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Cruise Port of Marseille | 12 Best Things To Do in Marseille, France

Welcome to the cruise port of Marseille, France! (Post updated: March 2024)

Marseille is the second most populated city in France and the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It is a colorful and diverse city known for its magnificent architecture, unique culture, vibrant Vieux-Port (Old Port), beaches, and a variety of historic landmarks. It is also a gateway to the popular cities of Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and a breathtaking Calanques National Park. In this article, read about:

• Marseille cruise port (Marseille cruise terminal, getting around)
• Top 12 things to do in port Marseille (including Marseille shore excursions to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Parc National des Calanques)

Visit also our cruise guides for Cannes , Villefranche , Ajaccio , Valencia , Barcelona , Cagliari ,   Palma de Mallorca

Cruise Port of Marseille

Officially called Marseille Fos Port , the port of Marseille is one of the leading ports in France and one of the major transit ports for cruises and ferries in the Mediterranean. It consists of two cruise ship terminals: La Joliette Cruise Port (operated by Port of Marseille Fos) and Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (operated by M.P.C.T).

1. Joliette cruise terminals

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.

Small cruise ships usually dock at J4 Terminal, however, the majority of the cruise vessels are too big to dock here, so they dock at MPCT (read more below). Joliette cruise port also serves ferries to Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco).

2. MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal)

This cruise ship terminal is also known as MPCC (Marseille Provence Cruise Center) or Môle Léon Gourret piers. MPCT is located in the industrial zone northwest of the Vieux-Port de Marseille, approximately 8 km/5 miles (a 20-minute drive) from the city center.

MPCT has six berths that can accommodate up to 6 cruise vessels at a time, regardless of the size. There are six cruise terminals (Terminals A, B, C, D, F, E) with modern cruise terminal buildings offering embarkation/disembarkation facilities, luggage drop-off, check-in areas, and large car parks. MPCT is both an embarkation port and a port of call. You will also find a cafeteria, a tourist information office point, and several ATMs.

The motorway A55 connects MPCT and the Vieux-Port de Marseille. To get to the cruise terminals from the city center, you need to drive along A55 and take Exit 5 (Sortie no 5) – Porte 4 (Gate 4) after a few kilometers. Porte 4 is the port entrance/exit and here you’ll find bus stops for bus lines 35, 36 and 36B (the nearest stop is “Terminal Croisières”). You have a few options to get to the Marseille city center from MPCT:

• The first option is to take bus 35 which leaves from the port exit (Porte 4). There is a considerable amount of walk to reach Porte 4 from the terminal buildings, from 800 m to 2 km, depending on where your ship docks. You can either take a taxi for a short drive or simply walk up to 20 minutes following the green line to reach it. Once you arrive at Porte 4, look for the “Terminal Croisières” bus stop and take the bus to the Joliette terminus. Once you arrive at Joliette, you can either take a 15-minute walk to the Vieux-Port de Marseille or catch a tram (line T2 or T3), bus, or metro line 2 to all points within the city center (tram and metro station are both located around 250 m from the Joliette terminus).
• Alternatively, the port of Marseille may offer a free shuttle bus service exclusively for cruise passengers. The shuttle bus runs approximately every 30 minutes between the Môle Léon Gourret (you’ll find the shuttle bus stop on the way to the port exit) and Joliette terminus, stopping at the vast Les Terrasses du Port shopping mall along the way. The schedule of these free shuttles may vary based on the season and the number of ships in port. You may encounter long queues on busy days. Cruise lines normally don’t advertise this option to the passengers to avoid their competitors (cruise lines tend to sell their shore excursions/paid shuttle buses).
• Cruise lines normally offer paid shuttle bus service to Marseille city center which may cost up to 20€ round trip depending on the cruise line. It takes around 20 minutes drive to reach Marseille downtown.
• Taxis are available in the terminal area. It is more convenient to share a taxi if you travel with a group than to buy individual shuttle bus tickets. The taxi costs roughly 20-30€ per vehicle one way.
• You can always book a shore excursion by your cruise line/independent tour operator if you opt for a guided option.

