Sea Cloud II: A New Testament Odyssey

Come Aboard the
Sea Cloud II
For a NEW TESTAMENT
Odyssey
I n T u r k e y, G r e e c e , a n d t h e G r e e k I s l e s
with Lectures By
E A R L PA L M E R a n d J O H N YAT E S
JUNE
21
-
JULY
2,
2012
With An Optional Istanbul In-Depth Prelude
and/or Two-Night Athens, Corinth & Mycenae Extension
W
LCO M E
JuneE 2012
marks a noteworthy milestone for
our niche travel company as we have now conducted more than 100 tour
programs. It's hard to believe that 20 years have zoomed by since we
started organizing our very first trip, a New Testament itinerary in Turkey
and Greece aboard the original Sea Cloud. John R.W. Stott agreed to
be our first "ship chaplain." We had no intention back then of starting
a travel company; we were simply caught up by the dream of creating a
once-in-a-lifetime trip for our family, some close friends, and a few other
friends of Dr. Stott. But word-of-mouth spread after the voyage, and
demand sprang up to "do it again." Here we are now twenty years later,
thankful for the over 4,000 wonderful trip alumni who have traveled with
us. We certainly hope you find yourself added to that number in 2012.
Our journeys have always been distinguished by three characteristics: privately-chartered ships, renowned inspirational speakers, and the warm camaraderie our travelers typically experience. For this coming
summer, F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES again offers thoughtful Christian
travelers vacations with a purpose — created with relaxation and
rejuvenation in mind — but also with the adventure of visiting faraway places and sampling other cultures.
Istanbul's Golden Horn
E
ABOARD
For this land and sea experience in Turkey and Greece, we have crafted an
itinerary that is full of New Testament highlights. The "icing on the cake"
will be sailing aboard the elegant, 90-passenger Sea Cloud II. Three
majestic masts with billowing sails all set by hand, lovingly tended teak
decks, and polished-every-day brass and gold appointments make this
beautiful yacht one-of-a-kind. The crew to passenger ratio on board
approaches one-to-one. Yes, you're pampered. After ten years of chartering
her, we can assure you Condé Nast Traveler magazine was right when in
2010 they ranked the Sea Cloud II as the world's best small ship.*
You won't want to miss this unique opportunity for both inspiration and
vacation fun. Shall we add your name to the passenger manifest? As we
said, the Sea Cloud II can only accommodate 90 guests. Our trips
typically sell out quickly, so please reserve your spots early to avoid the disappointment of only making it onto a waitlist. Call us today at
(919) 381-5722 in order to have the widest choice of stateroom categories.
fewer
*ships carrying
than 500 passengers
Smooth Sailing,
David A. Spence, Founder
F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES
1
Basilica Cistern
Optional Istanbul
I N - D E P T H P R E LU D E
If you've never been to this most fascinating of world cities, don't
shortchange Istanbul! To participate in the Optional Istanbul In-Depth
Prelude, depart home cities on Tuesday, June 19th for overnight
transatlantic flights to this continent-straddling city.
Arrival day, Wednesday, June 20th , is at leisure for recharging your
batteries. We will be staying at the five-star Divan Hotel Istanbul, so
you may want to luxuriate with one of their rejuvenating spa services.
In the evening, you may opt to join your F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES tour
manager escorting any who are interested to Safran, a rooftop restaurant
nearby. Views are spectacular--palaces, minarets, and the Bosphorus.
On Thursday, June 21st, we awaken refreshed and ready for a full day of
Istanbul touring. We begin by immersing ourselves in the dazzling colors
and mouth-watering smells of one of the oldest covered shopping areas
in the city — the Spice Bazaar. Next we visit the Basilica Cisterns. With
more than 300 supporting columns, this massive underground cavern
served as Istanbul's water supply for centuries. In more recent history,
the cisterns have been in the limelight as the location for a suspenseful
scene in the James Bond movie, From Russia with Love.
For our included lunch, we sample Ottoman cuisine at Matbah
Restaurant. Dishes are based on recipes from the kitchens of the
Sultans who ruled for five centuries. "Palace cooking" has an interesting
mix of flavors...influenced by the cuisines of Middle Asia, the Balkans,
the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Europe.
