Royal Caribbean ship tours Villefranche

[gypsealin]

I would like some advice on which ship tour to take out of Villefranche. Will be on Liberty of the Seas May 14, 2011 cruise. I like the tour that goes to Nice, Eze, & Monaco with lunch in Eze (VF05). Also like the tour that goes to the same places (VF03) but has lunch at the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo and also includes entrance fee to the Grand Casino. I have heard the lunch is very good in Eze. Would like to hear from anybody that has taken either tour.

[TLCOhio]

I would like some advice on which ship tour to take out of Villefranche. Will be on Liberty of the Seas May 14, 2011 cruise. I like the tour that goes to Nice, Eze, & Monaco with lunch in Eze (VF05). Also like the tour that goes to the same places (VF03) but has lunch at the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo and also includes entrance fee to the Grand Casino. I have heard the lunch is very good in Eze. Would like to hear from anybody that has taken either tour.

 

Having lunch in Eze is wonderful. It's like sitting "on top of the world". BUT, you'd kind of like having it "ALL" during just one ship excursion. Not sure all of that will be possible. Monaco is super expensive. You'd be shocked how much lunch will cost you there at the Cafe de Paris. That Monaco Grand Casino is fairly small and not full of the "action" you might be seeking during much of the day. This is not Las Vegas. Europe's casino are a much different style. You'll be disappointed during the day if you are expecting the excitement like you might have seen in a James Bond OO7 movie. What are you seeking and expecting? Below are some visual "previews" for what is there.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,500 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

The charming mountain top village of Eze is nearby and offers great view along the coast:

 

 

 

In Monaco, the Casino might be the most famous building:

 

 

 

Here is another view of Monaco with famed hotel and part of the Casino with the scenic mountains also shown:

 

[Bruin Steve]

I would like some advice on which ship tour to take out of Villefranche. Will be on Liberty of the Seas May 14, 2011 cruise. I like the tour that goes to Nice, Eze, & Monaco with lunch in Eze (VF05). Also like the tour that goes to the same places (VF03) but has lunch at the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo and also includes entrance fee to the Grand Casino. I have heard the lunch is very good in Eze. Would like to hear from anybody that has taken either tour.

 

We did the Nice Eze and Monaco with lunch in Eze variant a few years back while on Celebrity Millennium (same tour)...It was memorable only in how bad it was...Of course, it's the tour guide, likely, more than the tour...It was enough that this August, when we return, we are NOT taking a ship's excursion, opting for a shared private tour instead...

 

Okay, here's the basic rundown of our tour from hell:

 

They took us first to Nice...nice enough--basically drove us through town and dropped us off on the market street for, basically, free time to shop and get a coffee...

Then, back on the bus and we drive to Eze...The guide leads us through town rather hastily, not pointing out much but telling us there is a great photo spot to get shots of our ship anchored off Villefranche...she runs us around town, but never locates the spot...

Then we have lunch--which, as I recall, was actually quite a good lunch...

Then, we drive to Monaco...and, she leads us on a short walking tour to and through the Cathedral to visit Princess Grace's tomb...then announces more "free time" in which we might opt to tour the Palace--on our own and at our own additional expense (one of the guides from other buses actually led their group through the Palace with commentary...our guide disappeared)...

Now, the kicker...Our guide had told us to meet back at the Yellow Submarine in front of the Oceanographic Institute at 2:00 pm...

We were back by about 1:45-1:50 and soon, others were joining us--but no sight of the guide...At 2:05, we all started thinking something was wrong...by 2:10, still no guide...I suggested to everyone we should go back to the bus ourselves (I know my way around Monaco/Monte Carlo fairly well--I'd been there a few times before and spent several days there on a couple of occasions)...but, people kept insisting that we had to wait there for the guide--and they didn't want to get lost...

Finally, at about 2:20, everyone agreed to follow me to the bus...

When we got to the bus, lo and behold, our guide was sitting on the bus, chatting away with the driver!

I asked why she did not meet us as announced...her response: It was too hot to wait up there so she came down here where it was cooler! Zero concern for a bus full of confused tourists...

 

After that, we went to Monte Carlo for, you guessed it, more unguided "free time"...in fact, too much free time...

 

Here's the problem with free time in Monte Carlo: In order to enter the Casino, 1) There is a fee and 2) There is a dress code...There is actually a "free" area of the Casino...If you wuish merely to throw a couple of coins in a slot machine and say you've gambles in Monte Carlo, you can do that without the fee or dress code...If you want to dress properly and play Bacarat a la James Bond, you need to enter the inner part...

 

Once you've blown some coins in the slots, you can wander around the park facing the Casino and take some photos...or you can window shop in the overpriced shops, but that is about it...It gets boring fast...At some point in time, everyone was just hovering around waiting for the tour to end...

