Monte Carlo

We are on a HAL cruise in August with Monte Carlo on the itinerary. This is our first time to this area. We usually like flexibility and not be tied to a large group. Is there a way to do it on our own without it being too strenuous or should we book a tour? I saw several private tours recommended on this board. Any suggestions are welcome.

We are on a HAL cruise in August with Monte Carlo on the itinerary. This is our first time to this area. We usually like flexibility and not be tied to a large group. Is there a way to do it on our own without it being too strenuous or should we book a tour? I saw several private tours recommended on this board. Any suggestions are welcome.

Very easy to do on your own. As you as you walk down the dock you'll see Rascasse Cafe in front of you, and can decide whether to bear right towards the Casino area or go up to the Cathedral and palace. All the best, Tony

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We have been doing most of Europe (including the region around Monte Carlo) on our own for about thirty-five years :). And we are still here to talk about it! So the simple answer is yes, you can do just about anything on your own with a little pre-trip homework. If you just want to stay in Monte Carlo you can get around using your feet, local buses, taxis, etc. If you want to explore the amazing region outside MC you can use the regional TER buses, trains, rental car, etc. Your first big decision is to decide and what you want to do and see. Once you have an idea then you can ask on this board for how to best accomplish this on your own and there are a few here (including moi) who can give you very specific advice.

Hank

Be very careful, and go into the Information Building and ask questions if in doubt.

We are two older ladies with mobility issues. I had researched and even received brochures and maps from the Monte Carlo website. The maps definitely showed a taxi queue, but upon our arrival, there was not one taxi there. We started down the pier following folks, but there was construction going on and pathways were blocked. We ended up at a Yacht Club, and when we asked directions up to the Palace, we were pointed to a set of stairs.

Once we ascended the stairs, there were no directions, we were on a road. We followed what few people there were, but must have gone the wrong direction, as we ended up climbing and climbing, but never reaching the top.

After about 3 hours of wandering/resting/taking an elevator to nowhere, we returned to the ship, totally missing Monte Carlo. We were so disappointed.

We took a nap, then about 4:00 pm we noticed a small trailer with some souvenirs and decided to go buy something from Monte Carlo. This time the pier was blocked off and we had to go into the Visitor Center. My friend complained to a worker that there wasn't a better system for disabled folks to get up to town. We were then told there is an elevator right in the Visitor Center that will take you up the hill. Our ship was scheduled to sail at 5:00, so we had no time to try and go up to the Palace. A totally wasted day.

Be very careful, and go into the Information Building and ask questions if in doubt. A totally wasted day.

I am sorry how this day turned out for you and your post is valuable to anyone with mobility issues visiting Monaco.

We can not post a link here but if anyone googles ' Tom's port guide Monaco'

he does a real good job of helping cruise passengers to understand the 'topography' of Monaco.

A map of all of the lifts and moving walkways are included. This map show the 33 elevators and escalators and other tips on getting around.

I spent Christmas in Monaco this past year and was amazed at how poorly accessible it was and how far one sometimes had to walk into a tunnel to reach these elevators. I do not have mobility issues myself but found myself assisting others on a couple of instances while moving around the city.

Agabbymama raises an issue we have oft pointed out regarding taxis in the south of France (and Monaco). The drivers essentially march to their own drum and could care less about cruisers or cruise ships. So whether there are taxis waiting in Monte Carlo, Villefranche or Cannes is like rolling the dice. If you happen to go ashore when the taxi drivers are enjoying the morning cafe au lait, then you might not see a single taxi.

But for independent travelers like moi, who do not have mobility issues, we can do quite well in this part of the world on our own. For those with problems walking long distances it is an entirely different situation.

Hank

I personally love Monaco (and of course, the surrounding areas!). Your interests and the amount of time you have will decide how best to spend your day.

I enjoy aquariums and thoroughly enjoyed The Oceanographic Museum. It is unlike any other that we have ever visted.

I enjoyed the Palace with the audio guide, and the changing of the guard.

I love exotic cars and just going to the Casino Gardens is fun to watch a variety of sports cars drive by. (Haven’t been to the Prince’s Vintage Car Collection, but hear it’s worth a visit).

