Monaco Grand Prix From a Yacht Cruise: An Insider’s Guide to Race Day on the Riviera

Port

Day in the life: Race day from a yacht

The day of the finals, we woke up as the boat was making its way into Monte Carlo from Cannes. As we enjoyed an al fresco breakfast on deck, the anchor was dropped just outside Port de Fontvieille. Helicopters were busy in the skies above and Red Bull themed tenders carved across the harbor, the water around us crowded, but coordinated. Every boat and private yacht in the bay sending tenders to the same quay at Port de Fontvieille, which is the smaller port on the other side of the Prince’s Palace from the famous Port Hercule.

After tendering into the quay, it’s about a ten-minute walk up to the ticket collection point and depending on seating section, another 5–30 minutes into the event. There is also the option to reserve a car transfer, but the traffic as you get closer to the race will take longer than the walk itself.

I wore Ferrari red. Sorry Lando, but in Monaco you cheer for Leclerc.

For seating, we wanted to watch the race from a hospitality suite and we chose La Rascasse Cafe through Senate Racing for its viewing position at the famous corner and its proximity to the VIP bridge. The latter was an expected source of entertainment, observing drivers, team principals, and VIPs and they crossed over into Pit Lane. We arrived early enough we saw the Porsche Cup and then the driver parade before the main event. Never having sat through a race before, I was surprised how quickly the day went and being there in person, the energy of the crowd is contagious. It really was a blast! Throughout the day, the café provided a rotating selection of breakfast, lunch, and light bites as well as an open bar.

There are more premium F&B suites, but we enjoyed the proximity to the action and views.

After the race, the herds head straight for the train station. The walk back to the quay at Port de Fontvieille is in the opposite direction. Easy stroll, little crowds. This alone is an argument for arriving by yacht.

• A note from Jenna on choosing your hospitality tier: Street courses are tricky. Some suites are too high above. Some sit on a straight where the cars are too fast to really see anything. The main harbor yacht-viewing options lean party over race. Match the suite to what you actually want. Quiet and exclusive is a different ticket than party-with-a-view, and grandstand is something else again.

Monte Carlo

Yachting cruise matching: Which one is right for you

Four cruise lines run Monaco-adjacent itineraries on Grand Prix weekend.

Explora Journeys

The bucket-list F1 trip for a true fan. Docked in Port Hercule for all three days of the race weekend, with optional access to both grandstand seating and Paddock Club. 900 guests. The ship itself is a floating luxury hotel. This is the right pick if seeing every session of the race weekend is the point of the trip.

Windstar

For the avid fan who wants history. Anchored in Monte Carlo for two days covering Time Trials and Championship day, with an onboard racing expert and grandstand tickets to both days included in the fare. 342 guests on an older Wind Class sailing ship that appeals to a nostalgic taste.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

RCYC has been a major sponsor in recent years and has hosted team yacht events for guests. Programming details shift year to year, and the smaller ship size means race-week sailings often go to waitlist before they’re publicly visible.

SeaDream Yacht Club

A small-ship yacht experience, max 200 guests, more traditional yacht vibe. Anchors in Monte Carlo Harbor for championship race day only. This is the right pick for the person who wants to attend the championship race without making the entire week about it. SeaDream alternates between cabin bookings and full private charter; cabin booking years go to waitlist quickly. (Full private charter is also an option for groups.)

• Tip: Book early. Like, two years out. RCYC and SeaDream are smaller and often go to waitlist before they’re publicly visible. Explora and Windstar generally have more availability further out, but the best cabins move fast either way.

Yachting cruise beyond the race

A SeaDream itinerary built around F1 isn’t really an F1 cruise. It’s a small-ship Mediterranean week with Monaco as the marquee day. Some itinerary highlights and one warning.

Cannes is one of the best-timed stops on a Monaco-weekend itinerary because the Film Festival overlaps with the Grand Prix. It means continuous red carpet moments, fantastic people watching, and the chance to actually catch a screening if you plan ahead.

Saint-Tropez was a real highlight. Tarte Tropézienne, sandal shopping, the kind of stop where you understand why people built their entire summer around this town for fifty years.

Portofino gets ridiculously congested between 11 and 2, but in the morning and again at golden hour, it’s magical. You feel like you’re part of a postcard, like you’re discovering a secret. Walk the Passeggiata dei Baci out to the sandy and quieter beaches at Paraggi. For cocktails, sit on the patio at DaV Mare for the people-watching. Mezcal fans should order the Tramontana, and the accompanying aperitivi are adorable.

Elba was a fun discovery. Hike up to the fort where Napoleon was exiled. Late May, the Mediterranean is still cool, but SeaDream rolled out the waterslide for a marina day with all the water toys and we made the most of it.

• A note from Jenna on Livorno: Some itineraries bill Livorno as a Tuscany day with a long bus ride to Florence with wine tasting. Don’t do it unless there’s an overnight option. We took the train to Lucca instead and discovered our favorite pizza of the entire trip. In Italy, that’s saying a lot.

• Many streets are closed on race day in Monte Carlo, and you can’t cross the track until a couple hours after the race. This is not an ideal day to be exploring the city.

• May on the Riviera can be cooler. It’s ideal for walking around but still chilly for swimming.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Monaco page.