YMT are pleased to offer our brand new Northern Europe Tour and Transatlantic Cruise, designed to show you the highlights of Holland, Northern Germany and Denmark 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. On this tour you’ll see Amsterdam, Bremen, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Lisbon and Madeira and have plenty of time just for you, relaxing aboard your floating hotel, NCL’s Norwegian Sun. You’ll also have the option to take a full day excursion to visit Floriade 2012, the spectacular World Horticultural Exposition held in Holland roughly every 10 years, and at just $99 per person, highly recommended. For great sights, a great vacation and great value, our Northern Europe tour and Transatlantic Cruise is a great choice.

Day 1

Your vacation begins as you depart on your overnight transatlantic flight to Amsterdam.
Overnight in flight.

Day 2

Start your European vacation with three nights in Amsterdam, the capital city of Holland. Guests who booked airfare through YMT will be met and transferred to the hotel by group transfer. The balance of your day is at leisure and this evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers for an included welcome dinner.Overnight IBIS Amsterdam Airport or similar (D)

Day 3

Today enjoy a comprehensive half-day tour in this beautiful city with a local guide. The city is crisscrossed by over 150 canals, some dating back to the 17th century, and these canals have created over 90 little islands all interconnected by over 1000 bridges. See the Dam Square with the Royal Palace, New Church, the National Monument, and the Skinny Bridge across the River Amstel, and you’ll also have a photo stop at an authentic windmill in the heart of Amsterdam. During a guided tour of an Amsterdam Diamond Factory you’ll learn about the history and techniques of the diamond cutting and polishing process. You can’t miss the former Heineken Brewery building in the center of the city. This afternoon you could always pay an optional visit to learn about the brewing process and 150 years of history of this iconic beer. Overnight IBIS Amsterdam Airport or similar (B)

Day 4

On Wednesday, your day is at leisure. You may be interested in taking our optional full day excursion to visit the Floriade in Venlo, Holland. This spectacular once every 10 year event is themed: “Be part of the theatre in nature, get closer to the quality of life,” and features gardens and pavilions with around 100 exhibitors. Your visit will include an introductory 90-minute tour by an expert guide, a ride on Holland’s largest aerial tram, lunch, and time on your own to explore (Note the Floriade excursion is extra and must be booked in advance – ask your travel consultant).

Should you choose to remain in Amsterdam, experience the city either by walking, or perhaps by exploring the network of canals by boat. The city is famed for the locals’ use of bicycles – of which there are about 700,000. The ‘Kalverstraat’ and ‘Leidsestraat’ are the mainstream shopping streets of Amsterdam if you are looking for souvenirs, and to the end of Kalverstraat you will arrive at the floating shops of Amsterdam’s colorful Flower Market. Have you ever seen black tulips before? You can buy them here! Other Amsterdam highlights would include a visit to the Anne Frank House where she wrote her famous diary during World War II, or the Van Gough or the Rijk’s Museum, showcasing works by famous classical Dutch Painters.
Overnight IBIS Amsterdam Airport or similar (B)

Day 5

From Amsterdam your tour takes you northeast to Germany through the lowlands. En route, visit the picturesque outdoor museum of Zaanse Schans showcasing Dutch Windmills as well as Dutch culture and architecture. Then continue to the historic German city of Bremen, dating back 1200 years, arriving in the afternoon. The magnificent architecture of this city (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004) will surely charm you. Bremen’s center is perfect to explore on foot. Visit the picturesque Market Square, take a stroll down Böttcherstrasse, a small intimate lane full of shops and restaurants or see the Schnoor quarter, Bremen’s oldest district and a maze of lanes lined with little 15th - and 16th-century houses set close together like a string of pearls.
Overnight IBIS Bremen Centrum, B

Day 6

Before you depart Bremen this morning, enjoy a panoramic city tour during which you will see the delightful sculpture of the “Town Musicians,” made famous by the Brothers Grimm tale of four farmyard animals who go in search of new fortune in the city. We continue west and as you approach the northern border of Germany, you will explore another Hanseatic city state: Hamburg, on the River Elbe, is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, and here you will take a panoramic tour through this wonderful city to discover its highlights such as the Speicherstadt (warehouse city), the port, the Alster lakes with their magnificent villas, St. Michaelis Church, & the famous Reeperbahn. The evening ends with an included dinner at your hotel.
Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Hamburg Airport (B,D)

