United States/England
Spies & Secrets: A Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2
Program No. 25366RJ
Explore the thrills and dangers of espionage — and the roles of spies throughout history — in the heart of London before embarking on a transatlantic voyage aboard the Queen Mary 2.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
31 meals (
12B, 9L, 10D
)
7 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive London, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
London
Meals:
D
Stay:
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel we’ll have some time to relax and settle in before our Orientation meeting. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our program is staffed with both a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics, and a Group Leader who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Road Scholar Lecture, Free Time
Location:
London
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning enjoy a lecture-an introduction to Espionage sites at the hotel in London.
Lunch:
High Tea at St. Ermins Hotel. St Ermins hotel was a Special Operations Executive base during WWII.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore London on your own.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Churchill War Rooms
Location:
London
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours, narrow corridors.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board our motorcoach and head to the Churchill War Rooms. It was here that Churchill’s government sheltered during the worst of the bombing, and the conditions of the time are faithfully recreated in this subterranean maze. The facility also houses the Churchill Museum, which brings to life the exciting story of Churchill’s life – from his childhood to his “finest hour”.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore London on your own.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Bletchley Park, Chicksands Priory
Location:
London
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; drive to Bletchley Park is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Walking about 2 miles, Standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and drive approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to Bletchley Park. Once the secret home of the WWII Codebreakers, we will discover the many exhibitions set within beautifully restored historic buildings. Find out more about the brilliant minds and complex machines that made the vital work of codebreaking possible and discover the global impact BletchleyPark had on the outcome of WWII.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will visit Chicksands Priory this afternoon. Used by the Royal Air Force during WWII, they established a signals intelligence unit here known as Y Station. The site continued to operate for this purpose throughout World War II, and gathered information intercepted from Germany which was then passed to the famous codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Imperial War Museum, Free Time
Location:
London
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Imperial War Museum. The vast museum chronicles Britain’s involvement in wars from 1914 to the present day, keeping a very human perspective on the immense turmoil that both Britain and the wider world as a whole have endured over the last century. Of particular importance are its First World War galleries, and its new Witnesses to War exhibition. Presented in a state-of-the-art atrium, the exhibition includes a Harrier Jet, a Spitfire, and a V2 rocket.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The afternoon is free for you to explore the delights of London.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out for transfer to the ship.
Day
7
Check Out, D-Day Story Museum in Portsmouth, Embark QM2
Location:
Southampton
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach and head to Portsmouth where we will visit the D-Day Story Museum with a local expert. This is the only musuem in the U.K. dedicated to telling the events of June 1944. Discover how D-Day was planned and how the critical decisions were made to make the operation a success. Told from the perspectives of those who were there, the museum includes objects, vehicles, interactives and video to bring the story to life.
Lunch:
Late lunch aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to Southampton where will complete embarkation procedures, and board the Queen Mary 2. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops are subject to change as weather and ocean conditions could affect the progress of the vessel. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time in each port is set by the cruise line. The cruise line reserves the right to change the itinerary without prior notice. Aboard the Queen Mary 2, breakfast and lunch are in the venue of your choosing. Afternoon tea is served in the Queens Room. Road Scholars are invited to have dinner together in the Britannia Restaurant. Snacks, juice, tea, coffee, water are available 24 hours a day in the buffet restaurants and there is 24-hour room service.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The Queen Mary 2 is a floating city. The options for activities and entertainment are many and varied. You might like to see a show in the ballroom, go dancing, listen to music, watch a movie in the theatre, have a beverage and a chat with new Road Scholar friends in one of the bars, or wander through the library — one of the best shipboard libraries anywhere — to find a book and curl up in that perfect reading chair.
Day
8
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Our Study Leader will present the first of a series of dynamic and informative lectures.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. The ship offers a variety of enrichment activities. You might attend a presentation by a guest speaker, attend a class such as watercolor painting or ballroom dancing, take a dip in one of the swimming pools, or any of the many other choices.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Choose from a variety of activities on board, from movies to shows or simply enjoying the ambience of the different themed bars.
Day
9
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will learn more about espionage in a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Weather permitting, you might like to take a leisurely stroll around the Promenade Deck and take in the fresh sea air.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. You may choose to enjoy a show in the ship’s theatre, practice your dance steps in the ballroom, or simply return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on the ship’s TV.
Day
10
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We’ll settle in with our Study Leader for another illuminating lecture about espionage and spies.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take advantage of the many educational, social, and physical activities available, or simply relax in a deck chair with a view of the glistening Atlantic.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to visit the Queen Mary 2’s beautiful theatre, home to nightly productions with stars of stage and screen alike.
Day
11
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will learn more about the world of espionage with our Study Leader.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. A perfect opportunity to visit the spellbinding planetarium show, polish your bridge skills during a tournament, or perhaps retreat to the spa for a massage.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The Golden Lion, a traditional English pub aboard the QM2, runs a competitive pub quiz — perfect for showing off your newly gained knowledge.
Day
12
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will continue learning about spies and secrets with our Study Leader.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. You might like to explore the history of the Cunard Line at a unique exhibition running through the halls of the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The Queen Mary 2 travels with expert sommeliers, who host nightly wine tasting and appreciation events.
Day
13
Lecture, Free Time
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Queen Mary 2
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Our Study Leader will deliver the final on-board lecture.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take advantage of the many educational, social, and physical activities available, or simply relax in a deck chair.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation in the morning.
Day
14
Arrive New York, City, Disembark, Program Concludes
Location:
New York City
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Since the ship is scheduled to arrive in New York in the morning, we recommend not booking any departure flights until 1:00 p.m. or later.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
