Two major cruise lines—Crystal and NCL—have stirred the waters of summer cruising this year with distinctly different yet equally fascinating explorations of Europe: an immersive journey commemorating D-Day, and exciting new itineraries including NYC-Reykjavik.
Crystal Honors 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Crystal has introduced a special voyage tracing the path of Allied forces during World War II, marking the 80th anniversary year of D-Day. Set to sail aboard the elegant Crystal Symphony from Sept. 18 to 26, 2024, this immersive journey brings together a remarkable group of special guests and lecturers, offering exclusive insights into one of the most significant events in modern history.
Departing from Dover, England, guests will embark on an 8-night voyage, following in the footsteps of the men and women who shaped the course of the war. The carefully crafted itinerary includes stops in Ijmuiden, just 17 miles from Amsterdam, during the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. The journey continues to Zeebrugge, Belgium, with an optional tour to Dunkirk, before arriving in Rouen, France for three days, where guests also have the option to explore the D-Day landing sites of Normandy.
Special Guests & Lecturers Include:
- Dr. Erica Miller: This international best-selling author and Holocaust survivor will provide a compelling narrative of her journey from her childhood in Romania to life under a brutal Nazi regime and eventual immigration to America.
- George Luz Jr.: With stories about his father and other members of Easy Company— which parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and participated in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge—Luz’s presentation “Through My Father’s Eyes” includes personal photos, letters, and rare audio of the men featured in historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s book, Band of Brothers.
- Commander Robert E. Bradshaw: A respected Navy Chaplain with a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades, Commander Bradshaw will offer insights into his service and experiences with various military units, including deployments to conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Remembering the heroes of D-Day and observing their sacrifices is an honor for Crystal,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of Crystal partner A&K Travel Group. “We are committed to providing guests with an immersive and meaningful experience that pays tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who fought for freedom. And, while we recognize that the sailing isn’t on the exact anniversary, June 6, we are proud to join several others celebrating this esteemed anniversary around the world over the course of 2024.”
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com.
NCL Launches 2024 Europe Season
This year, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering more than 100 Europe itineraries from 13 homeports across nine ships, including its newest Prima Class vessels.
The global cruise line inaugurated its 2024 Europe travel season on April 19th with the arrival of Norwegian Epic to its to its seasonal homeport of Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, before embarking on a 10-day Greek Isles and Italy voyage
During this summer travel season, passengers embarking on NCL cruises in Europe can choose from 101 distinctive itineraries with 38 roundtrips and 63 open-jaw sailings, calling to 140 captivating ports across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and the Atlantic Coast.
Cruises will be departing from 13 homeports with New York City, Le Havre (Paris) and Oslo being three brand new options for NCL voyages to Europe. The company will have a total of nine ships in region, including its newest innovative vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, as well as Norwegian Escape, which returns to Europe following its first successful season in 2022.
With an average of 10 hours in port, guests can explore at their leisure or choose from a wide range of shore excursions designed to provide guests with an in-depth experience of each destination. For more immersive experiences, NCL offers a unique collection of shore excursions including:
- Beyond Blueprints, where guests uncover the design secrets and stories of Europe’s most iconic architectural landmarks;
- Gourmet Tours, designed for the foodie-driven traveler allowing them to go behind the scenes of local cuisines; and
- Go Local, a selection of excursions inviting guests to unveil the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations.C
Those aiming to spend even more time in Europe and dive deeper into the rich history of the region can take advantage of NCL’s expanding Cruisetours program, a pre- or post-cruise option that includes roundtrip flights, hotel stays, transportation and excursions. Cruisetours are currently available in 10 European destinations, among them Istanbul, Paris, Barcelona and Rome.
For more information, visit ncl.com.
