Boarding a cruise in Marsailles - need help please

[Thebox]

Hi all. My family will fly to Paris a day prior to boarding a cruise in Marseille. I'm assuming that the best option would be to take the train from the airport to Marseille, grab a cab with our suitcases to a hotel in Marseille, spend the day touring the area and board the next morning. Is this the best option? We'll spend a few days in Paris after the cruise, so thought it easiest to just get near the ship before the jet lag catches up to us.

 

Anyone know if the ship is accessible via cab to board -- or is it one of those ports where you pay a shuttle to get to the ship? Is there one port used in Marseille for cruise lines or more? Also, if anyone has stayed at a hotel near the port prior to boarding and was pleased, we'd love the recommendation.

 

Any help/input will be appreciated -- and obviously much needed!

[meh56]

We are sailing on the Epic from Marseille May 10, 2013. I have not been able to get any information from NCL about boarding times or how disembarkation is handled. We are taking a train from Paris to Marseille and then staying at the Radisson Blu and will be departing by train after the ship returns to Marseille. We were planning on taking a cab from hotel to Pier but not sure of what time we can check in. I have heard that it is difficult to obtain taxi on arrival in Marseille at the pier as they don't want short trips like to downtown but want to provide tours. I have tried to ask on cruise critic but have not had any responses.