Arrive To: Afternoon arrival in New York.

Afternoon: Meet with your group leader for your orientation. Discuss the program details, and enjoy your initial introduction to your fellow participants.

Afternoon: Check in at hotel and take some time to settle into your room before meeting for orientation.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow participants.

Lodging: New York Marriott Downtown

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.

Morning: Free morning: Take a few hours to explore the city and perhaps visit one of the many famous museums in New York.

Lunch: Lunch on your own to explore the many culinary delights of New York.

Afternoon: Group transfer from your hotel to the Queen Mary 2 boarding dock. Take some time to unpack and familiarize yourself with the ship.

Dinner: Enjoy your first dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "The Prelude to Armageddon - 19th Century" led by your military history expert. Lecture: "World War One" led by your military history expert.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may choose from among the many available activities on board. You might take Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room, attend a lecture presented by one of Cunard's guest speakers, view a planetarium show, join a book discussion, participate in an art auction, compete in a bridge tournament, relax in one of the deckchairs and watch the horizon... just to name a few of your activity choices!

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Crossing the Atlantic: The Peace Conferences, Hitler's Rise, Appeasement and the Path to Perdition

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "The Peace Conferences and the Rise of Hitler" led by your military history expert. Lecture: "Appeasement and the Path to Perdition" led by your military history expert.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may choose from among the incredible variety of onboard activities. At 5:00 PM, join your group leader for a welcome cocktail party and your orientation to the Queen Mary II. Learn about the myriad of activities available to you each day.

Dinner: Join together for a group dinner at 6:00 PM in the Britannia Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "World War II in Europe" led by your military history expert. Lecture: "Planning and Deception" led by your military history expert.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you may take advantage of the many educational, social and physical activities available on board - or simply relax in one of the deck chairs with a view of the glistening Atlantic.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Lecture: "The German Armed Forces on D-Day" led by your military history expert. Lecture: "The French Occupation and Resistance" led by your military history expert.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: You can grab a ticket for this afternoon's planetarium show, polish your bridge skills during a tournament, or perhaps retreat to the spa for a massage.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Morning lecture: "Interpreting the Battlefield" led by your military history expert. Discussion: this is time for you to share experiences of the war, ask questions and discuss the causes and ramifications of D-Day.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon you can take time to enjoy onboard life and the many opportunities for education, games, socializing and relaxing.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the next day's itinerary as you dine with your group leader and lecturer. Following dinner you may choose to return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on your TV this evening, attend a show in the ship's theater or practice your dance steps in the ballroom.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King's Court dining options on deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised description of today's on board activities.

Morning: Your expert lecturer will lead a final discussion as you prepare to disembark and begin learning about World War II firsthand.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King's Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe if the weather permits.

Afternoon: This afternoon take time to prepare for disembarking and perhaps enjoy a few final activities onboard.

Dinner: Group dinner at 6:00 PM at the Britannina Restaurant, featuring several choices for each course prepared by award-winning chefs. Discuss the logistics of disembarking as well as what to expect during the UK and France component of your program.

Lodging: Queen Mary II

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: The HMS Victory is a historic warship with very low ceilings, uneven flooring and steep staircases. It would be difficult for participants with limited mobility or any stability/balance difficulties to take part in this field trip. As an alternative, participants can walk around the historic dockyard during this time.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board before disembarking.

Morning: Field Trip "The Southwick House": The D-Day Museum was established in 1984 to tell the story of Operation Overlord from its origins in the dark days of 1940 to victory in Normandy in 1944. The Museum's centrepiece is the Overlord Embroidery. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, it is a moving tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of the Allies in defeating Nazi Germany. The scenes depicted in the Embroidery's 34 panels are vividly described in a multi-language soundguide. Within the Embroidery gallery is the audio-visual theatre, where archive film footage, music, wartime images and the words of those who lived through it combine to evoke the atmosphere of World War II. Then in the Museum's displays visitors experience the sights and sounds of Britain at War - the air raid warden's living room in the Blitz, the factory resounding to the strains of 'Music while you work', and troops preparing for D-Day in their forest camp. The climax of the displays is a dawn to dusk reconstruction of the Allied landings by sea and air on D-Day itself - World War II's 'longest day'. The last section of the exhibition, 'Portsmouth Memories', features the recorded reminiscences of local men, women and children who experienced life on the Home Front or took part in D-Day. The final image in the exhibition - a photograph of the rows of gravestones in the war cemetery at Ranville in Normandy - is a reminder of the price of victory, which must never be forgotten.

Lunch: Lunch at a local pub.

Afternoon: Field Trip "Royal Naval Museum": The Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard is one of Britain’s oldest maritime museums. The Museum’s aim is to preserve and present the history of the 'Fleet' - the ships and the men and women who manned them. The history of the Royal Navy dates back over a thousand years to King Alfred's first battle at sea in the year 882. The Navy has defended Britain from invasion, attacked enemies and eventually established Britain as the dominant world sea power in the 19th century. Today, the Fleet's role involves peacekeeping, fighting piracy and the prevention of drug trafficking. The influence of the Navy can be felt at every level in our society: in our speech, literature, dress, music, character, culture and customs. The history of the Navy is, to a remarkable extent, the history of Britain.

