AIDAnova call in Cherbourg

09/09/2026

French Atlantic Ports at Seatrade Cruise Med - Las Palmas 2026

French Atlantic Ports to Showcase Atlantic Cruise Opportunities at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 At Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas (16–17 September), French Atlantic Ports will present a coordinated offer connecting the Atlantic coast with Mediterranean and Northern European cruise itineraries. Representatives from Le Havre, Caen-Ouistreham, Cherbourg, Brest and Bordeaux will meet with cruise lines and industry partners to discuss deployment opportunities, port capacity, turnaround options, shore excursion programmes and new itinerary concepts combining the Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Europe. Together, our ports provide a diverse range of destinations and operational strengths: • Le Havre: Home to the new Le Havre Verrazzano Cruise Terminal, Le Havre offers modern, sustainable infrastructure with shore power (OPS), efficient turnaround operations, a UNESCO World Heritage city shaped by Impressionism, and direct access to Paris and Normandy's iconic attractions. • Caen-Ouistreham : A boutique port in the heart of Normandy, dedicated to small ships cruises. Guests arrive in the city centre of Caen, the thousand-year-old city of William the Conqueror, with privileged access to the D-Day Landing Beaches and Normandy's highlights. • Cherbourg: a deep-water port in Normandy and a prime cruise destination, offering a gateway to the region’s D-Day sites and rich cultural heritage, with the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of vessel sizes. Passengers arrive through the authentic Art Deco luggage hall, where historic character meets modern amenities. • Brest: Brest welcomes cruise ships at one of its dedicated quays, specially arranged to provide a secure and efficient welcome for cruise passengers. With no size restrictions, the port offers easy access to the city and to Brittany’s exceptional cultural, natural and maritime attractions. • Bordeaux: Three cruise terminals along the Garonne River and Gironde estuary provide a gateway to Bordeaux, the region’s vibrant capital with its UNESCO-listed heritage, elegant architecture and exceptional gastronomy, and to South-West France, a land of striking contrasts where world-renowned vineyards, Atlantic beaches and picturesque villages embody a unique French art de vivre. Through their joint presence at Seatrade Cruise Med, French Atlantic Ports offer cruise operators a single regional point of contact to explore new opportunities along the Atlantic coast, with coordinated expertise, complementary destinations and a shared commitment to sustainable growth. The five French Atlantic Ports attending Seatrade Cruise Med will use the event to strengthen dialogue with cruise lines, support the development of innovative itineraries and identify solutions that enhance operational efficiency and deliver memorable guest experiences. French Atlantic Ports: Bordeaux – www.cruise-bordeaux.com - l-bouchardie@bordeaux-port.fr Brest – www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr – celine.roux@brestenvue.fr Caen-Ouistreham – www.caenlamer-tourisme.com – m.pravos@caenlamer-tourisme.fr Cherbourg – www.cherbourgcruise.com – a.fossey@ot-cotentin.fr Honfleur - https://www.ot-honfleur.fr/en/cruise-honfleur/ - cruise@ot-honfleur.fr Le Havre – www.lehavrecroisieres.com – alexandra.ruiz@lehavrecroisieres.com Nantes Saint-Nazaire - http://www.nantes.port.fr - l.paitel@nantes.port.fr Rouen – www.en.visiterouen.com/pro-area/cruises/ - j.seyffert@rouentourisme.com Saint-Malo - http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.com - suliak.aubin@edeis.com

24/06/2026

QUEEN MARY 2 & CHERBOURG: 22 YEARS OF A UNIQUE MARITIME PARTNERSHIP

The calls of Queen Mary 2 to Cherbourg represent far more than a regular port of call. Since her inaugural visit on 14 April 2004, the flagship of Cunard has maintained a special relationship with the destination, reflecting Cherbourg's historic role in transatlantic travel and its continuing importance within the cruise industry. Each visit of Queen Mary 2 recalls the era when great ocean liners called at Cherbourg en route to and from New York. The city's former Transatlantic Maritime Station, now serving as the cruise terminal, remains a powerful symbol of this heritage and continues to welcome international guests arriving by sea. To celebrate more than two decades of this connection, Cherbourg Cruise, together with Cherbourg Port, La Cité de la Mer and the Communauté d'Agglomération du Cotentin, organised an Art Deco-inspired evening reflecting the elegance of the transatlantic era. The event highlighted both the destination's maritime heritage and its ongoing commitment to cruise tourism. The initiative was designed primarily for the local community, providing an opportunity for residents to engage with the cruise industry and gain a greater understanding of the economic, cultural and tourism benefits it brings to the region. Representatives from across Cherbourg's cruise ecosystem participated, including port authorities, maritime services, tourism partners, agents, tour operators and heritage attractions, alongside elected representatives from the City of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and the Cotentin Agglomeration. The event also provided an opportunity to highlight Cherbourg's continuing development as a cruise destination. The port is expected to welcome approximately 75 cruise calls in 2026, including 11 inaugural visits, while maintaining its one-ship-per-day policy that prioritises operational excellence and guest experience. Looking ahead, the destination is preparing for the introduction of shore power facilities, currently planned for 2028, further supporting its long-term sustainability ambitions. Beyond celebrating a shared maritime history, the evening demonstrated how heritage, tourism and cruise operations continue to work together to support the future development of the destination. It also reinforced the close relationship between Cherbourg, Cunard and the many stakeholders who contribute to the success of each call. Cherbourg Cruise extends its sincere thanks to Cunard and Carnival UK for their continued partnership and support, including their cooperation in facilitating a dedicated visit aboard Queen Mary 2 for representatives of the Cotentin Urban Community and their contribution to the production of a film designed to bring the ship's story closer to local residents. As Queen Mary 2 departed Cherbourg once again, watched by residents and guests gathered along the waterfront, the occasion served as a reminder of a relationship that continues to connect the destination's maritime past with its future. Photo credits: Valentin Leflamand - Nicolas Duhayon

20/01/2026

AIDAnova call in Cherbourg

On 7 January, AIDAnova called at Cherbourg, providing an excellent opportunity to host our annual cruise stakeholders’ meeting on board the vessel. This exceptional setting enabled open, high-quality exchanges and further strengthened the relationship between AIDA Cruises and the Port of Cherbourg. Our sincere thanks go to Richard Cooke and Sandra Neffgen (AIDA Cruises) for the excellent organisation of the event and for facilitating constructive discussions, which attracted strong interest from the local stakeholder community - particularly around AIDA Cruises’ sustainability initiatives. The cruise industry continues to move towards greener and cleaner operations, supported by committed partners such as AIDA Cruises. With Onshore Power Supply (OPS) scheduled to be available in Cherbourg from 2028, our shared sustainability ambitions will be further reinforced. This collaboration is fully aligned with the Green Destinations certification awarded to the Cotentin region in December 2025, reflecting a common strategy for responsible and future-focused cruise development.