[kyblue]

Has anyone taken a trip to Normandy that was not a cruise excursion. Going on a cruise and trying to get alternative to what the offer

[Sonny39]

Rented a car in Cherbourg in 2012 with another couple from the cruise, visited Omaha Bch, St-Mere-Eglise, Pointe duhoc ect, easy drive, you will have to know how to drive a stick shift car, other wise no big problem, cost then about 80.00 usd ,Budget rent a car if I remember..

[PennBF]

We have driven from Paris to Normandy and by car it is much more educational. Have gone by Cruise many times and they are also good. One thing you will find by car is that all of the little roads leading around Normandy are names of "enlisted men". No officers, etc. Also there are a number of statutes honoring freedom fighters, etc. There is so much to see it is critical that if you rent a car to be sure to allow time to get back to the ship as it will leave without you if you are not on one of their excursions. Also, be sure to obey the speed limits as you don't want to miss ship because of a ticket, etc. I would highly recommend you go to Barnes and Nobel and pick up a road map of France/the area so you feel comfortable renting a car and seeing the sites. HAVE A GREAT TIME.

[JoMar]

There is a cruise board, Cruise Critic, that is a very comprehensive source. We hired private tour guides in Rome and Mexico based on recommendations received on the site. It's a free site, establish a login and search. There are also meetups scheduled with other cruisers on you ship. I found that those have traveled where you are going have excellent input on almost every subject.

[Ragman]

We had an excellent D-Day tour for 8 last spring from Cherbourg with Normandy Sightseeing Tours. In 2015 we were on one of their tours from Le Harve to Giverny (Monet's house and gardens) and Rouen which was equally good. Both were substantially cheaper than the cruise line offerings.

Others on the ship used Overlord Tours which they liked.

I really don't like to drive in a foreign country when I have limited time.

[campy]

We had a very enjoyable 70th Anniversary D-day tour with:
Custom Euro Tours
European Group Travel Specialists
World War II European Battlefield Tours
702-586-7330
Fax 702-586-7334
Custom Euro Tours, European Group Travel, Escorted Tours, World War 2 II Tours, WWII D-Day Anniversary and European Battlefield Tours, Holocost and Third Reich, Operation Overloard, Battle of the Bulge, Market GardenVIP Tours, Spiritual and Religious

[Aloha1]

I highly recommend "Overlord Tours". Extremely professional and knowledgeable. We docked at Le Havre this past June 15th and had a wonderful full day of the major US beaches and significant sites. Highlights included several perspectives of Omaha Beach ( which was 12 miles long), Juno, the German emplacements, smaller important locales, St Mere Eglise ( the church where the paratrooper got caught on the steeple), and much more. Look them up on line but don't dawdle. They book up very quickly. MUCH better than any ship tour.

[pklein9747]

We cruised to LeHavre France this past May and did an excursion from the pier to Normandy with Overlord Tours. It was amazing. There were four couples who were picked up promptly at the pier in a comfortable 15-passenger van. First stop was Omaha Beach where the tour guide not only shared his extensive knowledge of the battle but also had pictures and maps to help orient us. Then we went to the American Cemetery which was sobering but amazing. Afterward we stopped in St. Mere Eglise for lunch and a tour of the church are the area where the paratroopers landed. Last stop was at Utah Beach and then a small church. It was a full day and we were back at the ship in plenty of time. I do not hesitate to recommend this tour company. We were all very pleased.

Check out their website. I believe it is tour #9 that is offered to cruise ship passengers. You can also create your own tour with them if there is something specific you want to see. It is much more economical to share the cost of the tour with others. Check out the message boards on Cruisecritic.com and find the roll call for your cruise. There will be many others who are looking to share an excursion. I wouldn't cruise without checking out ports and roll calls on Cruisecritic.

Enjoy your cruise and your port stop. It is sobering and amazing to see where so many were so brave and so many gave their lives.

[bbbbbb]

Originally Posted by kyblue

Has anyone taken a trip to Normandy that was not a cruise excursion. Going on a cruise and trying to get alternative to what the offer

HI we would love to go, but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, my Dad, my Stepdad, my Uncles were vets and strong on the military and I probably cannot handle the visit due to the memories of what I know and have known. It is tragic and hard to bear, hard to cope with. One of my Relatives, did the Bataan Death March, was then put on a Jap prisoner ship and then torpedoed leaving Manila, he was ONE of THREE survivors from that . Was totally deaf from the torpedo going off near him on the ship. It is incredible what the vets and the non survivors went through for us and now we have these rotten leeches and politicians with their fancy offices, travel, money, travel, travel and having the good times on a perpetual vacation.

bbbbbb

[PennBF]

I am reminded of one of the tours we took of Normandy. We were sitting up front behind the tour guide and behind us can be described as an older vet. The "French Guide" kept restating how great DeGaule was and how he came back to France after the war as a hero. She NEVER mentioned the thousands of American, English, etc who died at Normandy and only talked of the French. There are only 700 French buried at Normandy vs the many who died from other countries. The older Vet behind us asked her quite loudly "Can she say American?" Finally he got her to say "American" and he said she should remember that since the reason she can be alive today is because of the American's who died for her country. All clapped on the bus.

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by Aloha1

I highly recommend "Overlord Tours". Extremely professional and knowledgeable. We docked at Le Havre this past June 15th and had a wonderful full day of the major US beaches and significant sites. Highlights included several perspectives of Omaha Beach ( which was 12 miles long), Juno, the German emplacements, smaller important locales, St Mere Eglise ( the church where the paratrooper got caught on the steeple), and much more. Look them up on line but don't dawdle. They book up very quickly. MUCH better than any ship tour.

P.S. and less than 1/2 the price of the cruise ship tour desk. Great tour by Overlord