METEOR STORM OVER THE OCEAN
October 1-15, 2011
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Prices on specific categories are as follows:
Port charges and taxes are included; Turkish visas cost $49.
Round trip airport to pier transfers can be purchased for $148.00 per person.
If you want single occupancy or 3rd or 4th person in the same cabin, please ask
for a quote.
*cabin numbers will be assigned and confirmed after deposit is paid (deposit is
300.00 per person)
*rates are available though Travel Leaders/Future Travel only and are subject to
availability
To pick a particular cabin number in one of the categories above or if you want
a different category not listed here, please email to: ramkissoonf@travelleaders.com
- Prices vary depending on availability
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This could be the moment for the next big meteor storm; position yourself on the deck of the OCEANIA NAUTICA
for a prime view of this show.
We have selected the cruise route of the NAUTICA not only for its great port destinations but because it will
be located in an area which generally has a clear weather pattern at night in October**. On the evening of October 8, the
earth will literally drive into a potential 'thunderstorm of meteors' where we anticipate that these fast moving
particles will produce bright flashes and streaks as they burn up in the atmosphere. The Draconids meteor shower
occurs every year in early October, peaking between October 7-9 when the Earth is passing through debris
left from the comet called Giacobini-Zinner. This meteor shower produced
200-1000 mph (meteors per hour) in 1933 and 1946. While this shower is usually much quieter, it peaks during
evening hours from our prime viewing location during an expected two to three hour watching interval. Lie back
on a deck chair and take it all in.
Price for a single room is double the prices above. $100 shipboard credit included per stateroom.
Pick a comfy place on deck from which to observe the meteor shower
We will feature mini-talks on the expected big Draconid meteor shower, an opportunity to view the last
Transit of Venus across the sun in our
lifetimes (June, 2012), upcoming expeditions to view eclipses of the sun, and how to find your way around
the night sky.
Unpack just once as you board our
Oceania cruise ship and sail for 14 nights without worrying about your job or other daily stresses. This ship is
geared for non-smokers and they have one of the most restrictive smoking
policies in the entire industry. Smoking is
only permitted in two designated public areas onboard Oceania ships -- the aft and port-side area of the outdoor
eating venue Horizons, and on the outdoor pool deck -- forward section starboard side. That's it. No smoking
is allowed in the cabins, on balconies nor in any indoor public venues onboard the ship.
The route of our cruise from Turkey to Spain. The meteor shower hits between departure from Alexandria, Egypt and arrival into Jerusalem, Israel
During a meteor storm you can see meteors appear in any part of the sky. Trace them back to a common location and you can find the radiant. In this 'all sky photo' the horizon is the dark edge and the bright dots are stars, while the streaks are meteors.
OCEANIA Nautica
Her distinctive personality shines through from the moment you first step into her newly redesigned, neo-classical
lobby or Toscana, resplendent in rich new fabrics and furnishings that reflect the charisma of Tuscany. Nautica
boasts decks and verandas graced with the finest teak and exquisite custom stone and tile work. To ensure the
elegance shines throughout the entire experience, there is all new Villeroy & Boch china, the finest silver and
crystal, and a distinctive museum-quality art collection that is an eclectic melding of traditional and contemporary,
with a touch of whimsy.
Choose from a variety of cabins ranging from suites to oceanview to interior cabins. It’s like another world inside
these private retreats; even the inside cabins boast 160 square feet of beautifully designed luxury.
The comfortable furnishings and warm woods add to the serenity. Each stateroom features a comfortable seating area,
vanity desk, plenty of storage space, and queen or two twin bed accommodations.
Stateroom Amenities:
OCEANIA Nautica inside and ocean view staterooms
Unlike many cruise ships, there are no formal evenings onboard.
Jogging track
For a ship that seriously has some of the best cuisine at sea, surprisingly, it is not necessarily a given that you
will gain weight on Nautica. That's because so many of the offerings lean toward healthy fare -- lots of salads, fruits
and fish (including delicious sushi and sashimi every night at Tapas on the Terrace).
Tapas outdoor dining
The pool area is simply gorgeous -- intimate and well designed, with teak lounges framing the solo pool; they're covered in thick blue cushions that are protected by white terry cloth covers. Some of the lounges are doubles, a lovely treat for couples. The deck is outfitted in teak as well. Two whirlpools surround the pool.