Day 7

Say good bye to Germany as you travel to Denmark, its neighbor to the north today! A short ferry trip will take you across the Baltic Sea from the beautiful peninsula of Fehmarn to Rodby in Denmark, from where you will continue by coach to Copenhagen, the capital city. The evening is at leisure in this Scandinavian jewel of a city with plenty of international and traditional dining options. Taste some of the specialties from the Danish kitchen, perhaps the classic Frikadeller meatballs! Overnight Park Inn Copenhagen, B

Day 8

Today is the day where you will leave land and venture to sea. First you will enjoy a city tour of Copenhagen, giving you an overview of the most famous sights and landmarks. See the majestic City Hall from 1892, the imposing Christiansborg Palace (now seat of the Danish government), and the colorful Nyhavn canal district, where the famous fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen lived. Be sure to take a photo of Copenhagen’s most cherished landmark: The Little Mermaid at the Amalienborg Palace Courtyard – home to the Danish Royal Family. Then it is time to head to the port and board your floating hotel for the next 14 days: The Norwegian Sun. (B)

Days 9-11

Enjoy the renowned Norwegian Freestyle Cruising aboard the Sun: Take advantage of the fourteen different dining options, the 9 bars and lounges, the casino, or relax in the Body Waves Spa. During your cruise all meals are included and you’ll enjoy NCL’s Freestyle complimentary dining: Sit down to a four-course meal and a 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 ships 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.

Day 12

Go ashore in Lisbon, a picturesque and legendary capital city of Portugal filled with cobblestone streets surrounded by rolling hills, and enjoy one of the mildest climates in Europe. The Portuguese maritime Voyages of Discovery turned Lisbon into one of the world’s great ports and the centre of an empire that stretched from Brazil in the West to India in the East. Take advantage of the shore excursion program to explore the city with a local guide or explore on your own, the choice is yours! Key sights include the Belem Tower, built in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Baixa (historic downtown), rebuilt after an earthquake in 1755.

Day 13

Try the golf driving net, browse the shops in the onboard Galleria mall, or indulge yourself at the Mandara Spa. Today you have time to take full advantage of the ships’ amenities.

Day 14

The mountainous isle of Madeira, also coined “The Flower Isle,” has been a popular European destination for years. We arrive in the island’s capital and port, Funchal. This idyllic island is perfect for exploring with its beautiful beaches, stunning lava-formed landscapes, and lush, green forests. Sampling the famed Madeira wines is also an absolute must. The Portuguese settled in Madeira in 1420, which is considered their first territorial discovery.

Days 15-21

You will have plenty of time to relax and unwind and rejuvenate at sea. During the day catch up on some reading or enjoy some sports activity. At night, enjoy the plentiful world class live entertainment on board. Join the Norwegian Production Cast as they showcase the recent hits of the Broadway stage, bringing together the best in song and dance from the past decade. From the outrageous pop tunes of Mamma Mia to the dramatic, soaring melodies of Wicked. This show shines with star quality.

Day 22

After 15 days of relaxation and luxury, your tour comes to an end in Miami, Florida. Guests who have booked their air with YMT Vacations will be greeted by a YMT representative upon disembarkation and transferred to the airport for their flight home.

Note: 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

Decks 4-6

These Inside Staterooms are the most affordable way for you to cruise. With room for up to five, you'll have a sitting area, two lower beds that convert into a queen size bed, a pull down bed and a convertible sofa.

Mid-Ship Inside Stateroom - Category IC

Decks 4 & 8

Great for up to five guests, these staterooms come with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed, a pull down bed and a convertible sofa bed. Because these are mid-ship staterooms, you'll have easy access to everything on board.

Oceanview Porthole - Category OG

Deck 4

These Oceanview Staterooms have room for up to three guests, with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and a convertible sofa in some to accommodate one more. You'll also have a porthole to enjoy an amazing view.

Oceanview Picture Window - Category OE

Deck 5

These Oceanview Staterooms can accommodate up to four guests and come with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and a convertible sofa in some staterooms to accommodate two more. You'll also have a sitting area and big picture window to enjoy the amazing view.

Balcony Stateroom - Category BD

Decks 8 & 9

With room for up to four guests, these staterooms have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and a pull out sofa to accommodate up to two more. Along with a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a private balcony with an amazing 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.