a New Testament Journey

W HEATON C OLLEGE
PRESIDENT'S CRUISE
J U N E
2 0
-
J U L Y
1 ,
2 0 1 2
a New Testament Journey
IN GREECE AND TURKEY ABOARD THE SEA CLOUD II
HOSTED BY DR. PHILIP G. RYKEN
AND
WITH
PROFESSOR
AN
OPTIONAL
GEORGE
TWO-DAY
KALANTZIS
TURKISH
EXTENSION
D ear W heaton T ravelers,
I am forever amazed at the power of the Scriptures to reach across
time and culture and impact our lives—His Word certainly is “alive
and active.” So too, the Scriptures have a way of coming alive in
wonderful ways when we cross time zones and cultures to visit the
very places where they occurred.
It was with this in mind that we organized our first New Testament
itinerary twenty years ago. For our inaugural voyage, we privately
chartered the sixty-passenger Sea Cloud. Rev. Dr. John Stott
served as “ship chaplain” as we sailed to Biblical sites in Turkey and
Greece. Here we are now two decades later, celebrating our 20th
anniversary, designing our 100th itinerary, and thankful for the more
than 3,000 happy trip alumni who have experienced the Scriptures
in their first century context. We certainly hope you soon find
yourself added to that number.
Our June 2012 sailing with Wheaton College promises all of the core
characteristics which have made our past journeys distinctive: a warm
camaraderie created by like-minded Wheaton travelers, world-class
lectures offered by Wheaton professor Dr. George Kalantzis, a wellpaced itinerary marked by meaningful excursions as well as
ample time for relaxation and rejuvenation, and the
crème de la crème of privately-chartered
ships, the Sea Cloud II.
Sister ship to Marjorie Merriweather
Post’s Sea Cloud, the ninetypassenger Sea Cloud II is an
elegant, three-masted sailing yacht
whose billowing sails are still set
by hand.
Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
With spit-polish brass and gold appointments, lovingly-tended teak
decks and a five-star hotel and restaurant, the ship was recently
recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s legendary Gold List as the
World’s Finest Luxury Small Ship. The service onboard is out of
this world--after ten years of chartering her, we can assure you
that Sea Cloud II’s sixty crewmembers are the best there are!
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.
Smooth Sailing,
David A. Spence, President
F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES
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T w e lv e - Day C or e I t i n e r a ry
Rooftop Dining with an Acropolis view at the Grande Bretagne
D AY 1 · W E D N E S D AY, J U N E 2 0
Depart United States
Depart home cities for overnight transatlantic flights to Athens, Greece.
D AY 2 · T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 1
Athens
Arrive Thursday morning in Athens. From the airport, hop in a waiting
taxi for transfer to the city’s historic crown jewel, the Hotel Grande
Bretagne. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some
free time this afternoon to explore Syntagma Square and the cafés and
shops of the Plaka District…just outside our hotel’s front doors. Or
relax in the Grande Bretagne’s spa or rooftop pool. Tonight we gather
at our hotel for a Welcome Dinner where we meet our fellow travelers.
Also joining us for dinner are fifty "Wheaton in the Holy Lands" studyabroad students!
​​
*Travelers interested in arriving early to recover from jet lag or to see more
of Athens are welcome to do so, taking advantage of our special rates at the
Hotel Grande Bretagne. See the “Optional Add-Ons” on back cover for more
details.
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D AY 3 · F R I D AY, J U N E 2 2
Corinth . Mycenae . Athens
Our touring today takes us outside the city an hour south
to the site of ancient Corinth. The Apostle Paul used this
city as his missionary base in Greece. Teaming up with
Aquila and Priscilla, he spent about eighteen months of
his second missionary journey planting a church here.
Unearthed in the Corinthian excavation is the actual
“bema” (judgment seat) where Paul was brought to trial
and acquitted by the Roman proconsul, Gallio.
Further south are the ruins of Mycenae, one of the
Aegean’s greatest Bronze Age powers. According to
legend, this was the city of Agamemnon, made famous
in the Iliad as the commander of the armies that sacked
Troy. The amateur archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann,
using the Iliad as his guide, amazingly discovered a
cluster of wealthy gravesites in Mycenae in the 1870’s,
including a gold mask he dubbed “The Mask of
Agamemnon.” Today the “Lion Gates” and the massive
foundation stones of the acropolis and palace are
reminders of the city’s great power.
