Monaco port on grand prix day

[beachfollower]

Does anyone know how the grand prix race would affect private tours out of Monaco? Our Crown princess cruise is in port for the race day.

thanks. Lyn

[Hlitner]

I am a bit surprised that any ship would call at MC on race day. It would be a real mess. Assuming that the ship docks (some ships tender) you would find that part of the race course is only a few blocks from the pier. In fact, there are some grandstands errected at an area just as you leave the port. Many streets in MC are blocked-off for the race which makes any kind of transportation very difficult. If you are a race fan this would be great opportunity since you could walk from the pier to most of the race course. Tour buses would still be able to get out of town, but would be slowed by all the various traffic controls. Once out of town things would be pretty normal.

 

Hank

[beachfollower]

I am a bit surprised that any ship would call at MC on race day. It would be a real mess. Assuming that the ship docks (some ships tender) you would find that part of the race course is only a few blocks from the pier. In fact, there are some grandstands errected at an area just as you leave the port. Many streets in MC are blocked-off for the race which makes any kind of transportation very difficult. If you are a race fan this would be great opportunity since you could walk from the pier to most of the race course. Tour buses would still be able to get out of town, but would be slowed by all the various traffic controls. Once out of town things would be pretty normal.

 

Hank

Thanks Hank,

We have heard from some of the tour operators that they are not doing tours due to the traffic. Sounds like we'll be hiking around and watch the race excitement!

[Tillylovesseabourn]

I think you may be very disappointed unless you end up paying hundreds/thousands dollars for tickets to the Gp, as you cant just view it from the sides of the road, as the track is surrounded by stands, people purchase tickets for.

 

There are specific cruises for this gp with the high end luxury cruise lines, which are in port at least two days before the gp. These lines are only very small yachts and can get up close to the private yachts and tender in.

 

I see very little possiblility that a ship the size of the crown princess, will be any where near to the action. It may even end up stopping somewhere close like Nice. There simply would'nt be the space for this ship, and judging by the premiums charged by the high end lines and costs associated with getting near the port, I would be astounded to see the Crown Princess within eyesight.

 

Maybe Princess could shed some light on the matter for you??

[Hlitner]

Tilly said it better than moi! We are big Princess fans (Elite with them) but are really surprised that they plan to go to MC on race day. We know of one other cruise line that changed their itinerary to avoid this port on race day. If Princess offers an excursion that included reserved seats to the race that would be a nice option for those who enjoy Grand Prix racing. We never use exursions in Europe (we do everything on our own) but with more than 40 years experience would still be intimitated on race day. If in your position we would probably make the long walk all the way to the train station and grab the first train to Nice. Normally, we would use the regional bus (much closer to the pier than the train station) but the traffic congestion on the lower road will likely have an adverse impact on any bus keeping near to their schedule.

 

Hank

[SallyUK]

I am a huge GP fan and DH and I travel to different race courses around the world. I would strongly advise against heading to Monaco on GP day. The circuit takes up much of the principality: the casino, tunnel, marina, church of Ste Devote etc are all part of the course. People stake out their positions from 6am in the morning so you wouldn't even be able to get to the higher viewpoints to take photos (such as by the palace), the heliport is unusable (all booked up) and things you take for granted - such as getting a signal on the mobile phone - virtually impossible. Try Nice, Eze, Villefranche, anywhere else but Monaco. Sorry

[beachfollower]

Thank you all for your experienced suggestions on Monaco. I had thought we could get somewhat close but I guess that won't be happening. Will plan on a Princess excursion if we still stay in that port. I love this site and thanks again for your responses......such a big help!

Lyn

[BiggiB]

Bonjour and a happy New Year to all of you!

Have just seen all your comments and I agree - Monaco is not the right place to visit on Grand Prix weekend, if you are not a real race fan.

However, Princess is not to blame to be in Monaco that weekend: The Grand Prix date had been altered in fall 2009 by FIA and moved from end of May to the weekend 13 to 16 May 2010 .... to late for most cruise lines to change itineraries.

