A Special Pre-Cruise Tour in Montréal –
October 23-24
With its rich history and French culture, Montréal is a charming mix of old and new, with 19th century churches nestled against glass skyscrapers, a thriving art community, and picturesque sidewalk cafes.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Upon arrival in Montréal, you will be met at the airport and transferred to our headquarters for this tour, the five-star rated Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel. From the moment it opened its doors in 1958, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has welcomed queens, princes, princesses, heads of state, and international business leaders. It was recently recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the 500 greatest hotels in the world.

In the early evening, we will meet for drinks and hors d’ouevres at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth to say hello to old friends and meet new ones prior to the cruise. Following the reception, enjoy the evening on your own and sample the delights of Montréal’s gastronomy.

City Tour
Following a group breakfast at the hotel, we will discover Montréal’s cultural heritage and cosmopolitan blend of old and new during a comprehensive overview of the city. You will see Old Montréal’s rich architectural and historical legacy reflected in the financial district; world-class museums, cultural and performing arts institutions; and the elegant Westmount district. Along the way, we will stop at Mount Royal Park for a panoramic view of Montréal.

Notre Dame de Montréal Basilica
Next, we will have a guided tour of Notre Dame de Montréal Basilica. The Basilica was opened in 1829, making it the largest religious edifice in North America at the time. The church’s architecture is among the most dramatic in the world; its interior is grand and colorful, its ceiling colored deep blue and decorated with golden stars. Unusual for a church, the stained-glass windows along the walls of the sanctuary do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from the religious history of Montréal.

Luncheon at Mount Stephen Club
After the basilica tour, we will enjoy a group lunch at Mount Stephen Club, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006. Since its founding, the Club has occupied the former residence of George Stephen, co-founder and first president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It is one of the last intact mansions of the area and one of the most beautiful examples of late Victorian domestic architecture in North America. After lunch, we will board our motor coaches for the short ride to Montréal’s cruise terminal, followed by embarkation on the Crystal Symphony.

Attendance is limited; you must pre-register in advance to attend this excursion. $1,200 double/$760 single, includes transfer from airport to hotel, welcome cocktail reception, one night at hotel, porterage, continental breakfast, lunch, tours, and group transfer to ship.

Tour Cancellation Policy
All cancellations will be assessed a non-transferable administrative fee of $75 per person in addition to the penalties outlined below. Cancellation requests must be made in writing to your cruise specialist.

Prior to July 19 • 25% of total charges per guest
July 20-August 20 • 50% of total charges per guest
August 21-September 20 • 75% of total charges per guest
After September 21 • 100% of total charges per guest

A Special Tour in New York – October 30

Fort Washington & Morris Mansion
As we depart from the cruise terminal in New York City, we will start our tour with a drive to Fort Washington. Located at the highest point in Manhattan, the fort was the site of the worst disaster suffered by the American side during the Revolutionary War. Thousands of the patriot soldiers captured here died in British prisons. After a brief stop at Fort Washington, we will continue on to the Morris Mansion. During the fall of 1776, the Morris Mansion was used by George Washington as his headquarters in upper Manhattan because of its commanding vista of the area, especially since there were no tall buildings and few trees. It was during this period that the General’s troops forced a British retreat at the Battle of Harlem Heights.

Luncheon at Bayard’s
After departing the Morris Mansion, we will stop for a group lunch at Bayard’s. The history of One Hanover Square is rich, colorful, and almost three centuries old. During its lifetime, the landmark India House building on the square has been a family residence, the New York Cotton Exchange, and a private club for overseas merchants and traders. Its restoration created one of the most elegant dining rooms in the city, with working fireplaces and original artwork that evoke a turn-of-the-century atmosphere.

After lunch, National Review senior editor Richard Brookhiser will discuss the life and achievements of Alexander Hamilton.

City Hall Park & St. Paul’s Chapel
Following lunch, we will visit City Hall Park and St. Paul’s Chapel. City Hall Park is a fitting place for a statue of Nathan Hale, America’s most famous martyr. The park was the scene of the first bloodshed of the movement for American liberty, and where General Washington first had the Declaration of Independence read to his troops.

Washington worshipped at St. Paul’s Chapel on his Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789, and attended services at St. Paul’s during the two years when New York City was the country’s capital. Above his pew is an 18th-century oil painting of the Great Seal of the United States, which was adopted in 1782.

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which led to the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, St. Paul’s Chapel served as a place of rest and refuge for recovery workers at the WTC site. The final stop on our tour will be a visit to ground zero.

Following this tour, we will board our motor coaches and return to the Crystal Symphony.

Attendance is limited; you must pre-register in advance to attend this excursion. $230 per person.

