Join Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King III on a journey of discovery, reflection, and connection. Departing Halifax on October 6, 2026, Ponant’s 264-guest L'Austral sets sail along the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore on an eight-day journey celebrating America’s historic milestone. This voyage offers a rare opportunity to explore historic landmarks while honoring the many communities whose courage and contributions shaped the nation’s path to independence.
This cruise is designed to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with carefully curated activities both aboard ship and ashore. These experiences will highlight the nation’s history from the colonial and revolutionary periods, through the Civil War, and into the present day, always recognizing the contributions of the diverse peoples who have shaped it. To add profound depth and resonance to this program, two very special Guests of Honor will accompany the cruise to provide talks and invaluable insights aboard: Martin Luther King III and Andrea Waters King, renowned civil rights leaders and global humanitarians.
The voyage willalso be joined by another thematic expert to further enhance your journey with lectures and discussions on board.
Plus, enjoy USD 1000 in shipboard credit. Ask us for more details!
Voyage Highlights
- A voyage from October 6-13, 2026, including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions on board with global humanitarians Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, the cruise’s special guests of honor.
- Onboard lectures from a thematic expert to provide further context and perspective on American history and culture.
- A diverse and multicultural approach to celebrating 250 years of the American experience.
- Sites associated with the Colonial Period and the American Revolution in Boston and Philadelphia.
- A tour celebrating women's heritage in Boston.
- Opportunities to pay tribute to the fallen at the September 11 memorial, or trace your heritage at Ellis Island, or visit the Tenement Museum and early immigrant neighborhoods of the Lower East Side in New York.
- A discovery of Black history or a visit to Amish Country in Philadelphia.
- A visit to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York.
- Culinary tours in Philadelphia and Boston.
Itinerary: Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Baltimore, Maryland
Port of Embarkation: Halifax
Day at Sea
Leaving Halifax, your first day is spent sailing along the rugged coastline of Nova Scotia and across the Gulf of Maine.
Boston
While in Boston, you will have a choice of several walking tours: one that celebrates Boston's central role in colonial and revolutionary times by visiting the historic sites along its famous Freedom Trail; one that traces the contributions and stories of women throughout Boston’s history, another that explores the culinary specialties of Boston’s North End and one that takes you across the Charles River to Cambridge and Harvard Yard before returning to Boston for a tour of historic Copley Square, including the Boston Public Library, the first free municipal library in the United States.
Newport, RI
Once a favorite summer resort for the railroad and industrial tycoons of the Gilded Age. Tour the opulent 'cottages' of families like the Vanderbilts and enjoy a stroll along the stunningly beautiful Cliff Walk. Or, celebrate Newport's storied history as the 'world capital of sailing' and home of the America's Cup on a cruise aboard a 12 Meter Yacht. Alternatively, set off on an African American History tour and trace the rich Black history of Newport, dating back to the city’s founding, through the Gilded Age, to the present day.
New York, NY
Sail into New York Harbor and past the emblematic Statue of Liberty. During your full day in the city, you may choose to discover one of its most celebrated landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as other notable structures on the city’s iconic skyline, on an architectural boat tour with an expert guide from the American Institute of Architects. Or you may want to pay tribute to the memory of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, on a tour of the area where the World Trade Center stood, including St. Paul's Chapel, the FDNY Memorial Wall, and the solemn September 11 Memorial & Museum. Alternatively, trace your heritage with a visit to Ellis Island or a stop at the Tenement Museum and a walk through the early immigrant neighborhoods of the city’s Lower East Side. You may also wish to learn about the city’s Indigenous history on a walk through Indigenous Central Park and a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian. Or, set out on a Pride tour, tracing LGBTQ history in the city from the Stonewall Uprising through the modern-day LGBTQ Pride Movement.
Day at Sea
Philadelphia, PA
Travel west to the Amish Country of Lancaster County, where you will see farms being worked with horsepower, enjoy a meal prepared by a local Amish family, and perhaps shop for some Amish crafts. Alternatively, stay in the city of brotherly love and enjoy one of three tours—a walk focused on the Revolutionary Period, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall; a taste of Philly's food scene; or an exploration of the struggle of the Philadelphia African American community for freedom and equality from the city’s founding in the 1680’s through the Civil Rights Movement of the mid 20th century.
Port of Disembarkation: Baltimore, MD
*** Images and video courtesy of Ponant
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