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We follow lunch with a visit to the St. Savior-in Chora
Church, home to what some think are the finest
Byzantine mosaics in the world. The church walls —
covered in fish-belly-glitter colors — provide a
nearly complete visual narrative of the Gospels.
No Christian visiting Istanbul would want to miss
this inspiring, centuries-old place of worship.
Dinner this evening is on-your-own.
On Friday, June 22nd, we venture out for a second
day of Istanbul touring. Remove your shoes as
we join worshippers who still come to pray in
the Blue Mosque. (Urban Turkey is increasingly
secular.) Next door, the Hippodrome conjures
images of ancient chariot races. We will spend
time meandering and haggling in the famous Grand
Bazaar, a medieval labyrinth of 3,000 tiny shops.
Then we head for lunch to the Armaggan Nar,
another top-rated restaurant resurrecting centuriesold Anatolian cooking traditions.
Spice Bazaar
This afternoon we explore Dolmabahçe Palace,
home to both Ottoman sultans and the modern
Turkish state. Constructed 1843-1856 on the
European side of the Bosphorus, it is an interesting
example of the ornamental Turkish Rococo style.
Don't take a notion to sync your watch to Turkey
time while you are there — clocks in the palace
were stopped when the founder and first president
of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,
died there at 9:05 a.m. on November 10, 1938.
This evening we Preluders join our newly-arrived
Core Itinerary travelers for a Welcome Reception
at the Divan. Afterward, another opportunity to
dine on-your-own at one of Istanbul's vast variety
of fine restaurants.
Grand Bazaar
Blue Mosque
3
T W E LV E - D A Y C O R E I T I N E R A R Y
Divan Hotel Istanbul
4
D AY 1 · T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 1
CORE ITINERARY BEGINS
Depart home cities for overnight transatlantic flights to Istanbul,
Turkey.
D AY 2 · F R I D AY, J U N E 2 2
I S TA N B U L
Upon arrival at Atatürk Airport, hop in a waiting taxi for transfer
to the Divan Hotel Istanbul. This top-drawer favorite hotel for
decades reopened in September 2011 after being imploded...
then completely rebuilt! It now boasts an updated look thanks
to the design work of internationally-acclaimed architect Thierry W. Despont. The décor and sculptural glass ceilings by American glass artist Robert du Grenier are mesmerizing.
The afternoon is free for whatever helps you rebound from jet lag — a quiet nap, an authentic hamam (Turkish bath) taken
in the hotel's Puri Spa, or a refreshing dip in the pool. Some
may want to venture out to nearby Taksim Square to observe its
bustling commerce and local color.
This evening we gather with our fellow travelers for a Welcome
Reception in the hotel. Following is an opportunity to explore
Istanbul's world-class culinary scene with an on-your-own
dinner. The concierge will be happy to suggest restaurants,
many with spectacular views of the busy Bosphorus Straight.
D AY 3 · S A T U R D AY, J U N E 2 3 ·
I S TA N B U L · D E N I Z L I
World-famous Topkapi Palace is our first stop
today. Home to Ottoman rulers for over 400
years, the Palace's buildings, courtyards, and
jewel collection illustrate the incredible wealth
and power of very privileged Sultans. We lunch in fine style at Karakol Restaurant,
housed in the recently-restored exterior guard
house of the Topkapi Palace, and nestled next
to the 4th century Byzantine Church of Saint
Irene. What a venue!
After lunch we tour the most impressive building of old Constantinople, the multi-
domed basilica Hagia Sophia. Commissioned
in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, this
great edifice was the capital of Christendom for nearly 1,000 years.
Late this afternoon we transfer to the Istanbul
Airport for a 70-minute group flight to Denizli
and an evening check-in at the Spa Hotel
Colossae Thermal. Tonight we dine al fresco,
enjoying the hotel's eighty-foot poolside buffet.
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
5
D AY 4 · S U N D AY, J U N E 2 4
H I E R A P O L I S · PA M U K K A L E · L A O D I C E A
After breakfast, it is only a five-minute drive to Hierapolis, the "Holy City" founded by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C. Most
impressive are the well-preserved 15,000-seat theater; the Temple
of Apollo; and the necropolis where more than 1,200 sarcophagi,
mausolea, and funerary monuments have been found and excavated. Local tradition identifies Hierapolis as the Apostle Philip's last home
and the site of his martyrdom in A.D. 80. We remember, however,
the comment made by one of our past trip leaders, "Some religious
sites are possibly more reverent than accurate."
