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The Spying Game: The Cold War and Cambridge

Program Number: 14569RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/16/2012 - 6/28/2012; 8/14/2013 - 8/26/2013;
Duration: 12 nights
Location: United States/England
Price starting at: $3,790.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises; Independent City Discoveries
Meals: 32; 12 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 11 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; None; None    

Immerse yourself in the shadowy underworld of international espionage with renowned author and intelligence expert Nigel West. Learn the truth behind the acronyms of the CIA, SOE, NKVD and KGB, as well as the role of “sleeper agents,” the secret VENONA project and the race for atomic power. Aboard the elite Queen Mary 2, gain intimate vantages into the post-World War II geopolitical, ideological and economic struggles that shaped the world today.




Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

New York City, N.Y., 1 night; aboard Queen Mary 2, 7 nights; Cambridge (England), 4 nights



Days 1-2:
Arrival New York City (U.S.A.) / embark Queen Mary 2

After exploring the United Nations, program expert Nigel West discusses the Rosenbergs, as well as Rudolf Abel, the famous Soviet spy who began his career in 1921 as a translator for Comintern, an international Communist organization.



Days 3-8:
At Sea

Look for common threads in the lives of spies such as Kim Philby, the defectors Krivitsky, Gouzenko and Petrov, and the triumph of Soviet espionage. Gain expert insight into Yalta, the Manhattan Project and the greatest secret of the Cold War: VENONA. Explore undercover personalities, mole hunts and atomic espionage, and the integration of North American and Western European economies.



Days 9-12:
Southampton (England) / disembark / coach to Cambridge

Visit the National Codes Centre at Bletchley Park, home to the Enigma machine and historic headquarters of secret British code-breaking in World War II. Discover people and places related to the SIS and Special Operations Executive (SOE). At colleges associated with the Cambridge Five, learn how a group of undergraduates became a famous Soviet spy ring. Make a pop-culture connection discussing the film "Cambridge Spies and 007: James Bond."



Day 13:
Coach to London / departure




Queen Mary 2

At 1,132 feet long and 131 feet wide and cruising at 28.5 knots, the Queen Mary 2 can carry 2,592 passengers. Public areas linked by elevators include restaurants, bars, library, theater, casino, gym, pool and more. Dining in the Britannia Restaurant.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Glenmore Trenear-Harvey
Glenmore Trenear-Harvey is a British intelligence analyst who writes, broadcasts and lectures on the subjects of security, intelligence, espionage and terrorism. A former Royal Airforce pilot, he receives regular briefings from Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Security Service (MI5) and maintains contact with former (and serving) intelligence officers of the American, British and former Soviet security and intelligence services.
 
Nigel West
Nigel West is a military historian specializing in intelligence and security issues. In 1989, he was voted The Experts' Expert by a panel of spy writers. He is the European Editor of the Washington D.C.-based International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence and a lecturer at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies in Alexandria, Va. In 2003, he was awarded the U.S. Association of Former Intelligence Officers’ first Lifetime Literature Achievement Award.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   East Side Marriott
  New York, USA 1 night
   Queen Mary II
  Queen Mary II, USA 7 nights
   Crowne Plaza Hotel
  Cambridge, UK:England 4 nights
 East Side Marriott
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: This luxury Manhattan hotel on the East Side is perfect for visiting the city's best attractions, restaurants & shopping. Conveniently located for Rockefeller Center, Central Park, 5th Avenue, Broadway theaters & top NYC attractions.
  Contact info: 525 Lexington Avenue at 49th St.
New York, NY 10017 USA
phone: 212-755-4000
web: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycea-new-york-marriott-east-side/
  Room amenities: Each room and suite at this East Side Manhattan hotel features new luxurious bedding and bathrooms. Plug-in panels connect laptops, MP3 players, cameras and game consoles to 32" flat panel HDTV,and WiFi. Business amenities include work desk, speakerphone, voicemail, high-speed Internet, and WiFi.
  Facility amenities: All public areas non-smoking, Beauty shop nearby (referral at front desk), Cash machine/ATM, Coffee/tea in-room, Concierge Lounge Hours, Concierge desk, Evening turndown service, Foreign exchange, Gift/newsstand, Housekeeping service daily, Local restaurant dinner delivery, Newspaper delivered to room on request, Newspaper in lobby, Phone calls: toll-free, Room service 6:00 AM-11:00 PM, Safe deposit boxes, front desk, Valet dry-cleaning, Vending machines, Virtual Concierge Available
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBD TBA. Complete the form in the preparatory materials and return to Adventures Afloat Road Scholar in Boston or email afloatops@roadscholar.org
  Check in time: 4:00 PM

