Questions about porting in Monte-Carlo, Monaco and Villefranche

Our upcoming cruise on the Celebrity Constellation indicates that we are docking in Monte-Carlo, Monaco from 10:00am-9:00pm. The next day, we dock in Villefranche (Nice) at 7:00am. Having been to both ports before (Monte-Carlo-Monaco by car), we know that the two are not that far apart. So why does it take so long for the ship to get from Monaco to Nice? Or does the ship just sit out in the ocean overnight? It would be fantastic if the ship stayed in port.

As I mentioned above, DH and I have been to both ports in recent years. We have been to Nice (2), Eze (2), St. Paul de Vence, Cannes, Monte-Carlo, etc. However, we have never docked in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. How difficult is it to get up to the city from the ship? We would like to do a DIY tour this time instead of an organized tour...take our time walking around and exploring.

For Villefranche, we are thinking about just sticking around Nice this trip and walking in the old town. Is it hard to get to by foot, or do we need a cab? Also, we will probably walk or cab over to the Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild. Anyone gone there? Or doing this https://www.saintjeancapferrat-tourisme.fr/.

Any other suggestions?

Interesting question about the timing from Monte Carlo to Villefranche.

Nice is not walkable from Villefranche. The train is an option. It runs frequently.

Docking in Monte Carlo we were able to walk to the Royal Palace and the aquarium on the way. The area with the casino was a little further (and different direction)

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/231\

I'm sorry, I meant to say the old town of Villefranche, not Nice. Been there, seen that! ;)

When I've been on cruises where there is a short distance between ports, the ship goes out to sea a ways and just meanders around to kill the time. Probably quite slowly. I was able to see the path the next morning on the map they show on the TV showing the cruise route.

You may have no interest but while docked in Villefranche we took the train to Antibes for the day. We had been there previously and enjoy just walking around, sitting on an outdoor cafe and people watching. May not be your cup of tea but thought I’d throw it out there.

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Tips like your is exactly why I posted. :) Thank you for the suggestion. I'll do more research on how to get there.;)

When I've been on cruises where there is a short distance between ports, the ship goes out to sea a ways and just meanders around to kill the time. Probably quite slowly. I was able to see the path the next morning on the map they show on the TV showing the cruise route.

My DH looks at that map every morning to see how far the ship has gone from one port to the next. He will get a kick out of seeing it has gone in circles. :D

Iamthesea, if you like markets, Antibes has a wonderful one, I think it closes early afternoon, here’s a link to Antibes if you haven’t been there. We walked to the train station in Villefranche and bought r/t tickets very easy to do. Whatever your choice, enjoy your travels.

http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/pages/markets

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It would take me less than 4 hours to walk from Monte Carlo to Villefranche :). Why does Celebrity do what they are doing? Because it saves them money in fuel. I wonder if they will simply cruise in circles off the coast for a few hours that evening :). They will likely move out into International waters so that they can operate their casino.

I do wonder why they are doing that itinerary. If planning that cruise we would probably go from Barcelona to Cannes and then on to Monte Carlo. I would wonder if that Monday was the only day that Monte Carlo's pier was available, but the noticed that Celebrity is repeating that same itinerary 3 times in 2019. If we were to do that cruise (not our style) we would likely plan on spending that night (between Monte Carlo and Villefranche) off the ship...perhaps in Nice where we could enjoy one of our favorite restaurants and some of the night life.

Hank

Hank - You may have hit the nail on the head! Perhaps this cruise is designed for those that want to stay late, or overnight and gamble in Monte Carlo. That's not our thing, either. ;) But the rest of the itinerary works for us!

Iamthesea, if you like markets, Antibes has a wonderful one, I think it closes early afternoon, here’s a link to Antibes if you haven’t been there. We walked to the train station in Villefranche and bought r/t tickets very easy to do. Whatever your choice, enjoy your travels.

 

http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/en/pages/markets

 

 

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Thanks so much! Never been there. :)

Do you really think that ship will move around out there? many times they simply drift and periodically use what little engine power is needed to "correct' the course

They leave ports to avoid having to pay overnight port charges. That's why they sail at 11-59pm on itinerary. Last year took 8 hours Gibraltar to Tangiers, which the hydrofoil does in 45mins. We equally just drifted, did not dock till 6am for same reason, port costs if any earlier. Also ships with casino's have to be out of territorial waters before they can open.

For Villefranche, I would taxi first to the Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu and then backtrack to the Villa Ephrussi (5 min by car or 20 minnute walk). Then stay in St Jean for lunch. Taxi back to Villefranche and walk around the old town and the Citadelle.