On our return to Athens, we’ll make a short photo stop at the Corinth
Canal, an engineering marvel. Dinner tonight is on your own.
Corinth Canal
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D AY 4 · S AT U R D AY, J U N E 2 3 · E M B A R K AT I O N
Athens . Cape Sounion
Athens' famed Acropolis beckons us this morning. On the way to the
Parthenon, we can 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 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 breathtaking, recently-opened Acropolis Museum,
there will be free time for lunch and souvenir shopping on your own.
At 3:15 p.m., we transfer to the port of Piraeus where the elegant
Sea Cloud II awaits. Even with mega-cruiseliners at the quay,
our lovely yacht steals the show…her majestic masts and gilded
figurehead gleaming in the afternoon sun. Soon, the deck-hands
start their work…a tug arrives…lines are loosed. The world’s most
beautiful sailing yacht is underway!
We have scheduled the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to end just as we
round Cape Sounion. With the setting sun to our aft, enjoy the drama
as floodlights illumine the Cape’s 2,500-year-old Temple of Poseidon.
The Parthenon
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Temple of Poseidon
Santorini
D AY 5
S U N D AY, J U N E 2 4
Santorini
Following breakfast, join the
ship’s Chief Mate on the aft
deck for 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 ply the blue Aegean.
Later, 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, donkeys! 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.
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D AY 6 · M O N D AY, J U N E 2 5
Patmos
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 Testament.
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!
Return to the Sea Cloud II for the chance to take a dip in the
warm waters of the Aegean—the ship’s water sports platform has
snorkeling gear, fins, and floats at the ready. After lunch, relax out on
deck under full sails as we make our way northward around the island
of Samos, home of Pythagoras. Remember his theorem from high
school geometry? This afternoon provides the perfect opportunity for
an onboard lecture by Dr. Kalantzis.
Monastery of St. John
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D AY 7
T U E S D AY, J U N E 2 6
Ephesus or Miletus
As an alternative for those who
may have previously visited
Ephesus, an excursion to
Miletus is also offered.
Acts 20:17-38 describes the
emotionally-charged final
meeting of Paul and the
Ephesian church leaders in
Miletus. "When Paul had
finished speaking, he knelt
down with them and prayed.
They all wept as they embraced
him and kissed him." (v. 36-37)
Floor Detail from "Wealthy Home", Ephesus
Celus Library, Ephesus
Perhaps the premier
archaeological wonder of
the ancient world, Ephesus is
dominated by the great 24,000seat theater cited in Acts as
the setting where pagan trinket
vendors fomented a riot in
response to the Apostle Paul’s
courageous witness. Though
harassed by the local merchants,
it was from Ephesus that Paul
wrote First Corinthians…
teaching the true meaning of
Christian love to believers of
all generations. Excavations
at Ephesus are ongoing. Each
season more can be seen 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 access to
the more-recently-excavated
“houses of the wealthy.” Most
visitors to Ephesus are not
afforded this opportunity.
7
b l ac k s e a
Philippi
Istanbul
SEA
Airline Flight
SEA CLOUD II
Land Excursion
Optional Extension
G R E ECE
A
OF MARMARA
T U RKEY
EG
EA
Pergamum
Dikili
N
Philadelphia
SE
(Smyrna)
A
Corinth
Izmir
Ephesus
Cape
Sounion
Laodicea
Aphrodisias
Colossae
Denizli
Athens
Mycenae
Sardis
Hierapolis
Pamukkale
Kusadasi
Tavas
Miletus
Patmos
Santorini
D AY 8 · W E D NESDAY, JUNE 27 · DISEMBARKATION
Dikili . Pergamum . Izmir
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 accommodateevery-wish crew.
As in Ephesus, F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES ’ longtime Turkish guides are
waiting this morning to escort us to Pergamum, the northernmost of the
Seven Churches addressed 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 the
Asclepion (the sanctuary of the ancient Greek healing god Asclepios).
The recently-opened Swissôtel Grand Efes awaits our arrival in Izmir
late this afternoon. Located in the heart of Turkey’s third largest city, the
Grand Efes is a five-star gem with the country’s first recognized “Leading
Spas of the World” designation. Dinner this evening is a bounteous
buffet with a rich sampling of Turkish and international cuisine.
