The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic events in the world — and one of the trickiest to plan. I know because I’ve done it.
Attending the Monaco Grand Prix was my husband’s dream trip, and we planned to attend for his 50th birthday in 2020. After COVID derailed this attempt, we decided 55 was the new 50, and we started planning again. Fast forward to May of 2025, and my husband and I finally made it happen for his 55th birthday.
If you’re dreaming about attending the Monaco Grand Prix — whether it’s your own bucket-list moment or a milestone celebration — this guide is for you. Here’s what I learned, so you can make the right call for your own trip.
Why Consider a Cruise for the Monaco Grand Prix?
There are a few ways to attend the Grand Prix: a cruise, a private tour, or a group guided tour. We chose the cruise route, which gave us two full days in Monaco to experience both the practices and the races. There are several cruise lines that offer a port stop in Monaco for race day only, but only a few that offer both days.
Expert Advice: The two-day option is, in my opinion, non-negotiable — practice day sets the stage and the atmosphere is electric. Don’t settle for a single-day stop if you can avoid it.
The biggest advantage of the cruise option? You unpack once. You get to know the staff, experience the ship, and visit other ports along the way — ports you may never have made time for otherwise. It’s a seamless, contained travel experience built around one extraordinary event.
The Three Cruise Lines Worth Knowing for Monaco Grand Prix Weekend
Not all Monaco Grand Prix cruises are equal. Here’s an honest breakdown of three cruise lines I’ve sailed, including what they do well and where they fall short.
Windstar Cruises: Solid Four-Star Value for Race Fans
Windstar is a solid four-star cruise line. We have sailed with them multiple times and have had good service. For their Grand Prix voyage, Windstar includes the race tickets in the cost of the cruise, as well as bringing a race professional on the ship for the duration. There are scheduled talks with the race expert and also post-race analysis and feedback. For our 7-night sailing, we joined the ship in Barcelona and ended in Rome.
We sailed aboard the 342-guest Wind Surf. The small ship was nice, but there were no balconies, and only windows in the cabins. During this time of year, it is lovely to share some evening time relaxing on your balcony — so if that matters to you, take note. Also worth knowing, Windstar uses a local boat service for tendering back and forth to the ship. This is nice — not having to use the lifeboats of the ship, as the larger tenders were more stable. If you get motion sick like I do, you’ll be very thankful for them.
Expert Advice: The waters on Sunday are very rough with all the movement of tenders, ferries, lifeboats, etc. Plan accordingly — sea legs are a must on race day.
Best for: Race fans who want tickets included, expert commentary on board, and a longer Mediterranean itinerary without a luxury price tag.
Silversea: Luxury Flexibility and Premium Viewing Choices
Silversea is your luxury line with amazing service. They offer tickets for the race as shore excursions. You have the option for one- or two-day tickets, and also your choice of location: Grandstand K, an apartment balcony, the Miramar Rooftop, and the Belvedere Hospitality suite. This flexibility is genuinely impressive — not every cruise line gives you this kind of control over your race-day experience. If you were in the Grandstand seats, they brought you a continental breakfast and lunch. If your partner is not a race fan, there are other shore excursion options for these two days as well.
Silversea did use their lifeboats for transportation to/from the ship. If motion sickness is a concern, this is worth factoring in — especially on race day when the harbor is busy. I sailed on Silversea to Alaska and found it to be a great experience — the service level is genuinely exceptional across their fleet.
Best for: Couples with different interests, guests who want premium or hospitality-tier race access, and anyone who values customization over an all-inclusive race package.
Explora Journeys: The Docked-in-Monaco, Five-Star Option
Explora Journeys is another luxury five-star option for Monaco. The food and service are equivalent to those of luxury hotels (think St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria, Dorchester Collection, etc.). What makes Explora truly different from the other options on this list: Their ship is DOCKED in Monaco for four nights and five days. The benefit of this is there is NO tender or lifeboat needed. If you get motion sick easily, this is the way to go. Another benefit is you can walk right off the ship and go everywhere.
This short stay can be combined with a longer journey or booked as just the four nights. They have viewing events on the ship and you can see parts of the race from there, but you can also purchase a 3-day Grandstand access pass or an F1 Paddock Club™ hospitality package. All cabins on Explora have balconies, so there’s no worrying about a window cabin, and the cabins are larger than some suites on other lines. I’ve sailed Explora and, hands down, it offered the best service and food I have had on a ship of this size.
Best for: Guests who want the pinnacle of luxury, hate the idea of tendering, want maximum flexibility to come and go from Monaco freely, or are combining the Grand Prix with a longer luxury voyage.
Quick Comparison: Which Monaco Grand Prix Cruise Is Right for You?
| Windstar | Silversea | Explora Journeys | |
| Star Rating | 4-star | 5-star luxury | 5-star luxury |
| Grand Prix Tickets Included? | Yes | Add-on | Add-on |
| Days in Monaco | 2 | 2 | 4 nights / 5 days |
| Tendering | Local boats | Ship lifeboats | No tender (docked) |
| Balconies? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Value + race focus | Flexibility + luxury | Access + luxury |
Practical Tips from Race Weekend
A few things I wish I’d known before I went:
- Book early. Monaco Grand Prix sailings sell out well in advance — sometimes a year or more out. Don’t wait until six months before race weekend.
- Two days beats one. Practice day offers essential context for race day. If your cruise only stops for one day, you’re missing half the experience.
- Expect harbor chaos on Sunday. The water is busy with tenders, ferries, and spectator boats. If you’re prone to motion sickness, factor this into which cruise line you choose.
- Grandstand vs. hospitality. Both are memorable, but hospitality suites (Miramar Rooftop, Paddock Club, etc.) offer a dramatically different — and dramatically pricier — experience. Know what you want before you book.
- Non-race-fan partners are not a problem. Monaco is a stunning destination in its own right. Most cruise lines include non-race excursions for those who’d rather explore the city.
Ready to Plan Your Monaco Grand Prix Cruise?
Planning a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix is more complex than it looks — tickets, cruise itineraries, viewing locations, and logistics all need to come together at the right time. As a travel advisor who has attended the race and sailed these cruise lines firsthand, I can help you put together the trip that actually matches your expectations.
Contact me to start planning your Monaco Grand Prix experience.
