European Coastal Cruise

From the old‑world sophistication of Portugal and the artistic verve of Spain’s Basque country to the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, France, and the regal majesty of London, a riveting canvas of influential seaports awaits you on this deluxe, small ship itinerary. Cruise with alumni and friends from May 3 – 12, 2025 and explore four European coastal nations — Portugal, Spain, France and England.

Visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites, including ancient Porto, the sacred Santiago de Compostela and the magnificent island monastery of Mont‑Saint‑Michel. Along the way, a selection of Traveler’s Choice excursions allows to you craft an itinerary to suit your interests, such as indulging in local Basque cuisine, touring Frank Gehry’s visionary Guggenheim Museum and tasting regional port wines. Plus, you will walk the hallowed D-Day beaches of Normandy with special guest speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Travel aboard the specially chartered, World Voyager, featuring only 95 suites and staterooms. Dock in small ports of call inaccessible to larger vessels and enjoy luxurious, ocean‑view accommodations, globally inspired cuisine and attentive, personal service. This amazing program features at least one included excursion in each port with options to customize your journey at no extra cost with a choice of activities.

Request your reservation online today or Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 866-525-8664 for more details.

Dates and Rates:

Date Range: May 23 – June 1, 2026

Destination(s): Portugal, Spain, France, United Kingdom

Price Range: $7,495 – $29,195 per person based on double occupancy.

Traveling solo?  Select Categories may be reserved by single travelers at 160% of the per person double price (per person rate x 1.6),  all others at 200%, or please contact us to inquire about any possible roommate options

Deposit: $1,500 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Trip Type: Cruise

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. Request your reservation online today while space and early booking savings are available.

Contact:  GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu or 1-866-525-8664

Itinerary:

B | L | D | R denotes included breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and reception

Day 1 | May 23 DEPART HOME CITY Depart for Lisbon, Portugal.

Day 2 | May 24 LISBON, PORTUGAL D

Arrive at Lisbon International Airport in Lisbon.  Those arriving early will transfer to a group hospitality room at a Lisbon hotel. After lunch on your own at the hotel or nearby, you will then travel with the group to embark the deluxe World Voyager. Those arriving later will transfer directly to the port for embarkation. This evening, attend a Gohagan & Company Welcome Briefing and lifeboat drill, followed by a dinner on board the ship as we depart Lisbon.

Day 3 | May 25 LEIXÕES FOR PORTO B | L | R | D

Watch for stunning views over breakfast as we spend the morning cruising toward Lexiões for a day of discovery. Disembark after lunch for an excursion to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Porto. Renowned for its port wine, Porto has been occupied by humans since the 8th century B.C., when excavations show evidence of a Phoenician trading settlement. Situated high on a hill over the Douro River, this ancient city has been occupied by the Romans, Visigoths, Normans, and Moors over the centuries. Porto is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Romanesque monuments, medieval old town, and Stock Exchange.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. 

• Wine Tasting with Port and Cheese. Savor the famous wine that Porto is known for with a tasting of port paired with cheese, hosted by a local purveyor with more than 200 years of history. (Mild)
• Medieval Monuments of Porto. See some of Porto’s most famous medieval structures on a tour that includes the 19th-century Stock Exchange Palace — a grand building with British Neoclassical and Palladian influences. Inside you will find elaborate paintings, sculptures, and décor of the period. (Moderate)
• Later this afternoon, experience the lively Ribeira riverfront medieval quarter on a guided walking tour.

Free Time: After the tour, you will have time on your own to explore Ribeira, one of Porto’s most popular and picturesque neighborhoods. Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and dinner on board the ship this evening.

Day 4 | May 26 LA CORUÑA, SPAIN | SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA B | L | D

Wake this morning to breakfast on board and stunning views as the ship arrives in the historic Spanish port city of La Coruña for an excursion to Santiago de Compostela. Disembark after lunch for an excursion to Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela: Located in the autonomous region of Galicia, UNESCO-inscribed Santiago de Compostela has been a world-renowned pilgrimage site since the 9th century when a light was seen shining over a forgotten Roman tomb believed to be that of St. James the Great, one of Jesus’ apostles. Following the Camino de Santiago pathway, Christians soon began to descend on the area to repent for their sins and visit the tomb. Santiago de Compostela’s spectacular old town is filled with Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque monuments, all surrounding the Romanesque cathedral where the tomb is located. (Mild) Your immersion into Santiago de Compostela begins with a guided walking tour to the city center at the Plaza de Obradoiro square, where you may admire the splendid Palacio de Rajoy. From there, you will visit the hallowed sanctuary of Spain’s patron saint — a legendary cathedral that holds the remains of St. James. Marvel at the ornate blend of styles on its interior, ranging from Romanesque to Baroque, as well as the site’s unique features. See the silver urn that contains St. James’ ashes and the ancient Portico de la Gloria entry to the cathedral — a famous masterpiece by 12th-century European sculptor Master Mateo. (Mild) Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening.

Day 5 | May 27 SANTANDER | BILBAO B | L | D

Enjoy breakfast on board and attend a lecture this morning as the ship cruises to Santander, where you will disembark after lunch for an afternoon excursion to Bilbao.

