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.
On January 6 2012 Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth is starting a world cruise from the French port which will include a partial turnaround.
Le Havre has a Christmas market of 30 wooden chalets as well as Father Christmas’ village and workshop and a Christmas exhibition in the town hall. On every second Sunday in December there is a ‘white parade’ through the city’s streets.
Over the past four years, the port has seen a rise in the number of calls during October to March. In 2009/10 there were eight calls and in 2010/11 there were six. For 2011/12 and 2012/13 18 calls are expected but the bookings are still ongoing.
Next year the port is expecting 130 calls from 15 different brands carrying an estimated 250,000 passengers. AIDA Cruises will call 40 times and Costa Cruises 26 times.
Valerie will be attending Seatrade Winter Cruising Forum in Istanbul in December to promote winter cruising in northern Europe.
