In what looks to be a perfect match, Cunard Line has partnered with Ancestry.com to offer cruise travelers the opportunity to trace their family history on flagship liner Queen Mary 2 while sailing across the Atlantic.  An appropriate place to start looking for that family history, the route may very well be how their ancestors made it to American shores from Europe in the first place.

Cunard has a deep history with immigration to the US,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “Cunard’s partnership with Ancestry.com for the November transatlantic crossing will be an extraordinary experience for our guests to learn about their ancestors as they retrace their passage to the US, sailing into New York on a Cunard liner.

Cunard’s role in the immigration movement to the US in the late 1800s is legendary. One in five immigrants who came through Ellis Island arrived on a Cunard liner.  Today, the Crossing offers an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one’s ancestors and experience sailing across the Atlantic much like they did.  Basically, while a lot has changed in the world, the ocean probably looks about the same as it then way back when.

The seven-night themed Transatlantic Crossing sails November 4-11, 2018 and feature four genealogists from Ancestry to assist guests in learning who they are and where they come from.  These experts will show guests where their family originated, how to sift through census and military records, and determine their ethnic mix through AncestryDNA.

Your Ancestry Search- The Experts That Will Help

Ancestry genealogy experts include:

• Jennifer Utley, director of research who oversees Ancestry.com research for the television shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Long Lost Family.
• Angie Bush, genetic genealogist who uses her knowledge of traditional genealogy and genetics to solve complex questions of kinship and identity. Her areas of expertise are DNA, unknown parentage, 20th century, and the Midwestern US.
• Crystal Beutler, part of Ancestry ProGenealogists, specializes in US Southern and Mid-Atlantic research, lineage society research, and works on episodes of the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?
• Simon Pearce is also part of Ancestry ProGenealogists and specializes in researching military ancestors from the First and Second World Wars.

Better yet, Cunard is offering a unique two-night post-voyage tour of Ellis Island and New York’s Ancestral Trail. That capstone experience offers insight into the early history of New York in downtown Manhattan including historical landmarks such as Wall Street, the New York Exchange, Federal Hall and the Trinity Church. A detailed 90-minute guided tour of Ellis Island will include the immigration halls and immigrant hospital buildings.

Your Ancestry Search- Booking Information

• YOUR ANCESTRY SEARCH DEAL: From March 1 through August 31, 2018, guests who book the post-voyage historical tour can save up to 40% off a balcony cabin on the November 4 Ancestry Crossing.
• BOOK YOUR ANCESTRY SEARCH SAILING: For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard Line at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.