Here is a list of other Museums and Gardens in the area:

http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-to-visit/Museums

http://www.visitmonaco.com/en/Places-to-visit/Gardens

http://www.visitmonaco.com/ has some good resources and you can request brochures, maps and more information to be sent by mail. Tell them you are a cruise passenger and they will include a coupon book for local attractions (if they don’t the tourist kiosks have them upon request).

If you plan to use public transportation for several rides, you can buy a day pass. This pass is good for the local buses and also for one of the boats (bateaus) that goes from the Harbor to near the Casino. Here’s more: http://www.cam.mc/informations-pratiques.php?lang=en

I agree with the other posters that the most challenging aspect is the topography and the advice to take tomsportguide with you. Take a map, marked in advance with where you want to go. I would also take the bus stops list and map with me, because sometimes you’re closer to one stop on the route than you think (I have wasted time trying to find one stop while I was very close to another along the same route, so be aware of the stops along the route with your map).

The surrounding area is also wonderful and accessible by public transport (although you need to have a plan A and B, with schedules and routes mapped out). We have enjoyed Nice, Eze, Villefranche, and the gorgeous Saint Jean Cap Ferrat with the Villa de Ephrussi. There is also Beaulieu sur Mer, with its Villa Kerylos. These boards have some great suggestions for a day out while visiting Monaco.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your time in the area!

Another vote for the Oceanographic Museum...fabulous!

Thank you all for the ideas and suggestions. All we want to do is explore the town, see the palace, casino, and other main attractions. Is there a hop on hop off? On the video that was posted, I noticed some kind of tram. Is it a local tour ride, or something different? How far is the city center from the cruise ship dock?

Monte Carlo is very easy to do on your own and we have enjoyed several days there over the years seeing it on our own.

From the cruise ship terminal we often walk to the Palace and then over to the Church. We also walk the gardens and then a couple of times we have visited the Oceanographic. This might take up the morning. After having lunch back on the ship we will then go back out in the afternoon and walk towards the Grand Casino. We don't go into the Casino but it is a fun area to walk around with a lot of stores nearby and a fun place to people watch.

Maksim, I am not sure if there is a tram or hop on hop off bus.

From the Cruise Ship terminal it takes about 20 minutes to reach the Palace area and Church.

From the Cruise Ship Terminal it is around a 30 minute walk to the Grand Casino.

I had recommended doing one area in the AM and the other in the PM because they are in opposite directions.

The area is very easy to navigate by foot. You can also just take a map with you.

This is not a very large city. It is what I would call high density.

Maksim-

there is a petit train:

http://www.monacotours.mc/?lg=en

And a hop on-hop off bus:

http://monacolegrandtour.com/en/

I have seen them around, but haven't used either one so don't know how good they are.

Hint for whatever city you are interested in. Google "hop on hop off" and name of city. Or "petit train" and name of city.

Maksim,

The local buses also have stops near each point of interest. You can buy a day pass for 5.50 Euros and use the buses as a HoHo. (We have also walked from the Casino to the port, as well). Monaco is small, with the challenge being its unique topography. Be aware of the elevators and escalators and use them when you can.

I agree with the poster who recommended planning your day to go to one side in the morning (eg, Oceanographic Museum, Cathedral, changing of the guard, Palace, etc) and the other side (Casino, etc) the other part of the day, if your schedule allows. (Tip on the Palace audio guides: when I was there, the audio guides could be rented in the book store next door, saving time waiting in line, should there be one.)

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for great information. I think we shall do a hop on hop off as per their website it stops very close to cruise ship terminal and we can get on and off as we please. We love hop in hop off and used it in many places. Thanks again. Helen.

I was just in Monte Carlo 10 days ago. If you can get to the Cathedral and the Palace as close to 10am as possible should be able to beat the crowds. We arrived at the Palace around 10:15. There was hardly anyone there, and no line to buy tickets for the Palace tour. When left at around 11, the grounds just outside the palace were very crowded. The crowds start to assemble for the changing of the guard which takes place at 11:55. Enjoy your trip.

Is jacket still required in Monte Carlo Grand Casino?

Yes.