 

I would have prefered a tour with more "guide" (and a better guide) and less free time...

 

I'd try to put together a small group and hire a guide--so that you can have some flexibility on timing...

 

Or, maybe you will have better luck than we did with the shore excursion...

 

Good luck...

 

Ps. Terry, that view of Ezeis probably the one our guide never found...

The restaurant the shorex took us to for lunch actually has no view...it was outside the main gates, across the highway from the parking area...but the food was good...

[TLCOhio]

Terry, that view of Ezeis probably the one our guide never found... The restaurant the shorex took us to for lunch actually has no view...it was outside the main gates, across the highway from the parking area...but the food was good...

 

Super great summary from Bruin Steve. Sadly, that guide experience would be the exception, not the rule. Hopefully!!! Here are my notes on Eze and the place where we had lunch with its awesome views, etc.

 

COASTAL SUGGESTION/DETAILS: The old village of Eze, along the coast between Nice and Monaco, hangs up in the mountains above the water and crowds. It's wonderful to visit. Great, great views! Totally charming! Have lunch or dinner there at one of the two great eating places and feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise! We ate at the Château Eza. Its website: http://www.chateauezarestaurant.com. At 1,407 feet above the Mediterranean, Eze offers commanding views of cliffs, sea, sprawling estates and off-shore islands. The village's narrow streets or more really paths among the buildings lead to the Jardin Exotique It is a maze of paths flanked by mammoth flowering plants and spiky cactuses. For about $3, you can walk up to the best view on the French Riviera. On a clear day, you can see Corsica! It does not get much better than Eze. Their tourism office:

http://www.eze-riviera.com

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,500 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[gypsealin]

Thank you for your quick reply. We are going mostly for the scenery and hope to spend time in Eze. Just don't know which excursion will allow the most time in Eze. The excursion that has lunch at the Cafe de Paris includes the lunch but we are not fancy people so it might be a bit much. Kind of leaning towards the one with the lunch in Eze. TLCOHIO, were you on a ship tour or were you on a private tour? Bruin Steve, sorry about your experience with the guide. Hope she is not a guide any more. Did you have enough time in Eze to walk to the top? I really appreciate the information I am getting from you, it is very helpful.

[TLCOhio]

TLCOHIO, were you on a ship tour or were you on a private tour? Bruin Steve, sorry about your experience with the guide. Hope she is not a guide any more. Did you have enough time in Eze to walk to the top? I really appreciate the information I am getting from you, it is very helpful.

 

We visited Eze, Provence, Nice, Monaco, etc., during a land trip, allowing added time to do more and see a wider variety of places, historic sites, etc. Hope to visit this area in Jun 2010 on an upcoming cruise and do more exploring of the smaller villages, seeing other charming areas, etc.

 

During the summer, be properly warned that Nice, Cannes, Monaco, etc. can and will be extremely crowded during their peak tourism periods. Lots and lots of people (both residents and visitors), too many cars, too few highways and limited land between the mountains and sea to hold all comfortably and easily. The movies have made these large cities seem attractive and appealing. Do not Cary Grant and Grace Kelly seem to be having fun there? So glamorous and exciting?! For movies, they make it seem so wonderful. If you are rich and in the “best, right” areas, it can seem and be wonderful. BUT, that congestion might be a turn-off. It depends on what are you expecting, seeking and willing to pay for to hang with the rich and avoid the mobs in these famed areas.

 

Keep researching and planning. Check with the tourism offices there on private tour options. There are lots of great potentials in this area along the great coastal region. You can't see it ALL in just one day. Below are a few more visual options/example for great coastal sights and sites. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,500 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

Along the scenic southern French coast west of Cannes:

 

 

 

Here is one of the parks in Monaco with the scenic mountains in the background:

 

 

 

This picture shows more of the gardens at the top of Eze that offers great views along the coast. Cactus is not my personal favorite, but the views are special.:

 

[Bruin Steve]

Thank you for your quick reply. We are going mostly for the scenery and hope to spend time in Eze. Just don't know which excursion will allow the most time in Eze. The excursion that has lunch at the Cafe de Paris includes the lunch but we are not fancy people so it might be a bit much. Kind of leaning towards the one with the lunch in Eze. TLCOHIO, were you on a ship tour or were you on a private tour? Bruin Steve, sorry about your experience with the guide. Hope she is not a guide any more. Did you have enough time in Eze to walk to the top? I really appreciate the information I am getting from you, it is very helpful.

 

The basic problem, aside from the terrible guide, is that we were rushed in Eze and had too much time in Monte Carlo...

 

Even with a good guide, I would rate the organiztion of this tour only fair...though I imagine the other tour as being even more centered on Monte Carlo...

 

I would contact Alain at Dream Tours (dream hyphen tours dot com) and have him customize a tour to your wishes...They use a large Mercedes Van that will comfortably fit eight...at a cost of 600 euros for the day...Then I'd go on your "roll call" board and see who would like to join you...

