LeHavre or Cherbourg, which is closer to the Normandy Beaches?

Our Jewel of the Seas westbound TA offers tours to the Beaches of Normandy from both Le Havre (approx. 10 hours) and Cherbourg (approx. 5 hours). Both descriptions seem similar although lunch is included in the tour from LeHavre, but the prices and times involved are quite different. Is the distance between these two ports and the beaches, that much different or is there some other factor which would explain the difference in time and price? If anyone has taken either of these tours and can help us decide which to take, it would be greatly appreciated.:)

We were on the Jewel for the Eastbound TA this May and docked in Cherbourg from only 7 - 4. Cherbourg is closer to the American D-Day Beaches of Omaha, Utah and Point du Hoc. LeHarve is closer to the English and Canadian D-Day landing beaches. We were on an excellent private tour for 6 with www.overlordtour.com which picked us up at the ship at 8AM and returned us by 3:15 for a 4PM departure. We loved the tour, it was cheaper than the ship's excursion but we couldn't help but feel rushed as there is so much history to see. Overlord can customize your tour and we got to Omaha, Utah, Pointe du Hoc and St. Mere Eglise as well as other spots in the Normandy countryside. I wish we'd have been able to have 14 hours in port so we could have had a longer tour. I'd recommend getting a private tour from LeHarve. Even though you are in transit longer to the American beaches you have the luxury of time to visit the sites with such a long time in port. Second choice, would be a quick tour from Cherbourg like we had. Good luck.

We were on the Jewel for the Eastbound TA this May and docked in Cherbourg from only 7 - 4. Cherbourg is closer to the American D-Day Beaches of Omaha, Utah and Point du Hoc. LeHarve is closer to the English and Canadian D-Day landing beaches. We were on an excellent private tour for 6 with www.overlordtour.com which picked us up at the ship at 8AM and returned us by 3:15 for a 4PM departure. We loved the tour, it was cheaper than the ship's excursion but we couldn't help but feel rushed as there is so much history to see. Overlord can customize your tour and we got to Omaha, Utah, Pointe du Hoc and St. Mere Eglise as well as other spots in the Normandy countryside. I wish we'd have been able to have 14 hours in port so we could have had a longer tour. I'd recommend getting a private tour from LeHarve. Even though you are in transit longer to the American beaches you have the luxury of time to visit the sites with such a long time in port. Second choice, would be a quick tour from Cherbourg like we had. Good luck.

Thanks, we had a private tour from LeHavre when we were there a few years ago and it was great. We have older friends who will be on the cruise with us this year and the tour from Cherbourg even though abbreviated, would cover the points of most interest to them (those you listed) might be less strenuous for them. I will suggest that they consider contacting Overlord to see what can be arranged. We are only in Cherbourg from 7am until 3pm so that might be a problem. I appreciate your quick response.:)

It takes 1 1/2 hrs to get to the American beaches from Le Havre, thats about an hour longer each way than from Cherbourg. But 5 hours more to do it in, which seems to tip the balance in favour of Le Havre. But it depends what else you want to do. The only other worthwhile option from Cherbourg is 2 hour drive down to Mont St Michel, surely not viable with 5 hrs in port. From Le Havre, there's Paris, Rouen, Honfleur, Monets Garden, even the British & Canadian beaches which start about an hour from Le Havre

regards

John Bull

Thanks for all the responses. Our friends have decided that since visiting the Beaches of Normandy is the primary reason for taking this cruise, the longer excursion from LeHavre, even given the longer time on the bus, will allow them more time to visit the sites most important to them. Your posts were invaluable in helping them make their decision.:)