As a cruise to Normandy the cruise didn't get me any closer to the beaches than if I took a train from Paris. Why did I pay for a Veranda cabin when 3 nights we overnighted with my cabin right next to the wall. As for being in Paris, it was a $50, each way, cab ride to Paris. The free shuttle left early in the morning and returned at 5. Not convenient nor accommodating. This was my last Viking cruise.