Since March 2003, Hercules Port has been developing new commercial activity with the docking of cruise ships. Previously such ships had little choice but to lie at anchor off Monaco, which limited the movements of cruise passengers, or alongside Quai des Etats-Unis for craft of less than 100 metres. The commissioning of the new semi-floating sea wall enabled the development of this business. 352 metres in length and sheltering the boats perfectly from the turbulence of the sea, the sea wall makes it possible to host cruise ships of up to 300 metres.
The port underwent a radical overhaul with the arrival of the sea wall and the lee breakwater, and the figures prove it: the number of stopovers rose from 101 in 2002 to 172 in 2005, 206 for 2008 and 245 forecast for 2009. With more than 180,000 passengers in 2006, 185,000 in 2007 and close to 230,000 expected for 2008, the economic boom generated by the sea wall is having an increasing effect on Monegasque trade. Over time the cruising business has breathed new life into tourism in the principality, to the benefit of the local economy.

 

	Download the 2010 cruise schedule
	Download the 2011 cruise schedule