 

I am not one of those who pushes private tours for every port...I take a lot of ship's excursions myself...but, this is one of those ports where I see little advantage in the ship's offerings...You make four stops on this excursion (Nice, Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo)and too much time is wasted in rounding everyone up and moving them on and off the buses...

 

JMHO...

[BiggiB]

@BruinSteve

So sorry to hear you found Monaco boring! Terry's advise to get information beforehand, e.g. from the tourism offices, is very valuable... and necessary.

The Tourist Office is situated just above the Casino Gardens, maybe a 5 minute walk from the Casino.

 

There are 2 casinos in the vicinity of the traditional Casino Monte-Carlo, i.e. the Jeux American in the Café de Paris an the Sun Casino at Fairmont Hotel, which are free of charge, and offer gambling all day without a dress code (though "bathing attire" is generally no-go in town).

 

Besides the park above the Casino, there are the Casino terraces with a beautiful view over the port, the seaside promenade towards the beach with

the Japanese Garden en route, or the Boulevard des Moulins shopping street.

Each summer, there is a temporary exhibition at Grimaldi Forum, which is always interesting to see (such as Kyoto-Tokyo in 2010 or Moscow and the Treasures of the Czars in 2009).

[texancruzer]

We also did the Nice, Eze, Monaco tour a few years back.

 

We had a great day.

 

Don't particularly think the guide was outstanding....but we got enough info and we really like having the "free" time in each place instead of having to stick to a group like glue.......

 

We ended up seeing the new French president "up close" in Nice as he was visiting that day. I could have reached out and shook his hand....that close. Eze was lovely and the lunch was really good ! I do remember that (food!) hahaha. We really enjoyed the "rock" and walked all around and even managed a quick look see into the Jacques Cousteau Oceanagraphic Museum (ex. cost). The city area was ok, we opted to walk a bit and then chose a table and chair outside of the Cafe de Paris and people watch while having a crepe and coffee. Most enjoyable !

 

I thought this tour was a good value.....we saw and experienced alot in one day, didnt have to hassle with "on our own" (which we do alot). Just my experience - hope it helps !

[TLCOhio]

We also did the Nice, Eze, Monaco tour a few years back. We had a great day. Don't particularly think the guide was outstanding....but we got enough info and we really like having the "free" time in each place instead of having to stick to a group like glue....... I thought this tour was a good value.....we saw and experienced alot in one day, didnt have to hassle with "on our own" (which we do alot). Just my experience - hope it helps !

 

Glad your guide/tour experience worked well. Clearly Bruin Steve had a less than ideal situation. We have done BOTH private tours and ship excursions. Guides are guides!!! Some are good and average. Some great, wonderful, interesting and entertaining. Some are less.

 

A personal guide is best and ideal, especially if you can have pre-tour communications and establish that "connection" for what you need and seek to fit your travel style and personal interests. We love having a "CONVERSATION" with our guide. I like to ask lots of questions. Take many pictures. Those factors makes all of the positive difference to enjoy and experience things in the best manner. I like to learn the history, how real life works there, the current events, etc. A personal, custom guide/tour is much better than being "forced marched" through a great museum or place in a group of 25-35 people with a guide barking out details to us as we walk quickly by these great treasures. Also, in a large group, it can be hard to hear and understand everything that is being shared, asked. But, personal tours/guides are not always possible, affordable, needed, etc., for all port stops.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 25,700 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[beckster11]

TLCOhio -

What beautiful pictures! Brings back memories of my cruise stop there in 2001, but my pictures are not as nice!

[TLCOhio]

TLCOhio - What beautiful pictures! Brings back memories of my cruise stop there in 2001, but my pictures are not as nice!

 

THANKS for the nice comments on the pictures! Since you've already done the beautiful Baltics, you should consider a future option up the Norway Coast, seeing the fjords, maybe more farther north in that unique part of the world. Check out the below visuals from that cruise and the live/blog I did for that area as we explored that beautiful region. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 27,375 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[RichYak]

In 2006, we used a combination of trains and buses to go from Villefranche to Monte Carlo to Eze and back to Villefranche. It was cheap and easy if you don't need any guides.

[The Scottish Kirks]

I would like some advice on which ship tour to take out of Villefranche. Will be on Liberty of the Seas May 14, 2011 cruise. I like the tour that goes to Nice, Eze, & Monaco with lunch in Eze (VF05). Also like the tour that goes to the same places (VF03) but has lunch at the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo and also includes entrance fee to the Grand Casino. I have heard the lunch is very good in Eze. Would like to hear from anybody that has taken either tour.

 

 

Hi - we area slo crusing this ship / same date - I have started a thread on roll calls if you wnat to join ;)