American Cemetery in Normandy tour from Le Havre France.

[MarkH]

I cannot be that close to the American Cemetery at Normandy without visiting from my port call in Le Havre.  Unfortunately the only tour that would pick up at the port has ceased operations.  Private tours that originate from Le Havre start at over 1000 Euros which is a little more than I would like to spend.  Is there a ship forum or bulletin board to reach out to other passengers on the Regal Princess 17 September 2023 cruise to organize a private group tour? 

[kefthecruiser]

I don’t have a specific answer for you on arranging a tour.

You are so right about going to the American Cemetery and Normandy beaches. I was able to do that tour from Le Havre on my TA in 2016. I was awestruck and will always remember walking through the rows, one after another, of heroes who died for our freedom. It’s the NUMBER 1 port stop of all my cruises and I’ll never forget it.  

[3Sisters]

 

@MarkH A private group tour sounds like a fun initiative. I wonder if there are any other cruisers on the same September itinerary with you! Sharing a taxi could certainly help with lowering the cost a bit. Will this be your first time cruising onboard Regal Princess? This ship was involved in a plane crash rescue back in 2019! It was a pretty amazing rescue mission.

@kefthecruiser Thanks for sharing this spot to visit! The photos are truly a sight to remember. It looks very remarkable and like an unforgettable experience. How far was this location from the port?

[kefthecruiser]

I remember the bus ride being long as the guide ran out of things to say. We went to the beaches first, local museums, and then the cemetery. Unfortunately it was a cold and overcast day. I think total excursion time was around 8 hrs. Google maps says it's 1 hr 45 min from Le Havre to American Cemetery. Rather far for a taxi. My excursion was through the cruise line, but I remember there were independent tours as well. I suppose one could rent a car (?).

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@kefthecruiser What a great shot of this cemetery! It does seem a little far, and expensive, to drive almost 2 hours from the port to experience this site on your own. Renting a car would give you much more freedom throughout the day! That's a great idea. 

@MarkH I hope you can find more cruisers willing to jump in on this. I wonder if there is another public transit option that could be more affordable if you can't round up anyone else to tag along. The site seems pretty costal, near Ohama Beach, maybe there is a ferry option. 

 

Edited April 3, 2023 by Kendall James-Vargas

[kefthecruiser]

@Kendall James-Vargas Yes, American Cemetery sits on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel. The Channel is visible in my second photo, easier to see on the right side.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@MarkH I hope you can visit this memorial site on your upcoming Regal Princess cruise! I found this pretty cool site with some options from the port, but the prices are a bit steep, as you mentioned in your initial post.  https://www.overlordtour.com/product-category/tour-from-ports/

@kefthecruiser It's pretty amazing this cemetery is so closely located to the English Channel. Are you aware if a ferry or tender would be able to cruise to this spot from the cruise terminal? I would much rather enjoy a ferry to this scenic Omaha Beach spot instead of traveling via road in a car. 

 

[kefthecruiser]

@Cruising Caribbean As I recall (from 2016), there were no docks / piers in the area. The facilities the Allies installed after D Day were temporary and have either been removed, sunk or left to decay, certainly nothing usable. I remember the beaches as being relatively flat and barren (it was a cold, overcast day). 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@kefthecruiser Thanks for sharing your recollection of the area. I doubt anything has been reconstructed since your visit in 2016. It doesn't sound like you went on a good beach day, but maybe in September, the weather would be nice for a walk on the beach. If you are going all the way over to the cemetery via car from the port, you might as well make a full day of events if you can! 

[PaulB]

@MarkH yeah it's definitely best to get a car and drive there yourself. I did that several years ago as I love history and France is full of history. One thing I noticed about the French is how respectful they are for everyone that was connected to the war. They have graveyards and shrines and pieces of art that represents each country during the war. If you visit Monet's garden in Giverny, placed in the heart of its beautiful town was a shrine dedicated to the British pilots that crash landed there. Le Touquet in north France has V2 rockets on display in the forestry that the Germans took over and is now used as a museum of sort for you to visit. And there were many more like that throughout the country.

[Cruising Caribbean]

It's interesting hearing some of the histories behind this popular landmark. Thanks for sharing all of this historical insight into the area. Since I haven't been to Europe before, all of this culture isn't as tangible as it may be for you! You can't go wrong with visiting local museums at any port of call. Museums are so rich in history and information specific to their native surroundings. 

[PaulB]

I love history. It defines us as people and where we are is all down to everything that's happened in the past. Museums are incredible and I'm glad they are still popular and just shows us that people are fascinated by the course of history 

[Cruising Caribbean]

Since you enjoy history, you may like to read about the history and significance of a cruise horn, if you weren't already familiar with it. The cruise ship horn is used for lots of different reasons besides making itself known. It's actually used to display the size of its ship and signify interest to pass while at sea. On the other hand, five short horn blasts can actually mean the ship is in danger, and you can hope to never have to hear that one onboard a cruise! 

[PaulB]

Oh wow. That's a really interesting article. I love knowing about things like that. It never really occured to me before but it goes to show you the thinking behind everything. Thank you for that information.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I think a horn is essential for a ship. Cruising the ocean has many more rules and regulations than the average person knows. Although a cruise ship isn't designed with blinkers (which would be nice), it does at least need a horn to notify others out in the ocean that a large ship is coming through! The cost of collision is far too great and should be avoided at all costs. Imagine if visibility is low, a ship would need to at least be heard if it can't be seen! That's one of the reasons why a cruise ship horn is so loud. 

[PaulB]

@Kendall James-Vargas maybe they should bring back lighthouses to be in working order. In the UK, they don't tend to get used but are still there as a good point of reference mainly and a good photo opportunity.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I agree, lighthouses were very purposeful! Not only are they beautiful but very practical. I absolutely love the lighthouse show on MSC Cruises' private island, Ocean Cay. It's so exciting and exhilarating to watch the evening light show that dances to choreographed music. I have watched it a few times, but it's so amazing to watch post-dinner on an outdoor deck while disembarking from the port with a drink in hand. One of the highlights of visiting Ocean Cay for sure! 

[PaulB]

@Kendall James-Vargas that sounds amazing and certainly something I would be interested in watching. Is there something online that I could see or is it purely on the island?

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I'm so sure many people have filmed it, and of course I doubt it does it justice like in real life. I will share a good youtube clip of it. It starts up at about 45 seconds in this clip.

 

[LukeJ]

Loved the show. I also like lighthouses and believe they are an important part of our history. I love the concept and I also love the designs of them. There is something magical about a lighthouse when you see them up close. Even after all this time.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@LukeJ Yay, I'm glad you enjoyed it too! I agree that there is something so magical about watching this sort of beauty while surrounded by tranquil water. I really don't think it can disappoint anyone; it's just beautiful to all. The graphics are also exceptional for a show like this too. I enjoyed that the show went on, it wasn't too brief and the music was choreographed so beautifully with the flow of the lights. Lighthouses are just a traditional maritime staple, so seeing them so advanced and modernized with a digitalized light show is a symbol of the new age progression in technology and the marine industry as a whole. MSC Cruises definitely thought hard about guests when choosing the amenities of the area in Ocean Cay.

[PaulB]

Lighthouses also make fantastic photographs of anyone is keen and into photography. I'm glad they don't start pulling them down, I know they are all obsolete now but they are such beautiful things to keep hold of.

[Cruising Caribbean]

They absolutely do! On my recent cruise, the photographers got off on a private beach to photograph my family with the lighthouse in the background and the photos are unforgettable. These photos happened to be included in the photo package, which was even better! 

[PaulB]

They make a great backdrop for photographs that's for sure. And a great character for horror films.