TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON FROM THE AEGEAN SEA
June 10-20, 2011
SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR LINKS TO REGISTRATION FORM, CONTACT INFORMATION AND TERMS & CONDITIONS.
Prices on specific categories are as follows:
Round trip airport to pier transfers can be purchased for $178.00 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 thru 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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Be in a great spot to watch an amazingly beautiful total eclipse of the moon visible only
in the eastern hemisphere.**
From our strategic location in the region where Europe and Asia meet, the earth will pass directly
between the sun and moon
on the night of June 15 creating the pefect alignment conditions. The moon, in its monthly
orbit around the earth will enter the darkest part of the earth's shadow in the centerpiece of
this sky show. This total lunar eclipse will be the first of two
such events in the year 2011 and is notable in that the moon will be centrally immersed. If a volcanic
eruption has occurred in the weeks prior to the eclipse it is possible that at mid-eclipse, none of the
moon's surface might be visible!
The astronomical portion of this cruise will be conducted by Paul D.
Maley of the NASA
Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society. Watching of the eclipse will take place
aboard ship. Additional opportunities (weather permitting) are planned for
As a backdrop to a most inviting vacation at sea, we invite you to watch the unfolding of the total
eclipse of the moon---a 2 hour 40 minute spectacle. Unpack just once as you board our
Holland America ship and sail for 10 days without worrying about your job or other daily stresses.
Port charges are included; however, you must add government fees of $57.59 per person.
We will feature mini-talks on the total eclipse of the moon, an opportunity to view the last
Transit of the planet 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.
MS Noordam
The atrium
The MS Noordam has six categories of cabins. Top of the line are the two Penthouse Verandah Suites (1,218 sq ft)
with king-size beds, two whirlpools (one on the verandah), living and dining rooms, a dressing room and a powder
room. The Deluxe (510 to 700 sq ft) and Superior Verandah (398 sq ft) suites also feature whirlpools, dual-basin
vanities and a separate shower stall in the bathrooms. For guests in the Deluxe Verandah and Penthouse suites,
there is a private concierge lounge.
The outside and the inside staterooms are comfortably furnished and measure from 170 to 200 sq ft. Round the clock
complimentary room service is available and guests also receive a daily satellite edition of the
New York Times each morning.
The main dining restaurant is the tastefully decorated, two-level Vista Dining Room. On this ship, there is
a raised bandshell-shaped platform within the middle of the lower level dining room where the captain’s table
is situated. A wall of windows surrounds the restaurant’s rear and well-selected table settings provide a pleasant
dining experience. At least five entrees are available for guests as well as the chef’s daily specials that often
reflect the specialties of the cruise ports visited. Dietary and vegetarian selections are also listed.
There are four assigned seating times for dinner: 6 and 6:30 pm, and 8 and 8:30 pm. Breakfast and lunch are also
served in the Vista dining room with open seating.
Out on deck, the midship pool on the deck has a retractable dome for inclement weather. New to this Lido ship
is the small pool area in the aft section with two hot tubs and lots of teakwood lounges and tables. In fact
there were many areas for sunning on this ship on the different decks, something not seen on the mainstream ships.
On Deck 3, the Promenade deck provides an uninterrupted stroll or jog around the ship while the Sports Deck offers
basketball, volleyball, and a makeshift tennis court.
................Interior cabin
..............Ocean view room
Veranda suite
Noordam sailing into port
Eight-five percent of MS Noordam’s staterooms offer ocean views and more than two-thirds of the staterooms have
private verandahs. Most rooms are furnished with a queen size Mariner Dream bed with a comfortable Euro-Top mattress
covered with 250-thread-count white cotton linens. In fact the mattresses are so comfortable many guests on other
ships want to buy them after their cruise. (You can purchase the mattresses at www.shophollandamerica.com.)
A flat-panel TV and DVD player, a minifridge, and a small sitting area with a coffee table with a bowl of fresh
fruit are other features of the stateroom. On the verandah are two wicker chairs and a small table. Several
closets line the narrow entry hall.
The bathrooms feature a tub with premium massage showerheads while a magnifying makeup mirror is conveniently
located over the single-sink vanity. A new line of the Elemis aromatherapy products formerly only sold in the
Greenhouse Spa and Salon are placed on the vanity sideboard. Thick Egyptian-cotton towels and deluxe waffle and
terry-cloth bathrobes complement the amenities.
The exercise room
DAY.....DATE....PORT....................................................DEPART........ARRIVE
0..10..Jun.2011..Invitavecchia (Rome), Italy......................05:00 PM
1..11..Jun.2011..at sea
2..12..Jun.2011..Dubrovnik, Croatia................................ 08:00 AM......06:00 PM
3..13..Jun.2011..Corfu, Greece........................................ 09:00 AM......07:00 PM
4..14..Jun.2011..Katakolon, Greece.................................07:00 AM......02:00 PM
5..15..Jun.2011..Santorini, Greece................................... 08:00 AM......09:00 PM
6..16..Jun.2011..Kusadasi, Turkey.................................. 07:00 AM......07:00 PM
7..17..Jun.2011..Piraeus (Athens) Greece........................ 08:00 AM......06:00 PM
8..18..Jun.2011..at sea
9..19..Jun.2011..Messina, Italy.........................................07:00 AM......01:00 PM
10.20..Jun.2011..Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy....................07:00 AM
(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.)
This sequence of images by D. Grass shows how the moon gradually enters the shadow of the earth. The lighter images are of the outer shadow (called 'penumbra'), while the darker images are caused by the central part of the shadow (umbra). The degree of darkening is determined by the amount of (volcanic) dust suspended in the earth's atmosphere. The color is real and you can perceive it with the unaided eye, again dependent on the clarity and presence of material in the upper atmosphere of the earth at the time of the eclipse.
