Positive Port Change, Journey, May 21, 2020 Cruise

[Sail Girl]

The day of the Monaco Grand Prix the Journey was scheduled to be in moored in Nice. Not ideal for sure. We were recently notified that we will now port in Monaco. What a positive change! More time to enjoy Monaco and to attend the Race!!  Thought I would pass along this bit of good news.

Any other positive changes to share?

[hubofhockey]

These types of changes are wins for some and losses for others, depending on whether you wanted to be in Nice.  Nice is still doable from that dock, but it is a pain.  We've done and prefer Nice (Cours Saleya, Chagall Museum, Promenade) to Monte Carlo / Monaco.  The good news is that appears that the mega ships are no longer welcome to dock in Monaco and you will probably have the dock to yourself.

[Sail Girl]

2 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

These types of changes are wins for some and losses for others, depending on whether you wanted to be in Nice.  Nice is still doable from that dock, but it is a pain.  We've done and prefer Nice (Cours Saleya, Chagall Museum, Promenade) to Monte Carlo / Monaco.  The good news is that appears that the mega ships are no longer welcome to dock in Monaco and you will probably have the dock to yourself.

Excellent points!

For us it was an unexpected bonus. We booked this cruise specifically to attend the Grand Prix, knowing we would have to travel from Nice to Monaco for the Race. Guess I was only thinking of our circumstance. 

The Journey docked in Monaco for this year’s Race but were initially not given dock space for next year’s. 

The Grand Prix won’t be of interest to all, but perhaps to many, as the cruise “Grand Prix and Riviera Voyage” may have attracted Race enthusiasts. 

I certainly hope those wishing to enjoy Nice will be able to. 

Thank you for your input. 

[Bloodaxe]

2 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

These types of changes are wins for some and losses for others, depending on whether you wanted to be in Nice.  Nice is still doable from that dock, but it is a pain.  We've done and prefer Nice (Cours Saleya, Chagall Museum, Promenade) to Monte Carlo / Monaco.  The good news is that appears that the mega ships are no longer welcome to dock in Monaco and you will probably have the dock to yourself.

 

Large ships have always had to tender in Monaco if fact Azamara very often have to, we were there during the Grand Prix with Journey and Quest  together and both had to tender.

[Sail Girl]

3 hours ago, Bloodaxe said:

 

Large ships have always had to tender in Monaco if fact Azamara very often have to, we were there during the Grand Prix with Journey and Quest  together and both had to tender.

As long as we are in Monaco for the Race, tendering is not an issue for us. 

Did you attend the Race?  On your own or through the Ship? Interested in your experience. 

Thanks,

[Lottie A]

Also be prepared for many of the streets to be closed off and Grand Prix stands everywhere. It makes getting around Monaco very difficult and of course, the price of everything goes up from quite astronomical to completely astronomical! Even for a bottle of water! 

I would much prefer to be in Nice... but then I’m not a Grand Prix fan and it is the Monaco Grand Prix Cruise I suppose. 🤣 

Hope you have a lovely time Sail Girl. 

[Riocca]

4 hours ago, Sail Girl said:

As long as we are in Monaco for the Race, tendering is not an issue for us. 

Did you attend the Race?  On your own or through the Ship? Interested in your experience. 

Thanks,

We were on Journey for the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix and tendered into Fontvieille rather than the usual tender area in Monaco as it was in a restricted area. However it’s a reasonable walk into the Grand Prix circuit and well signed, although you just have to follow the crowds.

As regards race tickets we purchased ours through our travel agent who have a specialist F1 department, our tickets were roughly half the price of those Azamara were offering and in a better location. There are restrictions on taking glass bottles and cans into the circuit area but plastic water bottles were no problem. Food and drinks were available from kiosks under the grandstands and at reasonable prices, coffee & beer was €2 and filled baguettes were about €5, there were also plentiful toilet facilities. Seats are hard so a cushion is recommended, we used inflatable ones, it’s also worth investing in good ear defenders as the noise level is high.

 

[oddjob16]

If you are docked in Monte Carlo during the Grand Prix you still have no access to the port area. You have to walk  Avenue De la Quarantaine all the way up to Avenue de Port before you can turn into that part of the harbour. If it weren't for the fantastic vista from Windows Sunset Terrace in the evening it is actually no disadvantage to be tendered into Fontvieille. It is not a longer walk.

[Riocca]

This is the view from our seats in Tribune High T, which I believe is now called Grandstand T (Upper) on the F1 website. You don’t get an lot of track to view but it’s great for pit action and celebrity spotting.

 

We also had the large screen to view which keeps you in touch with the race. A good pair of binoculars is recommended, there is little protection from the sun so sunscreen and a hat and plenty of water are essential.

[Sail Girl]

Thanks for your replies!

[uktog]

Tendering can be very tricky in Monaco they had to suspend it for two hours this year on GP day. It was a LONG wait at the pier. It’s a port with a tricky swell problem 

[excitedofharpenden]

On 11/11/2019 at 5:56 PM, Lottie A said:

Also be prepared for many of the streets to be closed off and Grand Prix stands everywhere. It makes getting around Monaco very difficult and of course, the price of everything goes up from quite astronomical to completely astronomical! Even for a bottle of water! 

I would much prefer to be in Nice... but then I’m not a Grand Prix fan and it is the Monaco Grand Prix Cruise I suppose. 🤣 

Hope you have a lovely time Sail Girl. 

If you are going to attend the Grand Prix (which is why the OP posted here), then the fact that the shopping prices go up is irrelevant and from the point of view of streets being closed and stands up everywhere this is a very positive thing for race week!

 

Phil

Edited November 17, 2019 by excitedofharpenden