Getting Around Marseille Port

• The currency in Marseille France is EURO (€). Local currency and credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available at the cruise terminal and in the city.
• Marseille Provence Airport (Aéroport Marseille Provence) is located around 20 km/12.5 miles (a 20-30 minute drive, depending on the traffic) from MPCT. The distance to the Joliette cruise terminal is 23 km/14 miles (a 20-25 minute drive). The distance from the airport to the Vieux-Port de Marseille is roughly 25 km/15.5 miles (25-30 minutes drive).
• Since MPCT is also a turnaround port (cruises start and end here), you may need a transfer from the airport to the cruise terminal . Some cruise lines offer transfer options for a fee. Alternatively, to get to MPCT from the airport you can take the airport’s shuttle bus to Marseille Saint-Charles station and then take public transport (metro line 2 to Joliette and then bus 35) or a taxi to the cruise terminal. However, this option is very time-consuming and complicated, and it’s better to arrange a private transfer or take a taxi directly from the airport. Book a private transfer to/from Marseille cruise port
• Public transport in Marseille (bus, tram, metro) is operated by RTM (Régie des transports métropolitains). The ticket purchased at the terminal costs 1.70€ and is valid for 1 hour of connection (including round trip) throughout the RTM network. However, keep in mind that you are limited to only one access to the metro. You can recharge the same ticket later, so make sure you keep it. There are other packages available which you can check online or with the tourist information office at the cruise terminal. Visit the official RTM website here https://www.rtm.fr/
• Marseille-Saint-Charles train station (Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles) is the main railway station in Marseille, located 8 km/5 miles (20 minutes drive) southeast of MPCT and around 2 km/1.2 miles (10 minutes drive) from Vieux-Port de Marseille and Joliette terminals. Trains in France are operated by SNCF (National Railway Network) and you can check the departures and fares on the official website https://www.sncf.com/en
• Petit Train de Marseille (Train Touristique de Marseille) is a little tourist train that allows you to have a commentated train ride through the city with stops at major tourist attractions. The trains depart from the Old Port (Vieux-Port de Marseille), at 174 Quai du Port. There are 3 different routes and the duration of each one is around 30-40 minutes. You can find all the necessary information on the official website https://petit-train-marseille.com/
• Colorbüs is a Marseille Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus that allows visitors to hop on and off at 25 stops in the city as many times as they want. There are a Red line, Blue line and Combined pass (Red+Blue) that cover all main Marseille attractions including the seaside and the city suburbs. Colorbüs Marseille also departs from the Vieux Port de Marseille (86 Quai du Port). Check out Colorbüs tours and tickets on Viator and Get Your Guide
• Marseille City Pass (24h, 48h and 72h) allows access to dozens of attractions, museums, Little Train Tour, boats, guided tours, unlimited public transport tickets, and more. Buy Marseille City Pass
• Explore Marseille tours and activities
• Rent a car in Marseille
• Check out the best hotels in Marseille

12 Best Things to Do in Cruise Port of Marseille

Before I share the best things to do in Marseille, I invite you to grab your copy of the “ Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide” , the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports (including Marseille) , packed with practical information, expert tips & unforgettable experiences! (PDF format/200 pages)

1. Vieux-Port de Marseille (Old Port)

The Old Port of Marseille is located at the bottom of the famous  Canebière , the main shopping street of Marseille. Guarded by two massive forts (Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean), the iconic Old Port is the oldest part of the city and the place where the history of Marseille began. 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.

Besides promenades packed with cafes, restaurants and shops, here you can find a fish market (Marché aux Poissons) on Quay des Belges, the picturesque Sainte Marie lighthouse , the 17th-century Baroque building of the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), a metro station, Colorbüs hop on hop off bus station, ferry boats, Petit Trains de Marseille and many other attractions.

If you are interested in the arts, history and culture of Marseille, in the surrounding streets, you’ll also find a few museums and churches including the Marseille History Museum ,  The Marseille Soap Museum  and others. Old Port is also one of the main places to eat in Marseille, so make sure you try out delicious local seafood specialties.

Check out Marseille Old Port tours and activities

2. Notre Dame de la Garde

Built in the 19th century on the foundations of an ancient fort on the top of the city’s highest hill, Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde (known as “la Bonne Mère” – “the Good Mother” among the local population) is the symbol of Marseille and the city’s most visited landmark.

The impressive Romano-Byzantine basilica is famous for its lavish interior and grand bell tower capped with the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. The church dominates the city skyline and can be seen from downtown. It is located at approximately 2.5 km/1.5 miles (a 35-minute walk) from the Old Port and you can reach it on foot (multiple stairs involved) or via bus (bus no. 60 stops in front of the basilica). Access to the church is free.

