Chapter 6: Putting Into Port
Transportation is an important consideration in Marseille if you’re not planning to take a Disney shore excursion. The simplest but priciest option is a taxi. If you’re thinking of hiring a taxi for several hours to do touring, consider booking one in advance with a service such as http://www.taxidurand.com. • At Vieux Port, you’ll find the Petit Train Touristiques µ (little tourist train), which offers two tours of the town center—cost is €5/adult and €3/child (more information at http://www.petit-train-marseille.com. • The Marseille train station is about a 15–20 minute walk from Vieux Port and it has trains to Aix-enProvence (only 40 minutes away) and Arles (about an hour away). • Car rentals are possible, but we do not recommend it due to the difficult driving conditions— drivers often disregard The little tourist train in Vieux Port common sense. How about staying safe in Marseille? Yep, you guessed it—the big issue here, as in so many other Mediterranean ports, is pickpocketing. In fact, we saw more “gypsies” and “beggars” (the terms our tour guides used) hanging about Vieux Port in Marseille than in any other port we visited. Use the standard precautions against pickpocketing mentioned in other Mediterranean port sections of this book. Also avoid the begging women with babies in their arms—if you stop to admire the baby in one arm, the other (hidden) arm relieves you of your wallet.
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The Disney Magic docks at the Port de Marseille (most likely berth 163), a commercial port to the north of Vieux Port (the center of the old town). A small, modular cruise terminal offers a cafe and a few souvenir stands. More information on the port is at http://www.marseille-port.fr. Taxis and tour buses leave from the wharf—it’s not practical to walk into town from here. Inquire about a shuttle into the city for about €5–6. Disembarkation time is typically 8:00 am with an all-aboard time around 7:00 pm. Cruisers on the 10-night itinerary arrive on a Wednesday; cruisers on the 11-night itinerary arrive on a Sunday.
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GETTING THERE GETTING AROUND STAYING SAFE
Magic Index
Topic: Marseille Tips and Notes
Making the Most of Marseille
Ports of Call
Activities
Dining
Staterooms
Reservations
Introduction
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