Bow of Explorer of the Seas
18
Oct
2019

Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas France Mini Cruise – 18th October 2019

It's time for a long weekend and this cruise to France fits the bill perfectly.

Head to Southampton to join Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas as she sails on a two-night taster cruise to Le Havre.

Cruise ship

Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise

Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.

About this cruise

Your adventure begins on Friday 18th October 2019 where you'll board Explorer of the Seas. She was refitted a few years ago and still has that new-ship feel. If you've not tried cruising before, or have yet to sail with Royal Caribbean, this is an excellent ship to start with. This was the first cruise ship I sailed on, and she holds a special place in my heart.

With just two-nights onboard, this is a non-stop cruise so there's little time for rest - you can do that any other weekend of the year! Instead, tour the ship and make full use of the facilities. Try the food, enjoy a drink or two, watch a live theatre show, hit the shops, or head to the spa. You might want to give the swimming pool a miss in a cool mid-October, though. You can do as much or as little as you wish to, but I'd urge you to cram as much into your limited time on board as you can.

You'll dock early on Saturday in Le Havre. It's the gateway to Paris but that doesn't mean it is close. In fact, it's a two hour bus ride - each way. Still, if you've never been and can happily sit through four hours on a coach, then there's no finer way to spend a Saturday. Head to the famous sights, indulge in some retail therapy, or do as I would, and hit Paris' food shops.

Le Havre is an often overlooked city but is a great alternative if you don't fancy a trek. It too has a bevy of sights, shops, and restaurants, so you can still immerse yourself in French culture for a day. Spend the day ashore or head out in the morning and spend the afternoon back on the ship. Remember, it's a resort in its own right, so has lots to see and do onboard, and with the clock ticking, there's not much time to fit it all in if you're ashore.

You'll sail overnight back to Southampton where you'll disembark on Sunday morning. If you can get Friday off work, this is a great excuse for a long weekend and you'll still be back in time for the drudgery of work on Monday morning. Sorry.

The Route

The itinerary for this mini cruise is:

DayDatePortWhen
1Friday 18th October 2019Southampton4.30pm
2Saturday 19th October 2019Le Havre7am to 9pm
3Sunday 20th October 2019Southampton5.30am

Why choose this taster cruise?

  • 2 nights on Royal Caribbean's family-friendly ship, Explorer of the Seas
  • Departs on Friday 18th October 2019
  • Sail round-trip from Southampton
  • Visit Le Havre in France, and take an optional tour to visit Paris if you like.

So you know, the map above shows point-to-point lines which may cross land. Don't worry, your cruise ship will not sprout legs and run across dry land. Instead it's water all the way! Mapping is approximate, and the scheduled times are estimates. Your trip is subject to change as, occasionally, operators have to alter itineraries due to bad weather or unforeseen events.

The Price

Cruise ship

Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise

Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.

More choices

Not quite right? Here are some other suggestions that may suit better.

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