The Best Way To Experience Marseille And Its Cruise Port

Table Of Content

• The Marseille Cruise Port's Infrastructure
• Marseille Port Fos cruise terminals
• Boarding the ship at the cruise port of Marseille
• From Saint-Charles train station
• How to Get from Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal to the City Centre on Your Own
• From Marseille Provence Airport
• How to Choose Cruises to Norwegian Fjords

Make your way to Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille’s iconic basilica, that crowns a limestone outcrop overlooking the city, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city below. Erected in the 19th century in the Romano-Byzantine style, the exteriors are adorned with mosaics, marble and murals in a breathtaking relic of otherworldliness and spirituality. Capping the basilica’s slender spire is a towering statue of the virgin Mary, whose watchful gaze is seen as a source of protection over the city’s sailors and fishermen. Once you get to St-Charles train station, the easiest way to get the local train or tram tickets you need (it’s the same ticket system) is to simply go to a ticket machine at the station. You can choose to view the screen instructions in English, French, or several other languages.

The Marseille Cruise Port's Infrastructure

Cruise lines that frequently visit the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal include the renowned Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Cunard, among others. These cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries, from brief Mediterranean voyages to extensive global circumnavigations. To meet the shuttles after getting off your cruise ship, follow the green line across the ground, which will take you to the exit from the cruise terminal. At the exit you’ll find an air-conditioned shuttle (free, for cruise passengers who have yet to venture further into the city by using the Metro, taxis, or on foot) that takes you another 15 minutes. He large-capacity cruise terminals welcome cruise passengers at the head of the line and in transit in the Mediterranean aboard the latest generation of cruise ships. Designed in consultation with the world's leading cruise operators, they offer a range of services that meet the expectations of shipowners and cruise passengers.

Marseille Port Fos cruise terminals

Vibrant, colorful and bustling with people, the Old Port has been the beating heart of the city for centuries and is nowadays a symbol of Marseille. Arles is a historical city notorious for being the home of the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Here he painted his famous ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘Café Terrace at Night’ paintings. The city is also home to various UNESCO-listed ancient monuments, such as the renowned bullring, Les Arènes and a Roman theatre, thermal baths and necropolis. You can also catch the train, which takes just under an hour and a half.

Boarding the ship at the cruise port of Marseille

Navigating through the Marseille cruise port and its surrounding city is a seamless experience for travelers. Free shuttle bus services operate regularly from the port to the city, arriving every 20 minutes. This port enjoys fantastic transportation options that make it easy to reach even for first-time cruise guests. Travelers can reach the port via flights into Marseille airport followed by a short road transfer or directly using rail services to Gare St-Charles train station.

La Joliette, the primary cruise terminal in Marseille, caters chiefly to small and medium-sized vessels. The Cruise Port Guide furnishes useful details about passenger terminals’ locations in the city and ways to reach them. Besides being strategically positioned for easy access, proximity to charming destinations like the French Riviera and historical cities such as Barcelona enhances its manifold appeal among cruise passengers. Tourist information offices at 4 La Canebière and within Gare St-Charles train station offer navigational guidance around this bustling site. Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships.

The J4 terminal - the cruise terminal in the heart of the city !

This cruise port is located near Place de la Joliette and within walking distance of the Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port), the main tourist district where the city’s main landmarks and attractions are located. La Joliette cruise terminal has several berths and is dedicated to small and medium-sized vessels including cruise ships, tender boats, cargo ships, mega yachts and ferries with lengths less than 200 m/565 ft. As your voyage comes to an end and you prepare to disembark from your cruise ship, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Marseille, the largest city of Southern France, with its bustling city centre, scenic Mediterranean coast, historical landmarks, and modern cruise terminals, has offered you a bouquet of experiences. You’ve ventured through bustling markets, explored historical landmarks, savoured culinary delights, and admired the azure expanse of the Mediterranean sea.

The Old Port of Marseille is a haven for food enthusiasts, offering visitors a diverse range of culinary delights. From traditional French cuisine to international fusion dishes, the local dining options cater to all tastes and preferences. With a beach pass, you’ll have access to beautiful beaches and nearby attractions.

From Marseille Provence Airport

Statistical data for 2011 showed that over 65% of the world's large-sized cruise liners were in the Mediterranean, making ship repairs a profitable business in the region. Port Marseille's other 2 dry-dock yards operating under concession are No 8 (320 x 50 m / 1050x165 ft) and No 9 (250 x 37 m / 820x121 ft). In 2014, Fos Port's cargo shipping traffic was 78,5 million tons, the number of handled TEU-containers 1,18 million, the number of handled passengers (ferries and cruise) 2,5+ million. Today, Vieux Port houses a large Yacht Marina, local tour boats terminal and a huge fish market. Vieux Port renovation project's 2nd phase (by the year 2020) includes building nature parks around the port and has budget of EUR 64 million.

Drug Bust on Cruise Ship: Four Brazilians Arrested in Marseille with 95 Kilos of Cocaine - Crew Center

Drug Bust on Cruise Ship: Four Brazilians Arrested in Marseille with 95 Kilos of Cocaine.

Posted: Tue, 16 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

How to Choose Cruises to Norwegian Fjords

The airport is a 20 to 30-minute drive by car from the center of the city, depending on traffic. The route between the airport and cruise terminals area is only approximately 20 minutes by car. If you arrive on a large cruise ship, using the free shuttle that transports cruise guests to the Joliette area is a good idea. This is where you can easily access the city’s public bus stops and tram stations. No direct connection between Marseille Provence Airport and the Cruise Terminals.

This lovely town is known for its falaises (cliffs) and the Calanques (sheltered inlets), renowned wines, pebbly beaches, and a picturesque harbour filled with seafront cafes and restaurants. The château was built in the 16th century for military and defensive purposes, however, it was mainly used as a dumping ground for political and religious detainees throughout the centuries. Today, Château d’If is a historic monument and a tourist attraction that can be visited by ferry from the Vieux-Port.

The office for the cruise companies' shuttle bus is located in a small cabin by the entrance to Terminal 1 and the bus-stop itself is nearby. Alternatively, click here to pre-book a holiday taxi between the airport and the Marseille cruise terminals. Whether you travel by personal vehicle or arrive via airport or train station, all routes connect efficiently to the cruise terminal within an easy 15-minute drive.

If you’re arriving at Marseille Provence Airport, you can take a shuttle bus between the airport and the train station. Find all the practical information to access the Marseille cruise port from the airport, the Saint-Charles train station and also with your personal vehicle. We’ll tell you all about the free shuttle bus that takes you to the Joliette district.

Once you disembark, public transportation from the cruise terminals to the city centre is easily accessible. Shuttle buses, including a free port bus, run regular routes, providing seamless connectivity to the city center and various other tourist attractions. For the more independent travellers, the railway station is a short bus ride away, providing easy access to other French cities and towns. Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) serve the majority of cruise ships docking in Marseille. This terminal has a large-capacity building and is the embarkation point for all round-trip ship departures.