Cannes vs. Monte Carlo?

[misslyss1220]

We are taking a Western Mediterranean cruise in mid/late October on Royal Caribbean. We are tendering into Cannes, and one of the optional excursions would take us to Monte Carlo. The tour lasts all day, so it's either wander around Cannes or go to Monte Carlo for the day...can't do both! I've never been to either place but they look similar judging from photos. Is it worth the extra expense to go to Monte Carlo? Thanks :)

[fabnfortysomething]

Cannes is a former fishing village which has becoming heavily touristised[is that a proper word?]

roads into and out of tend to get heavily congested. You say you are tendering in so wont have that problem

 

 

Monte Carlo is more spectacular IMO as the whole principality of Monaco is based around cliffs leading down to the sea. There are 4 areas including Monaco ville and Monte Carlo[where the famous casino is based

There is the palace which can be visited and plenty to do in a day trip

[RJHNorthyorks]

There is much more to see and do in Monte Carlo than in Cannes in my view.

[xxHadleyxx]

Like the PPs, I much prefer Monaco to Cannes. However, Cannes can be fun to walk around in, and the yatchs in the harbor are fun to gawk at. I am not sure it would be worth the time and money to take the excursion. You'd be spending an awfully lot of time in transit.

[Loonbeam]

There are also areas around Cannes, like St. Paul de Vence, Cap D'Antibes and Les Hautes du Cannes. All depends on what you want to do.

 

Also note that the Casino in MC is closed on some days, we happened to be there on a Monday and a lot of the people who went up there on the ship's tour were VERY unhappy.

[misslyss1220]

Like the PPs, I much prefer Monaco to Cannes. However, Cannes can be fun to walk around in, and the yatchs in the harbor are fun to gawk at. I am not sure it would be worth the time and money to take the excursion. You'd be spending an awfully lot of time in transit.

 

Oh man, I love gawking at yachts :D

 

I have never been to France so I thought perhaps Cannes would be a nice little "intro town" to get a taste of French culture. Of course, I've never been to Monaco either, and I'm not sure how French it is (sorry if that all sounds ignorant... I really don't know anything about that little part of the world!). Also, we're flying from the US overnight Monday into Tuesday, so we thought Wednesday would be nice to just do Cannes at our own leisure. But then I saw the Monte Carlo excursion and that threw a wrench into the whole thing lol.

[Loonbeam]

Look at Sylvie DiCristo's web site for some of the tours that she does, might give you some ideas...

 

Oh man, I love gawking at yachts :D

 

I have never been to France so I thought perhaps Cannes would be a nice little "intro town" to get a taste of French culture. Of course, I've never been to Monaco either, and I'm not sure how French it is (sorry if that all sounds ignorant... I really don't know anything about that little part of the world!). Also, we're flying from the US overnight Monday into Tuesday, so we thought Wednesday would be nice to just do Cannes at our own leisure. But then I saw the Monte Carlo excursion and that threw a wrench into the whole thing lol.

[Ashland]

We also have done the western med on RCI's Liberty..We opted for the ships offered Nice/Monaco DIY and took the little tourist train from Monaco down the hill to Monte Carlo..We hopped off in front of the Casino (wasn't disappointed as we hadn't planned or dressed to go inside) walked around a bit and hopped back on the next train.. Great way to see all three and easy to do this DIY and very affordable.

[xxHadleyxx]

Oh man, I love gawking at yachts :D

 

I have never been to France so I thought perhaps Cannes would be a nice little "intro town" to get a taste of French culture. Of course, I've never been to Monaco either, and I'm not sure how French it is (sorry if that all sounds ignorant... I really don't know anything about that little part of the world!). Also, we're flying from the US overnight Monday into Tuesday, so we thought Wednesday would be nice to just do Cannes at our own leisure. But then I saw the Monte Carlo excursion and that threw a wrench into the whole thing lol.

 

Well, you could certainly have a very nice day, soak in some of the "feel" of the French Riviera, and be able to relax and catch up on jet lag by just staying in Cannes :) Med cruises tend to be so port intensive that it can be exhausting if you try to do a major port day in every one.

 

I guess the questions are:

 

1. Is this likely to be your only trip to this area of the world?

 

2. If no. Many, many ships dock in Villefranche, which is closer to Monaco, so perhaps it would be easier to pick it up some other time.

 

3. If yes. How much do you want to see Monaco? Will you regret missing that one chance to see it? Or, are you happy to see any nice town in the area?

