The Best of Britain: Celebrate Road Scholar’s 40th Anniversary Aboard the QM2

12 days
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Large Ship Cruise
Espionage. The British monarchy. International diplomacy. It’s hard to think of a more “royal” way to celebrate Road Scholar’s 40th anniversary than by joining some of our top instructors for an iconic voyage aboard the QM2. With intelligence expert Nigel West, Royal Editor Robert Jobson, former Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharfe and diplomat Charles Anson, ...
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Overview

Trip type
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Get an in-depth look at MI5 with intelligence expert Nigel West, and explore the role of spies in fiction and in politics.
    • With Royal Editor Robert Jobson and former Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharfe, consider the lives of the new royal family in the 21st century.
    • Join diplomat Charles Anson, former Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher, as he talks about his career and his experience as a hostage in Iran.

What's this trip about?

    Espionage. The British monarchy. International diplomacy. It’s hard to think of a more “royal” way to celebrate Road Scholar’s 40th anniversary than by joining some of our top instructors for an iconic voyage aboard the QM2. With intelligence expert Nigel West, Royal Editor Robert Jobson, former Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharfe and diplomat Charles Anson, get the insider’s perspective on the British government, culture and much more on this fascinating journey from New York City to London!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityNew York
End CityLondon

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe

Attractions

  • London

Activities

  • Educational/ learning
  • Sailing

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome Meeting in New York

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Millenium Hilton

Afternoon: After making your own way to the New York hotel meet your Group Leader. There will be a welcome meeting and introductions in the hotel at 6:00pm. Meet speakers Nigel West, Robert Jobson, Ken Wharfe and Charles Anson.

Dinner: In New York.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 2: Embarkation on The Queen Mary II

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Your Group Leader will give you vouchers for breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: At leisure.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: The mandatory shipboard passenger safet...

Day 3: Nigel West on MI5 during the Abdication Crisis

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: BRITANNIA RESTAURANT Breakfast CHILLED JUICES Choice of Orange, Grapefruit, Cranberry, Apple, Prune, Pineapple, Tomato, V8 FRESH FRUIT & COMPOTE Half Sectioned Grapefruit Fre...

Day 4: Nigel West on MI5 and Princess Diana

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Nigel West continues his look at the role of MI5 at times of crisis with a talk on MI5's Denial of the Assassination of Princess Diana.

Lunch: On...

Day 5: Ken Wharfe on Life With William and Harry

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Ken Wharfe talks about his time with Princes William and Harry - who called him "Uncle Ken" - and his travels with Princess Diana.

Lunch: On boar...

Day 6: Ken Wharfe on The New Royal Family

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Ken Wharfe looks at the New Royal Family and Security and What Went Wrong in Paris.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Shipboard activities.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: Shipboard activities.

Day 7: Robert Jobson on The New Monarcy

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Robert Jobson lectures on the New Monarchy and Historical Examples.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Shipboard activities. Late afternoon, Robert Jobson's talk continues.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: Shipboard activities.

Day 8: Charles Anson on Working With Royalty

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Charles Anson talks on his professional life "Working with the Queen of Westminster (Margaret Thatcher) and the Queen of England".

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Shipboard activities.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: Shipboard activities.

Day 9: Charles Anson on The Iranian Embassy Siege

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Charles Anson talks about his life in the Diplomatic Service and his time as a hostage at the Embassy in Iran in 1978.

Lunch: On board.

Af...

Day 10: Disembarkation and Free Time in London

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The May Fair Hotel

Breakfast: Taken early today to faciliate disembarkation.

Morning: Transfer by coach to London.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: Your time in London is free for independent exploration. P...

Day 11: Free time and Farewell Dinner, London, England

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: The May Fair Hotel

Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Free day.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: Free afternoon.

Dinner: Gather with your Group Leader for a farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12: London, England

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast: In the hotel. Some departures may leave before breakfast.

Morning: Transfers by private cars to London Heathrow Airport for the return flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,799
Price per day$317
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Queen Mary II: 8 nights  New York Millenium Hilton: 1 night  New York The Millenium Hilton hotel is conveniently located in Lower Manhattan right in the heart of New York City’s bustling financial district within easy reach of Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty. The hotel is located just a few steps from the National 9/11 Memorial and is surrounded by the renowned New York neighborhoods of SoHo, Tribeca and Greenwich Village. The May Fair Hotel: 2 nights  London Set in exclusive Mayfair in the heart of London, the May Fair hotel since its historic opening in 1927 by His Majesty King George V continues to play host to the rich and famous. Within a short distance of the chic areas of Bond Street and Knightsbridge, it is close to Green Park and Buckingham Palace.
Ship & cabin information
Queen Mary II
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 10 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-21748RJ

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