Excursion chosen: Calanques Coast by Boat and Foot
Description: They describe the excursion as, “Drive to the charming fishing village of Sanary-sur-Mer with free time to explore the Roman ruins, grab a bite to eat, or shop in the fashionable boutiques. Continue to Cassis where you will board a sightseeing boat and get up close to the Calanque – a dramatic coastline of beautiful inlets and bays, ringed with white cliffs. You’ll venture across Port-Miou, which ends at a small, sandy beach, framed by pine trees. Back in Cassis, head back to Marseilles, enjoying a sightseeing tour along the way.”
Total duration: 8 hours, including 1.5 hours of a boat trip, a 1-hour drive to/from the pier, 40 minute drive from Sanary to Cassis, and a 20-minute shuttle on a little train from Cassis parking area to the boat launch.
Our Thoughts: We were not thrilled with this tour at all.
1. We were bused to a “train” that took us down to Cassis (1st stop). The train operates on regular roads at regular speeds, with no seatbelts. If you’re big into safety, this will seem uncomfortable.
2. We took the boat ride first and it was on an old tour vessel that was both highly uncomfortable and also kind of boring (as well as hot). We all expected to be in a sleeker speed boat or more comfortable catamaran to explore these inlets (which, those were beautiful). From there, we had about 30 minutes to walk around Cassis.
3. Though no fault of the tour guide, two people were missing from the group and we had to wait an additional 30 minutes for her to find them and bring them back to the bus, reducing our time elsewhere.
4. When we got to Sanary-sur-Mer, we realized everything was shut down because it’s a Monday, which meant 45 minutes of trying to find a place to sit and relax until it was time to head back to the ship.
Our recommendation: Find a different tour.
For more on my and @blackbeardsadventures ‘s Virgin Cruise experience: https://www.inspiruption.com/the-travel-lounge/french-days-amp-ibiza-nights-a-virgin-cruise