YMT are pleased to offer our brand new Highlights of Spain Tour and Transatlantic Cruise, designed to show you the best of the Spanish interior before embarking on a transatlantic cruise and voyage of a lifetime. Transatlantic cruises are the sophisticated way to travel between Europe and America, a taste of how travel used to be, they still conjure up a certain romanticism. You’ll spend four nights in Madrid, taking included excursions and returning to the same hotel each evening, before spending two nights in fabulous Barcelona, so none of that daily packing and unpacking and moving onto the next hotel. This tour has it all, culture, color, cuisine, art and architecture, along with history dating back to Roman times and most importantly, you’ll have plenty of time just for you, relaxing aboard your floating hotel, NCL’s Norwegian Epic. For great sights, a great vacation and great value, our Highlights of Spain Tour and Transatlantic Cruise is a great choice.

Day 1

Your vacation begins as you depart on your overnight transatlantic flight to Madrid, the Capital city of Spain. Overnight in flight

Day 2

Guests who purchased YMT airfare will be transferred to the hotel by group transfer. Guests who made their own air arrangements should make their own way to the hotel. Enjoy free time to relax or explore Madrid until this evening’s welcome meeting in the hotel, during which you’ll meet your fellow travelers and your Tour Director before dining together in the hotel’s restaurant.

On this tour, you’ll spend the first four nights in Madrid and then two nights in Barcelona before boarding your cruise. Each day we have included excursions or sightseeing from your base in either city. We have intentionally designed it so that you only have one change of hotel during your land tour, avoiding the inconvenience of packing and unpacking each day. Overnight Madrid, Convencion Hotel or similar

Day 3

After breakfast we’ll lead you on a half-day, panoramic sightseeing tour of Madrid by bus. Some of today’s sights are located along the city’s most famous avenues: the Gran Vía and the Paseo del Prado. You will also see the beautiful 16th century square, Plaza Mayor, as well as The Royal Palace, the Habsburg old quarter, the bull ring, the historic Habsburg quarter, Columbus Square & the University in the Moncloa district. This afternoon discover the city at your own pace and perhaps visit the Prado Museum, home to one of Europe’s finest art collections featuring works by Velázquez, Goya, Titian and Rubens. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities in Madrid with everything from souvenirs to designer goods. This evening taste some Spanish “Tapas’, a selection of delicious traditional hot and cold appetizers and snacks.
Overnight Madrid, Convencion Hotel or similar

Day 4

Today we take a full-day excursion to the historic city of Toledo, located 50 miles south of Madrid. A former capital of the once mighty Spanish Empire, Toledo’s cultural richness draws from its Roman, Visigoth, Christian, Moorish and Jewish past. The entire city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire, and is dominated by its 16th-century fortress, The Alcazar. Following a guided walking tour of the narrow cobbled streets, you’ll have time on your own to explore before returning to Madrid this evening. FRIENDLY TIP: Wear comfortable shoes today! Overnight Madrid, Convencion Hotel or similar

Day 5

Our full-day excursion today takes us to the Roman city of Segovia and then on to the World Heritage Site of El Escorial, a royal monastery and historical residence of the King of Spain dating back to the 16th century. You will see Segovia’s Roman engineering masterpiece, a 3000-foot long aqueduct built at the end of the 1st century AD along with the city’s impressive Gothic Cathedral. At El Escorial your admission is included. After the visit we’ll return to Madrid. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Madrid, Convencion Hotel or similar

Day 6

Barcelona: After breakfast we depart by coach for Barcelona, stopping en route in Zaragoza, Spain’s fifth largest city, which lies on the Rio Ebro. Arrive in Barcelona by late afternoon, which allows time to relax before tonight’s group dinner at the hotel. Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports. It has been known for breaking ground in art, architecture and style since the late 19th century and is fantastic for exploring by walking, or by taking the metro. Home to FC Barcelona, one of the richest and most famous soccer clubs in the world, you are sure to love this culturally rich city. Overnight Barcelona, Novotel Barcelona City or similar

Day 7

This morning discover the beautiful city of Barcelona, capital of the region of Catalonia and site of the 1992 Olympic Games. On your morning panoramic sightseeing tour by bus you’ll see many sights such as The Basilica of The Sagrada Familia, designed by Catalonia’s eclectic architect, Antoni Gaudi, and one of Spain’s most important monuments. You will also visit the ever-lively shopping street of Las Ramblas, the Olympic Port and the district of Montjuic, which is home to the Olympic Stadium, the Joan Miro Museum – and the most spectacular view of Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona, Novotel Barcelona City or similar

Day 8

Today you will board your floating hotel as you are about to embark on your transatlantic voyage. Before we head to the ship, we will visit Poble Espanyol , a unique open-air museum constructed in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition. Here you will have the opportunity to see impressive replicas of Spain’s most architectural masterpieces as well as visit artisan shops with glassblowing, jewelry-making, and weaving. From here we head to the cruise port to embark your ship, the Norwegian Epic. Launched in 2010, she is NCL’s newest and largest ship with no shortage of amenities and entertainment on board.