Turkish Pears
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D AY 9 · T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 8
Smyrna . Sardis
Two of the Churches of Revelation await
us today. The first, Smyrna, is right under
our feet—Smyrna was re-named “Izmir”
by the Turks in 1930. Only a few blocks
from our hotel, we visit the site where
Smyrna’s ancient two-story agora has
been excavated. 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
martyrdom near here during a period of
persecution in A.D. 156.
We next head into the Turkish countryside to visit the spectacular ruins of
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
Artemis Temple. Commissioned in the
fourth century B.C. by Alexander the
Great, the sanctuary dedicated to Artemis
was ultimately THREE TIMES the size of
the Parthenon in Athens!
After lunch (replete with delicious, local
fresh fruits) in a countryside taverna,
we say good-bye to those in our group
continuing on with Professor Kalantzis to
ancient Philadelphia as part of the TwoDay Extension. Those doing only the
12-Day Core Itinerary return to Izmir for
on-your-own dinners and a second night
at the Swissôtel Grand Efes.
Smyrna
9
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
D AY 1 0 · F R I D AY, J U N E 2 9
Izmir . Istanbul
A late-morning, one-hour group jet flight on Turkish Airlines brings us
to Istanbul. Built upon the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is there a
more dramatically-situated city in all the world?
Amidst the bustle of modern Istanbul await historic treasures dating
from three great empires—the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman.
Remove your shoes at our first stop as we mix with the few
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. After
lunch at the elegant Armaggan Nar
Restaurant, there is time for us to
Hagia Sophia
haggle in the famous Grand Bazaar, a
medieval labyrinth of 3,000 tiny shops.
Afternoon check-in is at the luxurious
Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. Schedule
an authentic hamam experience in
the hotel’s Turkish bath, or take a
refreshing dip in one of Ritz’s pools.
Tonight, venture out to nearby Taksim
Square for an independent taste of
the city’s local color and cutting edge
cuisine.
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D AY 1 1 · S AT U R D AY, J U N E 3 0
Istanbul
We start today with the Topkapi Palace complex. Home to Ottoman rulers
for over 400 years, the Palace's grand buildings, courtyards and jewel
collection reflect the incredible wealth and power of successive Sultans.
Our visit includes a private peek inside the Palace's harem--only opened
by prior arrangement to very select touring parties (not the mega cruiseliner
hordes!) Next is 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. An included lunch follows at the Hürrem
Restaurant connected to the recently-restored Ayasofya Sultan Hamam.
Our touring day ends at the 5th Century St. Savior-in-Chora Church.
Some think these are the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. No
Christian visiting Istanbul should miss this inspiring, centuries-old place
of worship. The church walls, covered in tiny stones of fish-belly-glitter
colors, provide a nearly-complete visual narrative of the Gospels.
For a final on-your-own dinner, the concierge can
point you to a choice of umpteen restaurants
with spectacular views of the Bosphorus.
​​
D AY 1 2 · S U N D AY, J U LY 1
Flights Home
The Core Itinerary ends with independent transfers to the Istanbul
International Atatürk Airport for flights directly home or any stopover in
Europe you might individually require.
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Joining us on the Journey
Phil and Lisa Ryken,
Tr i p H o s t s
Dr. Philip Graham Ryken was inaugurated as Wheaton
College’s eighth president in September 2010. Phil
and Lisa (Maxwell) Ryken reside near campus with
their five children: Josh, who is a Wheaton College
freshman, Kirsten, Jack, Kathryn, and Karoline.
A Wheaton native and the son of longtime Wheaton
professor Dr. Leland Ryken and Mary Graham Ryken,
Phil attended the College as an undergraduate,
majoring in English literature and philosophy. Phil
and Lisa met during freshman orientation, were
married before their senior year, and graduated
with the Class of 1988.
Phil earned a master of divinity degree from
Westminster Theological Seminary and a doctorate
in historical theology from the University of Oxford. He returned from England to join
the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1995, becoming
the senior minister when Dr. James Boice died in 2000 and remaining there until his
appointment at Wheaton.