Next to Hierapolis is Pamukkale — the "Cotton Castle." Now a
protected World Heritage site, few geological wonders compare
to these white cliffs and crystalline terraces created over time
by mineral-rich spring water gently cascading 330 feet down a
mountainside. From basis to basin, stairstep terraces of white
stalactites form an amazing fairyland of thermal pools.
We'll pass the unexcavated site of biblical Colossae off in the distance
en route to the mournful ruins of Laodicea, the "lukewarm" church
addressed in the book of Revelation. Christianity probably came to
this city as a result of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. By the 4th century,
Laodicea had left another important footprint in church history as the
host venue for a strategic ecclesiastical council.
The afternoon is set aside for us to enjoy the hot-springs-fed spa and refreshing outdoor swimming pool at the Spa
Hotel Colossae Thermal.
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Pamukkale
Sardis
D AY 5 · M O N D AY, J U N E 2 5 · P H I L A D E L P H I A · S A R D I S
Next are the spectacular ruins of another of the churches
of Revelation, Sardis, wealthy capital of the ancient
kingdom of the Lydians. Here we inspect the Roman
gymnasium (excavated by Harvard archaeologists) and a restored Jewish synagogue. Most unforgettable,
though, are the huge columns of the Temple of Artemis. Commissioned in the 4th century B.C. by Alexander the
Great, the sanctuary dedicated to Artemis was ultimately
three times the size of the Parthenon in Athens!
Turkish Pomegranates
We make our way westward to the Turkish coast today. Our first stop is a short visit to the site of ancient Philadelphia, where the crumbling pillars of the city's 7th century Basilica of St. John still stand watch.
Lunch is at a countryside taverna — the fresh local fruits
served for dessert are delicious. It's our last stop before
we arrive in Izmir. There we find a modern city of three
million built over and around the ruins of biblical Smyrna.
Located in the heart of Turkey's third largest city, our hotel, the recently-renovated Swissôtel Grand Efes, is a
five-star gem with the country's first recognized "Leading
Spas of the World" designation. Dinner is buffet-style at
the hotel.
7
D AY 6 · T U E S D AY, J U N E 2 6 · E P H E S U S · S M Y R N A
Perhaps the premier archaeological wonder of the ancient world,
Ephesus is dominated by the great 24,000-seat theater cited in Acts as
the setting where pagan trinket vendors fomented a riot in response to
the Apostle Paul's courageous witness. Even amidst harassment by the
local merchants, it was from Ephesus that Paul wrote First Corinthians,
teaching the meaning of love to believers of all generations.
Excavations at Ephesus are ongoing. Each season reveals more of the
city where Paul spent two years of his third missionary journey. Because
of our long-term association with the Director of the Ephesus Museum,
we have privileged access to the more-recently-excavated “houses of the wealthy.” Most visitors to Ephesus are not afforded this opportunity.
During lunch, we are treated to an inside look at Turkey's most famous
art form — carpet-weaving. Ever since nomadic Seljuks introduced
woven carpets in the 12th century A.D., rugs have been an essential
piece of tent furnishings. Adjacent to our lunch venue, we can see
the traditional production of wool and silk yarns, and dyes from roots,
leaves, berries, bark, and minerals. Young women will be weaving as we
tour the looms. If your "tent" needs a new rug, there will be hundreds
from which to choose. (Be sure to take room measurements before you
leave home.) A fine Turkish carpet purchased at its source creates trip
memories for your lifetime...and your children's!
8
Celsus Library, Ephesus
We return to the Swissôtel Grand Efes for a
second night. You are free this evening to
select from Izmir's wide variety of bay view
restaurants. Most specialize in fresh-caught fish.
Floor Detail from excavated "Wealthy Home", Ephesus
Next we will make a quick study of the
excavated marketplace in the ancient city of
Smyrna, one of the Seven Churches addressed
by John in the book of Revelation. Encouraged
by our Lord's words in Revelation 2:10, "Do
not be afraid of what you are about to suffer,"
Smyrna's bishop, Polycarp, went to his brave
martyrdom in the city's stadium during a period
of persecution in A.D. 156.
