Le Havre has six calls booked this Christmas compared to one last year and the port is keen to not only attract more of these calls but extend the cruise season.

Valerie Dubuc, cruise director Cruise Le Havre, says: “One of our goals is to extend our cruise season throughout the year. I think there is a great potential for Christmas cruises. 

The port is preparing an entertainment programme at the Cruise Terminal which includes mulled wine and hot chocolate. This December P&O Cruises’ Arcadia will call four times, Oriana once and Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 once.

In 1996 when Norway (ex France) sailed into Le Havre waiting on the quayside was Gilbert Conan who was then with Humann & Taconet and was the shipping agent who arranged her call. Also involved with her arrival was Valerie Dubuc, cruise coordinator for Le Havre Tourist Office, and a well-known and active member of Cruise Europe.

On August 21 1991 Mermoz called Le Havre. A year later the Port Authority was looking at dedicating an area to cruiseships, La Pointe de Floride, where they still call today. It was seen as a good position because the cruiseships could be viewed from the city centre and the passengers could see the city.

On September 5 Costa Cruises’ Costa Magica called Le Havre’s new cruise terminal for the eleventh time this year, ending the 2011 series of turnarounds at the French port.

Le Havre has launched a new website portal.

March 9 marked the first call of the season at Le Havre from AIDAcara as well as a chance to put into practice a new seafarers’ welcome.

Le Havre heard a week ago that it will be hosting 24 river cruise calls this year from Croisieurope’s Renoir and Seine Princess and Grand Circle Cruise Line’s Bizet.

A number of member ports benefited from Christmas calls in December as passengers visited Christmas markets.

Le Havre will be homeporting a Costa Cruises’ vessel for the first time beginning next year.

On May 18 Le Havre welcomed Costa Atlantica to its newly reopened cruise terminal.