 Queen Mary II
Type: Cruise Ship
  Ship Information: Having made her debut in January of 2004, the stylish and grand 12-deck, transatlantic liner Queen Mary 2, built by Cunard and under British Registry, represents the pinnacle of maritime achievement. At 1,132' long and 131' wide (150,000 tons) and cruising at 28.5 knots she can carry 3,090 passengers (of whom maximum of 44 are Participants on this programme. There may be two groups on this cruise). Group dining in the Britannia Restaurant.
  Contact info: Queen Mary II.
New York., NY 00000 USA
phone: 011-874-3235 x76210 0000 0-0-0 000 000000
web: www.cunard.com
  Room amenities: Standard amenities include interactive TV with multi-language film and music channels, data port outlet, refrigerator, hair dryer, bathrobe and slippers, a safe and 110/220-volt outlets.
  Facility amenities: Restaurants, bars, fitness centre, dry cleaning, laundry, self-service washers, dryers and ironing facilities. pool, spa. Email, fax, telephone. Medical facilities. Purser's Office.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Crowne Plaza Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: A modern hotel located in the heart of Cambridge within walking distance of King's College
  Contact info: Downing Street.
Cambridge.,  CB2 3DT UK:England
phone: +44 870 400 9180.
web: www.ichotelsgroup.com
  Room amenities: Cable TV, direct dail telephone with voice mail, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, trouser press. High-speed internet access.
  Facility amenities: A/C in public areas. Restaurant, bar, health/fitness centre, sauna, dry cleaning pick up/laundry , ice machine, foreign currency exchange, room service, safety deposit box at front desk, secretarial services, business centre.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: TBC. For extra nigjhts in Cambridge, complete the form in the preparatory materials and return to JAC Travel or email roadscholar@jactravel.co.uk
  Check out time: 1:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
6:00pm welcome meeting and reception in the New York hotel. You will be staying at East Side Marriott that night.
  End of Program:
After breakfast in Cambridge, unless departure transfers are too early. Breakfast ends at 10:00am and check out is by 11:00am. You will be staying at Crowne Plaza Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
No Parking.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Buses and Amtrak trains are available to New York City. You may want to use New York Airport Service Express Bus (718 875 8200) or the Super Shuttle manhattan-shared door-to-door service (1 800 258 3826).
To Start of Program
  Location:  New York
  Nearest city or town:  New York, New York.
  Nearest airport:  JFK.
  Transportation to site: Buses and Amtrak trains are available to New York City. Note: No transfers are available on arrival.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Cambridge
  Transportation from site: Return from the UK is by plane. Transfers included for those departing on group departure day from London Heathrow Airport. Coaches and trains available to airports and central London. Trains from Cambridge run to London King's Cross and take around 60 minutes.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Saturday, June 16)
   
 Afternoon: After independent arrivals to the New York hotel, check-in. At 6:00pm enjoy a welcome meeting and recpetion with Nigel West, the Course Director.
 Dinner: Excluded so that you can sample New York city's restaurant.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: East Side Marriott

Day 2: United Nations.
(Sunday, June 17)
   