June 10 (Friday): CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME), ITALY
Arrive into Rome on your own or through air that can be arranged by Travel Leaders/Future Travel.
You may choose from pre-cruise tour programs or be transferred directly to the ship. If you arrive a day early you
can head straight for the many treasures of Rome and the Vatican: St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum
and Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and more. Sample shore excursion: Highlights of Rome & Vatican City -
A Private Visit to the Vatican.
Rome
Depart the port of Civitavecchia at 5:00pm. At sea.
June 11 (Saturday): AT SEA 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.
June 12 (Sunday): DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Arrive 8:00am into Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is located on the Adriatic Sea south of Croatia. It is considered to be the oldest city on the coast of this sea. The resorts have attracted many tourists and have reached over one million visitors by way of plane or cruise ship. Magnificent medieval walls protect this World Heritage Site and former naval city-state. Inside are a beautiful 14th-century Franciscan monastery, the Sponza Palace and graceful stone palazzi. Sample shore excursion: Dubrovnik & Croatia's Countryside. Depart Dubrovnik this evening at 6:00pm.
Dubrovnik
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 C.Dorreman.
June 13 (Monday): CORFU, GREECE
Arrive into Corfu around 9:00am. Corfu, Greece (or Kerkyra) is one of the most favourite destinations in Greece and its islands. It attracts more and more tourists annually. It is a beautiful and scenic part of the Ionian Islands with verdant vegetation, amazing beaches, superb Venetian architecture, picturesque villages, lively nightlife and a great cosmopolitan way of living. Fortresses flank the entrance to this most beautiful of the Ionians Islands. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north for dramatic seascapes. Sample shore excursion: Achillion Palace & Private Villa. Depart Corfu at 7:00pm.
The island of Corfu
June 14 (Tuesday): KATAKOLON, GREECE
Arrive at 7:00am into Katakolon for a half day visit. Picturesque Katakolon itself is a small village with a main road where shops are located. The shopping in Katakolon is easy and interesting enough. There are many jewelry and clothing venues, leather accessories shops, shops with contemporary and classic art items. Katakolon is the gateway to Olympus, site of the original Olympic Stadium and host to some games of the 2004 Olympiad. Sample shore excursion: Ancient Olympia & the Village. Depart Katakolon at 2:00pm.
The sun in hydrogen alpha light.
Observing the sun safely with a filtered telescope.
This afternoon we will have a solar observing session on deck.
The port of Katakolon
This evening attend a talk given by Paul Maley on tomrrow night's total eclipse of the moon.
June 15 (Wednesday): SANTORINI, GREECE
Arrive Santorini at 8:00am. Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece's mainland. The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption (sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred some 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of feet deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) to the south, through the creation of a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis. Depart Santorini around 9:00pm.
Santorini architectural church in Oia
Nearly every place has a view of the sea
Hillside homes
Splash of color
Tonite, observe the total eclipse of the moon**. Sunset
occurs at 7:31pm about 30 minutes after the ship departs. Beginning
at 8:22pm the darkest part of the earth's shadow will begin to be seen on the edge of
the lunar disc. As we sail away from Santorini, the moon will already be in the outer part of the earth's shadow.Becoming every more dark, the moon enters the middle of the shadow at
9:40pm. Depending on the amount of volcanic dust in the air the moon may not even be
visible at mid-eclipse! Normally, however, the moon takes on a dark redish hue during central eclipse.
Continuing onward the moon finally starts to exit the shadow at 11:02pm.
(LEFT)The main event: the colorful moon cloaked in the conical shadow created by the earth. The color is real and you should be able to see it easily. If you bring a pair of binoculars, it will afford you a more closeup view.(RIGHT) Diagram showing the geometry of the earth, moon and sun lining up to produce the total lunar eclipse. The cone marked UMBRA is the dark shadow of the moon cast onto the earth's surface.
June 16 (Thursday): KUSADASI, TURKEY
The great theater of Ephesus
The library of Celsus
Arrive Kusadasi at 7:00am. Kusadasi: one of Turkey’s premier holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey – 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for being one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, Goddess Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos – the principal of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers. Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year. It is also the gateway to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archeological sites in the classical world. Explore its grand colonnaded marble streets, the Celsus Library, the ancient Agoura and the Baths. Depart Kusadasi at 7:00pm
Tonite we will attempt to view naked eye satellites flying over the ship (weather and orbital geometry permitting).
A bright tumbling satellite flies through the night sky. The white dots are stars and the white line is the trail of the satellite as the camera shutter is kept open for about 30 seconds as the satellite moves by. Photo by T.Cools.
Observing craters on the moon.
June 17 (Friday): ATHENS, GREECE
Arrive Athens at 8:00am. Athens is the capital of Grece with the port of Piraeus being the entrance to the wonders of Athens, including the Acropolis, Constitution Square, Hadrian's Arch, the Olympic Stadium and more. Sample shore excursions: Ancient Corinth & Canal; Panoramic Athens. Depart Athens at 6:00pm.
Coliseum
The famous Parthenon
Temple of Zeus
June 18 (Saturday): AT SEA
June 19 (Sunday): MESSINA, ITALY
Arrive into Messina harbor at 7:00am. Gateway to Taormina and its views of snowcapped Mt. Etna. The small museum here shows works by Caravaggio. Sample shore excursions: Taormina & the Greco-Roman Theater; A Drive to Mt. Etna. Depart Messina at 1:00pm.
Messina, as viewed from the air
June 20 (Monday): CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME), ITALY
Vatican City
Arrive back to the port of Civtavecchia at 7:00am. Go through customs formailities after exiting the ship.
**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 (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.
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PERFORM THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
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