Calling all World War II history buffs: A new series of cruises is designed to bring you directly to the conflict's most storied sites. We especially love that these cruises are being presented by the National World War II Museum, a New Orleans landmark situated on a six-acre campus right in the center of town. We've seen cruises that travel to similar destinations, but the museum's involvement is what makes these cruises special. 

What It Is: 

The themed itineraries include river cruises down the Elbe or the Seine to visit battlefields and museums; two luxe D-Day ocean sailings that commemorate the battle’s 75th anniversary; and a unique Balkans itinerary on the Sea Cloud, a masted ship that began its life as a private yacht before it was converted into a weather ship and used during World War II. The D-Day ocean sailings will be onboard the Seabourn Ovation, and Regent's Seven Seas Navigator.

Combining high-end comfort and educational travel, these cruises will feature lectures and tours led by experts chosen by the National World War II Museum.

Who It's For: 

These cruises are for history lovers who like to travel in comfort, of course, but they’re especially for families who have a relative or loved one who fought in World War II. For family groups, these itineraries are designed especially to bring their loved one’s stories to life.

What It Costs: 

The eight-night East Meets West river cruise on the Elbe has all of the spectacular castle and countryside views that you’d expect from a typical river cruise, but the tours and lectures will focus on the relationship between American and Russian forces during the war. Cabins on this cruise start at $5,995 per person (double occupancy). 

The nine-night D-Day 75th Anniversary tour on Ovation starts at $12,599 per person, while the Seven Seas Navigator tour starts at $9,999 per person. Both cruises will make port stops in Belgium and the Netherlands before sailing on to Normandy, France. Note that because these cruises take place over the D-Day anniversary itself, they're selling out quickly.

The eight-night Normandy & the Seine River cruise on the luxury S.S. Joie De Vivre, a Uniworld ship, starts at $6,999 per person (double occupancy).

The Philosophy and War: World War II ocean cruise onboard the Sea Cloud in the Balkans will drop anchor in Greece and Albania — a unique itinerary that you don’t see often. Pricing will be released in January.