 Breakfast: In the New York hotel.
 Morning: This morning we take a special tour of the United Nations headquarters. The United Nations is the site of some of the most significant events in recent history, from the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 to the unprecedented Millennium Summit in September 2000 that brought together about 150 heads of State and Government. When you pass through the gates of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, you enter international territory. The 18-acre site extends from 42nd Street to 48th Street, and from First Avenue to the East River. The land does not belong to just one country, but to all countries that have joined the Organization. Exhibits on UN themes are on display in the Visitors' Lobby of the General Assembly Building.
 Lunch: Lunch is excluded today.
 Afternoon: A coach takes us to the pier to embark the Queen Mary II.
 Dinner: On board ship in the Britannia restaurant.
 Evening: Activities on board.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Depart New York and enjoy the skyline.
(Monday, June 18)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: Lectures on on the Cambridge spy-Kim Philby: Synonym for Betrayal by Nigel West.
 Lunch: On board ship.
 Afternoon: Activities on board. Enjoy a variety of shipboard enrichment sessions. From Cunard Insights guest lecture series to the Book Club with literary discussions with the Librarian, to classes in Cunard ConneXions such as watercolours, computer lessons, wine tasting, ballroom dancing, bridge and board games. Speakers give highlights of what Winston Churchill called "The Special Relationship" between the US and UK. On deck try nautical games of shuffleboard and deck quoits. For the more active take to the Fitness Centre, walk round the Promenade Deck (three laps equal one mile), swim in one of the pools, play tennis on one of the courts or take exercise classes such a Yoga and Pilates or "funk aerobics" or spinning! Try a round on the golf simulator! Enjoy singers and dancers in stage shows in the Royal Court Theatre, movies in the cinema, pianists, jazz bands and string quartets in bars and lounges throughout the ship. Hear the Julliard School jazz series and take part in the Royal Night Themed balls. Polish your acting skills with one hour workshops by RADA : "Finding your Voice", "Filling the Space" and "Speaking the Speech". Take a course in celestial navigation in the full scale Planetarium. Book a spa service at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Extra costs available to book on QM2@canyonranch.com or tollfree on 866 860 4662 (advance booking recommended). Or simply take afternoon tea and enjoy the Maritime Quest exhibition throughout the ship.
 Dinner: On board ship.
 Evening: Activities on board.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Nigel West on "The Great Illegals". Cocktail party.
(Tuesday, June 19)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: Nigel's lecture this morning is on The Great Illegals; the NKVD and the Penetration of the British Establishment.
 Lunch: On board ship.
 Afternoon: Activities on board ship followed by a welcome cocktail party .
 Dinner: On board ship.
 Evening: Activities on board ship.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: "The Defectors"
(Wednesday, June 20)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: This morning hear about the Defectors: Walter Krivitsky, Igor Gouzenko and Vladimir Petrov.
 Lunch: On board ship.
 Afternoon: Activities on board ship.
 Dinner: On board ship.
 Evening: Activities on board ship.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: A day at leisure perhaps to ballroom dance or watch a film.
(Thursday, June 21)
   
 Breakfast: On board.
 Morning: Free morning for shipboard activities.
 Lunch: On board.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon for shipboard activities.
 Dinner: On board.
 Evening: Shipboard activities.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Soviet Espionage.
(Friday, June 22)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: Nigel West lectures on Yalta and the Manhattan Project: Triumphs of Soviet Espionage.
 Lunch: On board ship.
 Afternoon: Activities on board ship.
 Dinner: On board ship.
 Evening: Activities on board ship.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: VENONA and THe Cold War.
(Saturday, June 23)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: Nigel West lectures on VENONA: The Greatest Secret of the Cold War.
 Lunch: On board ship.
 Afternoon: Activities on board ship.
 Dinner: On board ship.
 Evening: Activities on board ship.
   
Accommodations: Queen Mary II
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Transfer from Southampton to Cambridge with free time to explore the city centre and daily market.
(Sunday, June 24)
   
 Breakfast: On board ship.
 Morning: Disembark ship at Southampton. Transfer by coach to Cambridge.
 Lunch: In the hotel.
 Afternoon: Free time. Check-in at the hotel followed by a pre dinner welcome meeting.
 Dinner: Dinner is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
 Evening: Optional orientation walk.
   
