port

L’île de Pomègues is connected to l’île de Ratonneau via a causeway and both islands can be visited on foot within a couple of hours. The château was built in the 16th century for military and defensive purposes, however, it was mainly used as a dumping ground for political and religious detainees throughout the centuries. Today, Château d’If is a historic monument and a tourist attraction that can be visited by ferry from the Vieux-Port. The palace is surrounded by a wonderful park filled with animal sculptures and an imposing fountain with cascades (known as château d’eau or “water castle”). Palais Longchamp area is open to the public and is a true green oasis in the middle of the bustling city. Whether you wish to travel in style by private taxi or prefer to organise a transfer shuttle service via your cruise company, there are many options to suit your travelling needs and budget.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line. Detailed Review

For art enthusiasts, you can walk a trail that links all the sites he frequented. Aix-en-Provence is also known as the ‘City of Counts’, once being the home of the Counts of Provence. For this reason, there are several impressive aristocratic palaces to explore, as well as numerous inviting fountains. Aix-en-Provence is 22 miles from Marseille or just over a 40-minute train ride. If you’re driving to your ship for your cruise, you can reach the port via the A7 motorway to the north, the A55 Littoral freeway or the A50 to the east. Enjoy a full-board cruise for a change of scenery and every comfort.

Cruising with MSC Cruises. Complete Guide

The birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence has always been an inspiration for painters, writers and musicians who used to live and work in the city. Nowadays, you can visit the city’s numerous museums, art galleries, artists’ studios (Atelier Cézanne) or explore its historic monuments, fountains and squares. The breathtaking Palais Longchamp is located in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille, roughly 2 km/1.2 miles (a 30-minute walk) east of the Vieux-Port. If you decide to take this route you can purchase tickets at the airport or online. On arrival at Saint-Charles station, hop on Line 2 of the metro - direction Bougainville, and disembark at Joliette. If you’re sailing from La Joliette, it’s just a short walk to J4 where most of the cruise liners depart.

Embarkation stands at MPCT, Môle Léon Gourret (Gate

If you are planning to rent a car in Marseille, please consider our comparison search engine for all grades of hire car from Smarts to 4x4s and limousines. Besides a large number of historic monuments and landmarks, Avignon is also famous for Festival d’Avignon, an annual arts festival that attracts tourists and art lovers from all across Europe. The Calanques National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and those of you who seek breathtaking landscapes. Calanques are narrow, steep-walled inlets found along the Mediterranean coast and the most beautiful examples of this formation can be found in the Massif des Calanques, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The iconic Château d’If is a fortress and former prison famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas’ adventure novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Château d’If is located about 1.5 km/1 mile offshore from Marseille and 5.5 km/3.5 miles from the Vieux-Port.

Cruises from Marseille

This cruise port is located near Place de la Joliette and within walking distance of the Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port), the main tourist district where the city’s main landmarks and attractions are located. La Joliette cruise terminal has several berths and is dedicated to small and medium-sized vessels including cruise ships, tender boats, cargo ships, mega yachts and ferries with lengths less than 200 m/565 ft. No less than a sanctuary for cruise lines, Marseille's cruise terminals have the capacity to serve both small cruise ships offering intimate experiences and large cruise ships with thousands of guests. Cruise lines that frequently visit the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal include the renowned Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard, among others. These cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries, from brief Mediterranean voyages to extensive global circumnavigations. Several cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Aida, and Oceania Cruises, choose to dock their ships at the Marseille cruise terminal (External link) .

Coming by plane or train

The impressive Romano-Byzantine basilica is famous for its lavish interior and grand bell tower capped with the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. The church dominates the city skyline and can be seen from downtown. It is located at approximately 2.5 km/1.5 miles (a 35-minute walk) from the Old Port and you can reach it on foot (multiple stairs involved) or via bus (bus no. 60 stops in front of the basilica). Joliette cruise terminals dedicated to small and medium-size vessels.

Direct shuttle buses depart from the airport several times an hour for Saint-Charles train station in Marseille city centre. The journey time is minutes and the cost around €8 - €9 one way and €15 -€16 euros for a round trip. Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal is located around 8 kilometres from the city centre at Môle Léon Gourret pier, near exit 5 off the A55. It is accessible by public transport with the nearest bus stop at Terminal Croisières. This port caters to large cruise ships, with several often docking here at any one time.

For the more independent travellers, the railway station is a short bus ride away, providing easy access to other French cities and towns. Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) serve the majority of cruise ships docking in Marseille. This terminal has a large-capacity building and is the embarkation point for all round-trip ship departures. To Porte 4 drive on Motorway A55, then take Exit 5 (“Les Ports”) and just follow the traffic signs "Gares Maritimes" and "Croisière".

Marseille, the largest city of Southern France, with its bustling city centre, scenic Mediterranean coast, historical landmarks, and modern cruise terminals, has offered you a bouquet of experiences. You’ve ventured through bustling markets, explored historical landmarks, savoured culinary delights, and admired the azure expanse of the Mediterranean sea. Marseille, the largest city in southern France, nestles majestically along the Mediterranean coast. The city centre hums with life, flaunting the authentic charm of French culture and tradition. But perhaps the most impressive part of Marseille is its cruise port. The Marseille Cruise Port is the city's gateway to the Mediterranean and beyond, welcoming both large and small cruise ships throughout the year.

It is the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago known for being entirely fortified and centered around the “château”, a square, three-story building flanked by three towers with large gun embrasures. Access to the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal and all the terminals A, B, C, D and E is via Gate 4 of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille. There is no need to to take a cruise organized expensive shuttle into town. Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT) is to construct a 16,000 sqm terminal, increasing its capacity to handle turnaround calls. Taxis are also readily available, offering guided tours for those looking to explore Marseille in comfort and style. For those seeking cultural gems, the Abbaye de St-Victor, a fascinating double-decker church, once a powerful abbey, is worth a visit.

The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Marseille, France Riviera. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Instead, take advantage of the free shuttle service from the cruise port, which conveniently stops just a short 300m walk from where the "Petits Trains Touristiques" begins its city circuit with insightful commentary. The tour kicks off at the end of the Old Port (Quai des Belges, near the Office de Tourisme). Heading north reveals Le Panier, a hilly district and the city's oldest part.

And, after all that, the 35 bus stop is about 800 metres / 875 yards from the beginning of the Môle Léon Gourret, and about 2 km / 1.2 miles from the Marseille-Provence Cruise Terminal at the far end of the Môle. Unless your cruise liner is leaving from the Joliette (J4) Terminal, you will then need to catch an onward bus (no. 35, direction L'Estaque, stop Littoral Gourret). Aix-en-Provence is a historic city with many cobblestone areas that are not wheelchair-friendly. There are two ports in Marseille, MPCT - Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal and La Joliette Cruise Terminal operated by the Port of Marseille Fos. Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides. From 12h-14h the trains only run if there are at least 10 passengers.

Marseille cruise port has terminals located at two different areas of the harbor. The small and middle size ships use the Joliette (J4) Terminal berths. In 2016, Marseille Fos Port handled ~2,7 million passengers (overall), including 1,6 million cruise tourists.