Have questions? We're here.
| Trip Name | From | Days | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsican shores, under Sail Aboard Le Ponant | $9,930 | 8 | Set sail on an 8-day cruise along the Corsican coastline aboard Le Ponant, departing from Nice. Explore the northern terrain of Balagne with historic citadels and unspoiled villages. Experience the Gulf of Sant’Amanza. Visit the Gulf of Roccapina and Domaine de Murtoli before returning to Nice. |
| Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys | $6,720 | 8 | Explore the French and Italian Rivieras on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Bougainville. Visit UNESCO sites and cultural landmarks in Port Vendres, Marseille, Nice, Portofino, Porto Venere, and Livorno. Enjoy expert-guided excursions from Carcassonne’s medieval fortress to Pisa’s Leaning Tower, experiencing the art, history, and coastal landscapes of the Mediterranean. |
| Idyllic Rhone | $12,490 | 8 | Set sail on an 8-day cruise from Nice to Lyon on the Scenic Sapphire, exploring the Rhone and Saone rivers. Experience France’s rich heritage through its historic cities, medieval villages, and culinary delights amidst stunning landscapes. |
| Grand Voyage: Malaga to Cannes | $4,220 | 16 | Sail to an impressive collection of ports on this 16-day Grand Voyage, from the stunning Balearic Islands off Eastern Spain to quixotic tiny port towns along the Spanish and French Rivieras to the stylish and romantic city of Cannes. Relax aboard the Star Flyer and enjoy the life of a true sailor. |
| Trip Name | From | Days | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsica & French Riviera | $2,500 | 8 | Set sail on an 8-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Star Clipper, exploring Vieux Nice, Portofino, Corsica, and St. Tropez. Visit charming cafes, historic sites, and picturesque landscapes before returning to Nice. |
| Ligurian Sea | $2,500 | 8 | Set sail on an 8-day Mediterranean cruise from Nice aboard the Star Clipper, exploring Porto Venere, Portoferraio, Bonifacio, Alghero, and Ajaccio. Enjoy stunning coastlines, historic sites, and relax on beautiful beaches before returning to Nice. |
| Corsica Reveals its Hidden Treasures | $3,863 | 8 | This eight-day Corsican voyage aboard the MV La Belle des Océans reveals Corsica's hidden riches, a real paradise on earth that appears to have every marvel of the world on its shores or in its mountains. Relax on the beautiful beaches of Cargèse, "the Greek village," and Saint-Florent, Corsica's version of Saint-Tropez. |
| From the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic | $9,270 | 13 | Set sail on a 13-day Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic cruise aboard Le Boreal. Explore Nice, Bonifacio, Lipari, Taormina, Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj, and Piran. Walk historic centers, enjoy coastal views, and discover local cultures. Relax with onboard amenities during scenic sea days before ending in Venice. |
| Barcelona to Nice: A Mediterranean Canvas | $9,795 | 9 | Embark on a 9-day art-focused cruise along the Spanish and French Rivieras aboard the Douglas Mawson, exploring the studios and homes of legendary artists like Picasso and Dali. Enjoy workshops with a resident artist to capture the breathtaking landscapes that inspired these masters. |
| Nice to Rome: La Dolce Vita | $9,795 | 9 | Embark on a 9-day cruise from Nice to Rome on the Douglas Mawson, featuring guided tours, boutique shopping, and classic sites like the Colosseum. Enjoy "Your Choice" experiences, exploring iconic attractions and savoring Mediterranean culture, history, and cuisine along the way. |
| A Mediterranean Feast | $16,595 | 17 | Set sail on a 17-day cruise from Naples to Lisbon aboard the Douglas Mawson, exploring the Mediterranean's rich culinary heritage. Experience local gastronomy and culture while visiting historic sites, traditional villages, and renowned wineries. |
| Malaga to Nice | $2,660 | 8 | Experience an 8-day Mediterranean cruise from Malaga to Nice on the Royal Clipper, visiting highlights like Malaga’s Alcazaba, Cartagena’s Roman Theater, and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. Enjoy St. Tropez's luxury and stroll through Nice’s vibrant markets along the Promenade des Anglais. |
| Ligurian Sea | $2,660 | 8 | Set sail on an 8-day roundtrip cruise from Nice aboard the Royal Clipper, exploring the stunning coasts of France, Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia. Highlights include Porto Venere, Elba, Bonifacio, Alghero, and Ajaccio, wrapping up with a stroll along Nice's Promenade des Anglais. |
| Flavors and Sights of France and Italy | $5,999 | 9 | Sail along the Mediterranean coast from Nice through the French Riviera and into Italy on 9-day cruise aboard World Traveller. Explore Saint-Tropez, Sanary-sur-Mer, and Calvi before heading to Livorno, Cinque Terre, Porto Ercole, and Naples. Walk through historic ports, visit museums, relax on beaches, and enjoy coastal views. |
A French Riviera cruise puts you on open water, not a river. Where a river cruise follows a single waterway between fixed banks, sailing the Riviera means open Mediterranean crossings between glamorous ports, with the freedom to anchor in a quiet cove one afternoon and dock in a famous harbor the next. You wake up in Nice, spend an afternoon in Cannes, and step off in St-Tropez, all without repacking a bag.
The ships suit the coast. Small ships and tall-masted sailing yachts, typically carrying anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred guests, can reach harbors that larger cruise ships pass by. That means closer access to town centers, more time ashore, and a pace that feels more like private travel than a scheduled port call. Many of these ships include a day or more on Corsica, where limestone cliffs and quiet beaches offer a contrast to the polish of the mainland Riviera.
Where a river cruise is calm, scenic, and continuous, moving slowly past vineyards and villages, a Riviera cruise is built around a string of distinct, often glamorous stops. You get open sea days for swimming off the ship, sun-drenched decks, and evenings in port towns that have drawn travelers for a century, from the promenades of Nice to the beach clubs of St-Tropez.
If you're drawn to variety, active days ashore, and the romance of the open Mediterranean over the gentle rhythm of river travel, the French Riviera delivers a different kind of cruise entirely.
When is the best time to cruise the French Riviera?
The season runs April through October. Late May and June offer the best value and weather, July and August are peak season with the highest crowds and prices, and September and October bring comfortable temperatures with thinner crowds and lower fares.
What ports do French Riviera cruises visit?
Nice for its Promenade des Anglais and markets, Cannes for La Croisette and the film festival, St-Tropez for its beach clubs, Monaco for the Monte Carlo Casino and Grand Prix, and Corsica for its limestone cliffs and quiet beaches.
How big are the ships on a French Riviera cruise?
Small cruise ships typically carry 100 to 300 guests, while sailing yachts carry under 200, both sized to reach harbors larger ships can't.
Is the Riviera better by cruise or as part of a river cruise?
A Riviera cruise offers open Mediterranean sailing with glamorous ports and sea days, while a river cruise moves at a gentler pace along a single waterway through different regions in France.
Our team is waiting and ready to talk with you about your next adventure. So go ahead and book an appointment with one of our specialized trip planners.
Let's Chat
Skip the endless research and information overload—our deep destination expertise helps you design a more seamless trip in a fraction of the time.
With deep destination expertise in complex travel, we advise on how to maximize your time, avoid common pitfalls, and get the most out of every part of your trip.
You'll work with a team of humans who get to know you, answer every question, and support you until you return home—we're always just a call or text away.
No cost, no commitment. Talk with our experts about your dream trip.
Share your travel style—we match you with the right itinerary or create one just for you.
Lock in knowing every detail is handled and you’re fully supported.
Enjoy a seamless journey—and unlock 5% off your next adventure.
