In short
Marseille: large ships berth at the MPCT terminal north of the city; a port shuttle runs to La Joliette, 25 minutes on foot or 10–15 by bus from the Old Port. A call covers the Old Port, Le Panier, the MuCEM and Notre-Dame de la Garde; the Château d'If and the calanques are a boat ride away.
Starting or ending your cruise here? Port guide: terminal, getting there, where to stay →
Where do cruise ships berth in Marseille?
Large ships tie up in the Grand Port Maritime in the north of Marseille — at the MPCT terminal and neighbouring quays, leaving through the Porte 4 gate. Smaller ships sometimes use the J4 terminal by La Major cathedral, within walking distance of the centre.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | Large ships use the MPCT terminal (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal) and neighbouring quays in the commercial port. From the gangway to Porte 4 it is 5–12 minutes on foot along a green line on the ground, or by port bus. Smaller ships sometimes berth at the J4 terminal by La Major cathedral. Your terminal is in the daily programme. |
| To the centre | On ship days a port shuttle runs from the stop outside Porte 4 to Place de la Joliette, about 15 minutes. Many cruise lines run their own shuttle straight to the Old Port. A taxi to the Old Port takes 15–20 minutes. |
| La Joliette to the Old Port | About 25 minutes on foot past La Major cathedral and Le Panier, 10–15 minutes by bus (lines 55, 82, 83), or a few minutes on metro M2 to Noailles. |
| Notre-Dame de la Garde | Bus 60 from the Old Port takes about 20 minutes; on foot it is about 40 minutes uphill. |
| Typical call | Often 8–10 hours. Marseille is also a boarding port for many ships. |
| Money and language | Euro; French. Cards are taken almost everywhere; English is spoken in tourist areas, less so elsewhere. |
| Documents | France is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from another Schengen port, there is usually no separate check; if it comes from outside Schengen, checks take place on board or in the terminal. Carry the document your cruise line asks for (what to check). |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Allow at least an hour from the Old Port to the gangway: shuttle, gate and the walk through the port. |
What can you fit into a day from the Marseille cruise port?
Central Marseille is compact: the Old Port, Le Panier and the MuCEM make a half-day on foot. Notre-Dame de la Garde adds another 1.5–2 hours. Boat trips to the Château d'If and the calanques fit into a call, as long as the wind is not too strong.
The Old Port and Le Panier
From La Joliette walk to the striped La Major cathedral, through Le Panier, the oldest quarter, with its steps and workshops, to the MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean (a footbridge with harbour views) and on to the Old Port. In the mornings, fishermen sell their catch at the water's edge.
Add Notre-Dame de la Garde
The basilica on the hill has the best view over Marseille, the islands and the sea. Bus 60 from the Old Port takes about 20 minutes, or it is a 40-minute walk uphill. Inside are model ships and sailors' thank-you plaques. Then lunch back at the Old Port.
By sea: the Château d'If or the calanques
The boat from the Old Port to the Château d'If, of "Count of Monte Cristo" fame, takes about 20 minutes; allow 2–3 hours for the trip. Boat tours along the calanques — white cliffs and turquoise coves — usually last 2–3 hours. Sailings are cancelled when the mistral blows.
Aix-en-Provence or Cassis
Aix-en-Provence: the Cours Mirabeau, fountains and Cézanne's town, about 30 km away — 40–50 minutes by bus from Saint-Charles station. Cassis, with its small harbour and calanques, is about 30 km away and easier on an excursion. Both work on a call of 8 hours or more.
Places on the map
The places from this guide, ready for your phone. “Map” opens Google Maps; “Walk from the pier” shows the walking route from where ships usually dock.
- Cruise pierMap
- Old PortMap
- Notre-Dame de la GardeMap
- MuCEM and Fort Saint-JeanMap
- La Major cathedralMap
- Le Panier quarterMap
- Château d'IfMap
- The calanquesMap
- Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-ProvenceMap
Which pier your ship uses depends on the day: check the daily programme.