Explore Notre Dame de la Garde tours and activities

3. Le Panier (Marseille’s Old Town)

Le Panier neighborhood is Marseille’s Old Town, located just north of the Vieux-Port. The Panier is famous for its steep alleys, artistic ambiance, colorful murals, old and tall buildings, historic squares and hilly streets filled with authentic cafes, eateries and shops. Some of the major city landmarks are located in Le Panier such as:

• Marseille Cathedral – Also known as Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille and Cathédrale de la Major , this stunning cathedral built in the Byzantine and Roman Revival styles dates back to the early 19th century and is renowned for its magnificent interior lined with murals, mosaic and marble. The cathedral overlooks La Joliette cruise port.
• Vieille Charité (Centre de la Vieille Charité) – Situated in the heart of Le Panier, only 600 m from Marseille Cathedral, this exceptional building was designed by the Marseille-born architect Pierre Puget and built between 1671 and 1749. Originally built as an almshouse (a charitable housing for the city’s poor and beggars), this domed architectural gem today houses the Marseille International Poetry Centre, the Museum of Art of Africa, Oceania and Amerindia, research centers, art galleries, museums and a bookshop.
• Église Saint Laurent – The 12th-century church of Saint Laurent and the adjoining 17th-century chapel of Sainte-Catherine dominate La Joliette, Le Panier district and the Old Port from a hilltop.
• Mucem – Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean – A museum stands at the entrance to the Vieux-Port and offers an amazing insight into the civilizations of the Mediterranean.
• Musée Regards de Provence – This classic and modern art museum overlooks La Joliette wharves and is located across Mucem, next to Marseille Cathedral.
• Église Notre-Dame-des-Accoules – Another beautiful place of worship located right behind the City Hall, a few blocks away from the Vieux-Port.
• Place de Lenche – One of the most famous squares where you’ll find numerous eateries and cafes.

Check out Le Panier tours and activities

4. Vallon des Auffes

Located in the 7 th arrondissement of Marseille, 2.5 km/1.5 miles (a 30-minute walk) southwest of the Vieux Port, Vallon des Auffes is a small Provençal fishing village and a fishermen’s paradise. Nestled between two cliffs, at a stone’s throw from the Catalan beach, this charming village boasts picturesque fishermen’s huts and small traditional fishing boats scattered on both sides of Pont du Vallon des Auffes , a concrete arched bridge built in the 19th century, during the construction of the Corniche of President John F. Kennedy.

Vallon des Auffes is a true hidden gem of Marseille and if you are looking for a peaceful oasis and fresh fish specialties, this is the place to go!

Explore Vallon des Auffes tours and activities

5. Palais Longchamp

The breathtaking Palais Longchamp is located in the 4 th arrondissement of Marseille, roughly 2 km/1.2 miles (a 30-minute walk) east of the Vieux-Port. This impressive historical monument was constructed in the 19th century to bring water to the city and nowadays is home to the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Marseille, east wing of the palace) and Natural History Museum of Marseille (Muséum Histoire Naturel de Marseille, west wing).

The palace is surrounded by a wonderful park filled with animal sculptures and an imposing fountain with cascades (known as château d’eau or “water castle”). Palais Longchamp area is open to the public and is a true green oasis in the middle of the bustling city.

Check out Palais Longchamp tours and activities

6. Château d’If

The iconic Château d’If is a fortress and former prison famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas’ adventure novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Château d’If is located about 1.5 km/1 mile offshore from Marseille and 5.5 km/3.5 miles from the Vieux-Port. It is the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago known for being entirely fortified and centered around the “château”, a square, three-story building flanked by three towers with large gun embrasures.

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.

Check out Château d’If tours and activities

7. Park National des Calanques

The Calanques National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and those of you who seek breathtaking landscapes. Calanques are narrow, steep-walled inlets found along the Mediterranean coast and the most beautiful examples of this formation can be found in the Massif des Calanques, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department.

The Calanques of Marseille extends for 20 km/12 miles in length along the coast between Marseille and Cassis, culminating in Mont Puget. In this beautiful national park, you can admire unique flora and fauna, spectacular landscapes and dramatic cliffs overlooking mesmerizing turquoise waters. If you are an adventure seeker, there are many activities offered such as kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and swimming among others!

