For many veterans, standing on Omaha Beach is the trip of a lifetime. A D-Day river cruise on the Seine is the easiest, most comfortable way to get there.
A D-Day river cruise sails from Paris along the Seine into Normandy, and spends a full day at the landing beaches with an expert local guide. You unpack once, your hotel floats with you, and the ship does the driving. No other trip makes it this easy to pay your respects at the Normandy American Cemetery — and still see Paris, Monet’s gardens at Giverny, and medieval Rouen along the way.
Why a Normandy River Cruise Works So Well for Veterans
- Round trip from Paris. Most Paris & Normandy itineraries are 7 or 8 days and begin and end in Paris, so flights are simple.
- The beaches are a full day, not a rushed stop. The ship docks in Normandy (usually at Caudebec-en-Caux or Rouen), and you travel by motorcoach to the beaches with a guide.
- Small groups, small ships. River ships carry roughly 100–190 guests, so you’re never one of 3,000 people lining up for a tender.
- Easy on the body. You walk off the ship into town. There’s no airport-to-hotel shuffle every other day like a bus tour.
What You’ll See on the D-Day Beaches Excursion
Each line runs its own version, but the U.S.-focused tour usually includes:
- Omaha Beach — where the U.S. 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions came ashore on June 6, 1944, and the “Les Braves” memorial sculpture now stands in the sand.
- Pointe du Hoc — the cliffs scaled by the Army Rangers, still cratered from the bombardment.
- The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer — rows of white marble headstones on the bluff above Omaha Beach, the memorial chapel, and the “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” statue.
Some lines also offer a British and Canadian sites tour (Pegasus Bridge, Arromanches and the remains of the Mulberry harbor, Juno Beach Centre), or a stop at the Caen Memorial Museum.
Our tip: if a family member is buried or memorialized in Normandy, look up the exact plot before you go in the American Battle Monuments Commission database. Let your guide know in advance — there may be time to visit the grave.
Which River Cruise Lines Sail Paris & Normandy?
- Viking — Paris & the Heart of Normandy. Viking’s Normandy day typically includes the Caen Memorial Museum, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. (Viking military discount)
- AmaWaterways — Paris & Normandy, with Twin Balcony staterooms and Ama’s own $250 per person military savings on top of ours. (AmaWaterways military discount)
- Avalon Waterways — Paris to Normandy, with a choice of the U.S. sites or the British and Canadian sites on beach day, and wall-to-wall windows in its Panorama Suites. (Avalon military discount)
- Uniworld — all-inclusive Seine cruises with drinks, gratuities, and transfers included. (Uniworld military discount)
- Scenic — luxury all-inclusive, with Scenic’s own $150 per person military savings. (Scenic military discount)
See every Seine River cruise, all lines, lowest price first »
When to Go
Seine river cruises run from about late March through early November. See every Seine River sailing, lowest price first »
- Early June (D-Day anniversary): the most moving time to be there, with ceremonies across Normandy — but these sailings sell out early, often more than a year ahead. If June 6 matters to you, call us now at 866-964-5482.
See June sailings: June 2027 · June 2028 - April–May and September–October: fewer crowds, comfortable weather, and usually lower fares. Spring also brings Monet’s gardens at Giverny into full bloom.
See spring sailings: April–May 2027 · April–May 2028
See fall sailings: September–October 2027 · September–October 2028
Your Military Discount on a Normandy River Cruise
River cruise lines rarely offer military discounts — but we do, on every Paris & Normandy sailing on every line. Our discount stacks on top of the cruise line’s own promotions. On AmaWaterways, it also stacks with Ama’s $250 per person military savings.
Our discount is for U.S. and Canadian active duty, retired military, veterans, their spouses — and the friends and family traveling with you.
Bringing your kids or grandkids to see where Grandpa served? Everyone in your group gets our discount — but choose your cruise line carefully. Viking does not allow guests under 18, and Avalon welcomes children 8 and older only. Uniworld offers family departures on select summer and holiday sailings. Tell us everyone’s ages, and we’ll match you to a line that welcomes the whole family.
Traveling With Your Unit, Post, or Reunion Group?
A Normandy river cruise is a wonderful choice for a unit reunion, VFW or American Legion post, or a family trip honoring a loved one who served. We can hold a block of cabins and keep the whole group together. Ask about group space.
★ Why Book Your Normandy River Cruise With Military Cruise Deals?
We’re Mitch, Kevin, and Hope — a military-family-owned, owner-operated agency that has specialized in cruise discounts for active duty, veterans, and their families since 2001. We’re not a call center: when you call, you talk to one of us, and we stay with you from your first question until you’re home again.
We are river cruise experts who’ve been on river cruises and toured dozens of river cruise ships, including Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, and Uniworld — so our advice comes from real experience, not a script.
Ready to book or have questions? Call 866-964-5482 or send us a message.
D-Day River Cruise FAQs
Which river cruises go to the Normandy D-Day beaches?
Seine River cruises from Paris on Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld and Scenic include a day at the Normandy landing beaches. The ship docks in Normandy and guests travel by motorcoach to Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc and the Normandy American Cemetery.
How long is a Paris and Normandy river cruise?
Most Paris and Normandy river cruises are 7 or 8 days, round trip from Paris, so you unpack only once. Many travelers add a few nights in Paris before or after the cruise.
Is the D-Day beaches excursion included?
On most lines the Normandy beaches tour is one of the included excursion choices for that day. Some lines also offer a British and Canadian sites option, or a premium private tour at extra cost. We confirm exactly what is included before you book.
Is there a military discount on a Normandy river cruise?
Yes. Military Cruise Deals gives active duty, retired military, veterans and their families its own military discount on every river cruise, including every Paris and Normandy sailing. AmaWaterways also adds $250 per person in military savings, which stacks with our discount.
When should I book a D-Day river cruise?
Sailings around the June 6 D-Day anniversary sell out early, often more than a year ahead. Spring and early fall sailings are less crowded and usually less expensive.