Pool deck
The spa
(Some modifications may occur due to routing and schedule changes in the region prior to the time of the tour. Prices are those in effect as of the date above and may change due to currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges for ground transport caused by escalating oil prices or increases mandated by ground operators. RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS does its best to keep prices in line as far in advance as possible. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended just in case you or a companion becomes ill or is forced by circumstance to miss the tour.)
Depending on the size of meteor particles some can be bright enough to be seen even in brightly lit urban areas. Photo by A.Danielsen.
Oct 1 (Saturday): Istanbul, Turkey
Arrive into Istanbul on your own or through air that can be arranged by Travel Leaders/Future Travel.
Istanbul, Turkey is one of the world's most interesting cities. Cruise passengers get a striking view of the
minaret-pierced skyline as the ship pulls into port. The treasures are plentiful here; visitors marvel at the
great architectural triumph of the Blue Mosque, the glorious frescoes and mosaics of the Chora Church and the amazing
Grand Bazaar.
Mosque of Istanbul
Views from the Bosporus
Oct 2 (Sunday): Istanbul, Turkey Late afternoon departure from Istanbul. At sunset, weather permitting, we will make our first attempt to view the Green Flash--a unique phenomenon created by the earth's atmosphere and visible when the sea is calm and there no clouds on the horizon. Other attempts will occur at sunset tonite and on succeeding mornings and evenings during the trip.
The "Green Flash" was first photographed in 1965 by astronomer D. J. K. O'Connell of the Vatican Observatory in Italy. O'Connell's pictures proved the existence of the "green flash," which long had been held to be an optical illusion caused by retinal fatigue from looking at a setting red sun.
Oct 3 (Monday): Kusadasi, Turkey
After lunch we dock in Kusadasi, home of the magnificent ruins of Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire, and now it is one of the world's most impressive and best-restored archaeological sites. Walk the marble-paved streets and see the spectacular ruins of the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and the amphitheater where St. Paul once preached. Kusadasi is a Turkish resort known for its extensive marina and miles of beaches, but it is famed for the ancient treasures just minutes away: Miletus and its Greco-Roman theater and Temple of Athena, Didyma and its Temple of Apollo, and the most glorious of all, the marble city of Ephesus. Departure from Kusadasi at 7:00pm.
The library of Celsus
The great theater of Ephesus
Tonite and during other evenings/mornings as the weather conditions and orbital geometry allow, we will attempt observation of the bright glints from the Iridium earth satellites. This activity has been a regular feature of RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS since 1999.
A time lapse exposure showing a brilliant glint from the main mission antenna of one of the Iridium communications satellites orbiting above the earth. Photo by B.Gimle.
Oct 4 (Tuesday): Crete, Greece
Arrive Crete at 9:00am. Venture to Knossos, site of the highly advanced Minoan civilization, to discover the traditions of the island people and sample their delicious food. Or enjoy people-watching from your vantage point at a café overlooking the enchanting harbor of Aghios Nikolaos. Depart the island around 6:00pm.
The island of Corfu
Oct 5 (Wednesday): Marmaris, Turkey
Arrive at 8:00am into Marmaris. The once quaint fishing village of Marmaris has in recent years become a busy holiday resort. Except for its shoreline development, Marmaris is a small village, and a short stroll will show you the layout of the downtown section. The very heart of town is the little plaza next to the ferry dock. Located here are the customs house, tourism office, currency exchange booths, hotels and the market district.
Marmaris Castle
This afternoon we will have a solar observing session on deck prior to departure at 3:00pm.
The sun in hydrogen alpha light. We can see it like this through the telescope.
Oct 6 (Thursday): Limassol, Cyprus
Arrive into Limassol at 9:00am. Limassol is a resort town in the Greek southern half of the island. The most popular excursions visit the sites of the Curium amphitheater and the sanctuary of Apollo, the Crusader castle at Kolossi and the House of Dionysus at Paphos. Depart Limassol at 6:00pm.
The broad avenues of Limassol
Oct 7 (Friday): Port Said, Egypt
Arrive Pt. Said at 8:00am. This port serves as a gateway to Cairo. Highlights in Cairo include the Ibn Tulun Mosque, which dates to the ninth century, and the Citadel, a medieval fortress. Many passengers choose to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World; the Sphinx is nearby. Tours of these sites are offered on foot, horseback or camel. Depart at 6:00pm.
