In short
Marseille is a major cruise port in the south of France: about two hours' flight from the Netherlands and Belgium, or a direct TGV from Brussels. Large ships berth in the commercial port north of the centre, reached by shuttle or taxi. Ships sail all year, most often in spring and autumn, usually for 7 nights.
Port at a glance
Marseille
France
- Where ships go
- Western Mediterranean
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- MPCT in the northern port, Gate 4; small ships by La Major
- Getting there
- About a 2-hour flight, or a direct TGV from Brussels
Good to know: large ships do not berth in the Old Port but in the commercial port, about 7 km from the centre — with luggage, take a taxi, the port shuttle or bus 35T.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Marseille
- No flight needed. A direct TGV runs from Brussels to Marseille in about 5.5 to 6 hours; from Amsterdam you change in Paris and arrive in about 8 hours.
- A season all year round. Week-long cruises leave even in January and February, and spring and autumn bring the widest choice.
- A handy place to join. Many Western Mediterranean round trips call at Marseille, Genoa and Barcelona, and you can board in any of them. Pick whichever is easiest to reach.
- The city and Provence. The Old Port, the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica above the city, the MuCEM museum, bouillabaisse and the rocky calanque inlets — a day before the cruise is never wasted here.
Where cruises from Marseille go
Schedules change every year, but the pattern is fairly stable. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Mediterranean | 7 nights | All year, busiest in spring and autumn | Marseille's signature route: Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Malta, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands |
| Longer Mediterranean cruises | 10–14 nights | Spring and autumn, most often in May and October | More ports and sea days; occasionally with calls in Greece or Turkey |
| Atlantic crossings | 15 nights or longer | October to December, most in November | One-way to the Caribbean or South America; you fly home |
| Short cruises | 2–5 nights | Spring and autumn, most often in April and October | A taster cruise or a ship moving to a nearby port — good for a long weekend |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Spring in Provence
Around 20°C by day, the sea is starting to warm up and the ports are still quiet. May is one of the busiest months of the year for departures.
Cruises in May →Summer and a warm sea
Week-long cruises leave steadily, every week. Daytime highs are often above 30°C, and July and August mean school holidays and busy excursions.
Cruises in July →Autumn and the ocean
The most departures of the year: the sea is still warm and the heat has gone. November brings most of the Atlantic crossings.
Cruises in November →Quiet winter
Fewer sailings, but week-long cruises carry on. Around 12–15°C by day and sometimes a strong wind — weather for exploring towns rather than the beach.
Cruises in January →Getting to the terminal
Large ships do not berth in the picturesque Old Port but in the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, north of the city centre, among cargo quays and ferries. The main cruise terminal is the MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal), entered through Gate 4 (Porte 4). The berths are spread out: from the gate to your ship can be anything from 600 m to 2.5 km, so a port bus runs inside. Smaller ships sometimes use the J4 terminal next to La Major cathedral and the MuCEM, about a 15-minute walk from the Old Port. Your boarding documents tell you which terminal is yours.
- By air. Direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels take about two hours. Marseille Provence Airport is at Marignane, roughly 25 km from the port. Fly in the day before.
- From the airport. There is no direct public transport to the terminal. A taxi is quickest, about half an hour. Cheaper is the airport shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station (about 25 minutes, longer at rush hour), then metro line M2 to Joliette and bus 35T. Many cruise lines also sell their own transfer.
- By train. A direct TGV runs from Brussels to Marseille — only a couple a day, about 5.5 to 6 hours. From Amsterdam, take the Eurostar to Paris and a TGV from Gare de Lyon, about 8 hours in all. Trains arrive at Saint-Charles; from there the port is about 20 minutes by taxi.
- From the city centre. Metro M2 to Joliette, then bus 35T to the "Terminal Croisières" stop — it only runs on cruise days. When ships are in, a port shuttle also runs from Place de la Joliette to Gate 4. A taxi from the Old Port takes 15–20 minutes.
- By car. The MPCT has a guarded car park for cruise passengers only, with around 2,000 spaces; it cannot be booked ahead, and you pay on site.