Bilbao: A member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the ancient port city of Bilbao has become famous for its cultural transformation and innovations in architecture, interior design, and fashion. The once-gritty city has become one of Spain’s most popular destinations. Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum is credited for ushering in Bilbao’s cultural renaissance while modernist marvels from Santiago Calatrava and Philippe Starck redefined the post-industrial skyline.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions.

• Spectacular Galleries of the Guggenheim Museum and Tour of Bilbao. Walk the galleries and explore the legendary Guggenheim Museum at your own pace, followed by a city tour to see some of Bilbao’s most iconic landmarks.
• Aspaldiko Basque Cooking Demonstration. Travel to the rustic Aspaldiko restaurant for a Basque cooking demonstration. Taste the authentic dishes you create and enjoy the splendor of this charming property.

Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening.

Day 6 | May 28 DAY AT SEA B | L | D

Wake this morning to breakfast and stunning views as you spend a day cruising the Bay of Biscay. Relax and enjoy some of the ship’s many luxury amenities as we sail north to France.

Day 7 | May 29 SAINT-MALO, FRANCE | MONT-SAINT-MICHEL B | L | D

This morning you will disembark after breakfast at Saint-Malo, the fortified French port city where maritime explorer Jacques Cartier was born in the 15th century. From there you will travel to the majestic Mont-Saint-Michel, a pilgrimage site for more than 1,000 years. Mont-Saint-Michel: Rising from a tidal plain that appears to be suspended above the sea, the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Mont-Saint-Michel began as a humble oratory and became a renowned center of knowledge during the Middle Ages. Cobblestone streets weave through the fortified village, culminating in the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, a three-story Gothic masterpiece. Climb up through the fortified medieval village to behold the glory of Mont-Saint-Michel — seemingly suspended above a saltwater marsh. Admire its storied cloisters; barrel-roofed réfectoire; Salle des Hôtes of the 13th century La Merveille; and the magnificent Église Abbatiale. (Active) Return to the ship this afternoon and join Distinguished Guest Speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, a noted historian and the grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who will embark the ship along with his wife, Julie. Enjoy dinner this evening as we cruise to the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

Day 8 | May 30 HONFLEUR | THE NORMANDY BEACHES B | L | D

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning as the ship arrives in Honfleur, where you will disembark with Professor Eisenhower for a special anniversary tour of the historic Normandy beaches, site of the largest seaborne invasion in history. Your day-long excursion includes guided walks through the American Military Cemetery and Omaha Beach, where an estimated 2,400 Allied soldiers died on a day the world will never forget. There will also be opportunities to customize your experience with time to explore at your own pace. American passengers may join a group wreath-laying ceremony at the American Military Cemetery with Professor Eisenhower, along with tours of Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach from the U.S. point of view. Those interested in Canadian D-Day history will be able to visit the Juno Beach site and the Beny sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Lunch will be provided for the group near one of the sites. Drive with Professor Eisenhower on a drive ot Arromanches-les-Bains to see the remnants of the temporary Mulberry “A” harbor that was created and taken across the English Channel to support Allied landings on the Normandy beaches. Return to the ship later this afternoon for dinner on board this evening.

Day 9 | June 1 CRUISING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL |LONDON, ENGLAND B | L | R | D

Savor panoramic views as you cruise the English Channel across the Strait of Dover. This day at sea gives you the opportunity to enjoy the ship’s many luxury amenities or attend another lecture from Professor Eisenhower. Watch from the deck as Britain’s history is revealed on this storied journey to remember.

Farewell Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner on board the ship this evening amid views of the London skyline.

Day 10 | June 2 LONDON | RETURN TO HOME CITY B

Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Heathrow International Airport for your return flight home. Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs. If you have reserved the London Post-Tour Extension, continue to your tour of the Churchill War Rooms.

Inclusions:

• Transfer options with luggage handling abroad for participants whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
• Experienced, English-speaking local guides for included excursions.
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Complimentary bottled water in your Suite or Stateroom and on excursions.
• Hospitality desk aboard ship.
• Experienced team of Professional Travel Directors at your service.
• Complimentary use of an audio headset during guided excursions.

Highlights:

Activity Levels: The Activity Level ratings indicate each excursion’s physical expectations. To make the best personal choice, please evaluate each excursion’s rating and your ability to meet the tour’s physical demands.

Mild excursions involve:

• Walking for 1.5 hours or more over uneven terrain
• Walking on challenging surfaces: cobblestones, uneven paths and/or pavements
• Climbing stairs and hills and crossing rail tracks
• Stepping on and off motorcoaches with 3-6 steep steps

Moderate excursions could involve the above, plus:

• Walking for 3 hours for distances of a mile or more
• Walking on uneven terrain: narrow cobblestone streets, stone floors, and/or slippery surfaces.
• There may be several flights of stairs, some without railings

Active excursions could involve the above, plus:

• Walking on uneven terrain: sandy or rocky beaches, snowy surfaces and/or steep inclines
• Standing for 2 hours or more at a time, possibly without areas to sit
• Climbing 100 stairs or more

Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives to active excursions may be available.

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed int he “included features” section of the program brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure; and all other services not specifically mentioned in the terms and conditions https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/