I strongly suggest to take a ship's excursion, since traffic will be enormous and sights within the Principality hard to reach. The cruise ships will stay out in the bay and tender to Fontvieille, with a thousand smaller tender boats from private yachts, too. From there it is a short walk to the bus station and cruise excursions will run against the major traffic: out of town in the morning and back into town in the evening.

From the Fontvieille peninsula, there's direct access to all streets leading towards Nice, without touching the inner city.

If anyone, however, is interested to watch the races, you may check for tickets on the Automobile Club website: http://www.acm.mc.

Have a wonderful cruise, despite the hustle and bustle along the Côte d'Azur (there's the traffic intense Cannes Filmfestival on the "other end" of the Riviera, blocking easy access as well).

BiggiB

[waverley7]

Does anyone know how the grand prix race would affect private tours out of Monaco? Our Crown princess cruise is in port for the race day.

thanks. Lyn

Hi Lyn,

 

We are also on the Crown that day and I was really looking forward to being in Monaco the day of the race. However, after reading these comments and I am now wondering if I should have my hopes up. We are in port from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. so hopefully some of the crowd disperses in order to get some nice photo's and move around a bit. I don't really care about the crowds, we were just going to walk around anyway. I did read somewhere that you can see the track from the cruiseship. I only hope they don't reroute us as I really want to go there. Where are you from?

[waverley7]

hah...never mind. I see where to find where your from now.

[jo-v]

Hi Waverley....what a coincidence, my husband and I have been on every cruise you list.

[waverley7]

Well, that is a coincidence isn't it! Did you read the reveiws on the race day in Monaco? Sounds iffy, I hope they don't reroute us.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Well, that is a coincidence isn't it! Did you read the reveiws on the race day in Monaco? Sounds iffy, I hope they don't reroute us.

 

I would be very surprised if they DIDN'T re-route you folks, it WILL be chaos around there. You won't be able to get anywhere easily, and yep I forgot to add as Biggib says, it is also of course the Cannes film festival, to add to the problems.

 

The GP and film set circuses will be in town from the sunday/monday before the race, the luxury cruises that are going specifically for the GP are there from the Wednesday/Thursday, so as you can imagine, IF you did arrive on the Crown,on the Sunday,you would be a VERY long way away from the circuit, in the middle of the sea!

 

Can Princess tell you anything yet????

[beachfollower]

Thanks everyone for your continuing responses. Others on our roll call have been contacting Princess but no changes as yet. We knew about Cannes, also. Some tour operators are still offering tours but my husband and I have chosen to stick with a Princess tour to assure return to the ship on time.

We have a very active roll call for this MAY 15 cruise. I love this website!

Lyn

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Fyi, following previous thread:)

[Bear6677]

Wow, what an informative website and thread! Just joined today. My wife and I will be on the Crown Princess for the Rome to Venice cruise in May 2010. This will be our first cruise and we're really looking forward to it. We knew the GP race would be in progress so we figured we'd just try to see some things in Monaco on foot and stay away from the track area, although I read a cruise review somewhere that said you can usually see part of the race from the ship (pretty cool). For those who care, there are a couple of races back-to-back beginning at 9:30 am, then the F1 Drivers' Parade is at 12:30, then the feature race starts at 2pm. Here's a link to the race schedule: http://www.monaco-grand-prix.com/YMON/en/informations/PROGRAM/.

 

Our plan was to attend Sunday Mass at the Cathedral (10am), then walk to the Palace to see the 11:55 Changing of the Guard, then grab a bite to eat, then maybe go to the Aquarium or just walk the streets and take in the sights for the afternoon -- away from the track area. But after reading this thread, we're now having second thoughts about something even this simple.

 

Monaco will be the first port on our first cruise. Sure hope not all of them are this tough to plan!

 

Again, great website.

[Gumball Girl]

Great information - thanks everyone. We are on the Royal Caribbean Brilliance and also supposed to be in Cannes on Sunday May 16. Several people on the ship have inquired about private tours and been told they are not available.

