United States/England
Revealing Royal History: A Transatlantic Voyage on Queen Mary 2
Program No. 25367RJ
Experience the history, scandals and stories of the British monarchy on this epic adventure in London and 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, 7L, 12D
)
7 expert-led lectures
5 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
Tower of London
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.At Tower of London, paved and cobbled courtyards, grass lawns, uneven stone and wooden floors; most upper floors and basements accessed only by steps, including narrow spiral staircases. Jewel House has fully step-free access. White Tower basement can be accessed by elevator.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning enjoy a lecture on a topic relevant to the program, then we will board our coach and head to the Tower of London. A Yeoman Warder, one of the Tower’s ceremonial guardians, will lead our exploration. The Tower was built in the 1070s as a fortress and symbol of royal power by William the Conqueror. When in residence, medieval kings and queens enjoyed apartments that were quite luxurious for their time. But by the Tudor era, the Tower had become a symbol of royal retribution and a place of execution, including one of the most notable victims, Queen Anne Boleyn. The Tower today is best known as the repository of the world-famous Crown Jewels, including the Koh-I-Noor and Cullinan Diamonds — two of the world’s most famous diamonds worn in the crown of Queen Victoria. The Crown Jewels were remade for Charles II after the originals were melted down in the Civil War. They provide a spectacular insight into the power of the Royal Family throughout history. We’ll explore the exhibition showcasing these treasures for ourselves in the Jewel House during our Yeoman Warder-led visit, and we can also expect to gain an understanding of the Tower’s rich and complex traditions, including why the ravens here are so well looked-after.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy a panoramic coach ride of London passing by some of the royal sites.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
National Portrait Gallery, Kensington Palace
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 will board our motorcoach and ride to the National Portrait Gallery. The Gallery is home to the most extensive collection of portraits in the world.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will head to Kensington Palace. Discover the birthplace of Queen Victoria with a local expert. Home to young royals for over 300 years, walk in the footsteps of royalty in the King's State Apartments and Queen's State Apartments.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Check Out, Windsor Castle
Location:
Windsor
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Macdonald Hotel Windsor
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours. Windsor Castle is located at the top of a steep hill, walking uphill from the Admission Centre and then again on the castle grounds, limited seating available in some areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel in London and head to Windsor. Upon arrival in Windsor, we will discover Windsor Castle with a local expert. Home to royalty with 1,000 years of royal history, it's the oldest and larges occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 kings.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will check into our hotel in Windsor. Free time the rest of the afternoon to explore the area around the hotel or to rest & relax.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Hampton Court Palace, Free Time
Location:
Windsor
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Macdonald Hotel Windsor
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 2 miles; standing up to 2 hours. Hampton Court Palace is a historic building, there are many uneven surfaces and staircases. Some areas of the palace have gravel, cobblestones, and flagstone paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and head to Hampton Court Palace. Discover the home of Henry VIII with a local expert. Experience the drama and private life of Henry VIII, his wives and children in the world of the Tudor court. Explore Henry's Great Hall and Tudor kitchens and discover the baroque palace built for William III and Mary II.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore on your own.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Check Out, Eton College, Embark QM2 in Southampton
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:
Check out of our hotel, board our motorcoach and ride to Eton College. We will discover the prestigious boys boarding school that has educated generations of British and foreign aristocracy including Prince Harry and Prince William with a local expert.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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 Royal Family.
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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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 the Royal Family.
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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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 Royal Family 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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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 the Royal Family.
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
Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
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!
