Vantage Deluxe World Travel Celebrates Heroic Families

Every holiday season Vantage Deluxe World Travel celebrates by giving back: the renowned tour operator recognizes a group of local heroes by providing them with a unique, restorative travel experience. This year, Vantage has selected the family members and loved ones of the United Flight 93 victims. These Vantage Heroes will embark on a free European cruise with the goal of growing and healing alongside others who lost loved ones. Family members of the victims of United Flight 93 were chosen to honor the heroism that their loved ones displayed during the events of September 11, 2001, and to acknowledge the courage the families have shown in persevering through a tragedy that inspired so many people.

"The bravery that was shown on United Flight 93 is something that this nation will never forget, but it is just as important to recognize the heroism that the families of the victims have also shown in the wake of this catastrophe," said Patricia Lewis of Vantage Deluxe World Travel. "These people have been through a life-changing tragedy and to show our appreciation, we wanted to provide them with a unique opportunity to bond and share their experiences and their strength with one another."

Attendees will include Hamilton Peterson of Washington, DC, whose father and stepmother both perished on Flight 93 and who has since served as the president of the Families of Flight 93, the organization that was key to the building of the Flight 93 National Memorial that was recently unveiled on the 14th anniversary of the tragedy. Other guests include Lorne Von Lyles of Orlando, Florida, whose wife was a flight attendant; Melodie Antoinette Homer of Wilmington, Virginia, who lost her husband and is the author of Where I Stand: Flight #93 Pilot's Widow Sets The Record Straight; and Lloyd Glick of Newark, New Jersey, whose son was one of the many passengers credited with taking action to try to foil the hijackers on the flight.

The passengers will depart the United States for the 7-day Holiday Magic on the River Seine Cruise on Dec 5, 2015. Upon arrival in Paris, France, passengers will transfer to the deluxe ms River Venture. The journey will explore the Seine River including Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Normandy D-Day beaches, Les Andelys, Conflans, and Versailles during the magical holiday season. Guests will enjoy Vantage Travel Lifestyle features such as a Gala Captain's Dinner, five guided sightseeing tours in Vernon, Rouen, Normandy DDay Beaches, Les Andelys, and Versailles, complimentary use of bikes and onboard entertainment. In addition to cruise and air travel, all taxes and port charges, transfers and baggage handling are provided for these special guests.

ms River Venture Photo © Mel Coffman, for CruiseDiva.com