[beachfollower]

Wow, what an informative website and thread! Just joined today. My wife and I will be on the Crown Princess for the Rome to Venice cruise in May 2010. This will be our first cruise and we're really looking forward to it. We knew the GP race would be in progress so we figured we'd just try to see some things in Monaco on foot and stay away from the track area, although I read a cruise review somewhere that said you can usually see part of the race from the ship (pretty cool). For those who care, there are a couple of races back-to-back beginning at 9:30 am, then the F1 Drivers' Parade is at 12:30, then the feature race starts at 2pm. Here's a link to the race schedule: http://www.monaco-grand-prix.com/YMON/en/informations/PROGRAM/.

 

Our plan was to attend Sunday Mass at the Cathedral (10am), then walk to the Palace to see the 11:55 Changing of the Guard, then grab a bite to eat, then maybe go to the Aquarium or just walk the streets and take in the sights for the afternoon -- away from the track area. But after reading this thread, we're now having second thoughts about something even this simple.

 

Monaco will be the first port on our first cruise. Sure hope not all of them are this tough to plan!

 

Again, great website.

 

Hi,

Check out our roll call for the same week on the Crown. We are an active roll call with alot of people planning excursions for group rates. Have never taken advantage of a "roll call" before and it is has been fun and informative. Go to roll calls and look for May 15 Med cruise.

Lyn

[Bear6677]

Thanks for the roll call info. We'll check it out. Big news: Our travel agent just told us today that the Princess rep told her the Crown will NOT be docking in Monaco because of the race. Going to Cannes instead. Expect an announcement from Princess soon. I'm into racing more than films, so I'm bummed about this change.

[Hlitner]

Thanks for the roll call info. We'll check it out. Big news: Our travel agent just told us today that the Princess rep told her the Crown will NOT be docking in Monaco because of the race. Going to Cannes instead. Expect an announcement from Princess soon. I'm into racing more than films, so I'm bummed about this change.

 

You have to love the cruise lines. I (and some others) predicted months ago that Princess would change their port-of-call on race day since there will be issues with docking space and will be very difficult for any cruise lines to operate tours out of MC. The only mystery is why it has taken Princess so long to annouce a change.

 

Hank

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Absolutely, it was pretty obvious that was never going to happen!

 

As I have said previously, people pay thousands of pounds over the odds to be in monaco on the race day, whether in harbour or hotel.

 

I just can't believe why they've strung everyone along?

 

 

Nevermind, the Cannes film festival will still be on (12th -23rd may.)

[FLACRUISER99]

See This http://www.riviera-ports.com/Display.aspx?p=y&s=y&menuitem=13202&URL=/Croisiere/Horaires/DisplaySchedules.ascx&datefrom=15/05/2010&dateto=17/05/2010&company=PRINCESS CRUISES&boat=CROWN PRINCESS&port= They have a Provisional stopover, this does not mean that anything is changed orly that they can switch if they want to.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

Princess have confirmed with TA that they will NOT be stopping in Monaco, but in Cannes instead, so we can say this is changed.

[Scubachick84]

My parents are booked on the Crown Princess and they booked this particular itinerary with Monaco in mind. As experienced cruisers though we know that the ships can change ports at the last minute and so on. We had our doubts about the ship making port that day, however, having contacted multiple Princess reps on various occasions, they were repeatedly assured that the race day would not affect the itinerary and my father then proceeded to purchase a ticket to the race at considerable expense.

 

They've just been informed of the change in itinerary to Cannes today. Does anybody have any information about a transfer service or trains that would be able to take him to Monaco for the race and back to Cannes after? Is this feasible? I don't think his ticket is refundable and he's very upset by the whole situation.

 

Thanks for your help,

Laura

[Hlitner]

Laura, I am sorry your parents are disappointed on the itinerary change. As I said months ago, it seemed like Princess was the last to know that they would not go to Monte Carlo on race day. Your parents can get to Monte Carlo on their own by simply taking the train from Cannes. It takes about 20 - 25 min to walk from the tender pier to the train station and its a lot faster with a taxi or local bus. The trains run at least once an hour (usually more often), take about an hour each way, and do not accept reservations. I believe the train fare is about 10 Euros. Depending on the cruise ship departure time you parents may not have time to see the entire race, but I guess some is better than nothing. We were somewhat surprised that Princess decided to go to Cannes instead of Villefranche (much closer to Monte Carlo) but I guess they decided it was smart to get further away from the race day congestion.

 

Hank