D AY 7 · W E D N E S D AY, J U N E 2 7
PERGAMUM · ASCLEPION · DIKILI ·
E M B A R K AT I O N
Today our excellent Turkish guides escort us
to Pergamum, the northernmost of the Seven
Churches iterated in the early chapters of
Revelation. Her 200,000-volume library was
one of a handful of great literary collections
known in antiquity. Many of the city’s prized
archaeological treasures have long ago been
hauled off to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin,
but archaeologists have reconstructed several
impressive buildings on the site.
Our tour continues 2,000 feet below with a stop at the ruins of Asclepion, with a sanctuary for the ancient Greek healing god Asclepios.
We have a favorite lunch spot in Bergama...
then on to the port of Dikili. As we near the
harbor, be on the lookout for our first sighting
of Sea Cloud II's majestic masts and gilded
figurehead glistening in the bright Aegean
sunshine. The Captain, his officers, and crew
welcome us at the gangway with smiles and
bubbly libations. Soon, deck hands start their
work…gangway secured…lines are loosed. The
world’s most beautiful sailing yacht is underway!
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Lydia's Stream, Philippi
D AY 8 · T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 8 · K AVA L A · P H I L I P P I
We are able to sleep in a little later today, enjoying a relaxed and
salubrious morning at sea. Just like Paul, we sail around Samothrace.
This afternoon we arrive in the modern city of Kavala. Once the
ancient port of Neapolis, the Apostle Paul landed here on his way to the Roman colony of Philippi. With coaches and guides standing by,
we set off 25 minutes inland to the nearby city named to honor Philip
of Macedon. Paul and Silas trekked this same route...on foot!
After two millennia, we also can walk the worn stones of the historic
Via Egnatia. The first recorded conversion to Christ outside of Asia
occurred here in Philippi — that of Lydia, a seller of purple cloth. Acts recounts, too, that a Philippian jailer and his family became
believers when an earthquake set the brave evangelist free in A.D. 49. It has become a F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES tradition for us to gather in
the shade by Lydia's stream for a brief communion service.
This evening we enjoy the Captain's Welcome Cocktail and Dinner.
10
D AY 9 ·
F R I D AY, J U N E 2 9 · D AY
AT S E A
A full day at sea is a mid-trip
respite to be savored. With
no port calls today, sleep late! Then join Sea Cloud II's
four chefs on the Lido Deck for
a mid-morning brunch. Relax
with old and new friends. Or
select a title from the ship's
library to read while enjoying
the scenery and sunshine
from a deck chair. Officers
on the open bridge are always
delighted to chat about the
operations of our vessel —
including an as-it-happens
explanation of setting sails. If the winds are what we hope,
experienced crew members will
set 3,000 square yards of canvas
above our heads. With masts
nineteen stories tall, fair winds
are all the power our ship needs
to traverse the Aegean.
Weather permitting, this
afternoon we'll drop anchor
for waterskiing and swimming
from the ship's nifty watersports platform. The water can
be brisk, but the ship's sauna is
just inside.
Tonight's dinner is a surf and
turf barbecue on deck. Many
times we've seen the chef
carve an entire fresh swordfish
right before our eyes. The
setting sun affords a truly
unforgettable backdrop for our
casual al fresco dinner. Later
crewmembers entertain us with
slightly salty sea shanties.
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Philippi
A
G R E E CE
Corinth
Mycenae
Monastery of St. John
12
Piraeus
Athens
E
Kavala
Istanbul
OF MARMARA
A
SE
TURKEY
EG
EA
Dikili
Pergamum/
Asclepion
N
Philadelphia
SE
Izmir
A
(Smyrna)
Hierapolis
Pamukkale
Laodicea
Sardis
Denizli
Ephesus
Patmos
Santorini
Airline Flight
SEA CLOUD II
Land Excursion
Optional Extension
D AY 1 0 · S A T U R D AY, J U N E 3 0 · PA T M O S
We tender this morning to the bucolic island sanctuary of Patmos
for visits to the Convent of the Apocalypse and the Cave of St. Anne Shrine. Tradition holds sacred this spot where John is believed to have had his apocalyptic vision, recorded for us in Revelation, the final book in our New Testaments.
