FIRST AND LAST VISIT TO LE HAVRE?! MSC Virtuosa - Vlog 7, Le Havre!

Hello, and welcome to my latest vlog series! In this series, I'm onboard MSC Virtuosa for a 7-night cruise to the 'Northern Cities' over New Year. This means I'll be leaving Southampton (England) and visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre (Paris), so stay tuned to see what each of these ports can offer you on your travels!
In this episode, we're spending the day in Le Havre, France. From this port, you can access Paris, but I've opted to stay more local to the ship to experience the port city itself. Let me show you around, before coming back to the ship to talk about how to disembark a cruise ship!
If you're new to my channel, hello! I'm Fraser, and I'm hoping to use this channel to show you why I love the world of 'cruise' so much. So, for now, hit that subscribe button and let's go - I've got SO MUCH to show you!
Video chapters:
Introduction: 00:03
MSC Virtuosa Buffet: 04:40
First glimpse of Le Havre: 05:02
The plan for today: 05:31
Aft pool: 07:31
Disembarking MSC Virtuosa: 07:47
Walking into town: 09:04
The church: 10:56
Exploring the city: 11:33
Time for coffee: 13:14
Heading back to the ship: 13:54
Always time for pizza: 18:17
Debrief on today, and disembarkation prep: 18:49
Dinner: 24:45
Sailing out of port: 25:08
Entertainment onboard MSC Virtuosa: 26:57
#cruise #cruisevlog #cruiseship #msccruises #msccrociere #mscvirtuosa #cruisevlogger #cruiseline #travelvlog #travelvlogger #travel #ship

[@miesvanlaar5724]

Thank you for showing a bit of Le Havre. I have docked there in the past, but I took an excursion. From what I saw in your video I do not regret that. I enjoy your walks in the ports.

[@FraserAtSea]

It’s a city with not much to see in it, but it’s decent to immerse yourself in what feels like ‘real France’, rather than the over-polished major cities! Glad you enjoy - thanks for following along!

[@dianemoore4201]

Info on Le Havre was very helpful as I don't want to sit on a bus for hours to+ from Paris .Your walks around the ports is very informative+ offers an alternative from expensive excursions.Thank you

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey Diane, glad you enjoyed - thanks for watching and following along! I don’t tend to take many excursions due to how much it increases the overall cost of a cruise - hope to show you many more ports in the coming months!

[@richardstreet7518]

Monets garden isn't far and Honfleur is close by and dreamy

[@tammy_oh_nevermind]

Enjoyed it, thanks! Amazes me that on a ship that size, you are often by yourself or just a few people on deck. In an area like that, I would take the shuttle if I was alone. I love walking around in ports, but guess I'm a bit nervous about some areas. 🤣

[@FraserAtSea]

I actually get this feedback quite often - the ships can be quiet if you know where to go, and when! The thing that helps with a lot of the cruises I’ve done since starting the channel is that the European weather has been quite cold so not as many people use the outside spaces - let’s see if I get the same luck with my Caribbean cruises later this year… Totally hear you re: the shuttle - I felt like that a bit in my Hamburg video!

[@kevindodds5441]

Fraser, excellent coverage of this Cruise, my wife and i will be picking the Virtuosa up on Saturday, What might sound strange to you and others, “Time to Say Goodbye “ is something played at so many funerals i have attended over the years, so my first sailing on the Seaview a few years ago had me scratching my head whilst leaving our first port.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks, Kevin - have a blast on Virtuosa! Which itinerary are you doing - the same as me, or different? Totally get the confusion re the song - I find it really touching when they sail out of a port, but haven’t encountered it in any other contexts before!

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

Hey Fraser. I was looking forward to your vlog again, and you didnt disappoint again. I smiled a few times, because I too LOVE their Pizza, and I know that next time if you take chocolate or crisps as a snack instead of a meal as a snack - I can guarantee almost that you will eat the choc and crisps AND then some pizza too - so leave the choccies and crisps at home lol. My finger always seems to navigate itself to deck 15..my mind says whatever deck my cabin is on, my finger does otherwise haha. In Le Havre, we normally do as you did, walk around, we find some lovely French cafes and have something to eat and drink, and also walk to the beach, where I let my guide dog, Spencer off for a good old run and a swim in the sea as a treat ( I try and do this in as many posts as I can for him, cos he works really hard bless him ) Only four more sleeps and Ill be on the same cruise - I simply cannot wait - you have made me ravenous! take vcare Terry

[@FraserAtSea]

You’re so right and know me so well - I’d be totally unable to leave the crisps and chocolate, so would just eat both, haha! 4 more sleeps for you - maybe even 3 by the time you read this - hope you have a ball!

[@shawnryan8345]

Yes, we snooped around Le Havre for bakeries and coffee 😀. We lucked - out ! NCL compensated when we disembarked the next day in Southampton. Hopped a flight and spent some quality time in Paris. (Avoided the dreaded bus ride to & fro 😅)

[@FraserAtSea]

That sounds much more pleasant - I’d imagine Paris traffic could be difficult…!