[misslyss1220]

 

1. Is this likely to be your only trip to this area of the world?

 

2. If no. Many, many ships dock in Villefranche, which is closer to Monaco, so perhaps it would be easier to pick it up some other time.

 

3. If yes. How much do you want to see Monaco? Will you regret missing that one chance to see it? Or, are you happy to see any nice town in the area?

 

 

Oh we will definitely go back to Europe at some point! Not sure if it will be by cruise or by land, but in any case, we love to travel and I could go to Europe a thousand times over and never get tired of it. I do not think that I will regret not going to Monaco... while it would be a neat little trip, I think some other time may be better. My fiance is OK with staying in Cannes as well, especially since this is his first cruise. So I think that is what we are leaning towards! :)

[xxHadleyxx]

Oh we will definitely go back to Europe at some point! Not sure if it will be by cruise or by land, but in any case, we love to travel and I could go to Europe a thousand times over and never get tired of it. I do not think that I will regret not going to Monaco... while it would be a neat little trip, I think some other time may be better. My fiance is OK with staying in Cannes as well, especially since this is his first cruise. So I think that is what we are leaning towards! :)

 

I am just looking at your user name! lol We are cruising together (when you said it was your fiance's first trip to Europe, I put 2 and 2 together). We'll be hanging out in Cannes, strolling the "walk of fame" area, and gawking at yatchs ourselves.

[misslyss1220]

I am just looking at your user name! lol We are cruising together (when you said it was your fiance's first trip to Europe, I put 2 and 2 together). We'll be hanging out in Cannes, strolling the "walk of fame" area, and gawking at yatchs ourselves.

 

 

Ah that's right! Did you sign up for the Meet & Mingle for our cruise? I think that's a pretty cool thing to have, I didn't know that cruises did that.

[xxHadleyxx]

Ah that's right! Did you sign up for the Meet & Mingle for our cruise? I think that's a pretty cool thing to have, I didn't know that cruises did that.

 

It's a Royal Caribbean thing, and yes we did. We love the Meet and Mingles :)

[misslyss1220]

It's a Royal Caribbean thing, and yes we did. We love the Meet and Mingles :)

 

I think we are going to sign up too! :D

[Eurotravelmagazine]

Oh we will definitely go back to Europe at some point! Not sure if it will be by cruise or by land, but in any case, we love to travel and I could go to Europe a thousand times over and never get tired of it. I do not think that I will regret not going to Monaco... while it would be a neat little trip, I think some other time may be better. My fiance is OK with staying in Cannes as well, especially since this is his first cruise. So I think that is what we are leaning towards! :)

 

I would have no hesitation in staying in Cannes - been there many times and its great fun. I'm not a great fan of Monte Carlo to be honest. Two suggested little trips from Cannes - you can get a boat out to the islands, the Iles de Lerins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9rins_Islands or you could get a train or bus to Antibes. The old town here is lovely, ancient and partially walled and outside there are plenty of multi-million $ yachts. Antibes is about 7 miles from Cannes. Of course if you really wanted to go to Monte Carlo, you could always get a helicopter. It only takes 15 minutes!

[misslyss1220]

I would have no hesitation in staying in Cannes - been there many times and its great fun. I'm not a great fan of Monte Carlo to be honest. Two suggested little trips from Cannes - you can get a boat out to the islands, the Iles de Lerins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9rins_Islands or you could get a train or bus to Antibes. The old town here is lovely, ancient and partially walled and outside there are plenty of multi-million $ yachts. Antibes is about 7 miles from Cannes. Of course if you really wanted to go to Monte Carlo, you could always get a helicopter. It only takes 15 minutes!

 

Thank you for the tips! :)

[Got2Cruise]

All Cruise lines have the Meet and Mingle or Meet and Greet. You sign up here on Cruise Critic. Look for the "Roll Call" page. Years ago, Royal was the only line that offered ship sponsored get togethers, but now the other cruiselines do also. That's the best part of Cruise critic, the roll calls.:)

It's a Royal Caribbean thing, and yes we did. We love the Meet and Mingles :)

[relaxlynn]

I am just looking at your user name! lol We are cruising together (when you said it was your fiance's first trip to Europe, I put 2 and 2 together). We'll be hanging out in Cannes, strolling the "walk of fame" area, and gawking at yatchs ourselves.

We are also on this same cruise in October. The RCI excursion to Monaco description doesn't say if it goes to the church where Princess Grace is or the palace so I can't decide. Where do you find out about the train in Monaco? Thanks for the info about walking around in Cannes.