France ship excursions

[Caren.M]

Hello!  We are booked on a France Intensive cruise and have $700 OBC to spend.  We usually book independent shore excursions but wondering if we should use some of our OBC on Azamara's excursions. Ports are Carcassone (Sete), Marseille, Sanary-Sur-Mer, St. Tropez, Calvi (Corsica), Cannes, & Monte Carlo.  Any ship's excursions you would recommend to use our OBC?  Or should we use it for other things (though not sure what since most expenses may be included).  This will be our first Azamara cruise; we usually cruise Celebrity.  Thank you for any feedback you can provide!  Happy New Year!

Edited December 31, 2018 by ccmacentee

[laurieb]

We enjoyed our ships tour to carcassone in 2017!

[donaldsc]

If you are considering buying stuff on board, be aware that the shops on Azamara are small w a limited selection.  I would try to find excursions.

 

DON

Edited January 1, 2019 by donaldsc

[Baynanno1]

It rather depends on what you like. Check out the shore excursions brochure.

Read between the lines to discover travel time vs. time at the site or sites.

 

I also enjoyed the ship's tour to Carcassone from Port Vendres in 2017.

Glad I did it then, as the price in 2018 was above your on board credit! 😲

[QueenP]

If you need wifi, use it to buy the unlimited package. If you want to try specialty dining, use it for that.

[kek123]

I enjoyed the ships excursions to Aix en Provence from Marseille as well as a walking tour in Monte Carlo. If you like jewelry the ships store has some beautiful and pricy things.

[cpgrneyes]

On 12/31/2018 at 2:59 PM, laurieb said:

We enjoyed our ships tour to carcassone in 2017!

 

As did we! Because of the distance and the time in port, it was well worth it to us to visit Carcassone with Azamara. We also use our OBC for the premium beverage package, WiFi upgrade and specialty dining. After seven Azamara cruises, we have yet to purchase anything in the shops.

[travelberlin]

For most of the ports you are mentioning you do not need excursions. For example, St. Tropez, Cannes and Montecarlo.

I would recommend an excursion to Aix en Provence from Marseilles and to Carcassone.

I would also use some OBC in WiFi. Shopping is extremely limited.

Ivi

Edited January 2, 2019 by travelberlin

[nordski]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

For most of the ports you are mentioning you do not need excursions. For example, St. Tropez, Cannes and Montecarlo.

I would recommend an excursion to Aix en Provence from Marseilles and to Carcassone.

I would also use some OBC in WiFi. Shopping is extremely limited.

Ivi

 

I agree in general. However, if they offer the “Absynthe Tasting in St. Tropez” we had one of the best guides I have encountered. 

 

It was a memorable experience and it is to my discredit that I did not record her name.

[150edmiston]

If Port Grimaud is on offer from your St Tropez stop,  i’d consider it.  Really unusual place with small canals, motor boat hire, and a nice walk up the hill to the fort.

 

David

[Caren.M]

Thank you all for the great ideas!  I greatly appreciate your input!

[crazyman3]

On 1/2/2019 at 8:52 PM, nordski said:

 

I agree in general. However, if they offer the “Absynthe Tasting in St. Tropez” we had one of the best guides I have encountered. 

 

It was a memorable experience and it is to my discredit that I did not record her name.

 

I'm surprised that you remember anything about an absynthe tasting! That can be a powerful spirit! Sounds amazing though!

[crazyman3]

I've been to Montecarlo twice. Pretty but not much there apart from a fab church with the remains of Princess Grace. Yes there is the casino but we're not gamblers.

Of course you can always just sit back in a cafe and enjoy people watching...

 

Corsica sounds fun but I think the travel time will be too long.

 

Never been to Carcassone but it is on my list.

 

Don't forget to tell us what you decide!

 

 

[nordski]

4 hours ago, crazyman3 said:

 

I'm surprised that you remember anything about an absynthe tasting! That can be a powerful spirit! Sounds amazing though!

 

Thanks for that comment which made me laugh.

 

Somehow fears of the drink stoked by stories of life in disreputable Paris bars at the turn of the 20th Century enforced my temperance. 🙂 That and my terribly boring personality.

 

The guide did what few guides do. She established some themes, including sex and bar life (neither dealt with in a prurient manner), on which we could hang the important facts about the history of the town.

 

At the bar she also sang some very passable Piaf!

[crazyman3]

1 hour ago, nordski said:

 

Thanks for that comment which made me laugh.

 

Somehow fears of the drink stoked by stories of life in disreputable Paris bars at the turn of the 20th Century enforced my temperance. 🙂 That and my terribly boring personality.

 

The guide did what few guides do. She established some themes, including sex and bar life (neither dealt with in a prurient manner), on which we could hang the important facts about the history of the town.

 

At the bar she also sang some very passable Piaf!

 

Oh poor you! At times we must all suffer under the banner of 'research'. 

 

Whereto next? Amsterdam to check out the wonderful gin ----the original 'gin palace' liquid before it was made illegal in England?

Chartreuse or Benedictine excursions? I'm not sure about comparing the Piaf renditions by monks to your guide's talents!

How about Newcastle in northern England to check the wonderful beer ---actually the thought of a choir of miners singing 'No regrets' is too much. Too Monty Python!

  

[nordski]

33 minutes ago, crazyman3 said:

 

Oh poor you! At times we must all suffer under the banner of 'research'. 

 

Whereto next? Amsterdam to check out the wonderful gin ----the original 'gin palace' liquid before it was made illegal in England?

Chartreuse or Benedictine excursions? I'm not sure about comparing the Piaf renditions by monks to your guide's talents!

How about Newcastle in northern England to check the wonderful beer ---actually the thought of a choir of miners singing 'No regrets' is too much. Too Monty Python!

  

 

All excellent suggestions!

 

Our next cruise includes ports of Northern France, so perhaps Chartreuse or Benedictine should be sampled.

 

And let my say that I really enjoy the draft Newcastle Brown while on board. Although, when I mentioned this to a Brit I had the sense he was unimpressed with my colonial tastes on that issue.

 

On my next glass I shall think of John Cleese leading the miner’s choir! 😄