Then enjoy panoramic views from the island’s highest point, the
Monastery of St. John, whose foreboding towers, battlements and ramparts have protected religious treasures preserved inside
since 1088. Don’t miss the 6th century copy of the Gospel of
Mark! Today, whitewashed houses and pretty villas covered
with bougainvillea nestle up against ancient sites so important in Christian history. Our local guides here are superb.
We return to the Sea Cloud II for lunch. Spend the afternoon
relaxing on deck under full sails. Perhaps you will feel like taking
another dip in the warm waters of the Aegean. The ship has
snorkeling gear, fins, and floats at the ready!
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D AY 1 1 · S U N D AY, J U LY 1 · S A N T O R I N I
This morning, find a perch along Sea Cloud II’s teak railings as
she glides into a spectacular sea-filled caldera formed when the
Mediterranean’s greatest volcano blew its top around 1500 B.C. Welcome to Santorini, the most awe inspiring of the Greek Islands!
Choose to ascend the volcanic island’s steep sides by either cable car, or the more traditional way, on a
donkey! Design today’s activities to suit your fancy—
shopping for local crafts and jewelry bargains,
sun and fun on a black sand beach, or an
inspection of Minoan art from 1500 B.C. in the Archaeological Museum of Thira.
In the evening, join the Captain on the Lido for a Farewell
Cocktail and Caviar Party,
followed by the Grand
Finale Dinner one deck
below.
Santorini
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D AY 1 2 · M O N D AY, J U LY 2
P I R A E U S · AT H E N S ·
D I S E M B A R K AT I O N · F L I G H T S
HOME
After one last breakfast in Sea
Cloud II’s dining room, we
bid a fond but sad farewell to the
great ship, her Captain, and his
accommodate-every-wish crew.
The Core Itinerary ends with
independent transfers to the Athens
Airport for flights directly home or
any stopover in Europe you might
individually require.
Optional Two-Night
Athens, Corinth & Mycenae Extension
If your travel budget and schedule allow, may we recommend that
you consider joining us for the Optional Two-Night Athens, Corinth &
Mycenae Extension. Our home away from home for these two nights
will be the city's historic crown jewel, the Hotel Grande Bretagne .
After disembarkation on Monday, July 2 nd , we'll head south to the
ruins of Mycenae, one of the Aegean's greatest Bronze Age powers.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
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EXTENSION
According to legend, this was the city of Agamemnon, made famous
in the Iliad as the commander of the armies who sacked Troy. In the
1870's, using the Iliad as his guide, the amateur archaeologist, Heinrich
Schliemann, made an astonishing discovery of a cluster of wealthy
gravesites in Mycenae. Inside one grave was a solid gold treasure
dubbed "The Mask of Agamemnon." Today, the still-standing "Lion
Gates" and the massive foundation stones of the acropolis and palace
are reminders of the city's importance in ancient times.
En route back to Athens, we will stop not only at the archeological ruins
of biblical Corinth, but also the Corinth Canal, a true engineering marvel.
Dinner is on-your-own tonight. Dress up or down, as suits your mood and
the restaurant venue you choose. We know fun ones to recommend.
On Tuesday, July 3 rd , Athens' famed Acropolis beckons us. On the way
to the Parthenon, we will be able to climb Mars Hill where the Apostle
Paul addressed the “men of Athens…a very religious" people. The ruins
testify to an incredible past grandeur, but the Apostle Paul had an even
greater glory to proclaim: “The God who made the world and everything
in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by
hands.” (Acts 17:24)
After a visit to the magnificent,
recently-opened Acropolis
Museum, there will be free
time for lunch and shopping
in the cafés and shops of the
vibrant Plaka District.
Dinner again is independent.
You may prefer to relax by the
hotel's rooftop pool, have treatments in the world-class spa,
and retire early in preparation
for tomorrow's journey home.
The Extension concludes on
July 4 th with individual taxi
transfers to the Athens Airport
for flights directly home or any
stopover in Europe you might
personally choose to add on.
