Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Louis Cruises to open new port in Marseilles

Here is some great news folks, especially when you consider the potential to open up embarkation in the South of France!!

The European Union has approved a partnership between the French government and three cruise lines to construct a new cruise terminal in Marseilles on the Mediterranean coast.

It will be jointly managed by Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Louis Cruises, under a 25-year deal. MSC Cruises said the collaboration between the state and private companies is a first in the history of French ports.

The three cruise lines will invest about $10 million, while France will contribute approximately $5 million to the redevelopment. The proposed work will include a widening of the port to increase capacity, a new parking area and renovated reception areas for cruise passengers.

MSC said the partners aim to increase the number of annual passengers passing through Marseilles from 530,000 to 1 million by 2011.

Phil's comment: Hopefully this will open up some fantastic opportunities for cruise & stay holiday on the French Riviera in the coming years, both by air and by rail from the UK.

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil