DETAILS
Join us for an exceptional 8-day voyage from Halifax to Baltimore in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Explore historic ports along the Eastern Seaboard that illuminate the evolution of the American story. This special journey will feature Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, renowned global humanitarians. We are also honored to welcome Study Leader Tom Mayes, General Counsel of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their perspectives on leadership, equality, preservation, and national identity will add meaningful depth throughout the journey.
- Pricing from
- $5,800
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
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Oct 6, 2026 - Oct 13, 2026
ITINERARY
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day 1
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA | EMBARK
Arrive at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), where you will be met by your driver and transferred to the pier to embark your ship, L’Austral. Halifax, a historic port city on Canada’s east coast, is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and serves as the cultural heart of Nova Scotia. Once the largest Royal Navy base during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars, Halifax also played a pivotal role in both World Wars and remains a city steeped in maritime heritage.
We recommend arriving in Halifax the night before embarkation. An optional à la carte hotel package is available for your convenience and can be reserved through Guest Services.
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day 2
AT SEA
Spend a relaxing day at sea enjoying the many comforts aboard L’Austral. Attend enriching lectures and briefings, take advantage of the ship’s elegant amenities, or simply unwind on deck as you sail the open ocean. Indulge in a treatment at the spa, stay active in the fitness center, or relax in your luxurious stateroom or suite. Browse the boutique or visit the onboard photography studio for expert tips and inspiration. With luck, you may even spot dolphins or seabirds from the upper decks. This tranquil interlude offers the perfect balance of rest, enrichment, and discovery.
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day 3
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Known as “America’s Walking City,” Boston is the cradle of American independence and one of the country’s most walkable destinations. Follow the Freedom Trail to explore landmarks of the Revolution, trace the contributions and stories of women throughout Boston’s history, or taste the culinary specialties of Boston’s North End. Or, cross the Charles River to visit Harvard Yard, and explore the grand architecture of Copley Square and the historic Boston Public Library.
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day 4
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
This seaside harbor town, once a favorite retreat of Gilded Age tycoons, offers a glimpse into America’s opulent past. Visit magnificent mansions such as The Breakers, commissioned by families like the Vanderbilts. Stroll along the dramatic Cliff Walk or sail aboard a 12 Meter Yacht, celebrating Newport’s legacy as the home of the America’s Cup and world capital of sailing.
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day 5
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
The largest city in the United States dazzles with its energy and diversity. See the Statue of Liberty as you sail into New York Harbor, then spend the day exploring this dynamic metropolis. Walk through Central Park, visit Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial, or cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge on an architectural boat tour for views of Manhattan’s skyline. Whether your interests lie in museums, architecture, or cuisine, the Big Apple offers endless discoveries.
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day 6
AT SEA
Another day at sea offers time to relax and enjoy the many comforts aboard L’Austral.
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day 7
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Known as the “Birthplace of America,” Philadelphia is rich in Revolutionary history. Visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and explore the Museum of the American Revolution and charming Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street in the country. Some may choose to enjoy a meal prepared by a local family in Amish Country, while other food enthusiasts can sample local favorites like the Philly cheesesteak at Reading Terminal Market.
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day 8
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND | DISEMBARK
After breakfast on board, disembark and transfer to Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) for flights homeward. Baltimore offers a fitting finale to your journey, known for its proud maritime heritage and vibrant neighborhoods. The city’s Inner Harbor is home to historic ships, engaging museums, and the acclaimed National Aquarium. Nearby, Fort McHenry stands as the birthplace of “The StarSpangled Banner,” while the cobbled streets of Fells Point and Mount Vernon reveal Baltimore’s enduring character, where history, art, and culture meet the charm of the Chesapeake
Everything you need to know about the tour
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First introduced in 2011, L’Austral is the very embodiment of PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ generation of intimately sized ships. The exterior and interior lines, all understatement and refinement, make this a yacht of a rare and innovative kind. The wellness area offers a spa with massage and beauty treatments, as well as a fitness area and steam room. Plus, with just 132 staterooms and suites, each with a sea view, guests will enjoy the subtle combination of luxury, intimacy, and well-being.
OPTIONAL PRE- AND POST-TRIP EXTENSIONS
Enhance your journey with curated extension programs designed to deepen your experience.
Extensions – Halifax
We will be offering optional pre-voyage programs in Halifax, Nova Scotia (two nights) and at the iconic Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland (four nights). Additional details, including pricing and inclusions, will be provided by our Guest Services Specialist.
Extension – Baltimore/Washington, D.C.
Expand your exploration of the nation’s history from the Revolution, through two and a half centuries of diverse communities shaping the country’s narrative, to the present-day political landscape with our optional Baltimore & Washington, D.C. post-voyage program (two nights). Additional details, including pricing and inclusions, will be provided by our Guest Services Specialist.
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Thompson M. Mayes
As Chief Legal Officer, he oversees the National Trust’s legal defense fund, which advocates for the protection of significant places and defends and strengthens historic preservation laws throughout the United States; the historic preservation easements program, which protects over 135 historic places throughout the country; and the full range of corporate law matters for the National Trust, including specialized areas of historic site management and museum law.
Tom has written and spoken widely on preservation law, the underlying purposes of historic preservation, and the future of preservation. For many years, he taught historic preservation law at the University of Maryland. A lifelong preservationist, Tom serves as a member of his local historic preservation commission in Shepherdstown, WV. A recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Rome Prize in Historic Preservation in 2013, Tom is the author of Why Old Places Matter (Rowman and Littlefield, 2018).
TERMS & CONDITIONS | NATIONAL TRUST TOURS | AU061026 | HALIFAX • BALTIMORE | OCTOBER 6-13, 2026
Compagnie du PONANT, PONANT Group USA, LLC, and PONANT USA, LLC are hereinafter collectively referred to as “PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP” or “PONANT” is the tour Operator/Organizer of this cruise and
has invited members of the National Trust Tours (Sponsor) to participate. Please carefully read this information as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms & Conditions, which constitute
the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and PONANT GROUP and the tour’s sponsoring organization. PAYMENT SCHEDULE: To secure a booking, the guest is required to pay a 25% deposit of the tour fare. Final payment is due by July 8, 2026, or 90 days prior to departure. Checks and credit cards are accepted.
CANCELLATION, MODIFICATION PENALTIES & REFUNDS:
All cancellations or modifications must be in writing. Any and all guests not reporting for departure or prevented from reporting for departure or waiving for any reason whatsoever the benefit of services included in the program cannot claim any refund. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP shall not be required to refund any monies to any guests who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP be held responsible for any costs, fees, damages or causes of action which result from the transportation expenses incurred by guest’s early departure. For any deposited or fully paid booking, cancellation penalties will be assessed as noted below. These cancellation penalties are applicable on all services booked with PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP.
• From confirmation of booking date up to July 7, 2026, (91 days prior to departure): 10% of deposit to be kept by PONANT
• From July 8, 2026, (90 days prior to departure): 100% of full fare to be kept by PONANT
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