Cruise to Commemorate D-Day

(PRESS RELEASE)_​NEW ORLEANS (May 18, 2023) --  To commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day — the greatest amphibious landing in history — The National WWII Museum will set sail on an 11-day cruise across Europe that will converge at the official commemoration event in Normandy on June 6, 2024. Embarking May 29 on the exclusively chartered Seabourn Ovation, guests on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Cruise: D-Day & The Bomber War will travel across four countries and experience a custom itinerary emphasizing the land, sea and air campaigns of World War II. This once-in-a-lifetime luxury cruise featuring world-renowned historians will allow guests unique access to top WWII sites and events both on board and ashore during this major commemoration. 

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​“As the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaches next year, it’s incredibly special to be able to honor the sacrifices made by our brave men and women who fought for our freedom during World War II, especially as its last survivors sadly pass on,” said Stephen J. Watson, President & CEO at The National WWII Museum. “Not only does this voyage explore historic sites invoking education and inspiration, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the legacy of those who came before us.”

Aboard Seabourn Ovation, nearly 550 guests and WWII veterans will begin their voyage May 29 from Hamburg, Germany, visiting sites from the Allied bombing campaign of the city in July 1943. Then, the exquisite ship will sail toward Amsterdam, stopping to learn about the Dutch Resistance during the war. A two-day stay in the East Anglia region of England will provide a special emphasis on the airmen and ground support who helped make D-Day possible. During the next stop in Dunkirk, France, guests will learn more about the Allied evacuation known as Operation Dynamo. Finally, guests will spend four days in Normandy, touring the rural countryside and beaches that became the backdrop for the largest amphibious invasion in history, before disembarking June 8 in Dover, England. Led by best-selling authors, historians and expert battlefield guides, the included itineraries at each port of call will feature rich historical context directly from the Museum’s curators and digital collections.

80th Anniversary of D-Day Cruise: D-Day & The Bomber War highlights:

• Exploration of pivotal moments in WWII history, including shore excursions with expert local battlefield guides at each port and exclusive VIP access to sites not offered on other tours.
• Special guests including Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, President & CEO Emeritus of The National WWII Museum, and featured tour historians Donald L. Miller, Alexandra Richie, John McManus and Keith Lowe, who will provide a signature lecture series during the voyage.
• Optional three-night pre-cruise tour, “Operation Gomorrah: The Devastation of Hamburg,” delving into the destruction of Hamburg. From May 26–29, 2024, WWII history buffs and enthusiasts alike can explore the city, from St. Nikolai Church, preserved for more than 80 years in its state of wartime destruction, to Ohlsdorf Cemetery, one of the largest in the world.
• Optional three-night post-cruise tour, “Battle of Britain,” exploring the Royal Air Force’s defense of the United Kingdom against the Luftwaffe. From June 8–11, 2024, visit the Imperial War Museum in London, the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge and Bentley Priory in Stanmore.

Ports of call

• Hamburg
• Amsterdam
• Great Yarmouth
• Dunkirk
• Le Havre
• Cherbourg
• Dover

This itinerary is now available to book online here, starting at $14,999 per person. For additional information on the optional extended programs, Operation Gomorrah: The Devastation of Hamburg and Battle of Britain, call 1-877-813-3329 x 257.