E-mail a friendShip: Corinthian II
Itinerary: Voyage to the Lands of Gods and Heroes: A Family Learning Adventure
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Athens, Greece
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Arrive in Athens, Greece |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Piraeus / Athens /Piraeus |
| Day 3 : | Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey |
| Day 4 : | Rhodes / Lindos / Rhodes |
| Day 5 : | Santorini |
| Day 6 : | Rethymnon/ Knossos or Imbros Gorge / Rethymnon |
| Day 7 : | Gytheion / Mystera or Diros / Gytheion / Kotronas Bay |
| Day 8 : | Katakolon / Olympia / Katakolon |
| Day 9 : | Naxos Bay / Taormina / Naxos Bay, Sicily, Italy |
| Day 10 : | Sorrento / Pompeii / Sorrento |
| Day 11 : | Citivecchia / Disembark / Rome / Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 11 | Jun 28, 2009 Jul 8, 2009 * Jul 24, 2009 * |
$6,995 | $7,895 | $9,695 | $10,495 | $11,295 | $11,995 | $12,995 | $13,795 |
| * Itinerary operates in reverse | |||||||||
| Destinations : Europe, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Turkey Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Photography |
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This coming summer, history comes alive for the whole family. Aboard the private yacht Corinthian II, embark on a voyage of discovery in the Mediterranean, where ancient cities, idyllic islands, myth, and history are intertwined. This prime itinerary is designed to enlighten the senses and inflame the imagination of your children or grandchildren, and their young minds will awaken to the wonders of Classical antiquity in Athens and the legendary Greek Islands.
Our journey includes Pompeii, where children and adults alike will awe at the ruins. Visit ancient Olympia and Sicily, seeing massive Mount Etna from Taormina’s Greek Theater. Become enchanted by Crete’s Minoan Palace of Knossos, and explore Rhodes, whose fortified town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. On the cliffs of Santorini, discover artifacts from Akrotiri, an ancient town buried, and preserved by, the pumice and ash of a volcanic eruption centuries ago. Voyage to Athens, a city capturing the best of the ancient and modern worlds, a result of its makeover for the 2004 Olympics.
Create lasting memories of shared learning and discovery as you explore this remarkable region as a family. Grandparents, parents, and children will learn about Greek and Roman history, literature, mythology, and culture, all while walking among the ruins of these civilizations. Experienced youth education counselors will lead groups of similarly aged children in the Young Explorers Program, a series of educational and recreational activities developed to enhance their appreciation of the sites we visit. Children will discover how archaeologists have pieced together our past and our understanding of it and have the opportunity to compete in their own mock Olympics on its original grounds in Olympia. At night, they will stargaze on deck while they hear ancient tales about the origins of the constellations and learn how sailors navigated by the stars.
But this cruise also addresses lifelong learning for adults. Accompanying us on our voyage will be expert guest lecturers who will enrich the program with their knowledge of the ancient world.
Day 1 : Arrive in Athens, Greece
Arrive in Athens and transfer to Piraeus, the storied port of ancient and modern Athens, to board Corinthian II. In the evening, the captain will welcome families with a cocktail reception on deck. Overnight aboard docked in Piraeus.
Day 2 : Piraeus / Athens /Piraeus
Spend the day exploring Athens’ ancient monuments. Chief among them is the Acropolis, crowned by the incomparable Parthenon. After lunch at a local taverna, adults will have a choice of touring the ancient Agora or the National Archaeological Museum, with its treasures that span centuries. Young Explorers may participate in a youth-themed exploration of Athens. Reboard the Corinthian II late in the afternoon and sail. In the evening, the ship will cruise by the illuminated Temple of Poseidon at Sounion.
Day 3 : Kusadasi / Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey
This morning, relax aboard and attend lectures as the ship cruises the Aegean Sea. Then, arrive in Kusadasi for an excursion to the great ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important sites in the history of Asia Minor, with extensive ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Visit the large theater in which the Ephesians rioted against St. Paul, the Library of Celsus with its imposing façade, and the Temple of Serapis.