The most popular coves are Calanque de Sormiou (the biggest calanque, known for rock climbing), Calanque de Sugiton (popular for hikers), Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque d’En-Vau and Calanque de Port-Miou (near Cassis). If you are taking a tour from the Marseille port (MPCT), you’ll reach the Calanques National Park in about 45 minutes drive (20 km/12 miles). If you are coming from Marseille downtown, it takes around 35 minutes drive (14 km/8.7 miles).

Explore Parc National des Calanques tours and activities

8. Frioul Islands

The Frioul Islands (Îles du Frioul) are a French archipelago located within the protected area of the Calanques National Park, about 4 km/2 miles off the coast of Marseille. Frioul archipelago is made up of four scenic islands including Pomègue, Ratonneau, Tiboulen, and If, where the legendary Château d’If is located.

The islands are home to endemic flora and fauna and boast a rich historic heritage with fortresses, ramparts, beautiful beaches, hidden coves, and a variety of restaurants and shops for tourists. L’île de Pomègues is connected to l’île de Ratonneau via a causeway and both islands can be visited on foot within a couple of hours.

There are ferry boat rides organized from Vieux-Port de Marseille. The ride takes 15 minutes each way and the boat disembarks passengers at Port du Frioul, from where you can explore the two islands on foot. While there, make sure you visit the beautiful coves (calanques) of Saint-Estève and Morgiret, as well as Calanque de la Crine, often considered the most beautiful cove of the archipelago.

Check out Frioul Island tours and activities

Located 27 km/17 miles (a 45-minute drive) east of Marseille, Cassis is a charming port town and the French Riviera’s popular tourist destination. 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.

While there, make sure you visit Cassis Market (Marché de Cassis), Plage de la Grande Mer , Plage du Bestouan , Cassis harbour and its wonderful calanques such as Calanque de Port-Miou .

Check out Cassis tours and activities

10. Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a university city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region situated 32 km/20 miles (a 40-minute drive) north of Marseille. The birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence has always been an inspiration for painters, writers and musicians who used to live and work in the city. Nowadays, you can visit the city’s numerous museums, art galleries, artists’ studios ( Atelier Cézanne ) or explore its historic monuments, fountains and squares.

One of the most lively places in the city is Cours Mirabeau , a beautiful tree-lined avenue where you’ll find cafes, eateries and the impressive, 19th-century Fontaine de la Rotonde with its extravagant sculptures. The city is divided into two parts: the new part called Quartier  Mazarin and the old, medieval part of the city with its narrow streets and the iconic Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence) dating from the 12th century, one of the main city’s symbols.

Aix-en-Provence is a historic city with many cobblestone areas that are not wheelchair-friendly. Make sure you make comfortable shoes while exploring the city.

Check out Aix-en-Provence tours and activities

11. Avignon

The medieval city of Avignon is located roughly 100 km/62 miles (a 1h 15-minute drive) northwest of Marseille. Set on the Rhône River, Avignon is best known for being the seat of Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. The historic center of Avignon, which includes the massive Palais des Papes ,  Avignon Cathedral and the famous Pont d’Avignon (The Bridge of Avignon), was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 due to its outstanding architectural and historic value.

Besides a large number of historic monuments and landmarks, Avignon is also famous for Festival d’Avignon , an annual arts festival that attracts tourists and art lovers from all across Europe.

Explore Avignon tours and activities

12. Orange Vélodrome

Last but not least, if you are a football fan you can visit Stade Vélodrome, home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. This massive, multi-purpose stadium has been a venue for the 1938 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and is the largest club football ground in France, with a capacity of 67.394 spectators.

Stade Vélodrome is located 3.7 km/2.3 miles (a 10-minute drive) south of Vieux-Port de Marseille. Guided tours are available.

Visit also our cruise guides for  Malaga , Alicante , Ibiza , Naples , Florence (Livorno) , Rome (Civitavecchia) , Cinque Terre (La Spezia) , Palermo (Sicily)

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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your Mediterranean cruise experience with our “ Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide “- your ultimate companion to discovering the region’s hidden treasures and creating unforgettable memories; click below to purchase your copy today and embark on the voyage of a lifetime!

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• France Ports

Shore excursions in Marseilles

By Jayjoy93 , February 28, 2017 in France Ports

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We are looking at two of the excursions offered for Royal Caribbean in Marseleilles. Either the Panoramic Marseilles and Aix or Avignon Discovery Full Day tour. Any suggestions of one over the other?

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Considering that the prices are the same, I would definitely select Avignon.

The Marseille/Aix excursion is incredibly easy and cheap to do on your own and is therefore extremely overpriced for what you will get from RCI. At least with the Avignon excursion you get a guided tour, which you would not get if you went on your own. Also, if you compared DIY to both places, the trains to/from Avignon are clearly more expensive than to/from Aix, and the timing for the former is a little trickier as there are fewer options (though not impossible by any means). Thus, the Avignon trip is a far superior value and most likely at least (if not more) interesting than Marseille/Aix.

Considering that the prices are the same, I would definitely select Avignon.   The Marseille/Aix excursion is incredibly easy and cheap to do on your own and is therefore extremely overpriced for what you will get from RCI. At least with the Avignon excursion you get a guided tour, which you would not get if you went on your own. Also, if you compared DIY to both places, the trains to/from Avignon are clearly more expensive than to/from Aix, and the timing for the former is a little trickier as there are fewer options (though not impossible by any means). Thus, the Avignon trip is a far superior value and most likely at least (if not more) interesting than Marseille/Aix.

Thanks. We have switched excursions.

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We Loved Marseille!!! - City Tour Marseille

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• City Tour Marseille

Very good information about the whole area, and a really enjoyable trip. What was not so good was... read more

We were in Marseille for 2 day before a cruise. I was a bit anxious going with 'Ross Kemp and... read more

We Loved Marseille!!!

We visited Marseilles during a Shore Excursion provided by the Royal Caribbean, it was amazing. We loved Marseilles, its a fishing village,with very beautiful mountains, I loved their small harbor area which is full of restaurants and happening.

Only in Marseille for a day and on arrival appeared very quiet, it was a Sunday. Decided to take tour on small street train with a cost of 10€ and found this was excellent value for money. A similar tour if I had booked on the cruise ship was 47€ and this would not have taken you as close as the train did. The train takes you all the way up to the bassillca with beautiful views over the bay on the way up. The views over the city from the top were amazing. Commentary on the train was in 4 languages and easy to hear. Would recommend this tour which lasted about 3 hours. Before returning to the ship I took a walk around the town and although quiet it is a lovely place to visit.

The bright red open top City Tour buses are hard to miss if you walk from Vieux Port along La Canebiere. They park near the Tourist Information Offices and it is there that you purchase tickets if you want to take a tour. When I visited Marseille in August, two tours were on offer. A €17 (2 hour) tour that left at 4 or 5 times and €20 (3 hour) tour that departed once a day at 1.30pm. I opted for this tour. Once seated on the bus, we were issued with ear phones that enable commentaries in eight different languages. The route we followed took in all the key attractions of Marseille including the picturesque coast and beaches. There were two stops where we could explore and take our photos. The first was at Notre Dame de la Grande where we spent 40 minutes. Then we had 20 minutes to explore Palais Longchamp. I felt the tour was very good value as it enabled me to see more of Marseille that I could manage by just walking about. The bus was modern, clean and comfortable.

Informative and knowledgeable folk. Got us around the city and allowed us to focus in on our interests.

We did the 3 hour tour and it was great. The guide was more than helpful and was happy to show us his town and the audio guide in the bus was very informative (they supply the earphones). We stopped off at several locations and had time to wander around and take int he scenery. Although we got stuck in traffic at one point the driving didn't deduct this "waiting time" from our 3 hour tour. The only thing was that is was a very very hot day and as there's no roof to the bus so the sun was hitting us quite strong. Buy your tickets at the Tourist Office. All in all a great experience and a great way to start in Marseilles.

This was a very informative experience, knowledgeable driver but also benefiting from recorded descriptions. Seemed to be a well thought out rout and, even though Marseilles is a drivers nightmare in places, there is always something of interest to catch the eye.

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ADVENTURE IS A SHORE THING SHORE EXCURSIONS

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IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level — from locally-taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Ready to revisit that bucket list? Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below.

ADVENTURE ON LAND

No matter what your ideal adventure involves, Shore Excursions make it easy to immerse yourself in each vibrant destination you visit. Unleash your inner explorer and discover bold new ways to connect with the people, culture and places around you as you sail from one unforgettable shore to another.

EUROPE EXCURSIONS

When you explore Europe’s ancient cities, every arch and alleyway tells a story. In Sicily, you can bike across the rim of Mount Etna, which the ancient Greeks believed was home to the legendary Cyclops. In Spain, learn how to prepare tapas like a true Malagan, then savor every single bite. And venture deeper into nature — literally — as you explore the magnificent Lipa Cave in Montenegro. No matter where your journey takes you, these experiences will make every moment memorable.  

PRIVATE JOURNEYS

For those looking for a more personalized adventure, there’s Private Journeys. Our Destination Insiders leverage extensive knowledge and years of travel expertise to hand craft one-of-a-kind private tours with you in mind. You can customize an existing tour that catches your eye, or work with an Insider to create an exclusive tour experience that’s completely unique to you or a small group. Celebrating a special occasion, chasing a lifelong dream, or looking for ways to rediscover a favorite destination? Private Journeys are at your service.  

DISCOVER WONDERS BENEATH THE WAVES

Adventure doesn’t just happen onshore — there are countless marvels waiting to be discovered just below the waterline. Brave the depths and venture down to the ocean floor, or scope out the reefs as you snorkel along the surface of the sea.

SNORKEL EXCURSIONS

Take your adventure underwater and discover a whole world that’s teeming with life. Swim with sea turtles and manta rays, float over vibrant reefs, and explore colorful coral forests on a snorkeling excursion designed to bring you up close with the ocean’s most beautiful natural treasures.  

SCUBA EXCURSIONS

There’s no better way to explore the beauty beneath the waves than on a guided scuba excursion. Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters.  

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK A SHORE EXCURSION

12 Coolest Slides On Cruise Ships

Long Weekend Cruises

Six Secret Finds During Your Weekend Cruise

• * Tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays and Private Journeys must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties. Other restrictions may apply.
• + In the unlikely event that your tour is significantly delayed, we’ll make all the arrangements for you to return to the ship at the earliest opportunity at no expense to you.
• *Guests on tour under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 
• Read more on the Guest Terms site .

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• Mediterranean - Black Sea Cruise Ports

Marseille (France Riviera)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-06-02 15:34

Port Marseille cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Marseille, France Riviera. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Marseille cruise port is part of Marseille Fos Port - France's largest port. Fos Port is located on the city's northern coastline. Along with its cruise terminals, the port also has ferry terminals that serve the Ro-Ro shipping traffic (cars and passengers) to and from Algeria, Corsica, Sardinia, also Tunisia. Among the port's facilities are also dry docks and shipbuilding yards.

Marseille is part of the French Riviera resort coastline area. The port also is a departure point for Rhone River cruises in Provence and Burgundy - France's main / largest wine regions. In 2018, the cruise port had scheduled 512 ship calls with estimated 1,75+ million passengers. Over 1/3 of cruise ship tourists visit on roundtrips, and most are from the French-speaking source market (France, Belgium, Switzerland).

The list of French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports also includes Antibes , Bandol , Cannes , Cassis , Sanary-sur-Mer , St Raphael , St Tropez , Toulon , Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice) and Monte Carlo (Monaco) .

Vieux Port is Marseille's old port located at the end of La Canebiere (historic street in the city's old quarter). Vieux Port is a natural harbor waterway and is currently the city's most popular (mainly pedestrian) area.

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.

Marseille-Fos Port

Marseille is the 5th largest among the Mediterranean turnaround ports (for roundtrip itineraries), France's leading cruise port (and the country's largest seaport) and the world's 16th largest.

Port's location from downtown is 9 km (6 mi). Fos Port is at ~20 min drive distance from the Marseille-Provence airport and at ~20 min drive distance from the MP2 airport (budget flights). The port is also easily accessible by TGV (high-speed trains) from Lyon (90 min), London England (4 1/2 hours) and from Brussels Belgium (5 hours).

Port's cruising season is February through December, but most ship visits are in June-October. In 2013, the cruise port handled 1+ million passengers. During high season, the city is visited by over 16,000 cruise tourists per day.

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.

On July 19, 2011, Marseilles Fos port authority allowed the concession use of "Drydock 10" as a ship-repairing facility for large cruise vessels, container ships and LNG tankers. The dry-dock (operated by the company Chantier Naval de Marseille) has capacity to handle marine vessels with LOA length over 250 m (820 ft). Dock 10 is ranked as Mediterranean's largest - with length 465 m (1525 ft) and width 85 m (280 ft). The drydock became fully operational in late-October 2017. Costa Cruises owns 1/3 of the facility.

In 2015, the cruise port handled nearly 1,5 million passengers. In 2016, Marseille Fos Port handled ~2,7 million passengers (overall), including 1,6 million cruise tourists. Port development works in 2017 (enlargement on the Fos Port's Passe Nord entrance) allowed visits by the world's largest passenger liners . Port's ferry shipping traffic to Corsica and North Africa increased by 2% (to ~1,1 million passengers).

On May 28, 2018, European Investment Bank (EIB) provided Marseille-Fos Port with EUR 50 million (USD 58,5 million) loan to support 5 port infrastructure development projects. The funding was for reorganizing the ferry terminals (serving Corsica and North Africa passenger traffic) and enlarging the Passe Nord (to allow access for larger cruise liners). Among the projects were also developments and enhancements of existing containership-handling facilities.

In July 2019, Marseille Fos Port announced plans to invest EUR 20 million by 2025 to extend shoreside power connections for all berthed passenger ships (ferries and cruise liners) plus the repair quay within the eastern harbor. The technology was first implemented at Corsica Ferries ' quays. The network will be expanded in 2 phases to cover the ferry docks for North Africa and the ship repair hub (by 2022) and the cruise terminal (by 2025). The project was backed by the regional and national government. To further reduce emissions, to all ships Marseille Fos Port introduced speed restrictions of 10 knots (18,5 kph) in port approaches and 8 knots (15 kph) within the harbors.

For season 2019, the cruise port handled 524 ship calls (80 different vessels) and ~1,9 million tourists (passengers plus crew). The season featured 13 newbuilds (2019-launched liners) and 12 maiden calls, as well as 328 roundtrips.

On May 3-4, 2020, in Marseille Fos Port Costa Smeralda carried out France's first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering. During the at-sea operation, the cruise liner was refueled by the LNG carrier Coral Methane (IMO 9404584). The tankship is owned by the Rotterdam Holland -based company Anthony Veder. Port's LNG (fuel) delivery is by Royal Dutch Shell PLC (under contract with Carnival Corporation , the cruise ship owner).

In January 2022, Titan LNG won the tender contract for LNG bunkering services (truck-to-ship LNG supply) in Port Marseille for CORSICA LINEA's LNG-fuelled ferryboat "A Galeotta" (IMO 9891749, 2022-built by Cantiere Navale Visentini). Also in January, TotalEnergies ( CMA-CGM partner) inaugurated a ship-to-containership LNG bunkering. CMA CGM Bali (2021-built boxship, IMO 9867827, capacity 15,000 TEUs) was fueled at Eurofos Container Terminal by Gas Vitality (2021-built LNG bunkering tanker ship).

Cruise itineraries to and from Marseille France

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Marseille:

• Western Mediterranean itineraries on cruises out of Marseille port visit Spain, Italy and France, including ports on French Riviera and Italian Riviera (coastal regions with top-luxury resorts).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day round-trips. Longer itineraries also visit ports in Portugal and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria).
• Most of the Canary Islands itineraries leaving round-trip from Marseille visit North Africa (Morocco), Madeira Island , Gibraltar (UK).
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) from Marseille to Genoa are 3-nights / 4-days long. They are operated by Pullmantur-CDF ships with regular round-trip departures. Also offered are 2-night / 3-day round-trips from Marseille to Barcelona .
• Among the most visited Mediterranean island destinations are Majorca , Menorca , Ibiza , Sicily ( Palermo , Messina ), Corsica ( Ajaccio ), Malta , Sardinia ( Cagliari , Olbia ).
• Repositioning - westbound Transatlantic crossings on ship relocation itineraries out of Marseille are offered in Fall (starting in early November). The one-ways are operated mostly by MSC ships and end up in Florida ports ( Fort Lauderdale , Miami , Port Canaveral , Tampa ) or in the Caribbean island ports Bridgetown (Barbados), Fort de France (Martinique), Pointe A Pitre (Guadeloupe), Havana (Cuba). The longest Transatlantic cruises out of Marseille are on Costa ships repositioning from Europe to South America. They offer disembarkation in either Brazil ( Rio De Janeiro , Santos-Sao Paulo ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ). Another possible option is a Transatlantic segment on a westbound World Cruise itinerary (offered mainly by Costa).

Marseille cruise terminal

Marseille cruise port has terminals located at two different areas of the harbor. The small and middle size ships use the Joliette (J4) Terminal berths. They are close to the center of the city.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - FRMRS
• port address - "23 place de la Joliette, BP 81965, Marseille, Cedex 2 13226, France"
• port location (GPS coordinates) - N 43° 19' 46", E 5° 20' 45"
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deep harbor water and berths, sheltered harbor area
• capability to accommodate 8 vessels at a time
• The cruise port is accessible the whole year round – 24/7, 365 days a tear.
• Cruise ships usually arrive in Marseille in the morning (7, 8, 9 am) and depart from Marseille in late afternoon or in the evening (at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 pm).

Marseille Port Fos cruise terminals

Marseille Provence Cruise Center (MPCC) terminal address is "Port of Marseille - Porte 4 Chemin du Littoral, 13015 Marseille, France". The terminal's GPS coordinates are N 43° 20’ 20’’, E 5° 20’ 53’’

Marseille Provence Cruise Center (Mole Leon Gourret piers) serve the majority of cruise ships docking in Marseille. The terminals are located ~10 km (6 mi) from the old city centre. This terminal has a large-capacity building and is the embarkation point for all round-trip ship departures. The terminal is accessed via Porte 4. To Porte 4 drive on Motorway A55, then take Exit 5 (“Les Ports”) and just follow the traffic signs "Gares Maritimes" and "Croisière". Public transportation option are the RTM bus lines 35 and 36.

The terminal car parking area is available at Gate 4 (Porte 4). The passengers' car parking area is at the Mole Leon Gourret's end (near the MPCC Terminal).

La Joliette pier (J4) serves mega-yachts and smaller ships (with length less than 200 m / 565 ft). J4 is located near the Old Port, the city centre, the La Major Cathedral and the “le Panier” historic district. The terminal's position provides cruise ship passengers with quick access to downtown (at few minutes walking distance).

Marseille Provence Airport is located around 27 km / 17 mi (or 1/2 hour drive distance) northwest of the cruise port and 9 km (6 mi) from the city centre. Shuttle bus lines run every 20 min from the airport to the St Charles train station daily (between 5 am - 11 pm). Drive distance is approx 30 min. A taxi from from the train station to the cruise ship terminals costs about EURO 20. Occasionally, the port also provides a free shuttle bus line to the city.

The Marseille port's ferry terminals serve all 4 companies leaving out of Marseille to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, also to north Africa (Algeria and Tunisia). These companies are Maritima Ferries ((fka SNCM), CMN (aka La Méridionale), Algerie Ferries and CTN (Tunisia Ferries).

• Mole Leon Gourret piers are used by bigger-sized vessels. The second terminal is 4,5 km (3 mi) from Vieux Port.
• Marseille port's Cruise Terminal 19 has 2 piers and it is located to the jetty entrance.
• Marseille-Provence Cruise Terminal is 1,5 km (1 mi) further on. This is the newer terminal with a renovated building.
• All terminals don't offer many facilities. Available are several ATM and a cafeteria. To leave you luggage passengers have to use the Marseille Saint Charles station. There is one souvenir shop on the quayside – marche des croisieristes.
• Old Harbor: located on the west side. Today, The Vieux Port serves only sports craft and fishing boats.
• La Canebière: the broad highway begins at the harbour and it is the principal traffic artery. You will see the busy traffic of the inner city.
• Marseilles Bourse: close to Marseille cruise port (Canebiere left side), it is a stock exchange. The building dates from 1860.
• Musée d’Histoire de Marseille: inside the Marseilles Bourse. Discover historic exhibition.
• Musée Cantini: located on 19 rue Grignan, south of the busy Canebière. Discover collection of old porcelain and applied art from the 20th century.
• Boulevard Longchamp Area: visit the Musée Grobet-Labadie and the Palais Longchamp.
• Palais Longchamp: built in the period 1862 – 1869 by Espérandieu. There is a Zoological Garden behind it.
• Musée des Beaux Arts: discover paintings from the 16th – 17th century by Rubens and Perugino. Enjoy the works of Mignard, Serre and Puget. The museum shows works and sculptures by Honoré Daumier, famous caricaturist.
• Musée Grobet-Labadié: Madame Grobet gave the mansion to the town. There you will see beautiful furniture, musical instruments, ceramics, medieval tapestries and sculptures.
• Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde: located south of the city. The limestone is 154 m tall and gives great panoramic view. The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a famous city landmark.

Marseille tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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