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June 23rd, 2017 will mark the highly awaited return of the famous QUEEN MARY 2 in Cherbourg.
THE BRIDGE 2017
June 23rd, 2017 will mark the highly awaited return of the famous QUEEN MARY 2 in Cherbourg.
2016 Cruise Season - Annual Report
The figures are clear
and irrevocable, 2016 cruise season in Cherbourg is a record!!!
2016 mid season overview
2016 is going
to be a remarkable and record year for cruise industry in Cherbourg!
Cherbourg experienced by Bill Ebersold
Some
cruise ports, typically those catering to smaller ships, are distinguished by
the manner in which they make their guests feel welcome; others become known by
the iconic destinations available through the ship’s shore excursion program. Cherbourg is a port that offers both, as we
experienced on two visits, years apart.
On
our first visit, we went to the Normandy Beaches, with visits to
Sainte-Mere-Eglise, and the American Cemetary, and lunch at Arromanches
overlooking the remnants of the artificial Mulberry Harbor used to unload
soldiers, vehicles and supplies. A
detour to La Pointe du Hoc almost caused us to miss our ship, were it not for
the kindness of the car rental agent who remained open past closing time, and
then drove us back to the ship.
Our
most recent trip, on the MSC ORCHESTRA, included only an afternoon call, so we
were unable to visit Mont St. Michel, another iconic destination that had
eluded us over the years. Instead, we
chose another of our favorite pastimes, finding little-known or out-of-the-way
places to spend some of the limited time typically available in port.
The
Liberation Museum, housed in La Roule, the fort atop the headland overlooking Cherbourg,
met our criteria. Assistance from the
Tourist Bureau, in the terminal and at the city center, confirmed the welcoming
spirit that pervades this port that played such an important role following
D-Day in 1944.
I
can only speculate on the logistic demands on the local tourism staff when
large ships arrive in port, simultaneously spewing thousands of passengers ashore. With limited information available from the
ship, we welcomed the good local map at the terminal. Unfortunately, the map pinpointed our
destination, but not the fact that it was atop Mount Roule, reachable only by
taxi or by the incredibly fit.
That
information came at the city center from a staff member who not only called a
taxi, but also came outside a few minutes later to ensure that the taxi was
actually on its way – a small but notable gesture.
As
for the Liberation Museum, it is a small museum that will appeal to WWII
history buffs, as it tells the story of the dark days after the fall of France,
the propaganda faced by the French citizenry during the 1940-44 period when the
fortress was occupied by the Germans, the Normandy landings and the allied
capture of Cherbourg less than three weeks later, after which it became the
principal port for the supply of Western Europe. It can be visited in a short time (admission
€4), and the views from the fortress are spectacular.
Returning
to the city center, we were able to spend our remaining time wandering around,
having coffee and a tart at one of many cafes that provided a view of the Place
Notre Dame and the little touristic
train that passed by periodically.
Then
back to the ship, finding Tourism staff still at their post to answer any final
questions – another small gesture, but so different from ports where the
shoreside staff disappears almost as soon as the first wave of passengers has
cleared the pier.
….Maybe
next time we’ll make it to Mont St. Michel.
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