Great pyramids of Giza
Tonite we will attempt to view naked eye satellites flying over the ship (weather and orbital geometry permitting). After dinner we plan to have a satellite observing session on deck.
A bright satellite flies through the night sky
Oct 8 (Saturday): Alexandria, Egypt
Arrive Alexandria at 7:00am. Highlights in Cairo include the Ibn Tulun Mosque, which dates to the ninth century, and the Citadel, a medieval fortress. Many passengers choose to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World; the Sphinx is nearby. Tours of these sites are offered on foot, horseback or camel. The port city of Alexandria is set on a strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mareotis, and serves as the gateway to Cairo and Giza. In Alexandria, a tour of the harbor and Montaza Palace or lounging on the beach are favorite activities. Depart the port at 6:00pm.
The Sphinx
After the ship undocks from Alexandria, we head for Israel. The meteor watch will begin after dinner. Location for the observation will be posted.
It is not uncommon for bright meteors to leave smoke trains in their wake
Oct 9 (Sunday): Ashdod, Israel
Arrive into the Jerusalem area (Ashdod) at 11:00am. The port town of Ashdod serves as the gateway to one of the most revered cities in the world. Jerusalem, which is central to three world religions, includes both an old walled city and a modern urban area surrounding the wall. As you stroll inside the wall, you'll eventually "discover" some of the most magnificent holy shrines in the world, including the Mosque of Omar (also known as the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina); the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (marking the site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ); and the Western ("Wailing") Wall, once part of Solomon's Temple. Outside the walls of the old city is the beautiful Franciscan church, the Church of All Nations, on the slope of the Mount of Olives; the church is built around the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane. Depart at 10:00pm.
Jerusalem
After dinner we will have a moon viewing session on deck prior to departure.
The moon through binoculars.................................Craters through the telescope. Photo by M.Karrer
Oct 10 (Monday): Haifa, Isael
Arrive Haifa at 6:00am. Haifa is Hebrew for "beautiful coast," and this port lives up to its name. Much of the city lies on the slopes of Mount Carmel as it plunges to the sea. A day can be well spent in Haifa, home to the Bahai Temple, Elijah's cave, the Druze villages and the artists' colonies at Ein Hod and Safad. More popular, though, are the excursions to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. Depart at 8:00pm.
Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
Oct 11 (Tuesday): AT SEA
Oct 12 (Wednesday): AT SEA
Oct 13 (Thursday): Valleta, Malta
Arrive Valleta at 9:00am. This miniature Mediterranean island is marked with medieval castles, palaces, minarets and grand churches. Various excursions visit Mdina (the old capital of Malta), the Palace of the Grand Masters, and St. John's Co-Cathedral. Or, explore the Malta Crafts Centre on your own. Depart at 4:00pm.
Port of Valleta
Oct 14 (Friday): AT SEA
Oct 15 (Saturday): Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona landmark church
Arrive into Barcelona harbour at 8:00am and the end of a wonderful cruise. Note that cruises from Barcelona depart year-round. The streets of Spain's cultural center are lined with tapas bars and cafes and filled with musicians. City tours take visitors to Gaudi's eccentric Church of the Holy Family, the 14th-century Gothic Quarter, the Picasso Museum and the Spanish Village.
**NOTE: Weather always plays a part in determining if any astronomical event can be seen and cannot be guaranteed.
BASIC TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
BASIC TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
PAYMENT SCHEDULE (per person)
CANCELLATION FEES (per person) From time of booking – Travel Leaders/Future Travel fee..$150.00 per person double occupancy (or $300.00 for single occupancy)
Travel Leaders/Future Travel recommends that each client purchase adequate trip cancellation insurance, medical, baggage, accident and other personal effects insurance. Trip cancellation insurance must be purchased at time of initial deposit. Clients should be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather for this astronomical event or any other.
TO PURCHASE THE "CRUISE, TOUR AND TRAVEL" INSURANCE PACKAGE
PERFORM THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1) Read a description of the Travel Guard package: COVERAGE INCLUDES
2) Fill out the forms to buy the package here: TRAVEL GUARD INSURANCE LINK
