An intense cruising week in Var-Provence!

No less than 14 calls are scheduled this week of July 18-24 in the Var-Provence cruise ports*: an unfailing proof of the increased popularity of the destination.

The cruise season in Var Provence extends over the whole year. It has long begun with the call of the Viking Star in Toulon on January 12, and the last calls are scheduled on December 29 with the coming of the Viking Sea in Toulon and the Aida Stella in La Seyne-sur-Mer (overnight call). 

However, July remains one of the most intense months in terms of cruise ship attendance with 41 calls expected in Var-Provence! This successful summer season is mainly due to the wide variety of exciting excursions available from the Var-Provence 12 cruise ports* and to the strategic geographical position of the area, at the heart of Provence and French Riviera.

July started to hit the ground running with the maiden call of the TUI Discovery on July 7 in Toulon, followed with two simultaneous Regent Seven Seas maiden calls on July 9: both the Navigator and the Explorer ships called in the Ports of Toulon Bay, a major first in the history of the Ports. For this special day, tenders were available to transport cruise passengers from ship to ship so that they could visit their « neighbour ».

It was a real honour that The Explorer, considered by many as the world’s most luxurious ship, selected the port of Toulon as its first port to call in France, on its way to Monaco to attend its Christening Ceremony held by H.S.H Princess Charlene on July 13.

The week of July 18-24 definitely rises in intensity as the Explorer keeps on navigating in Var- Provence, calling in 3 ports consecutively: Saint-Raphaël (July 19), Saint-Tropez (July 21) and Sanary (July 22).

In total, 14 calls are scheduled in 5 Var-Provence ports during this week:

July is also an important month in Var-Provence regarding Cruise Terminals.

The 13th, Jacques Bianchi, President of the Var Chamber of Commerce and Industry (that manages the Ports of Toulon Bay), presided over the inauguration of the Cruise Terminal of Toulon City-Center. It has been completely refurbished and modernized for the pleasure and comfort of cruise passengers and crew members.

«This inauguration echoes the one that took place in May, to officially present the brand new Cruise Terminal of La Seyne-sur-Mer » says Laurence Cananzi, elected member of the Var CCI and President of the Var Provence Cruise Club, «with the quality of its infrastructures the Ports of Toulon Bay are able to meet the needs of the Cruise Lines and to provide the guests with the best services”. “If the Ports of Toulon Bay are the leader in Var-Provence in terms of infrastructure and number of scheduled calls (50% market share), cruise ships have also the possibility to call at anchor in smaller but typical Provençal ports” enthuses Cananzi “Having a large range of options, that’s the strength of Var-Provence, as we are close to everything”.

August promises to be as busy with 40 cruise calls expected; among them, let’s point out that the World Residensea will remain 3 days in Sanary (August 6-7-8), and that the Ports of Toulon Bay will welcome 3 simultaneous calls with the coming of the Mein Schiff 3, Costa Riviera and Sovereign the same day (August 19).

Var Provence is «simply unavoidable» in the Med: 300 calls are expected in 2016 and 450 000 passengers will discover a wonderful experience ashore.

* Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Bandol, Sanary, Les Embiez, Ports of Toulon Bay (Toulon/La Seyne-sur-Mer), Hyères, Porquerolles, Le Lavandou, Cavalaire, Saint-Tropez, Fréjus, St-Raphaël.

La Seyne-sur-Mer, July 19 2016.