Tour Cancellation Policy
All cancellations will be assessed a non-transferable administrative fee of $25 per person in addition to the penalties outlined below. Cancellation requests must be made in writing to your cruise specialist.

On or Prior to August 29 • 50% of total charges per guest
After August 29 • 100% of total charges per guest

A Special Tour in Boston – October 28

Lexington and Concord
After disembarking the Crystal Symphony, we will board motor coaches and travel west to Lexington and Concord where you will hear about the historical events of April 19, 1775. We will arrive at Lexington Green where American troops first engaged the British, resulting in a rout of the Americans. You will then continue in the footsteps of British soldiers as they marched on to Concord, making a house-to-house search for colonial armaments. The tour will then take you to the Old North Bridge in Concord, where you will learn about “the shot heard ‘round the world” and the first victory for the Americans over the British.

Luncheon at The Back Bay Harvard Club
By special arrangement you will enjoy a luncheon at the Harvard Club. Rich with academia, reminiscent of days gone by, the Harvard Club symbolizes the wealth of knowledge and traditions carried on by its alumni. Dark wood paneling, burgundy carpeting, historical portraits and large fireplaces create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

After lunch, military historian and Hillsdale College Distinguished Fellow Victor Davis Hanson will discuss the American Revolution and how the Americans were able to defeat the greatest power in the world and win independence.

Following this tour, we will board our motor coaches and return to the Crystal Symphony.

Attendance is limited; you must pre-register in advance to attend this excursion. $138 per person.

Tour Cancellation Policy
All cancellations will be assessed a non-transferable administrative fee of $25 per person in addition to the penalties outlined below. Cancellation requests must be made in writing to your cruise specialist.

75-45 days prior to cruise departure date • 10% of total
charges per guest
44-15 days prior to cruise departure date • 50% of total
charges per guest
14 days prior and thereafter before cruise departure date • 100% of total charges per guest

A Special Tour in Charleston – November 2

Fort Sumter & Fort Sumter Museum
After disembarking the Crystal Symphony, our tour will begin with an overview of Charleston’s history en route to Liberty Square, where we will board a boat for a relaxing 30-minute cruise through Charleston’s historic harbor to Fort Sumter. You will learn about the major events that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Imagine the tension over 145 years ago: South Carolina had seceded from the Union, and Union forces occupied strategic Fort Sumter. On April 12, 1861, South Carolina troops of the Confederacy fired on the fort from nearby Fort Johnson—the start of a two-day bombardment that resulted in the surrender of Fort Sumter by Union troops. After about an hour, we will return to Liberty Square where you will have an opportunity to visit the Fort Sumter Museum.

Luncheon at Francis Marion Hotel
Following our visit to Fort Sumter, we will enjoy a luncheon in the Gold Ballroom at the Francis Marion Hotel. Located in the heart of historic Charleston, it was the largest and grandest in the Carolinas when it opened in 1924. The hotel is named for General Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox” of the American Revolution.

After lunch, civil war historian Allen Guelzo of Gettysburg College will discuss the topic, “The Secession Crisis.”

City Tour
Following lunch, our tour will continue with a journey through Charleston, including a comprehensive tour of the city’s historic district, where you will explore fascinating history, starting with Hibernian Hall, a National Historic Landmark and the site of the 1860 National Democratic Convention. Unable to agree over the issue of slavery or to nominate a candidate, the Democrats adjourned and reconvened a month later in Baltimore. Still divided over slavery, the party nominated Stephen A. Douglas, while the Southern delegates formed their own convention in protest and nominated John C. Breckinridge.

The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Built by the British in 1771 as the Exchange and Customs House for the Charles Towne colony, this building is the third most historically important Colonial building in the U.S., after Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Faneuil Hall in Boston. It was where the newly formed state of South Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. It was also where the British kept prominent American patriots imprisoned during the American Revolution. The building also served as the first Confederate post office and a U.S. post office.

The Charleston Museum
Founded in 1773 and first opened to the public in 1824, it is America’s oldest museum. Its eclectic collections preserve and interpret the social and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Low Country. Among the artifacts you’ll see are George Washington’s silver christening cup and a full-scale replica of the famed Confederate submarine CSS Hunley—the world’s first working attack submarine.

After the tour, you may choose to return to the Crystal Symphony immediately or return later on the Crystal shuttle.

Attendance is limited; you must pre-register in advance to attend this excursion. $175 per person.

Tour Cancellation Policy
All cancellations will be assessed a non-transferable administrative fee of $25 per person in addition to the penalties outlined below. Cancellation requests must be made in writing to your cruise specialist.

75-45 days prior to cruise departure date • 10% of total
charges per guest
44-15 days prior to cruise departure date • 50% of total
charges per guest
14 days prior and thereafter before cruise departure date • 100% of total charges per guest