The night before: where to stay
Arriving on embarkation day turns every delay into stress. A night in Marseille means a relaxed ride to the port in the morning — and an evening by the sea.
La Joliette
A new district by the port, with the Les Terrasses du Port shopping centre, the metro and the bus 35T stop. The terminal is 10–15 minutes by taxi in the morning.
The Old Port
Quaysides, the morning fish market and bouillabaisse restaurants. About 20 minutes by taxi to the terminal.
Saint-Charles station
Arrive on an evening TGV and sleep nearby; in the morning it is two metro stops to Joliette. Busy around the station, but everything is close at hand.
Le Panier
Narrow lanes, stairways and street art above the Old Port. Tricky with a suitcase: taxis often cannot reach the door.
If you have half a day in Marseille
Everything below is in the centre or close to the J4 terminal, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- The Old Port. The heart of the city: boats, quayside cafés and, in the mornings, fishermen selling their catch right by the water.
- The MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean. The museum of European and Mediterranean civilisations sits in a lace-like cube by the sea, with a footbridge to the old fort and its views over the harbour.
- La Major and Le Panier. The striped cathedral right by the water, and above it Marseille's oldest quarter, with workshops and little squares.
- Notre-Dame de la Garde. The basilica on the hill above the city has the best view of Marseille and the sea. Take bus 60 from the Old Port, or walk uphill for about 40 minutes.
- Château d'If. The island fortress made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo. The boat from the Old Port takes about 20 minutes; in strong winds sailings may be cancelled.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. The airport is about half an hour away by taxi, but avoid flights before midday: the taxi queue at the terminal and airport security can take a while in summer. Going home by train? Choose an afternoon TGV: Saint-Charles is 20 minutes from the port, and a morning train is easy to miss. If you have time, leave your bags at a luggage storage and enjoy another half day.
Practical tips
- The mistral. This strong northerly wind can blow for several days, more often in winter and spring. It can delay departure or make the first night at sea a bit lively. What happens if the weather changes the route is covered in our guide to port changes.
- Check your boarding time. Cruise lines give each guest a time slot; arriving much earlier usually means waiting.
- One ship, several boarding ports. Guests join the same ship in Marseille, Genoa, Barcelona or Civitavecchia. When you compare sailings, look at the boarding port too.
- Tourist tax. French hotels charge a city tax per night, paid separately from your booking.
- ID for everyone. France, Italy, Spain and Malta are in Schengen, but some routes leave the EU. If you do not hold a European passport, check entry rules for every country on the route in good time — what to check.
Or start in Genoa?
Many ships that leave Marseille also call at Genoa, where the terminal is five minutes from the station and close to the old town. If flying to Italy suits you better, take a look. Cruises from Genoa →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Marseille?
Mostly week-long Western Mediterranean cruises with calls in Italy, Spain and Malta. In spring and autumn there are also 10–14-night voyages, and from October to December one-way Atlantic crossings.
Where does my ship berth in Marseille?
Large ships berth in the commercial port north of the centre, at the MPCT terminal, entered through Gate 4. Smaller ships sometimes use the J4 terminal next to La Major cathedral. Your boarding documents show the exact terminal.
How do I get from Marseille airport to the cruise terminal?
The quickest way is a taxi, about half an hour. Cheaper is the shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station, then the metro to Joliette and bus 35T, which runs on cruise days. Many cruise lines also sell their own transfer.
Can I get to Marseille by train from the Netherlands or Belgium?
Yes. A direct TGV runs from Brussels in about 5.5 to 6 hours. From Amsterdam you change in Paris, about 8 hours in all. Trains arrive at Saint-Charles station, about 20 minutes from the port by taxi.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Marseille?
La Joliette is closest to the port. For atmosphere, choose the Old Port or Le Panier; if you come by train, the area around Saint-Charles station. In the morning the terminal is 10 to 20 minutes away by taxi.
Can I cross the Atlantic from Marseille?
Yes, from October to December and most often in November, when ships head to the Caribbean or South America for the winter. These are one-way voyages of 15 nights or longer, so you fly home.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Marseille that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Marseille dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.