How do you get from the ship to the Old Port in Marseille?
You cannot walk out of the commercial port: first Porte 4, then the shuttle to Place de la Joliette, then on foot, by bus or by metro. Altogether that is 40–60 minutes; a cruise line shuttle is quicker.
- Cruise line shuttle. Many lines take passengers straight to the Old Port or to La Joliette. Check the daily programme for the stop and the last departure.
- Port shuttle. On ship days it runs from the stop outside Porte 4 to Place de la Joliette. A green line on the ground leads from the gangway to the gate, 5–12 minutes on foot.
- Bus 35T. Runs only on cruise days, from La Joliette to the "Terminal Croisières" stop by the gate — a fallback for the way back.
- Taxi. There is a rank at La Joliette; from the Old Port to the port gate takes 15–20 minutes, longer at rush hour.
On your own or on a ship's excursion?
Central Marseille, Notre-Dame and the Château d'If are easy on your own. A ship's excursion makes more sense for Aix-en-Provence and Cassis with the calanques by land, for Avignon and Arles (1–1.5 hours each way) and for Provence's lavender fields in early summer — places public transport cannot get you to and back within one call.
The ship generally waits for its own excursions if they run late — it does not wait for independent passengers.
If Italy comes next on your itinerary, see Livorno in a day and La Spezia in a day.
How do you make sure you are back on board in Marseille?
- An hour from the Old Port. Shuttle, Porte 4 and the walk through the port to the gangway take about an hour. Be at the shuttle stop at least 1.5 hours before all-aboard time.
- The mistral. The strong northerly wind cancels boats to the Château d'If and the calanques. If it is windy, do not plan a boat trip for the afternoon.
- The right stop. Remember where your shuttle dropped you: different lines use different stops at La Joliette and the Old Port.
- Pickpockets. Around the Old Port, on the metro and near Saint-Charles station, keep your phone and wallet close.
- What to take. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, some cash in euros, water and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where do cruises calling at Marseille start?
Marseille is a regular call on Western Mediterranean itineraries between Barcelona, Genoa and Rome, and many of these ships also take on passengers here. If you would like a cruise that calls here, look at these departure ports:
- Cruises from Barcelona — one night's sailing from Marseille.
- Cruises from Genoa — the ship berths by the centre, with Marseille close by.
- Cruises from Savona — another Ligurian port on the same routes.
- Cruises from Civitavecchia — the port for Rome.
- Mediterranean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Common questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Marseille?
Large ships berth at the MPCT terminal in the commercial port north of Marseille, leaving through the Porte 4 gate. Smaller ships sometimes tie up at the J4 terminal by La Major cathedral, about 15 minutes on foot from the Old Port.
How do I get from the Marseille cruise port to the Old Port?
On ship days a port shuttle runs from Porte 4 to Place de la Joliette; from there the Old Port is about 25 minutes on foot or 10–15 minutes by bus. Many cruise lines run their own shuttle straight to the centre. By taxi it takes 15–20 minutes.
Can I walk from the ship to central Marseille?
Not from the MPCT terminal: the Old Port is several kilometres away through the commercial port and along main roads, so you need a shuttle or taxi. You can only walk from the J4 terminal, where smaller ships sometimes berth.
How do I get to Notre-Dame de la Garde on a cruise call in Marseille?
Bus 60 from the Old Port takes about 20 minutes, or it is about a 40-minute walk uphill. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the basilica and the view, including the journey.
Can I visit the Château d'If on one call in Marseille?
Yes, on a call of 7–8 hours or more: the boat from the Old Port takes about 20 minutes and the whole trip needs 2–3 hours. Sailings are cancelled in a strong mistral, so plan the Château d'If for the first half of the day.
Do I need my passport to go ashore in Marseille?
France is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from a Schengen port, there is usually no separate passport check; if it comes from outside Schengen, checks take place on board or in the terminal. Take ashore the document your cruise line asks for.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at 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 itineraries calling at Marseille are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, timetables, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.