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s ea C loud ii · 1 2 - D A Y C O R E I T I N E R A R Y P R I C E S *
(per person based on hotel and shipboard double occupancy)
Category A (401, 402) $9,950
Category D (218-223) $7,160
Category B (303-312; 314-319) $8,790
Category E (207-212; 214-217; 224-231) $6,370
Category C (301, 302) $7,620
Category F (204-206) $4,950
Single surcharge: Cat. F: 20%, Cat. E: 30%, Cat. D-C: 40%, Cat. B-A: 50%
*Plus port charges, Turkish Visa and luggage transfer costs of $187 per person.
**Guests reserving Stateroom Categories A, B and C will be accomodated on land in correspondingly higher category rooms at the tour-included hotels.
Please see the following Stateroom Descriptions for more information about each Stateroom Category.
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Category A: Owner’s Suite
(#401, 402)
Stateroom size: 290 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Panorama
windows, loveseat, table, chair, desk, decorative fire-
place, TV with DVD player,
minibar, dressing table, four closets, safe
Bed: King size canopy bed
with two separate mattresses
Bathroom: 45 sq. ft. with
tub and separate shower, WC, marble sink, gold-
plated fixtures, hairdryer, outlet for razor
Category B: Junior Suite
(#303-312; 314-319)
Stateroom size: 247 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Panorama
windows, sofa, table, chair,
decorative fireplace, console
with TV/DVD and minibar,
dressing table, walk-in closet, safe
Bed: Queen size bed with
two separate mattresses
Bathroom: 34 sq. ft. with
tub/shower, WC, marble sink, gold-plated fixtures,
hairdryer, outlet for razor
Category C: Deluxe Stateroom
(#301, 302)
Stateroom size: 204 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Two windows,
sofa, table, TV with DVD
player, minibar, dressing table, closet, safe
Bed: Queen size bed with
two separate mattresses
Bathroom: 32 sq. ft.
with shower, WC, marble sink, gold-plated fixtures, hairdryer, outlet for razor
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Category D: Deluxe Midship
Stateroom
(#218-223)
Stateroom size: 204 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Two portholes, sofa,
table, TV with DVD player, minibar,
dressing table, closet, safe
Bed: Queen size bed with two
separate mattresses (beds may be
split as twins)
Bathroom: 32 sq. ft. with shower,
WC, marble sink, gold-plated
fixtures, hairdryer, outlet for razor
Category E: Superior Stateroom
(207-212; 214-217; 224-231)
Stateroom size: 172 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Two portholes, sofa,
table, TV with DVD player, minibar,
dressing table, closet, safe
Bed: Queen size bed with two
separate mattresses
Bathroom: 32 sq. ft. with shower,
WC, marble sink, gold-plated
fixtures, hairdryer, outlet for razor
Category F: Standard Stateroom
(204-206)
Stateroom size: 129-140 sq. ft.
Furnishings: Two portholes, chair,
table, TV with DVD player, minibar,
dressing table, closet, safe
Bed: Upper and lower single beds
Bathroom: 32 sq. ft. with shower,
WC, marble sink, gold-plated
fixtures, hairdryer, outlet for razor
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Terms and Conditions
CORE ITINERARY PRICES INCLUDE
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: The night of June
22 at the Divan Hotel Istanbul • The nights of June 23-24
at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal near Pamukkale • The
nights of June 25-26 at the Swissôtel Grand Efes in Izmir
• Full breakfasts and all lunches every day of the itinerary
• Dinners every night except June 22 and 26 • SEA
CLOUD II accommodation in stateroom assigned • All
meals aboard ship—American buffet breakfast; lunch and
dinner with complimentary wines and beers from around
the world; daily afternoon tea with fresh pastries and tea
sandwiches; late-night snacks
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & SHORE
EXCURSIONS: Comprehensive program of sightseeing
tours and shore excursions with expert national guides •
Group jet flight to Denizli • Local transportation in deluxe air-conditioned motorcoaches • All entrance fees •
Transfers between the hotels and the ship on SEA CLOUD
II embarkation and disembarkation days
TIPS: All tips to porters, baggage handlers, hotel staff,
guides, and tour bus drivers. One all-inclusive gratuity for
the ship’s crew is not included and is at each passenger’s
discretion. We suggest a range of 60-70 Euros per person
(approximately $80-100) in total.