Keith

Am taking a HAL cruise via Monaco in May. The stop in Monaco coincides with the Grand Prix, and having been there previously during the Grand Prix realise the town is virtually a no go area. Anybody have any idea how the cruise line copes with this. The tours as advertised etc. Does the boat birth well away from the grand prix area. Thanks in advance, Alan

Am taking a HAL cruise via Monaco in May. The stop in Monaco coincides with the Grand Prix, and having been there previously during the Grand Prix realise the town is virtually a no go area. Anybody have any idea how the cruise line copes with this. The tours as advertised etc. Does the boat birth well away from the grand prix area. Thanks in advance, Alan

Hi

Next year P and O are also there at GP time and are obviously geared up (?!) for the event with trips/tickets et al, you already have to register your interest online for these. But they are berthing in Villefranche.

They usually berth in Monaco itself and tender in but maybe there won't be room when all the glitteratti have parked up their "dinghys" !

So that is P and O and now HAL, (have they actually said they are berthing in Monaco?) methinks all the others will follow suit.

Regards

HAL are apparently tendering to Fontvieille on the 27th May, but how they are offering excursions in the town other than the practise and maybe a walk round the course in Monte Carlo. From past experiences during a GP Monte Carlo is closed off ?. I expect cruises to the hinterland will operate as normal, but????

HAL are apparently tendering to Fontvieille on the 27th May, but how they are offering excursions in the town other than the practise and maybe a walk round the course in Monte Carlo. From past experiences during a GP Monte Carlo is closed off ?. I expect cruises to the hinterland will operate as normal, but????

The only feasible excursion may be to the "rock" - Monaco itself. The race does not run through the old town. So you can see the Oceanographic Museum, Cathedral and Palace (which could be closed that day). The old town is accessible from the Fontvieille side without going to MC.

Monte Carlo will be a mad house with access restricted. You would need GP tickets to see any of it. All the length of the course is reserved for ticket holders. Unless the cruise is making tickets available, you would not be able to get near.

Given the traffic and the hassle, you might want to take some other excursion. Nice, etc, will be fine.

Not sure if the 'boat bus' is still available. When we visited Monte Carlo for the first time in 2008, we took the boat bus from the pier to the casino side, then took the elevator up. Photos here.

We were back this past February, but due to wind, our ship was not able to dock there but docked at Nice instead. Photos

Not sure if the 'boat bus' is still available. When we visited Monte Carlo for the first time in 2008, we took the boat bus from the pier to the casino side, then took the elevator up. Photos here.

 

We were back this past February, but due to wind, our ship was not able to dock there but docked at Nice instead. Photos

You may have been a victim of the well known "Mistral" wind. Not many cruise ships are in those waters in the winter, and there are some good reasons.

Hank

You may have been a victim of the well known "Mistral" wind. Not many cruise ships are in those waters in the winter, and there are some good reasons.

 

Hank

Is that what it was? Thanks, Hank! Learn something new everyday.

We recommend the Jardin Exotique.

Catch the No.2 bus from near where the cruise ships dock.

The beautiful cacti gardens are high above Monte Carlo on a steep slope and give spectacular views over the city, while giving some relief from the noisy traffic and general bustle.

They include a fantastic cave of stalactites and stalagmites, with bilingual guided tours every hour. Many steps down into the cave but well worth it if you can manage that.

The Monaco Tourist Board is excellent and has an informative website.

HAL are apparently tendering to Fontvieille on the 27th May, but how they are offering excursions in the town other than the practise and maybe a walk round the course in Monte Carlo. From past experiences during a GP Monte Carlo is closed off ?. I expect cruises to the hinterland will operate as normal, but????

Hi, alanandpam

On Friday, 27 May, the practice sessions will be held in the morning. Entrance on all grand stands are free that day.

The town will return to normal traffic by early afternoon and you can even walk along the race track.

The Monaco bus system is working almost "normal" in the morning with direct bus services from Fontvieille to Larvotto (beach part of town, Eastern side of the Principality) or to the Jardin Exotique... and there it is quieter, too and less crowded. Bus service returns to usual schedule in the afternoon. Fontvieille itself is a quiet part of town, with interesting museums, the Classic Car Collection and beautiful gardens. Not to be missed: the Princesse Grace Rose Garden.

Best place on that day in town in the afternoon: The Café de Paris terrace to see the promenade of the most incredible cars, all snailing along the race track due to heavy (private) traffic but doing the rounds again and again.

After the practice sessions, the race track in the main port will be converted into a open-air-party zone. Of course, noisy and crowded, but fun.

Hope this helps to plan your day. :)