New York to London With Crystal On 8May12

8 May 12, Tuesday, New York City, New York, USA (overnight)

Welcome to one of the world’s most famous and exciting cities. Broadway, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park are just some of the celebrated spectacles this bustling city has to offer. Giovanni da Verrazano was the first European to glimpse Manhattan Island in 1542, but the area was not explored until Henry Hudson arrived in 1609. It is said that Peter Minuit bought the entire island from Native Americans for $24 worth of beads and trinkets in 1629 – the biggest real estate bargain in history. In 1664 the Dutch surrendered to a British Fleet, and the town was renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York. George Washington was inaugurated here in 1789, and for a time, New York served as the country’s capital. Since then, the city has grown spectacularly and has become one of the most exciting and electrifying cities in the country – not to mention one of the most rewarding to visit and explore. 

9 May 12, Wednesday, New York City, New York, USA »   

Depart: 6 pm

10 May 12, Thursday, Newport, Rhode Island, USA  

Arrive: 8am
Depart: 5 pm
Newport, Rhode Island, is a stylish, world-famous yachting center with a long tradition of elegance. For almost a century and a half, it was the home of the America’s Cup yachting races. The colonial sections of Newport boast many authentic historic buildings, some dating back to the 1600s. However, most impressive of all, are the opulent mansions built at the turn of this century by industrial tycoons along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. Fashioned after the palaces of Europe their interiors boast lavish use of marble, alabaster, gilt, mosaics and stained glass complemented by magnificent furnishings and fine tapestries. You’ll be spellbound listening to the legends and stories of families such as the Morgans, Astors, Fishers and Vanderbilts, all of whom had “cottages” here. Although Rhode Island is America’s smallest state, it has a legacy of history and tradition that far outweighs it size.

11 May 12, Friday, Boston, Massachusetts, USA  

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 6 pm 
Relive nearly four hundred years of history as you explore myriad sights of Boston, a city that exudes pride in its past and future. Superb shopping abounds and sightseeing attractions are legendary. You’ll revel in exploring the Freedom Trail, the Old North Church and the Boston Common. A few miles away lie Lexington and Concord where the momentous events that began in 1775 come alive. Boston has not been content to rest on the laurels of its glorious past. Progress is everywhere. Glazed high-rises soar skyward and the colorful waterfront area has been artfully renovated. Your visit to this thriving metropolis is bound to impress. 

12 May 12, Saturday, Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean   

Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.

Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish:  pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.

13 May 12, Sunday, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada » 

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 2 pm
St. John’s is the capital of Newfoundland and the largest city in the province. Surrounded by a narrow landlocked harbor on the east coast of the Avalon Peninsula it is the most easterly city in North America. This remarkable port city has experienced a long and colorful history. Europeans arrived in the 16th century to exploit nearby fishing grounds and have left an indelible print on the city. As such, St. John’s is known as the oldest city founded by Europeans in North America and much of its history is steeped in legend. Although the most popular theory regarding the origin of the city’s name dates back to John Cabot’s 1497 arrival, the most likely source stems from Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real, who first visited the harbor in 1500 and named the distant Waterford River St. John’s River. St. John’s retains an Old World charm with its narrow winding streets similar to those in London and much of its architecture resembles that found in small Irish towns. The city boasts an impressive array of churches and parkland while spectacular vistas abound from Signal Hill and Cape Spear. 

14 May 12, Monday – 16 May 12, Wednesday, Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean   

Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.

17 May 12, Thursday, Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive: 9 am
Depart: 10 pm
Isolated in a northern landscape of icy tranquility, Iceland is a land of volcanoes, hot springs, mountains, glaciers and northern lights. As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík reflects this natural diversity with ancient maritime history as well as a thriving modern energy and sophistication.

18 May 12, Friday, Heimaey, Iceland  

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 1 pm
This island made international headlines in 1973 when a volcanic eruption destroyed most of the town. Fortunately, a fishing fleet was able to transport everyone on the island to safety. Since then, the town has been rebuilt, and it remains one of Iceland’s major fishing ports. It has also gained a reputation as a golfing paradise, with 62 courses on the island, including one par 70 championship course set inside a volcanic crater. While it is home to only around 4,500 people, Heimaey does welcome 8 million visitors to its shores every summer – in the form of puffins. Indeed, seeing the soaring cliffs of the island completely covered in puffins will take your breath away.

19 May 12, Saturday, Tórshavn/Faeroe Islands, Denmark 

Arrive: 12 noon
Depart: 6 pm
With roots firmly grounded in Viking language and tradition, the 18 islands that form the Faroes are steeped in history, graced with windswept wilderness and occupied by people with a hearty passion for survival. With 17,000 citizens, Tórshavn, which means “The Harbor of the god Thor,” is the smallest capital in the world and is said to be the oldest capital in Scandinavia. The colorful houses and tiny fishing boats decorate a harbor that is charming and inviting. 

20 May 12, Sunday, Ålesund, Norway 

Arrive: 1 pm
Depart: 11 pm
Charmingly eccentric-that is how the Norwegian town of Alesund is often described. What makes Alesund so unusual is its architecture. The town center boasts a somewhat outrageous collection of pastel-colored buildings, many with towers and turrets. Not so unusual, perhaps, except for the fanciful flourishes of human faces, pharaohs and dragons that peer down upon fascinated passersby. The story of how these strange and altogether delightful buildings came to be is as remarkable as the structures themselves. In 1904, a fire consumed the town center and left 10,000 people without homes. Undaunted, the citizens saw an opportunity to re-imagine their city. Local architects, trained in Germany, helped rebuild the town in a surge of reconstruction lasting three years. The influence is certainly that of the Jugendstil movement. The style most closely resembles Art Nouveau. The result: uncommonly wonderful.

21 May 12, Monday, Hellesylt/Geiranger, Norway 

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 6 pm
Geiranger village is located along the picturesque snow-covered Geirangerfjord in central Norway. One of the most dazzling of all Norwegian fjords, the Geiranger has been visited by touring ships for more than 100 years. Impressive mountains, numerous waterfalls and farms clinging precipitously to steep hillsides combine to give this area its unique character. One of the highlights of the fjordland, tiny Hellesylt lies at the head of Sunnylvenfjord. Near the village, a glacier-fed stream plunges over the sheer granite face of the fjord, cascading in thousands of feet of rainbows and foam. This majestic area, with its breathtaking glaciers and mountain lakes, inspired Henrik Ibsen’s immortal drama Brand.

22 May 12, Tuesday, Bergen, Norway

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 5 pm
Bergen, “Capital of the Fjordland” and Norway’s second-largest city, was founded in 1070 AD. In its heyday, Norwegian Kings resided here. It was the largest city in Norway and there were no less than 27 churches and abbeys. Bergen is an immaculate city, set between the mountains and the sea, where traditional values hold firm over transitory ways. The local people take great pride in the rich heritage of this, one of Norway’s premier cities.

23 May 12, Wednesday, Cruising the North Sea   

Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.

24 May 12, Thursday, London/Dover, England  

Arrive: 8 am  
For centuries, Dover has been a symbol of England’s royal fortitude. The port’s legendary White Cliffs have long been a welcomed landmark for seafaring travelers. The solid Dover Castle has faced invasions by Roman, French and even English troops. London’s legendary sights, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Whitehall and the fashionable West End, lie just 80 miles from historic Dover.