Afternoon: Field trip "Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the HMS Victory": HMS Victory is currently undergoing a period of restoration and visitors have the unique opportunity to witness the process taking place on the oldest commissioned warship in the world. The restoration of this fine ship is a proud memorial to Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest Naval hero, and his stunning victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Her topmasts and rigging have been struck, or taken down, and her planking is under investigation. This is nothing unusual as wooden ships like Victory needed constant care and attention from the day they were launched. These repairs are simply the latest in a long tradition of regular upkeep. The last time HMS Victory was seen without her top masts was back in 1944, so this really is a once in a life time opportunity to see HMS Victory under-going such extreme maintenance. Interestingly, with her topmasts down, Victory will look much as she did after the Battle of Trafalgar when she had to be towed to Gibraltar for repairs.

Dinner: Enjoy a relaxing dinner after checking in at your hotel in Portsmouth..

Lodging: Hilton Portsmouth

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at hotel.

Morning: In the morning check out of the hotel and take the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, France. Take this time to reflect on the many soldiers who crossed these same waters on June 6th, 1944.

Lunch: Snack Lunch on board the ferry as you cross the English Channel.

Afternoon: Field trip and on-site lecture: "Explore the first action of D-Day" led by our local expert lecturer, the precision attack by elite glider borne forces on the two key bridges at Benouville now known as Pegasus and Horse Bridges. Discover the Ranville War Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of British soldiers.

Dinner: Dinner at or near the hotel.

Lodging: Villa Lara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: World War II period trucks are used for transport along Omaha Beach; participants must climb and descend a short ladder in order to get in and out of the trucks. There will be assistants on hand for this, and the experience is highlight of the program and should not be missed. However, those with mobility limitations should keep in mind that the Omaha Beach experience does require some balance and the ability to get in and out of a period truck.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: This morning you will visit Omaha Beach, site of the bloodiest sector of the D-Day invasion where many American GIs' young lives ended. Pay homage to their sacrifice as you stand on the sand overlooking the Channel. Climb into World War II period trucks to drive along the beach and step into their shoes for a short time as your lecturer evokes the sights, sounds and myriad emotions of June 6, 1944.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Start the afternoon by honoring fallen soldiers with a wreath ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, perched on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. Field Trip "Calvados and Cheese: Normandy's Pride": Sample the region's renowned apple brandy at the Chateau d'Englesqueville where the first U.S. monument to WWII soldiers was built. On the way to Pointe-du-Hoc, learn from your military expert about the U.S. Ranger Assault Group's attack. Take this time to look around the bruised landscape.

Dinner: Return to the hotel before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Villa Lara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip and Presentation "The Paratroopers of Sainte-Mère-Église": On the way from Utah beach to Sainte-Mère-Église, learn from your military expert about the paratroopers of this town. Upon your arrival, enjoy an independent exploration of the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église. Field Trip "Utah Beach": Learn about the Allied landings during a field trip to Utah Beach. Your military expert lecturer will guide you through an on-site presentation about the landing that took place here.

Lunch: Lunch in Arromanches with a panoramic view of the ocean and the Mulberry Harbor.

Afternoon: Field trip and Expert-led Lecture "The Artificial Harbor of Gold Beach": On the way to Gold Beach, your expert lecturer will discuss the significance of the harbors. Discover the remnants of the enormous floating harbor at Gold Beach, and marvel at the incredible feat of engineering that enabled the delivery of cruicial supplies, vehicles and personnel during early phases of the Battle of Normandy. Then, explore the German artillery battery at Longues sur Mer with its long range guns overlooking the beaches.

Dinner: Dinner at or near the hotel.

Lodging: Villa Lara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip and Expert-led Lecture "Saint-Lô": Travel to Saint-Lô to explore the hedgerows, which proved to be a very unique and difficult obstacle for American soldiers. On site, your expert lecturer will discuss the significance of Saint-Lô to the war.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Field Trip "Bayeux Tapestry": This afternoon, return to Bayeux and discover the legendary Bayeux Tapestry that is part of UNESCO's "Memory of the World" registry. Take some time to linger over each of the 58 scenes which depict in exquisite detail the Norman invasion of England. Later, enjoy some time to explore Bayeux on your own.

Dinner: Dinner on your own to explore local cuisine.

Lodging: Villa Lara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip "Caen Memorial" and transfer to Paris: Check out of your hotel in Bayeux and board your group coach for Paris. Stop en route in Caen for an exploration of the incredible museum-memorial dedicated to the examination of 20th century conflict and the achievement of peace. Watch the museum's video that delves into the emotions and horrors of war on both sides, and walk through the impressive collection and exhibits detailing the World Wars and the many ramifications of conflict.

Lunch: Lunch at the Caen Memorial

Afternoon: Upon arrival in Paris check in at your hotel and then take some time to relax and unpack.

Dinner: Dinner at or near the hotel.

Lodging: Villa Pantheon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: The field trip focused on Paris's occupation and liberation includes up to 2 1/2 miles of walking over the course of 2 hours, with some uneven ground. Participants who have difficulty walking a few miles at a moderate pace should plan independent activities in Paris in lieu of this field trip.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip and Expert-led Lecture " The Occupation and Liberation of Paris": With your local expert guide, discover areas of Paris under German occupation and discuss the resistance and liberation. Begin at the Hotel Meurice, once the German Headquarters, and end at the statue of Charles de Gaulle on the Champs Elysées.

Lunch: Lunch is on your own to discover one of the many restaurants of Paris

Afternoon: Free time to explore the city on your own and visit one of its many famous sites or museums such as the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay. Alternatively, you may join your group leader and a local expert guide for an optional field trip to explore Ile de la Cite, the island on the Seine at the heart of Paris.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: Field Trip "City of Lights": Following dinner enjoy a leisurely drive around the illuminated monuments in the City of Light.

Lodging: Villa Pantheon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport for departure flights.

Meals Included: Breakfast