He has written or edited more than thirty books on Christianity and culture, including
several expository commentaries. Recent releases (2011) include, 1 Kings (Reformed
Expository Commentary) and King Solomon: The Temptations of Money, Sex, and
Power.
dr. george kalantzis,
G u e s t Le c t u r e r
George was born and raised by the shadow of
the Acropolis, a fourth-generation evangelical
raised in the Athens Greek Free Evangelical
Church. He came to Wheaton after teaching at
the seminary level for over ten years. Since
2000, he has led a number of student groups
to Israel, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
George has been heavily involved with the Human
Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) program
and with student mentoring, but his primary area
of research, scholarship, and extensive authorship
is in the field of Patristics (early Church Fathers)
and Byzantine studies. George is the founding
director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian
Studies, established in 2009, where he teaches
courses in the early Church, its history, doctrinal
development, and its relationship with the Greco-Roman culture. Within that context,
George supervises the undergraduate Certificate in Early Christian Studies as well as
M.A. and doctoral students in the Biblical and Theological Studies Department.
George enjoys engaging students in exploring the relationship between our identity
as Christians and the world around us, and he challenges them to become agents of
change in a world in desperate need of God; to learn how to be, in Stanley Hauerwas’
words, “a community of character.” George and his wife, Irene, share this vision with their
local congregation where they serve in missions, the worship arts programs, and in adult
and children’s education. They have three children: a son, Apostolos, who is a recent
Wheaton College graduate and daughters Joy, a sophomore at Wheaton, and Polly, a
first year student at North Park University.
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O ptional T wo -Day E xtension
t o P h i l a d e l p h i a , La o d i c e a , a n d Ta v a s
If your travel budget and schedule allow, we highly recommend that you consider
joining us for a Two-Day Extension as we travel off-the-beaten-path into the
Turkish countryside for visits to two more of the seven Churches of Revelation.
After a final lunch with everyone in Sardis on Thursday (June 28) the Core
Itinerary-only travelers return to Izmir, while we venture further inland to ancient
Philadelphia where the crumbling pillars of the city’s seventh century Basilica of
St. John still stand watch. Tonight’s dinner is a sixty-foot al fresco buffet served
poolside at our Pamukkale hotel, the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal.
On Friday (June 29), we enjoy a half-day meander to a handful of unique sites
near our hotel including the World Heritage sites of Hierapolis, the "holy city"
renowned for its hot springs, and Pamukkale—the “Cotton Castle.” We pass
near the unexcavated site of biblical Colossae en route to the mournful ruins of
Laodicea, the “lukewarm” church in the book of Revelation. Christianity probably
came to this city as a result of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. By the fourth century,
Laodicea had left another important footprint in church history as the host venue
for a strategic ecclesiastical council.
Saturday (June 30) we travel to the cooler climes of the Akdag Mountain Range
for an inside look at Turkey's highest art form--carpet weaving. At the Tavas
Weaving Center we'll see the traditional production of yarn (both wool and silk)
and natural dyes from roots, leaves, berries, bark, and minerals. Young women
will actually be weaving as we tour the looms. If your “tent” needs a new rug,
there will be hundreds and hundreds from which to choose. Spend the afternoon
carpet hunting and bargaining, or slip away for a visit to the ancient city of
Aphrodisias with its vast archaeological remains, including the largest and bestpreserved stadium in the classical world.
Sunday morning (July 1) we take a one-hour group jet flight from Denizli to
Istanbul where we spend two nights at Istanbul's newest five-star hotel, the
Divan, visiting all of the sites noted in the Core Itinerary description plus the
Spice Bazaar. The Two-Day Extension itinerary ends with flights
home from Istanbul on Tuesday (July 3.) Pricing details
for the Extension can be found on
the back cover.
Pamukkale
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s ea C loud ii · 1 2 - D AY C O R E I T I N E R A RY P R I C E S *
(per person based on hotel and shipboard double occupancy)
Category A (401, 402)
$9,620
Category D (218-223)
$7,060
Category B (303-312; 314-319)
$8,190
Category E (207-212; 214-217; 224-231)
$6,330
Category C (301, 302)
$7,610
Category F (204-206)
$5,350
Single surcharge: Cat. F: 50%, Cat. E: 60%, Cat. D-C: 70%, Cat. B-A: 80%
*Plus port charges, Turkish Visa and luggage transfer costs of $187 per person.
