Cunard Commemorates the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy with a Special Transatlantic Crossing Honoring World War II

VALENCIA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, luxury cruise line Cunard is partnering again with The Greatest Generations Foundation to pay tribute to six heroes of World War II onboard flagship Queen Mary 2. Thematic onboard programming will allow guests to hear first-hand accounts from WWII veterans as they share their experiences of battle during the Transatlantic Crossing. To learn more about the partnership between Cunard and TGGF, click here: https://youtu.be/CjyHccGm7hw

Events will take place all over France and the United States to mark this significant anniversary. This historic Crossing will transport six D-Day Normandy veterans to Europe, where they will participate in many activities to celebrate this momentous occasion. On the seven-night Crossing, departing New York on May 24, 2019 (M914), guests will have the opportunity to attend lectures, Q&As and interact with several WWII veterans.

Cunard played a pivotal role in World War II: iconic liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were transformed into troopships and together carried over 1.5 million servicemen across the Atlantic. Winston Churchill credited both Queens as helping to shorten the war by a year due to their troop transport.

"Back by popular demand, Cunard is privileged to partner for the third consecutive year with The Greatest Generations Foundation, to host a select group of World War II veterans, several of whom served in Normandy," said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. "This special Transatlantic Crossing presents an incredible opportunity for our guests to meet and pay tribute to these heroes and their significant contributions to WWII."

WWII veterans scheduled to be on board include two D-Day and Normandy survivors: FRANK DEVITA, was only 18 when he landed on the Normandy beach code-named Omaha to begin the unprecedented amphibious assault 75 years ago; and STEVEN MELNIKOFF, 99, who stormed the beaches at Normandy with the 29th Infantry Division and earned three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts during World War II. Other veterans include: SAMUEL LINDSAY POPE, who served on with the 29th Infantry Division, 116th Infantry Regiment on Omaha Beach; JOSEPH REILLY, parachuted into Normandy with the famed 101st Airborne Division, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment in the early hours of June 06, 1944; ROBERT GOLDSTEIN, served with the United States Navy during Operation Neptune and the Battle of the Atlantic; GREGORY J. MELIKIAN, as a 20yr. old Sergeant working in SHAEF headquarters of Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1944 and 1945, he not only witnessed the surrender of the high German Authorities in Reims, France on May 7, 1945, but was the radio operator that broadcasted the message to all military forces in Europe and the capital cities throughout the world, announcing the German surrender in Europe. 

Q&A's and other discussions with the WWII veterans will cover topics including:

• Normandy: Their Longest Day
• Normandy: An American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Omaha Beach
• The Dead & Those About To Die: Airborne All The Way
• Beyond the Beachhead: Hill 108 (Purple Heart Hill)
• The Greatest Generation: Their World War II Triumphs

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.

For travel advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSource or call Cunard toll free at 1-800-528-6273.

Cunard
Cunard is the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2^®, Queen Victoria^® and Queen Elizabeth^®. Renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury accommodations in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill Suite and Queens Grill Suite staterooms. Cunard is the only line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service between New York and London, and it continues to celebrate the freedom of travel on exciting World Voyage and Grand Voyage itineraries that visit Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Awarded '#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line' by Travel + Leisure's 2018, 2017 and 2016 World's Best Awards and 'Best Service,' 'Best Onboard Enrichment' and 'Best World Cruise' by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2018 Readers Choice Awards, Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines, a part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the largest cruise vacation company in the world. Together Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) operate 102 ships visiting over 700 ports around the world and totaling 226,000 lower berths.

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For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard, 661-753-1035, [email protected]
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group, 212-251-1015, [email protected]

SOURCE Cunard