In short
Le Havre is Normandy's cruise port: the new terminals at Pointe de Floride are 10–15 minutes by taxi from the station. From Brussels it takes about 4.5–5 hours by train via Paris, from Amsterdam 6–7. Embarkation here is mostly from October to April, on week-long Northern Europe cruises. In summer there are hardly any departures.
Port at a glance
Le Havre
France
- Where ships go
- British Isles and Western Europe · Transatlantic crossings
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Pointe de Floride: three new terminals at the port entrance
- Getting there
- Train via Paris: about 2 hours from Saint-Lazare
Good to know: many week-long cruises from Le Havre also call at Rotterdam — so you can sometimes board the same ship closer to home.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Le Havre
- No flying. A train to Paris, a hop across town to another station, and two hours later you are by the sea. No airport security and no luggage limits. All the ways to cruise without flying →
- Paris thrown in. A couple of days in Paris before or after the cruise turns one trip into two holidays.
- Normandy on the doorstep. The old harbour of Honfleur and the white cliffs of Étretat are 30–40 minutes from Le Havre.
- A UNESCO-listed city. After the war, architect Auguste Perret rebuilt Le Havre's centre, and it is now a World Heritage Site. This is also where Monet painted "Impression, Sunrise" — the picture that gave Impressionism its name.
Where cruises from Le Havre go
Plenty of ships call at Le Havre in summer — passengers head off to Paris and around Normandy. Far fewer cruises actually start here, and the picture looks like this:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | About a week | October to April | Le Havre's signature route: North Sea and Channel ports — Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Southampton; in December, cities with Christmas markets |
| Atlantic crossings | Two weeks or longer | November, occasionally in early summer | One-way to the Americas; you fly home |
| Norwegian fjords | 10–14 nights | Summer, rarely | Only the odd sailing; for the fjords in summer, Rotterdam or Hamburg are easier |
| To the Mediterranean | 10 nights or longer | September, rarely | The ship heads south for a new season — a one-way voyage past Spain and Portugal |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
The winter season begins
November sees the most departures from Le Havre: weeks around Northern Europe and Atlantic crossings. Cool and breezy, around 10–14°C by day.
Cruises in November →Christmas in port
Week-long cruises through cities dressed for the season, with Christmas markets in Hamburg and in Bruges (from Zeebrugge). Christmas and New Year sailings sell out early.
Cruises in December →The winter North Sea
Sailings run steadily, about once a week. 5–10°C by day, with wind and rain — a cruise for cities, museums and cosy evenings on board rather than the sun deck.
Cruises in February →Summer: calls, not departures
In summer ships call at Le Havre on their way through, and boarding here is rare: the odd sailing to the fjords, across the Atlantic or to the Mediterranean. For a summer cruise without flying, Rotterdam is easier.
Cruises in July →Getting to the terminal
Le Havre's cruise terminals stand at Pointe de Floride — right at the port entrance in the south of the city, not far from the beach and the old Saint-François quarter. Three new terminals opened here in 2025–2026, so several large ships can now berth at the same time. Your boarding documents show which terminal is yours.
- By train from the Netherlands and Belgium. Eurostar runs to Paris Gare du Nord: about 3 hrs 20 mins from Amsterdam, 2 hrs 40 mins from Rotterdam and 1 hr 25 mins from Brussels. From there you cross to Saint-Lazare station — easiest on the RER E from Magenta, next to Gare du Nord. Direct trains from Saint-Lazare reach Le Havre in about two hours. The whole journey takes 4.5–5 hours from Brussels and 6–7 from Amsterdam.
- From Le Havre station. The terminals are about 2.5 km away: 10–15 minutes by taxi, or around half an hour on foot. A shuttle usually runs on embarkation days — check with your cruise line.
- By car. About 4.5 hours from Brussels and 6–7 from Amsterdam. Ask your cruise line about terminal parking in advance and book a space before you travel.