**Guests in 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 fireplace, 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, goldplated 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
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
16
Core Itinerary Prices
Include
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: Welcome Dinner on
June 21 • The nights of June 21 and 22 at the Hotel Grande
Bretagne in Athens • Breakfast on June 22 and 23 • Lunch
on June 22 • SEA CLOUD II accommodation in stateroom
assigned • All meals aboard ship--American buffet breakfast;
lunch and dinner with complimentary beverages; daily
afternoon tea with fresh pastries and tea sandwiches; late-night
snack • Breakfasts on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1 • Lunches on
June 27, 28, 29, and 30 • Dinner on June 27 • The nights of
June 27 and 28 at the Izmir Swissôtel Grand Efes • The nights
of June 29 and 30 at the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & SHORE
EXCURSIONS: Comprehensive program of sightseeing
tours and shore excursions with expert national guides as
described in this brochure • Local transportation in deluxe
air-conditioned motorcoaches and all entrance fees • Donkey
ride or cable car tickets in Santorini • One-way jet flight from
Izmir to Istanbul on June 29 • Transfers between the hotels
and the ship on the day of SEA CLOUD II’s embarkation and
disembarkation
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. The
amount we suggest is 55 Euros per person (approximately $80).
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’s library
equipped with a passenger computer for limited email
correspondence
STAFF: Phil and Lisa Ryken as Trip Hosts • Wheaton College
Professor George Kalantzis as Trip Lecturer • FCV 's founder
David Spence handling daily touring arrangements • SEA
CLOUD II’s Cruise Director and Musician • Ship’s Physician
providing medical services at no charge
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED: Zippered Travel Document
Holder • Currency Advice • Packing Tips • Suggested Reading
List • Luggage Tags • Printed Daily Programs • On ship,
abridged Newspapers received daily by satellite
Not Included
Air transportation into Athens, Greece and home from Istanbul,
Turkey • Taxi transfer from Athens airport to the Hotel Grande
Bretagne on arrival and from the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul to the
Istanbul 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 • Lunch on June 23 • Four onyour-own dinners--June 22, 28, 29 and 30 • One combined
gratuity which will be shared by the ship’s crew. Passengers
making requests for special services which 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.
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Optional Add-On's
EARLY ARRIVAL IN ATHENS: The cost to add extra early arrival room nights
at the Hotel Grande Bretagne is $234-297 per person depending on the room
category chosen (inclusive of taxes, porterage, and full buffet breakfast).
TWO-DAY TURKISH EXTENSION: The cost of the Turkish Extension is $895$1,090 per person, double occupancy (the single traveler rate is $1,320-$1,560
per person) depending on the actual number of guests who subscribe. Included
are hotel accommodations at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal in Pamukkale and
Istanbul's newest five-star hotel, the Divan, Sunday brunch at the Four Seasons
Hotel, all other meals with the exception of two dinners in Istanbul, one-way jet
flight from Denizli to Istanbul on July 1, deluxe motorcoach transfers, admissions
fees, professional guide, and tips to guide, coach driver and servers at group meals.
Terms & Conditions
RESERVATIONS: To confirm space, please send a signed Reservation Form
and a deposit of $1,250 per person payable to:
F IRST C ENTURY V OYAGES
141 Providence Road, Suite 160
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
FINAL PAYMENT: Due in full 120 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND: If written or faxed notice of cancellation
is received from passenger 150 days or more prior to departure, all advance
deposits will be refunded, less a per person administrative fee of $500. If
cancellation is 149-120 days before departure, the cancellation charge, as
liquidated damages, is 25% of the tour cost...119-90 days before departure,
50%, 89-40 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 in August 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 4% of the
advertised tour cost.
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
RESERVATION FORM
A New Testament Journey
In Greece and Turkey
June 20 – July 1, 2012
WHEATON COLLEGE PRESIDENT'S CRUISE
Hosted by Dr. Philip G. Ryken and Professor George Kalantzis
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) plan to arrive in Athens one day early and wish to add a third
night (June 20th) at the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
 Yes! I (we) would like to add the Optional Two-Day Turkish Extension
including Laodicea, Philadelphia, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, and Aphrodisias.
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