The New York Times crossword is turning 75 this year, and with its anniversary comes a travel opportunity for travelers to sharpen their wit.
The Times, one of the most esteemed publications around the world, is collaborating with Cunard to create “The Crossword Crossing” aboard the cruise line’s flagship ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2. Departing December 8, 2017, from New York to Southampton, England, this voyage will provide passengers with different daily puzzles during their seven-day excursion. Crossword experts from the world renowned publication including Deb Amlen, Joel Fagliano and Ben Zimmer will be aboard the ship, hosting daily game sessions, lectures and other on-board activities to help voyagers solve each puzzle.
Amlen has been the columnist and editor of The Times crossword column “Wordplay” since 2011. Since March of 2016, Fagliano has served as The Times’ digital puzzles editor. Zimmer, who is a linguist and lexicographer, is the language columnist for The Wall Street Journal and former columnist for The Boston Globe and The New York Times Magazine.
Trying to offer a comforting distraction to Times readers after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a Times editor decided to publish the first crossword in the paper in 1942. Six years later in 1950, the crossword had become a regular occurrence in daily issues of The Times, and continues to be one of the paper’s most prominent staples today.
Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president of Cunard North America, believes that this collaboration between Cunard and The Times will offer the cruise line’s passengers “an extraordinary travel experience that they would not be able to find anywhere else.”
Travelers are also being offered an exclusive cruise package that includes brunch at The New York Times hosted by Will Shortz, also known as the “Puzzle Master.” This package can only be booked when calling Times Journeys at 855-698-7979.
Related Stories
Trending Destinations: Manchester, England
Car Strikes Crowd of Pedestrians in New York's Times Square
Renaissance New York Times Square Redesigns Bar, Guest Rooms