If the thought of Monaco Grand Prix hotel prices makes you wince, a cruise ship might be the answer. Explora Journeys, the luxury line owned by MSC, will park its first ship, Explora I, at Port Hercule from 2 June 2027 — just 150 metres from the street circuit, close enough to hear the engines from a private terrace.
The ship will stay put for three days over the race weekend, and 2027 marks the third year running Explora has used Monaco as a base for Formula One. Guests who book the race packages get suites with three-day Grandstand access — those are already sold out — with suites including three-day Paddock Club hospitality due to be released soon, though prices haven't been announced yet. Keen travellers can register interest with the line in the meantime.
What makes this more than a novelty is how it slots into longer itineraries. The Monaco weekend can be tacked onto a full sailing: one route runs from Rome to Monaco from 24 May to 7 June, another from Monaco to Barcelona between 2 and 14 June, and guests can combine the two for a longer Mediterranean trip that has the Grand Prix built into the middle.
On board, Explora I carries ocean-front suites with private terraces, six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges — a well-catered alternative to cramming into Monte Carlo for the weekend. Explora's president, Anna Nash, framed the return as combining privileged access, food and hospitality in one seamless package, and noted Monaco has become a fixture in the brand's calendar.
There's a broader MSC angle too: the group is a major sponsor of Formula One, and MSC Cruises has been confirmed as title sponsor of three 2027 Grands Prix — the Belgian, Turkish and Portuguese rounds — so the branding will be visible trackside well beyond Monaco.
For travellers, this is one of the few realistic ways to sleep within walking distance of the circuit without paying Monte Carlo hotel rates or fighting for a berth. The catch: the best options sell out early, so anyone tempted by the Paddock Club suites or the combined cruises should act as soon as those go on sale.
Story via The Independent Travel.
