British Isles: Paris/Le Havre Excursion Question

[zackarykeef]

Hi, all! Have cruise plenty, but this would be our first cruise on Princess should we choose to book. Looking at a British Isles cruise on Regal next month. The last day is in Le Havre prior to returning to Southampton the next morning. When looking at excursions, one said Paris tour with airport transfer. Why would you be going to the airport? Are you allowed to finish the cruise at that port instead, which is why they make it the last stop? I know you technically can with preapproval from the cruise line, etc, but I just thought that excursion was odd. Thank you!

 

Zack

[Lady Arwen]

Yes, it’s possible to disembark at LaHavre for Paris.  Some people choose to spend a few days in Paris before flying home.  You really can’t see much in just a few hours on an excursion.  Also, some will choose to fly directly home from Paris instead of London and will do a day trip before their flight.

[Steelers36]

I agree with the above.  It's five hours round trip on the highways, so how much time are you going to have in Paris - other than a whistle-stop tour of seeing some highlights?

[Hlitner]

We have often debarked, 1 day early, while in Le Havre on a Princess cruise.  The procedure is to request early debarkation (I think they call it "enroute deviation") in advance of the cruise, and it should be done in writing.  You will get a written approval (via e-mail).  Once aboard the cruise it is wise to stop by the Guest Relations desk (anytime during the cruise) and remind them of your intentions (and also tell your cabin steward).  

 

Why do we do this?  We have often used Princess as our way of getting to Europe (we love transatlantic repositioning cruises) and than prefer to be in France (within the EU) rather than in the UK.  There are usually dozens of other passengers also doing early debarkation and Princess usually has the usual baggage policy (leave your bags out at night and pick them up in the terminal).  There are good train connections to Paris (about 1 train per hour) which is where we usually go after our cruise.  From Paris, after our usual stay, we are off to other parts of France or Europe.

 

Hank

[nini]

On 5/16/2023 at 1:57 PM, zackarykeef said:

Hi, all! Have cruise plenty, but this would be our first cruise on Princess should we choose to book. Looking at a British Isles cruise on Regal next month. The last day is in Le Havre prior to returning to Southampton the next morning. When looking at excursions, one said Paris tour with airport transfer. Why would you be going to the airport? Are you allowed to finish the cruise at that port instead, which is why they make it the last stop? I know you technically can with preapproval from the cruise line, etc, but I just thought that excursion was odd. Thank you!

 

Zack

 

You are planning on cruising this June (2023)? We enjoyed our British Isles cruise in May 2022. Please be aware that tours in Le Havre for Normandy fill extremely quickly. We had over a year to book our excursions an were on the Wait List for many months for the Normandy tours.

You might consider booking for next year for more shore excursion availability.

[TheMoe]

If you are returning to your home port, Paris is too far and too long of a day.  You will spend 2.5 - 3hrs each way to and from Paris, which leaves too little time to explore the city.  Use your day to go to Normandy or to Honfleur. A good tour to Normandy is also a long day, but worth it. Since this was our last day of the cruise, we chose Honfleur and it was delightful and a gentle close to the cruise. Enjoy this lovley 16th - 18th-century port town and buy a baguette.