Marseilles to Aix

[dlhoward]

There are 12 of us going on a RCI cruise. We will be docking in Marseilles. We would like to go to Aix. The cost of the do it on your excursion is $64. Leaving at 7:15 a.m., getting dropped off for 4-1/2 hours in Aix and then brought back to the ship. One of their other excursions is $54 and starts at 8:00 for 4 hours. You get a guide to take you through the town then 1 hour of leisure time. For those prices are we better off with the ships excursion over trying to catch buses and trains and trying to get back in time?

[awatt]

There are 12 of us going on a RCI cruise. We will be docking in Marseilles. We would like to go to Aix. The cost of the do it on your excursion is $64. Leaving at 7:15 a.m., getting dropped off for 4-1/2 hours in Aix and then brought back to the ship. One of their other excursions is $54 and starts at 8:00 for 4 hours. You get a guide to take you through the town then 1 hour of leisure time. For those prices are we better off with the ships excursion over trying to catch buses and trains and trying to get back in time?

 

The train is easy to get to and less than teh ship's excursion. And you can come and go as you please. One hour of leisure time is not enough, and IMHO 4-1/2 hours too much.

 

We did a half day tour (5 hours) with a private guide and did Aix and Les Baux. We liked Aix and the market, but LOVED Les Baux. With 12 people a private guide is probably cheaper than teh ships excursion. We used Taxi Durand and Loisette did a very good job.

[dlhoward]

With whom did you do your private tour with?

[Hlitner]

It really depends on how much you like excursions. Personally, we always prefer to be on our own so we can simply do what we want, when we want, with who we want. In the case of Aix, there are excellent train connections between Marseille St Charles station and Aix. Once in Aix, you can stop at the tourist office and pick-up a local mao and info on the sites. Most of Aix is best explored on foot. After assisting many here over the years (and also helping friends on cruises) we have learned that there are some travelers that feel more comfortable with a guide and others (like us) that just like freedom. When we are in Aix, we always look forward to a long lunch in one of the cafes along the Cours Mirabelle. One of our major complaints about tours is that they never allow for long lazy lunches (a European tradition) and when they do include lunch it is usually at a place that seems to specialize in tourists. Keep in mind that many tours choose their restaurants based on how much the place kick-backs to the tour company.

 

Hank

[deniuh]

There are 12 of us going on a RCI cruise. We will be docking in Marseilles. We would like to go to Aix. The cost of the do it on your excursion is $64. Leaving at 7:15 a.m., getting dropped off for 4-1/2 hours in Aix and then brought back to the ship. One of their other excursions is $54 and starts at 8:00 for 4 hours. You get a guide to take you through the town then 1 hour of leisure time. For those prices are we better off with the ships excursion over trying to catch buses and trains and trying to get back in time?

 

Hi,

We did the ship's excursion a few years ago. We usually hire private drivers for all of our excursions but decided to go with rccl this time. The guided tour didn't take long once we got to AIX. Actually I feel like we had more leisure time - like 2 hrs or more just walking around. It's a small quaint town - wonderful place to purchase soap. Once we got back to the ship at noon, we shared a cab with another couple and went into Marseille for Bouillabase. I say go with the ship's tour for this one.Have fun!

[deniuh]

There are 12 of us going on a RCI cruise. We will be docking in Marseilles. We would like to go to Aix. The cost of the do it on your excursion is $64. Leaving at 7:15 a.m., getting dropped off for 4-1/2 hours in Aix and then brought back to the ship. One of their other excursions is $54 and starts at 8:00 for 4 hours. You get a guide to take you through the town then 1 hour of leisure time. For those prices are we better off with the ships excursion over trying to catch buses and trains and trying to get back in time?

 

Actually, I missed the part about 12 of you. Have you thought about getting a private driver with a guide. That might be even cheaper and you can spend your time as you wish. Good luck!

[herbshopgirl]

We took the bus to AIX, bus stop is an easy walk from the port. Once in AIX we picked up a map at the tourist office and enjoyed exploring. One of our best days and very inexpensive.

[dlhoward]

What is there to do in Marseille? Maybe we will job into town after we get back. Do you need to take a cab or bus there and back to the port or can you walk?

[Susan-M]

What is there to do in Marseille? Maybe we will job into town after we get back. Do you need to take a cab or bus there and back to the port or can you walk?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=167

[deniuh]

What is there to do in Marseille? Maybe we will job into town after we get back. Do you need to take a cab or bus there and back to the port or can you walk?

 

There is a beautiful Church - one of the many Notre Dames. The Marina is beautiful and lots of restaurants where you can try Bouillabase which is a French special. You need a cab into Marseille - it's not in walking distance. The ship docks in an Industrial area - there is nothing to see.