[@joyturnbull-eb8hh]

The reason it was quiet when you arrived was probably because it was lunchtime. Most of France closes for 2 hours every lunchtime. Also La Havre is a World Heritage site, it’s a fine example of regeneration and construction in concrete after being flattened in WW2

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, I didn’t realise France did this ‘middle of the day’ closure - thanks for this information, Joy! I also didn’t realise this about Le Havre - will be intrigued to see more about this when I next visit - thank you!

[@ALifeintheParks]

Great vlog, definitely not worth paying to walk into town as it was only a few minutes away. I’m not surprised that’s there’s so much concrete there, it can imagine it would have been beautiful before the war. Great series, I’m even more looking forward to getting on Virtuosa in a few weeks time.

[@FraserAtSea]

You know, I didn’t even realise the history and war connections of Le Havre until you guys started commenting on this video! Glad you’re looking forward to getting onboard now - when do you go?

[@ALifeintheParks]

@@FraserAtSea I think that’s the difference with European ports as there’s usually so much history to them. I’m sailing in 51 days, not that I’m counting 😂

[@CarpeDiemTravelerMel]

I’m taking this same cruise in about 4 weeks (also solo) so I have loved watching this series. You have provided answers to many questions I had, so thanks for that! I considered going to Paris from Le Havre, because why go all the way to France from the U.S. and not see Paris right? Still conflicted, but it was nice to see you walk through Le Havre. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks so much for the positive comment - always so lovely to hear that the videos can be useful to people! Oh, you must try to get to Paris if coming all the way from the US - it’s SO beautiful in there! Hope you have the best time on ‘our side of the pond’ - let me know how you get on! :)

[@richardstreet7518]

Consider visiting Honfleur or Monay's garden...

[@dulls8475]

Go to Honfleur. You will love it.

[@jasminerosepetal]

Curious if you went to Paris or did something else. I am on the Euriba. Today we ported in Le Havre. I woke as the ship was coming into port, grabbed a quick early morning picture then was quite surprised to realize that the landscape was quicly disappearing as the ship was turning around to dock. Those that watched from above said it was an amazig process to watch. As far as feeling the ship move, that happens the higher up you go so I'm not at all surprised that he didn't feel much. In any case, I have absolutely no regrets about going to Honfleur and Normandy then took the shuttle, which was free, ala the tourist department here, into LaHavre. For me, it was the best choice. I'm so glad I did. Just wish I'd gone back to the shuttle rather than walking back to the ship. Friends who went to Paris loved it though they regretted choosing to take a 3 hour ride each way after spending so much time on airplanes getting here from the USA. My sentiment is that I wanted to take advantage of going places in France that I never would have chosen otherwise. I was delightfully surprised to find myself wishing I could have spent a couple of days in this area.

[@richardstreet7518]

The port of LeHavre had command of the entire stretch of the invasion beaches where the landings took place on the 6th of June 1944. Consequently, it was flattened by the allies... Worth popping around to Honfleur though!!

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh wow - this is SO interesting - I wish you’d told me this before going. Will need to keep this in mind for my next visit!

[@jasminerosepetal]

Honfleur was precious yet, I loved visiting LaHarve and seeing how they picked up the pieces and got on with their life here. And, Normandy is just a short distance away and well worth the visit.

[@sharonpinilla3539]

We will be docking Le Havre in October so good to see what is available however we intend to head out to Honfleur also

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, I’ve heard Hornfleur is amazing! Stop back and let me know your thoughts! :)

[@Gorillatag6427]

Thanks for the great video ❤❤

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks for watching, Mark!

[@johnkean6852]

Its a wrap ... yet not one bottle of Fanta (diet Fanta?) in sight! Last 2 vids. For entertainment purposes only!

[@FraserAtSea]

Haha, not this time 😂 🍊

[@johnkean6852]

@@FraserAtSea Too cold to drink ice cold beverages l imagined? For entertainment /educational purposes only!

[@George-iy8dd]

Great stuff. Is there a nightclub on board and/or a resident group or band? Or is it mostly karaoke and pianists?

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks, George! There is a nightclub on Virtuosa - if you’re looking at a deck plan, it’s up beside the sports courts. The good thing about it is that it backs out onto the outdoor aft-facing pool bar - a really nice idea!

[@mayavandoorn261]

I hear you when you say you can not stand the word that means leaving the ship. I have this every vacation I take. I wondered if you were able to back in de spa again?

[@FraserAtSea]

Yeah, I can’t think about disembarkation until the last possible moment, haha! I did - very odd with that throughout the week - still glad I booked it, but a shame to miss two of the days!

[@liamwilson847]

Doing this same cruise this year - doe MSC offer trips into Paris?

[@FraserAtSea]

Hi Liam, lucky you! Yeah they do - you should get the details of this once you log in to check excursions :)

[@jenniferpratt3854]

Hey what time does shops open on sea days?

[@FraserAtSea]

Usually in the morning - from memory, about 9am - just like being on land! :)

[@jenniferpratt3854]

@@FraserAtSea what about at night time

[@FraserAtSea]

@@jenniferpratt3854 they close around 11pm usually :)

[@jenniferpratt3854]

@@FraserAtSea thanx