- By air. Hardly worth it: from the Paris airports it is another 2.5–3 hours to Le Havre, and the train from Brussels or Amsterdam gets you there in about the same time.
The night before: where to stay
Travelling from the Netherlands on embarkation day means two trains and a dash across Paris. A night in Le Havre takes all the risk out: in the morning the terminal is a five-to-ten-minute taxi ride away.
Saint-François
The oldest part of town, between the harbour basins, with small fish restaurants. A few minutes by taxi to the terminals.
The Perret centre and the station
Wide avenues, the town hall and restaurants, within walking distance of the station. 10–15 minutes by taxi to the terminals in the morning.
The beach and Sainte-Adresse
A seafront promenade, sunsets over the Channel and a view of ships sailing into port. About 10 minutes by taxi to the terminals.
Honfleur
An old harbour lined with timber houses on the other side of the Seine. About half an hour to the terminals over the Pont de Normandie.
If you have half a day in Le Havre
Everything below is in town or close by, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- St Joseph's Church. Its 107-metre concrete tower is visible from the sea, and inside, thousands of pieces of coloured glass glow on a sunny day.
- MuMa. A glass-walled museum right at the port entrance, with one of France's richest Impressionist collections: Monet, Boudin, Pissarro.
- The Perret centre. A post-war concrete city on the UNESCO list. The tourist office runs visits to a 1950s show flat — interesting even if architecture is not your thing.
- The beach and promenade. A long pebble beach not far from the terminals, cafés looking out to sea and lighthouses at the harbour mouth.
- Étretat or Honfleur. With a car or taxi for half a day: the white cliffs of Étretat are about 40 minutes away, Honfleur's harbour about half an hour.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. The station is 10–15 minutes away, the train to Paris takes about two hours, and then you cross back to Gare du Nord. Do not book a Eurostar before mid-afternoon: better a relaxed lunch in Paris than a sprint down the platform. You will be home in the Netherlands or Belgium by evening.
Practical tips
- Book trains early. Eurostar fares rise closer to the date, and seats around Christmas and holidays go fast.
- Britain on the route. If the ship calls at Southampton or another UK port, EU citizens need a passport (an ID card is not enough) and an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Documents and visas →
- Strikes in France. French rail staff strike from time to time, usually with notice. Check the news before you travel and have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. In winter the Channel is windy and damp: a warm waterproof jacket earns its place both ashore and on deck.
- Compare boarding ports. The same ship can call at Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton in one week. Choose the port that is easiest for you to reach.
Or start in Rotterdam?
If you live in the Netherlands, many winter Northern Europe cruises can be joined in Rotterdam, where the metro takes you close to the terminal. And in summer, ships leave Rotterdam for the fjords and the Baltic. Cruises from Rotterdam →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Le Havre?
Mostly week-long Northern Europe cruises from October to April, calling at ports such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Southampton. In November there are Atlantic crossings, while in summer few cruises start here — Le Havre is then mainly a port of call.
Where is the cruise terminal in Le Havre?
At Pointe de Floride, by the port entrance, where there are three new cruise terminals. It is about 2.5 km from the station — 10–15 minutes by taxi.
How do I get to Le Havre from the Netherlands or Belgium without flying?
By train via Paris: Eurostar to Gare du Nord, across town to Saint-Lazare, then about two hours to Le Havre. The journey takes about 4.5–5 hours from Brussels and 6–7 from Amsterdam.
Do I need an ETA for a cruise from Le Havre?
If the route calls at a British port such as Southampton, EU citizens need a passport and an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). If you hold another passport, check the entry rules for your passport.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Le Havre?
Closest to the terminals is the old Saint-François quarter. If you arrive late by train, the centre near the station is handy, and for sea views, the beach and Sainte-Adresse. With a car, you can stay in Honfleur.
Can I board the same ship closer to home?
Often, yes: many week-long cruises from Le Havre also call at Rotterdam or Zeebrugge. Where you can board is shown when you book the specific sailing.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Le Havre that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Le Havre dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.