The expectations are high in the French Riviera Ports for 2017, with 383 combined calls and 703,000 passengers expected.

The French Riviera Cruise Club brings the ports and stakeholders together to enhance the experience for all.

Port members include Cannes, Golfe-Juan, Antibes-Vauban, Nice and Villefranche.

Passengers have a new smart phone app with special discount offers and pertinent information.

The group said that it estimates 50 percent of passengers are visiting the French Riviera for the first time, making it imperative for first experience to be a good one and to ensure information is readily available.

There is a separate guide book for crew with crew discounts.

For cruise lines, there are sample itineraries and customized shore excursion product offerings. In the winter, there are discounts on port fees up to 50 percent. The majority of traffic is in the summer season.

Each year the organization also gives away a Green Award to reward clean ships and cruise companies that work to educate the local communities on their environmental practices.