Grand Music Circle Express No-fly Cruise
Includes Memphis and Nashville music attraction tickets
27days from
£3,799*per person
Overview
This holiday of a lifetime is a unique opportunity to visit the United States of America without having to board a flight at all. Set sail from Southampton on board a classic Cunard voyage to New York and end your holiday on a seven-night voyage back home. Travel by full-board sleeper train on a grand music circle express from the Big Apple, down the east coast and through the Deep South to the Big Easy - New Orleans. Travel through the mid-west combining the four USA music Capitals of New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville and Chicago with the chance to visit the home of Elvis Presley and the major music attractions of Memphis and Nashville. Your grand music circle express is completed with an overnight journey from Chicago skirting the Great Lakes and travelling though Upstate New York back to Manhattan. The old Cunard slogan "Getting there is Half the Fun" has never been so true setting you up perfectly for your tour of the USA with no jetlag or concerns about luggage restrictions on the way home.
Itinerary
- Embark ship- enjoy the sailaway party from Southampton.
- Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
- Step off the ship after breakfast and board the train at 1415 for an overnight journey in a private sleeper roomette on full-board. Travel from the Big Apple to the Big Easy between the front door of Americas eastern seaboard to the gateway of the American south. During your 30-hours on-board take in twinkling northeast city-scapes, the shining Blue Ridge Foothills to new south cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Birmingham. Then through civil war battlefields and onto the Deep South and the Louisiana subtropical swamp country.
- Two nights' hotel stay. Here you will find a flavour of the Old South with a distinct French accent, famed for its filigree wrought-iron work in the French Quarter and Mardi Gras. Shop at the beautiful river walk and take a ride on the street car line dating back to 1835. Visit Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter where the grey spire of St.Louis Cathedral towers high in the air. Bourbon Street is where the music never stops and looks much as it did during the 1700's and 1800's with buildings crowding a narrow sidewalk.
- Board the train at 1345 and disembark the train in downtown Memphis at 2220. Enjoy the privacy of a private roomette on-board the train and full board dining service. Two night's hotel stay in downtown Memphis.
- Overnight hotel stay. Visit the birthplace of American Soul Music, tour Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley and see where the King of Rock -n' Roll lived. You will also be able to see where the biggest names in Rock -n' Soul got their careers started, at the famous Sun Studio. Visit the inspiring museums of America Soul Music at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Rock -n' Soul museum. Entrance tickets to the following: Graceland the home of Elvis Presley, The Graceland Mansion Tour, Automobile Museum, Sincerely Elvis Museum - Elvis After Dark, Rock -n' Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and Sun Studio.
- Travel by Greyhound coach between Memphis and Nashville for an overnight hotel stay. Enjoy free entrance to a range of Nashville music attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, Johnny Cash Museum, Madame Tussaud's and a -15 food and drink voucher for Al's Good Time Bar.
- Overnight hotel stay. Enjoy a concert in the Grand Ole Opry concert hall.
- Travel by Greyhound coach from Nashville to Memphis and board the train at 2240 for an overnight service to Chicago. Enjoy the comfort of a sleeper roomette on board the train.
- Disembark the train at 0915 after breakfast for two nights' hotel stay. There is lots to see and do in Chicago: go to the beach, shop on the Magnificent Mile, stare at the reflections in the giant -Cloud Gate- stainless steel bean sculpture or stand on the glass -Ledge- 103 floors up in the Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower), the tallest building in the US. You can enjoy a fine dining experience with a view in the Signature Room on 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building. Route 66 starts in Chicago at the Buckingham Fountain, and there is the amazing elevated CTA metro system which defines the central Loop area of downtown Chicago.
- There is more time to enjoy this fabulous city before boarding the Amtrak Lakeshore train service at 2130 overnight to New York City. The Lakeshore Limited travels daily between Chicago and New York City, along some of the country's prettiest shorelines. You will travel along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal, following a famous Native American Highway. In New York State, you'll pass through the Finger Lakes region to Albany, capital of the Empire State and along the Hudson River to New York City.