Day 4 : Rhodes / Lindos / Rhodes
Founded in 408 B.C., the Crusader Knights of St. John left their architectural mark here during the 14th century. Enjoy a walking tour, and after lunch, continue to picturesque Lindos. Meander through the winding, cobblestone streets either on foot or by donkey. Then, ascend to the acropolis, built on a cliff 400 feet above the sea with views of the village and bay below. Enjoy time at leisure to relax in the town of Lindos or swim at its white-sand beach.
Day 5 : Santorini
The bay of Santorini, a flooded volcanic crater, provides dramatic scenery as Corinthian II sails toward the whitewashed village of Phira, perched on the black cliff-side high above the bay. Many of the buildings in the ancient town of Akrotiri were preserved when volcanic eruptions shrouded the island in a blanket of pumice and ash. Adults will visit the Archaeological Museum in Phira while Young Explorers board a private sailboat for an excursion to the volcano of Nea Kameni, the island in the center of Santorini’s caldera. After hiking to the top of the volcano and learning about the area’s geology, they will ascend the caldera wall by donkey. Adults and children reunite for lunch and free time to explore Phira.
Day 6 : Rethymnon/ Knossos or Imbros Gorge / Rethymnon
Arrive in Crete, the island that was home to the Minoans, Europe’s earliest developed civilization. From lovely Rethymnon, one of Crete’s quaintest towns, travel to Knossos to explore the fabled Minoan Palace, a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, and chambers decorated with frescoes illuminating life as it was 4,000 years ago. Continue to the superb Agreco for lunch, an authentic Cretan organic farm, and then spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Rethymnon and swim at a nearby beach. Alternatively, walk the rugged and scenic 7- kilometer-long Imbros Gorge. The walk ends at the coast of Crete, near the 14th-century Venetian castle of Frangokastello, where we will enjoy swimming and lunch at a taverna. This nature activity is for children older than 12 years, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Day 7 : Gytheion / Mystera or Diros / Gytheion / Kotronas Bay
From Gytheion, adults depart for Mystra, a ruined Byzantine city sheltered in a cleft of Mount Taygetos. Its ghostly abandoned buildings and churches contain remarkable medieval frescoes and fine stonework. Meanwhile, Young Explorers explore the haunting stalactite caves of Diros by gondola. The afternoon is at leisure to explore charming Gytheion. Before dinner, enjoy swimming off the ship’s stern in Kotronas Bay.
Day 8 : Katakolon / Olympia / Katakolon
Travel to Olympia, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Zeus and one of four sites of the Panhellenic (Olympic) games. Tour the temples of Hera and Zeus, the Council House, the Treasuries, and the Stadium, where Young Explorers can run a race following in the steps of ancient Olympians.
Day 9 : Naxos Bay / Taormina / Naxos Bay, Sicily, Italy
Taormina offers a breathtaking view out to sea and the cone of Mount Etna. An 8thcentury B.C. Greek colony prospered here throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Visit the Greek theater, which offers dramatic views of Etna and the Sicilian coastline, and enjoy time at leisure to admire Taormina’s architecture and gardens. Or, enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beautiful beaches of Naxos Bay.
Day 10 : Sorrento / Pompeii / Sorrento
From Sorrento, an excursion leads to Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. No other place so completely captures the character of life in the early Roman Empire. Tour highlights include the Forum, the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Stabian Baths, the best-preserved and most complete in Pompeii.
Day 11 : Citivecchia / Disembark / Rome / Return Home
Disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer to the airport in Rome for return flights to the U.S.
Program Includes:
* Ten-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
* Welcome and farewell receptions aboard ship, hosted by the captain
* All meals aboard ship including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
* Complimentary house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner aboard ship
* Complete program of tours and shore excursions as described in the itinerary
* Educational program of lectures by accompanying study leaders
* Complete pre-departure materials including destination information, travel portfolio, document wallet, and name tag
* Baggage handling and transfers aboard on the designated program departure and arrival dates
* Port dues and embarkation taxes
* Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare; visas; passports; luggage, cancellation, and accident insurance; meals, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel
-Please note the following fuel surcharge information:
*$180/person for departures from Sept-Oct 11, 2008
*$250/person for departures from Oct 11-Dec 22, 2008
*$275/person for all Antarctic departures, Dec 2008 - March 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A. Supplement depends on particular voyage; contact us for details. