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The city of Monte Carlo in Monaco is world famous for the massive and expensive yachts that the rich and famous pilot into the harbor, but you'll feel like old money pulling up in the gigantic ship used for your world cruise. I booked a tour with an independent guide and "native son of Monaco," Jean-Marc Ferrie, who I found online. Jean Marc charges 8 euro for a one-hour tour of Monte Carlo; 20 euro to add two other districts such as the old city and La Condamine (four hours); or 15 euro for a two-hour walk around the Grand Prix race track. The tour was wonderful, and worth the extra fee, but it ran two hours longer than its advertised length. The excursion began with a one-hour bus ride from Monaco to Grasse, through the French Riviera, with our guide providing insight on the region along the way in a delightful French accent.
Monaco (Monte Carlo) Cruise Port Facilities?
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Maybe you’ll want experience a tour of the underground grottoes and connecting caves. For a small admission fee, you’ll see a subterranean wonderland, with dozens of stalagmites, illuminated by tiny twinkling lights. If you’re like me and most American tourists, the difference between Monaco and Monte-Carlo isn’t clear. Monaco, first ruled by the House of Grimaldi in 1297, continues to be a mecca for the rich and famous.
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You will need to dress up if you plan to visit the Casino in the evening. As I walked up the stairs from the cruise port up to the top of the “Rock,” I was in shock to see this ornate stone building just simply perched there over the sea. In 2025, the line's newest ship Silver Ray will spend two days in Monaco during the race weekend, but F1 excursions have not been announced. But when only the best will do, book the $4,999 Formula Silversea package, where you will watch the race from the rooftop terrace of the Miramar Hotel, strategically located to watch the action on the track. The extravagant package includes a buffet breakfast daily, seated three-course lunches created by Michelin-starred chefs, a full open bar, and post-race aperitifs, finger food, and entertainment. Despite its small size, you’ll find more than enough fun, adventure, and things to do during a Monte Carlo cruise.
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Most attractions are just a mile beyond the harbor in the center of Monte Carlo and Old Town, where museums and palaces are within walking distance. A tour of The Maeght Foundation museum was optional, and we appreciated the guide giving us separate meeting times and places, so we could plan our time as we liked. On a Viking Star cruise call in Monte Carlo, four Cruise Critic editors tested various Monaco excursions -- the line's included tour, an extra-charge option, a private tour and independent exploration. Here are the four ways we spent our day in port, along with the pros and cons.
The most obvious plus to taking this excursion is that it's included in your cruise fare. The tour also will help you to get your bearings if you're a Monaco newbie. At only 2.5 hours, it's easy to go early in the morning and spend the rest of the day doing whatever you'd like. Knowledgeable guides also offer fun facts so you can learn about the area without having to do any homework. The ship docks overnight in Monte Carlo, with Section K seats for the Saturday time trials, and for Sunday's final, passengers receive higher seats with a program, poncho and cap. This is likely the most immersive option for a Grand Prix cruise.
Port Monte Carlo 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 Monte Carlo, Monaco. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. The jewel of the French Riviera offers travelers all sorts of opportunities to engage in the opulent lifestyle for a day. Spend some time as a high roller at the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, which has been featured in countless Hollywood films.
Nice and Monaco Cruise Highlights
Monaco, a popular stop on Western Mediterranean cruises, is a port that appeals to every type of traveler. Tour-lovers can take a walking trip or highlights excursion that visit Monaco's top historic sites -- or use the cruise shore excursions to get out to alluring locales along the French Riviera. Independent types don't have to walk far to get a taste of Monte Carlo's world-renowned attractions and posh lifestyle once relished by famous icons like Grace Kelly and Ringo Starr (Monaco is a known tax haven for celebs). Take an excursion to Eze, located just outside Nice, France, which is thought to have been populated as early as 2000 BCE. This vantage point is the perfect way to top off your Nice cruise.
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If mobility is an issue, take your ship’s tour, hire a driver or try a swanky city bus near the harbor. While yachts are the traditional method of seeing the Monaco Grand Prix, a sailing ship is a pretty special vantage point too. In 2024, Star Clippers' Royal Clipper will call in Monaco on race day. In 2025, there will be three sailings that will call in Monaco during the race weekend.
The least expensive Happy Hour drink will soak you for a mere 12 Euro. The Oceanographic Museum is home to thousands of sea creatures, including sharks, turtles, and tropical fish. Like many other structures in this horizontally-challenged city, the Musée Océanographique and Aquarium is actually built into the side of a cliff. Located on Avenue St. Martin, view the towering 19th Century Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (also called the Monte Carlo Cathedral) that contains the tombs of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier. Is it worth going on Crystal for just one – and probably the least attended - day of F1?
We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. Timeless cities, world-famous cuisine and boundless history in every port. Popular amongst many cruise lines including Crystal, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line. With the already steep prices in Monte Carlo, why not take advantage of the nightly Happy Hour from 6-8pm.
Credit Foncier de Monaco, located near the casino, is open daily -- including Sundays and holidays -- from noon to 11 p.m. Cruise ships of all sizes include a visit to the tiny territory of Monaco, and its famous city, Monte Carlo. Here’s what I think are the best things to do in Monte Carlo on your own. The world's second smallest country is big on glitz and glamour. Perhaps best known for its breathtaking casino and headline-making royal family, Monte Carlo is all manicured streets, impressive palaces and lush city parks. Crystal Cruises will only be at the Monaco Grand Prix on Friday for the first free practice session (although guests will also be able to see the F2 and F3 qualifying sessions that day).
Yet gambling isn't the only example of the high-end lifestyle here. You'll be able to see how true royalty lives with a tour of Monaco's Royal Palace. This tiny country has been ruled for generations by the same family, the Grimaldis, and the Royal Palace is still used in the day-to-day operations of the country. Only recently has the palace been open to the public for tours and the like, so this is a great chance to get an inside peek at one of the more luxurious palaces on earth.
Cruise to Monte Carlo and head to the Place du Casino or Cercle d'Or if you want to shop with the city's highest rollers for luxury goods such as designer watches, silk scarves and leather shoes. While many of Monaco's most popular to-do's involve glitz and glamour, the simplicity of Larvotto Beach remains more or less as nature intended. The beach is stylishly manicured, of course, with dramatic carmine umbrellas and ivory beach chair covers. Plus, the martinis and wines on offer here are no more expensive than on any other European beach. The only downside we found with the app is that the route map would close out when we tried to open the camera. We'd recommend it for the ease of following self-guided tours that are already planned for you, but screen-shot the route map if you plan to use your phone to take a lot of pictures.
In fact, these 485 acres offer so much, you'll need to come back to explore again. Monaco is a self-governed sovereign nation under the protection of France. If Albert II, the current prince, fails to produce a male heir, the throne will be passed to his sister Caroline. There are several beautiful beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun. Larvotto Beach is the most popular beach in Monte Carlo and is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
Other Viking passengers lingered over lunches at local restaurants and outdoor cafes. As promised, our tour covered the aforementioned sites in addition to a couple of others. Our exceptionally knowledgeable guide pointed out the border between France and Italy, the starting line for the annual Grand Prix car race and the green-roofed casino, which is popular with many cruise passengers. The tour also offered sufficient free time for eating, having a cup of coffee and a small bit of shopping. Although the 352 meter dock can accommodate several ships in port, there will be the odd occasion where it's booked up and tenders will need to be utilized.
