Monte Carlo AND Villefrance as ports on same cruise - one day after the other!

[DYKWIA]

Looking at some of the 2017 cruises surprised to see some strange port choices - with shorter cruises and plenty of overnights shoe horned in.

 

One cruise has a stay in Monte Carlo till 11pm followed the next by a stay in Ville France till 11pm - these ports are about 8 miles away from one another. with a train connecting them every 30 mins or so.

 

Half the people who go to Villefrance get on the train andspend the day in Monte Carlo - seems a bizarre move. They cruise between the two overnight - I could walk it in 2-3 hours yet the ship will take 7-8 hours.

[jelayne]

Apparently the fees to remain docked overnight are more expensive than cruising overnight in a number of ports. Have been on many cruises where we leave a port at 5 or 6 pm to go less than 50 miles to the next port arriving at 8am.

[DYKWIA]

Apparently the fees to remain docked overnight are more expensive than cruising overnight in a number of ports. Have been on many cruises where we leave a port at 5 or 6 pm to go less than 50 miles to the next port arriving at 8am.

 

50 miles is one thing but Monte Carlo to Villefrance is utterly ridiculous - they are effectively next door to one another. At this rate I expect to see the eclipse add the Isle of Wight on to its Southamption itineraries

[suec12]

Yes, it does seem a bit odd but if a cruiser has never been to that slice of the coast, there is alot to do. We have spent quite a few nights in Nice and not yet seen all we want, so I would think people could have a nice time exploring the area for several days.

[cynbar]

I actually would like these stops,have been to both places and agree there is plenty to do. I'd spend one day in Nice, one day in Monte Carlo. Love both of them and find them very different. To each how own -- we see complaints that Celebrity should change its itineraries, now they have!

[Suzy Smith]

It's a lovely part of the world and I totally agree there is plenty to do and see in the area, but to dock in Monaco and then go to all the trouble of leaving the port at the end of the day to sail down the coast and anchor at another port that is practically walking distance away seems bizarre. Celebrity ships normally just call at Villefranche - could the docking at Monaco be something to do with duty-free regulations and the need to call at a non-EU port? Gibraltar is usually the non-EU port used for Western Med cruises, but perhaps that doesn't work with this itinerary.

Edited December 13, 2015 by Suzy Smith

[zoncom]

Monte Carlo is 1 sq. mile.You do have to be well dressed to gain entrance to Casino. Nice yacht harbour. Villefranche , take bus to Nice or Cannes, enjoy markets, beach front .Bus also serves hill towns.

[Chazteach1]

We tendered in Villefrache last year. Did not anchor there.

[Suzy Smith]

We tendered in Villefrache last year. Did not anchor there.

 

There is no dock for cruise ships at Villefranche, so passengers always go ashore by tender - but the ships usually anchor first!:D:)

[Chazteach1]

Duh - That was dumb of me - I was thinking docking.

[Suzy Smith]

Duh - That was dumb of me - I was thinking docking.

 

I know what you meant and was not trying to be a smarty pants at your expense - but it conjured up such a funny picture that I couldn't resist the joke.;) I hope you loved your visit to the south of France - it's a place we visit frequently and we are looking forward to our next trip in February for the Nice carnival.:)

Edited December 14, 2015 by Suzy Smith

[Host Jazzbeau]

Looking at some of the 2017 cruises surprised to see some strange port choices - with shorter cruises and plenty of overnights shoe horned in.

 

One cruise has a stay in Monte Carlo till 11pm followed the next by a stay in Ville France till 11pm - these ports are about 8 miles away from one another. with a train connecting them every 30 mins or so.

 

Half the people who go to Villefrance get on the train andspend the day in Monte Carlo - seems a bizarre move. They cruise between the two overnight - I could walk it in 2-3 hours yet the ship will take 7-8 hours.

 

Yes, but then you couldn't open the casino for 7-8 hours.

[BrendaJ]

Yes, but then you couldn't open the casino for 7-8 hours.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised that that is the main reason.

 

That being said, I think it would be great to have two days in that area. There is so much to see, you can't possibly do it all in one day. If I'd never been in the area before, I'd get a driver who could take me to Eze, St. Paul and some of the other lesser-known villages in the area. They are so picturesque. I'm sure I'd enjoy a day just wandering around in Villefranche, and a day wandering around in Monte Carlo. Although I've only done a quick drive through in Cannes and Nice, I'm sure they have a lot of offer as well.

 

I certainly wouldn't shy away from an itinerary that had two days in southern France - I'd welcome it.

[Karynanne]

I wouldn't be at all surprised that that is the main reason.

 

 

 

That being said, I think it would be great to have two days in that area. There is so much to see, you can't possibly do it all in one day. If I'd never been in the area before, I'd get a driver who could take me to Eze, St. Paul and some of the other lesser-known villages in the area. They are so picturesque. I'm sure I'd enjoy a day just wandering around in Villefranche, and a day wandering around in Monte Carlo. Although I've only done a quick drive through in Cannes and Nice, I'm sure they have a lot of offer as well.

 

 

 

I certainly wouldn't shy away from an itinerary that had two days in southern France - I'd welcome it.

 

 

Agree with you! There is so much to see in this region.

 

Grasse is the perfume area. It's interesting to see how perfume is made.

 

Menton is another wonderful little city, filled with quaint shops and villages.

 

I would welcome 2 days in this area!