RECREATION: Use of SEA CLOUD II 's water sports
equipment, fitness center, sauna, onboard games, English
language DVDs for in-stateroom viewing, and a ship
library equipped with a passenger computer for limited
email correspondence
STAFF: Our Trip Hosts • FCV's Tour Manager handling
daily touring arrangements • SEA CLOUD II's Cruise
Director and Musician • Ship’s Physician providing
medical consultations and services at no charge
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED: Zippered Travel Document
Holder • Currency Advice • Packing Tips • Suggested
Reading List • Luggage Tags • Printed Daily Programs •
Abridged newspapers received on ship daily via satellite
OPTIONAL ADD-ON'S
OPTIONAL ISTANBUL IN-DEPTH PRELUDE:
Depending on the actual number of guests who subscribe, the cost of the Prelude is $750-$825 per person, double occupancy (single traveler rate $995 per
person). Included are accommodations the nights of June 20 and 21 at the Divan Hotel Istanbul; breakfasts
and gourmet lunches on June 21 and 22; full days of
Istanbul sightseeing on June 21 and 22, admission fees;
deluxe motorcoach transfers; professional guides; and all tips to the guides, drivers, and restaurant servers.
OPTIONAL TWO-NIGHT ATHENS, CORINTH &
MYCENAE EXTENSION: Depending on the actual
number of guests who subscribe, the cost of the Extension is $695-$775 per person, double occupancy
16
20
(single traveler rate $970 per person). Included are hotel accommodations at
Athens' Hotel Grande Bretagne on the nights of July 2 and 3; breakfast on July
3; one included group lunch; all admission fees; deluxe motorcoach transfers;
professional guides; and all tips to the guides, drivers, and restaurant servers.
NOT INCLUDED
Air transportation into Istanbul, Turkey and home from Athens, Greece • Taxi transfer
from the Istanbul airport to the Divan Hotel Istanbul on the day of arrival and from
either the port in Piraeus or the Hotel Grande Bretagne to the Athens airport on
the day of departure • Passport expenses • Accident/ baggage/trip cancellation
insurance • Items of a personal nature such as telephone, internet and fax tolls, bar
tabs ashore, personal laundry • Dinner on June 22 and 26 • One combined gratuity
to be shared by the ship’s crew. Passengers making requests for special services
that cause FCV or our local ground operators to incur additional expenses in time
and money may be asked to bear the corresponding costs associated with any such
individual out-of-the-ordinary requests.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
RESERVATIONS: To confirm space, please send a signed Reservation Form and a
deposit of $1,250 per person payable to:
F IRST CENTURY VOYAGES
141 Providence Road, Suite 160
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
FINAL PAYMENT: Due in full 90 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND: If written or faxed notice of cancellation is
received from passenger 120 days or more prior to departure, all advance deposits
will be refunded, less a per person administrative fee of $500. If cancellation is 11990 days before departure, the cancellation charge, as liquidated damages, is 25% of
the tour cost...89-70 days before departure, 50%, 69-40 days before departure, 75%. The forfeiture of cancellations 39 or fewer days before our departure is the full cost
of the tour less $500 per person. If the sailing is sold out and the cancelled space
can be resold by FCV prior to departure, the sum received for resale, less $500 per
person, will be refunded. In fairness to all, no exceptions can be made to these
terms.
INSURANCE: Insurance programs are available to insure: (a) baggage valued
up to $1,000; (b) accidental injury, illness or death from any cause; and (c) trip
cancellation. Upon confirmation of your reservation, you will be sent information
regarding such policies. We strongly recommend this protection for all of our
passengers.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY: A detailed statement of limitations and
exclusions of liability of Sea Cloud Cruises, F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES, and
our Trip Hosts for loss of property, injury, illness or death will be provided to all trip registrants, and is available to prospective travelers upon request.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES: Trip prices are based on exchange rates and tax
rates in effect as of November 2011, and are subject to change without notice to
reflect fluctuations impacting FCV’s program component costs (currency and fuel
prices in particular). However, as a protective cap for FCV's passengers, in no case
shall additional collections caused by such fluctuations exceed 3% of the tour costs
advertised in this brochure.
Booking Questions?
