Fort-de-France Cruise Port
Fort-de-France, Martinique · Caribbean
Cruise ships dock at Quai des Tourelles - Main Cruise Berth, Fort-de-France.
Most ships dock at Tourelles, 3 km east of downtown (free shuttle or €5 taxi). Smaller ships use Pointe Simon, right next to Fort Saint-Louis and La Savane park.
At a glance
Port summary
Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique — French Caribbean, EUR currency, French-Creole spoken. Two cruise berths share the Baie de Fort-de-France: the main Tourelles quay 3 km east of downtown (cruise-line shuttle bus included or €5 taxi to La Savane), and the smaller Pointe Simon downtown berth right at the foot of Fort Saint-Louis. Old Town is walkable in 30 minutes — La Savane park, the Cathédrale Saint-Louis, the Bibliothèque Schoelcher and the Grand Marché. Day trips: vedette ferry across the bay to Trois-Îlets / Pointe du Bout / Anse-à-l'Ane (15 min) for beaches, coach to Saint-Pierre + Montagne Pelée (45 min north), or rum-tour to Habitation Clément (45 min east).
Cruise docks
🚢 Quai des Tourelles - Main Cruise Berth
Working commercial quay 3 km east of downtown Fort-de-France - the main berth used by most large cruise ships (RCCL, MSC, Carnival). No terminal building, just the dock and a shuttle stop. Free or $5 cruise-line shuttle takes 10 min to La Savane.
📍 Latitude: 14.604557, Longitude: -61.056212
See dock on port map →🚢 Pointe Simon - Downtown Cruise Berth
Downtown berth at the foot of the Tour Lumina at Pointe Simon - used by smaller cruise ships (Windstar, Sea Cloud, Disney Wonder). Step off straight into the Old Town - 5 min walk to Fort Saint-Louis and La Savane.
📍 Latitude: 14.602356, Longitude: -61.073032
See dock on port map →Getting to Fort-de-France
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
From Tourelles it's a 30-min walk along Boulevard Alfassa to La Savane. From Pointe Simon you're 5 min from the cathedral. Walking from Tourelles is hot and exposed — most cruisers take the shuttle.
📍 Step off the gangway and follow the seafront promenade west
Most cruise lines run a free or $5 round-trip shuttle bus from Tourelles to La Savane and back. Drop-off is at the Office du Tourisme by the cathedral. Pointe Simon ships don't need it — they're already downtown.
📍 Cruise-line shuttle stop at Tourelles dock gate
Metered T-marked taxis. Confirm cards are accepted before boarding ('la carte bancaire?'). Day rates with English-speaking guides for Saint-Pierre or Habitation Clément run €80-150 — negotiate before departure.
📍 Taxi rank at Tourelles gate and at Place de la Savane
Vedettes (catamaran shuttles) cross the Baie de Fort-de-France in 15 min to Pointe du Bout, Anse-Mitan and Anse-à-l'Ane on the Trois-Îlets side. Best way to reach the beaches; €7 single, €9 return.
📍 Vedettes Tropicales pier at Quai Ouest, 8 min walk west of Pointe Simon
Mozaïk regional buses reach Saint-Pierre (1h, €1.40) and Trois-Îlets (50 min). Cash-only, French-only signage, schedules unreliable on Sundays. For cruise-day reliability take a taxi or organised tour instead.
📍 Gare Routière de Pointe Simon, 5 min walk from Pointe Simon dock
Map & things to do
Money & payments
A contactless card covers most spending. Carry €30-80 cash for market stalls, taxi tips, rum-distillery gratuities and the Mozaïk bus.
Things to do
Bibliothèque Schoelcher
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Belle Époque library shipped from the 1889 Paris Expo, named for the abolitionist Victor Schœlcher.
🕐 Mid-morning to see the stained-glass interior; closes 13:00-15:00.
La Savane Park & Empress Joséphine
Short stop⭐ Highlight
5-ha central park with palms, food trucks and the famously beheaded Joséphine statue.
🕐 Late afternoon when food trucks open and the heat drops.
Fort Saint-Louis
⭐ Highlight
17th-c sea fortress still on French Navy duty — guided tours of ramparts and dungeons.
🕐 Mid-morning when the guided tour starts; ID required at the gate.
Saint-Pierre Ruins & Montagne Pelée
⭐ Highlight
1902 eruption ruins below the still-active 1,397 m volcano that erased the city in 90 s.
🕐 Mid-morning before midday heat at the open ruins; volcano summit is shrouded by 13:00.
Anse Dufour & Anse Noire Beaches
🏖️ Beach
Twin coves separated by a 5-min walk — sea turtles in Dufour, jet-black volcanic sand at Anse Noire.
🕐 Mid-morning for the calmest snorkeling water and best turtle-spotting odds.
Pointe du Bout Beach & Marina
🏖️ Beach
Resort marina across the bay — ferry hop, beach, restaurants, La Pagerie 5 min inland.
🕐 Late morning vedette across the bay; return by 16:00 to beat afternoon crowds.
Grand Marché Couvert
Short stop🛒 Market
Covered market: cinnamon, vanilla, hot sauces, ti'punch rums and bright madras fabrics.
🕐 Early morning while the produce is fresh; closes 14:00 most days.
Sacré-Cœur de Balata
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
Half-scale Paris Sacré-Cœur perched in tropical hills 9 km north — postcard view.
🕐 Mid-morning before clouds roll over the hills; combine with the Jardin de Balata.
Cathédrale Saint-Louis
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
1895 metal-frame cathedral built earthquake- and hurricane-proof — 'la cathédrale méteo'.
🕐 Mid-morning between masses; closes 12:00-15:00 weekdays.
Habitation Clément Rum Estate
🏛️ Museum
1887 sugar-rum plantation with gardens, contemporary art foundation and cellar tasting.
🕐 Late morning to combine the gardens with cellar tastings before lunch.
Rocher du Diamant Viewpoint
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
175 m volcanic sea-stack from the Caribbean — best shot from Anse du Diamant beach.
🕐 Late afternoon when the rock is back-lit and the beach quiets down.
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Fort-de-France?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Fort-de-France, Martinique. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Fort-de-France?
- Yes. Fort-de-France is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Fort-de-France centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Shuttle bus, Taxi, Ferry, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Fort-de-France?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Fort-de-France independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Fort-de-France and are cards accepted?
- Fort-de-France uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Fort-de-France cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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