During your cruise all meals are included and you’ll enjoy NCL’s Freestyle complimentary Dining: Sit down to a four-course meal and fine wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Dress up. Dress down. Sit with your friends or make new ones. Every cruise includes beautifully crafted menus in the ship’s two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet, and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. From fresh-baked breads, desserts, and pastries, to our chefs’ original dishes made with the freshest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or fun as you want. Even room service is available on board at no addition charge.

Days 9-11

Get to know the Epic at leisure and enjoy the many onboard facilities, entertainment, and dining choices. There are so many things to do we can’t mention them all, but some of the highlights would include a casino, spa, Jazz & Blues club, comedy club, bowling alley, Vegas style shows with acts such as the Blue Man Group and Legends. One of the onboard entertainment favorites is The Second City, Chicago’s legendary comedy theatre that is celebrating its 50th Anniversary aboard Norwegian Epic with a hilarious revue of sketches, songs and improvisation. Additionally, The Second City has teamed up with best-selling crime novelist Scott Turow to create a hilarious who-done-it – presented over a “Presumed Murdered Luncheon”. 

Day 12

Today we visit Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores, a group of nine volcanic islands belonging to Portugal. Located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, 930 miles west of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, the Azores offer a mild climate along with miles of sandy beaches rimmed with vineyards and flower fields. Boasting many impressive churches, convents, and majestic white houses, visitors are constantly reminded of Ponta Delgada’s wealthy and illustrious past, when the port was a crucial staging post between Europe and the New World during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Days 13-17

Relax at the spa, browse the shops at the onboard market place, and try the range of different cuisines. From traditional fine dining, to endless buffets with custom-order action stations, there is a host of delicious options included in your cruise.

Day 18

St. Thomas is home to the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the town of Charlotte Amalie. It has been the heart of St. Thomas’ activities from colonial times to present. The island was first sighted in 1493 by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world, and historic buildings found throughout downtown Charlotte Amalie take visitors back to the Danish era when the town was a bustling trading port. Amazingly in 1917, St Thomas was purchased by the US along with St Croix for $25million in gold as part of a defensive strategy to maintain control over the Caribbean and the Panama Canal during the First World War.

Days 19 & 20

As we sail from the Caribbean towards the port of Miami, a final chance to make sure you’ve taken full advantage of all that the ship has to offer.

Day 21

Today it’s time to disembark from the Epic and make your way home. If you booked your airfare with YMT, your transfer to the airport is included.

Note: The Barcelona sightseeing on days 7 & 8 may take place in reverse. Sightseeing described during the port visits of the cruise is optional as part of a shore excursion program at extra cost. By their nature, all tour & cruise vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our Guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing and visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical locations.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

Note: By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.

Inside Stateroom - Category IF

Deck 9

These Inside Staterooms are a great and affordable accommodation for up to two guests. They feature a separate bathroom with shower and two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed.

Mid-ship Inside - Category IC

Decks 8 & 9

With two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, these Mid-Ship Inside Staterooms can accommodate up to two guests. They also feature a separate bathroom with shower and access to some really great amenities. And because they are mid-ship staterooms, you'll have easy access to everything on board.

Balcony Stateroom - Category BF

Deck 8

These Balcony Staterooms have room for up to three guests and feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony with an incredible view. They include a separate bathroom with shower, two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a sitting area and additional bedding to accommodate one more.

Mid-Ship Balcony - Category BC

Deck 8

These Mid-Ship Balcony Staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony. With room for up to three they include a separate bathroom with shower, two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a sitting area and additional bedding to accommodate one more. These Balcony Staterooms are mid-ship, so you'll have easy access to all the delicious dining and exciting activities on board.

Large Balcony Stateroom - Category B6

Decks 9-12

These Large Balcony Staterooms can accommodate up to four guests. They include two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a separate bathroom with shower and additional bedding to accommodate two more. Not to mention the large private balcony that offers you an incredible view.

Images courtesy of YMT Vacations’ cruise line partners. Please note that the images, descriptions, and deck plans are for representation purposes only and actual cabin accommodation layout and/or amenities may vary according to the cruise line’s discretion.