Please call Audrey Rabalais, Chris Spence, or David Spence at (919) 381-5722, M–F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST or fax (919) 381-5725 or email info@firstcenturyvoyages.com. An electronic copy of this brochure is
available on our website www.firstcenturyvoyages.com
17
21
Hosting our Journey
E A R L PA L M E R
· Over the last sixteen years, more
than 500 people have traveled on F IRST C ENTURY
VOYAGES hosted by Earl Palmer. Many are of the
opinion that there is no finer preacher in America!
Earl has served as a minister for over 50 years including
long stints as Senior Pastor at University Presbyterian
Church in Seattle, Washington; Union Church of Manila in
the Philippines; and First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley,
California. Most recently Earl drew crowds as Preaching
Pastor-In-Residence at The National Presbyterian Church in
Washington, D.C.
He holds degrees from the University of California
Berkeley and Princeton Theological Seminary, as well
as an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Whitworth
University in Spokane, Washington, and an honorary
doctorate of humane letters from Seattle Pacific University. Earl has served on the board of trustees at Princeton Theological Seminary since 1973 and
also the board of New College Berkeley in California.
Earl currently carries on his ministry under the sponsorship of Earl Palmer Ministries,
which serves to encourage and build up pastors and laity through its ministry of teaching,
writing and mentoring. As part of this ministry, Earl holds two monthly programs in
Seattle—a Theological Dialogue for pastors and laity along with a Kindlings Muse Podcast,
a discussion that provides regular teaching on major Christian themes. He is also author
of numerous articles and books; his most recent title is Trusting God.
Earl and Shirley, married for 53 years, make their home in Seattle, Washington. They have
three children and are proud grandparents of eight young additions to the clan.
J O H N YAT E S
· John Yates has been the Rector
of The Falls Church in Falls Church, Virginia, since
1979. The Falls Church was established by English
settlers as an Anglican church. Its leaders were
instrumental in the development of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States in the late
1700s. But in 2006, the members of the church voted
overwhelmingly to leave the Episcopal Church and
have been deeply involved in the establishment of the
new Anglican Church of North America. This church
of around 3,500 active members is well known for
training young pastors, planting daughter churches,
biblical preaching, a strong focus on family life,
vibrant worship, and outstanding youth ministry.
John is married to Susan Alexander Yates. They have
five adult children and 21 grandchildren. Susan is well
recognized for her many books on family life and as a
fine speaker and teacher. John has written a number of books as well.
John has been an instrumental figure in the Anglican renewal movement here in the
U.S. over the last several decades. He was a Morehead Scholar at the University
of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1968. He received
his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1971, and
in 1984 earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. His
work over the years with Christian young people and young families has especially
equipped him as a spokesman on family life. He and his wife are deeply involved
in the Little Rock, Arkansas-based ministry, Family Life, and they speak regularly at
Weekend to Remember conferences around the country.
RESERVATION FORM
A New Testament Odyssey
In Turkey, Greece, and the Greek Isles
June 21 – July 2, 2012
With Lectures by Earl Palmer and John Yates
Aboard the sailing yacht SEA CLOUD II
Please make reservations for me (us) on the above program.
A deposit of $1,250 per person is enclosed.
Checks should be made payable to: FIRST CENTURY VOYAGES
and mailed to: 141 Providence Road, Suite 160, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(or fax Reservation Form to: 919-381-5725 with check to follow immediately)
Title/Name(s): _______________________________________________________
Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________
City: _____________________________ State: _________ Zip: ______________
Tel: home ( ____ ) ___________________ office ( ____ ) ____________________
Cell: ( ____ ) ____________________ Email: ______________________________
–– SEA CLOUD II STATEROOM PREFERENCE ––
 Category F: Standard
 Category C: Deluxe
 Category E: Superior
 Category B: Junior Suite
 Category D: Deluxe Midship
 Category A: Owner's Suite
 Yes! I (we) would like to add the Optional Istanbul In-Depth Prelude.
 Yes! I (we) would like to add the Optional Two-Night Athens, Corinth &
Mycenae Extension.
I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions published on the back cover of the
trip brochure.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
INFO@FIRSTCENTURYVOYAGES.COM

(919) 381-5722
Fax (919) 381-5725