MPCT or J4: where your ship docks in Marseille
In Marseille, cruise ships berth at two separate sites, and it pays not to confuse them.
- MPCT (Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal): on the Môle Léon-Gourret, Chemin du Littoral, in the north of the port towards L’Estaque. It groups several terminals, each identified by a letter and all reached through Gate 4 of the port.
- J4 terminal: on Boulevard Jacques-Saadé, on the J4 esplanade beside the Old Port, La Major cathedral and the Mucem; the city centre and Le Panier are within walking distance.
At the MPCT, the terminal letter helps to pin down the meeting point, so include it if you have it. The exact spot is then given in the confirmation voucher you receive before departure. Inside the port, signs show which terminal each ship is using, and a green line on the ground leads to the terminals.
Embarking and disembarking: airport, station or hotel
On embarkation day, your chauffeur collects you from Marseille Provence Airport, Saint-Charles station or your hotel and drops you at your ship’s terminal. If the cruise line has given you a check-in slot, the pick-up time is worked back from it.
At the end of the cruise, the time you leave the ship is set by the cruise line. Your chauffeur meets you at the spot given in the confirmation voucher and takes you on to your flight, train or hotel. For the next leg, see Chauffeur at Marseille Provence Airport and Chauffeur at Saint-Charles station.
Worth including in your request:
- the ship, the cruise line, the date and, if you know it, the terminal;
- the disembarkation time or check-in slot given by the cruise line;
- your flight, your train or the hotel address;
- the number of passengers and suitcases, and the ages of any young children.
A shore excursion with a private driver
A port day is planned backwards. Start from the all-aboard time set by the cruise line, which comes before the sailing time, take off a margin for traffic, then fit the visits into what is left. One or two unhurried stops beat four squeezed in against the clock.
- Aix-en-Provence: the Cours Mirabeau, the old town, Mont Sainte-Victoire on the horizon. See Private chauffeur in Aix-en-Provence.
- Cassis: the harbour, Cap Canaille and the Calanques National Park close by; the Route des Crêtes towards La Ciotat is closed to motor vehicles on Sundays and, from 1 June to 30 September, on days of red fire risk; it can also be closed in strong wind. See Driver for Cassis and the Calanques.
- Marseille itself: Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Corniche Kennedy and the Vallon des Auffes by car, with Le Panier and the Mucem on foot if your ship is at the J4.
- A Luberon village such as Gordes, Roussillon or Lourmarin: one to weigh against your exact timings.
Families and groups: several cars, moving together
When several cabins travel together, the choice is between a van, such as a Mercedes V-Class, and several saloons leaving the terminal at the same time. The number of suitcases weighs as much in that choice as the number of passengers. The cars are provided by the Federation’s members, according to your request and their availability.
You receive one quote for the whole party and deal with a single point of contact. Each car’s timings are prepared in advance; if part of the family is staying on or taking a different flight, their journeys are arranged separately.
Arrive the day before, leave the day after
Reaching Marseille the day before embarkation leaves room for a delayed flight or train, and lets you board rested. A chauffeur takes you from the airport or station to your hotel, then, the following day, from the hotel to the terminal.
Nor do you have to leave the region the moment you step ashore: if your flight leaves late in the day, a chauffeur at your disposal lets you stop in Aix or Cassis on the way to the airport. To discuss it: Let’s talk about your visit.