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Cambridge Colleges.
(Monday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel dining room.
 Morning: This morning take a field trip to the American Cemetery at Madingley.
 Lunch: In the hotel dining room.
 Afternoon: This afternoon we take a guided walk around Cambridge Colleges including St John's, Trinity (hotbed of Soviet agents and communism), King's College and Chapel.
 Dinner: Dinner is included in the hotel.
 Evening: A Cold War film will be shown and discussed this evening.
   
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Bletchley Park
(Tuesday, June 26)
   
 Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Take a field trip to "Station X" or Churchill's Golden Egg, Bletchely Park, home to the Enigma machine.
 Lunch: Lunch is taken at Bletchley Park.
 Afternoon: The field trip continues.
 Dinner: Dinner is included at the hotel.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Lecture on "The Cambridge Five".
(Wednesday, June 27)
   
 Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Nigel West lectures on "The Cambridge Spies: The Significance of the Five". Guest speaker on Real Life Spies (depending on availability).
 Lunch: Lunch is excluded today so that you can make the most of the free afternoon.
 Afternoon: At leisure.
 Dinner: In the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Farewell meeting.
   
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13:
(Thursday, June 28)
   
 Depart From: Return flights to North America.
 Breakfast: In the hotel unless departures are early.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


At Her Majesty's Secret Service: The Chiefs of Britain's Intelligence Agency, MI6


Author: Nigel West


Description: This is the story of the heads of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service. It contains numerous anecdotes and is fully up to date, and is written by acclaimed author and intelligence expert Nigel West. This remarkable book tells the story of that role, from Smith-Cumming to Scarlett, and each of the other twelve C's in between. For the first 85 years of the SIS, known variously as 'the firm', 'the funnies' and, within the Foreign Office, 'the friends', its existence and the identity of its Chief were subject to the strictest secrecy. Its only official recognition was the wartime designation MI6, by which the service continues to be commonly known today.



Deceiving the Deceivers: Kim Philby, Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess


Author: S.J.Hamrick


Historical Dictionary of British Intelligence (Historical Dictionaries of Intelligence and Counterintelligence)


Author: Nigel West


Mask: MI5's Penetration of the Communist Party of Great Britain


Author: Nigel West


My Silent War


Author: Kim Philby


On Her Majesty's Secret Service: The Chiefs of Britain's Intelligence Agency, MI6


Author: Nigel West


Philby: KGB Masterspy


Author: Philip Knightley


Secret Intelligence: A Reader


Author: Christopher Andrew, Richard Aldrich, Wesley Wark (editors)


Description: This Reader in the field of intelligence studies focuses on policy, blending classic works on concepts and approaches with more recent essays dealing with current issues and the ongoing debate about the future of intelligence. The subject of secret intelligence has never enjoyed a higher profile. The terrorist attacks of 9/11, Madrid and London, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the missing WMD, public debates over prisoner interrogation, and new domestic security regulations have all contributed to make this a 'hot' subject over the past decade.Aiming to be more comprehensive than existing books, and to achieve truly international coverage of the field, this book provides key readings and supporting material for students and course convenors. It is divided into four main sections, each of which includes full summaries of each article, further reading suggestions, and student questions: the intelligence cycle Intelligence, counter-terrorism and security ethics, accountability and control intelligence and the new warfare.



The Cambridge Spies: Untold Story of Maclean, Philby and Burgess in America


Author: Verne W. Newton


The Cold War (Cambridge Perspectives in History)


Author: Mike Sewell


The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)


Author: Robert J McMahon


The Hidden Hand: Britain, America and Cold War Secret Intelligence


Author: Richard J. Aldrich


Description: Essential reading not only for intelligence specialists but for everyone interested in the Cold War and British-American relations



The Mitrokhin Archive II: The KGB and the World


Author: Christopher Andrew


The Spying Game


Author: Michael Smith


Description: Espionage exerts a hold on the public imagination. "The Spying Game" covers economic intelligence and the fight against organised crime as well as the activities of MI5, MI6, the Defence Intelligence Staff and GCHQ.





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