- Disembark the train at 1823 for an overnight hotel stay at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel which is just one block away and within sight of the 33rd Street entrance from New York Penn Station. Explore this buzzing city in a continual sweep starting in Central Park and working south towards Wall Street and Battery Park where boat trips depart for The Statue of Liberty and the fascinating immigration museum on Ellis Island. Definitely take advantage of the shopping on 5th Avenue. Stop off for a coffee in the golden atrium of the Trump Tower and stroll through the Rockerfelller centre on your way to marvel at the bright lights of Times Square. Soak up the panoramic views from the viewing platform at the top of the Empire State Building as the sun sets over the horizon and the lights twinkle on.
- Transfer to the Red Hook Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn to embark Queen Mary 2. Set sail at 1700 and enjoy the sail-away party as the ship slips away from her berth, glides pass the Statue of Liberty and squeezes under the Verazzano Narrows Bridge on her way out to sea. Enjoy the sunset and the famous New York skyline disappearing on the horizon as you wave farewell to the USA.
- Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
- Disembark Cunard's Queen Mary 2 after breakfast.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- No-flying
- Cunard's Queen Mary 2
- The finest traditions at sea
- New Orleans
- Memphis
- Chicago
- Sleeper train
- Nashville
Our Price Includes
- Seven night's full-board cruise accommodation on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York
- One to four nights' four-star room-only accommodation in Manhattan (the duration varies for each departure date in hotel featured or similar)
- Three night's full-board Amtrak sleeper roomette accommodation on Amtrak train services
- Day-time full-board Amtrak train journey from New Orleans to Memphis in roomette accommodation
- One to four nights' four-star room-only accommodation in New Orleans (the duration varies for each departure date in hotel featured or similar)
- Two to three nights' four-star room-only accommodation in Memphis (the duration varies for each departure date in hotel featured or similar)
- Memphis music attraction tickets including entrance to Graceland
- Return Greyhound coach transfers from Memphis to Nashville
- One to four nights' four-star room-only accommodation in Nashville (the duration varies for each departure date in hotel featured or similar)
- Nashville music attractions and tickets for the Grand Ole Opry concert hall
- Up to five nights' four-star room-only accommodation in Chicago (the duration varies for each departure date in hotel featured or similar)
- Port transfers
- Seven night's full-board cruise accommodation on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Wyndham New Yorker Hotel -
This large Art Deco style hotel comprises 1,014 rooms spread over 40 floors and is perfectly situated on 34th St just across from Madison Square Garden and New York Penn Station. On the same street - just two blocks away you will find Macy's Department Store and a little further on the Empire State Building graces the skyline. Renovated in 2000, this air-conditioned city hotel welcomes its guests through revolving doors into a large and impressive lobby. It is also centrally located close to Times Square, countless restaurants, shops and bars.
Maison Dupuy -
This famous historical hotel is located on Rue Toulouse, in the middle of the French Quarter. It lies in one of the traditional courtyards of the district and within just two blocks guests will find the well-known Bourbon Street. This air-conditioned hotel has a total of 200 rooms spread over five floors of which five are suites. When the Maison Dupuy Hotel was built in 1973, it became the last new hotel constructed in the French Quarter. The colonial-style hotel went out of its way to fit into the historic neighbourhood setting - most notably with its stone-floored, palm-lined courtyard. The hotel's fine restaurant, spa, pool, and sauna make it a favourite of visitors to this vibrant city.
Sheraton Memphis Downtown -
This four-star hotel has 600 rooms spread over 19 floors and is located in the city centre of Memphis - close to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The property is surrounded by restaurants, shops, museums and entertainment venues and the city-operated trolley providing service to the Beale Street entertainment district, riverfront, and other city attractions stops right outside the hotel. This stunning property sits in the centre of downtown within five blocks of Peabody Place Entertainment Complex, Mud Island River Park, the Mississippi River, and Pyramid Arena.
The Drake -
Overlooking Lake Michigan, this landmark hotel is set on the Magnificent Mile, with the shops of Water Tower Place situated just a block away; Oak Street Beach is across the street. It puts you in the heart and soul centre of Chicago's famous shopping, nightlife, culture and dining. Chicago's Union Station is just one mile away.This historic hotel, built in 1920 of Bedford limestone in Italian Renaissance style, offers a perfect combination of old-world elegance, stunning beauty and peerless amenities. The impressive lobby features a neoclassical decor with carved moulding, crystal chandeliers, floor of gleaming Tennessee marble, tapestries and antiques. The rooms are immaculately furnished with all the modern amenities one can imagine.
Amtrak Crescent Train -
Your music circle express comprises of three overnight and one daytime rail journey in sleeper roomette accommodation on three different Amtrak train services between New York, New Orleans, Memphis, Chicago and back to New York. The first is on the Amtrak Crescent overnight service between New York and New Orleans passing through Washington DC, Virginia, The Carolinas, Atlanta and Alabama. The next service is on the Amtrak City Of New Orleans service; this 926 mile trip between the Great Lakes and the Gulf Of Mexico is split into two sections - a nine hour daytime service between New Orleans and Memphis and a 10 hour overnight service between Memphis and Chicago. The journey includes some of the country's most varied and historic scenery; from the farmland of Illinois, the forests of Tennessee, the mighty Mississippi and the bayous of Louisiana. The final service is overnight between Chicago and New York on the Amtrak Lakeshore train - food on board this service is chilled buffet style. The route travels along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal, following a famous Native American Highway. In New York State, you'll pass through the Finger Lakes region to Albany, capital of the Empire State and along the Hudson River to New York City.
Ship Information
Cruise Overview
The iconic 151,000 tonne Queen Mary 2 is the only true ocean liner in the world and was built to carry on the tradition of a Transatlantic service linking Southampton with New York. This spacious ship was launched in January 2004 & underwent an extensive refurbishment in May 2016. Transatlantic Queen Mary 2 voyages have become very popular and are now the latest fashion in crossing the Atlantic rather than flying. Many people are recognising that a Queen Mary 2 voyage between New York & Southampton is an ideal special treat for a family celebration, as part of a longer holiday or for a very stylish second holiday of the year.Cabin Details
The luxuriously appointed staterooms have private en-suite facilities, air conditioning, flat-screen cable TV's with free in-room movies, vanity area, hair dryer, telephone, refrigerator with minibar and free room service.Dining Details
The magnificent Britannia restaurant caters for the majority of the guests on-board over two sittings for dinner and as anytime dining one for breakfast and lunch. The Britannia restaurant and dinner offering bespoke White-Star service with a la carte menus. The King's Court area occupies virtually the whole of deck seven (the Promenade deck) and features a large central service area which offers virtually 24-hour dinning with extra service areas offering speciality a la carte dining options#. The brand new Cafe Corinthia offers light snacks and options for breakfast and lunch and is a full service coffee bar too. The brand new Verandah restaurant# offers speciality french cuisine during lunch & dinner for an extra charge; while pub style lunches in the Golden Lion Pub are free of charge.Activities Details
The unique Cunard Insights Programme provides an impressive line up of guest speakers & lectures and the Cunard Maritime Quest is discovery trail around the ship charting the history of Cunard. Superlative white-gloved afternoon tea is taken in the Queen's Ballroom which is the largest ballroom at sea hosting the captain's cocktail parties, themed balls and big band style live entertainment in the evening. This ship even has a planetarium and its own art gallery. There is an indoor pool with a retractable glass roof and two whirlpools, two outdoor pools with three whirlpools and a separate kid's splash pool. You will also find a library, children's clubs, numerous bars & a casino. The Royal Court Theatre offers spectacular shows and entertainment and the G32 nightclub is ideal for night owls.Deck 2
Other Information
Hotel Info
Advertised hotel is subject to change and other same standard hotels may be offered as an alternative
Holiday code
J570Holiday provided by Jetline Cruise
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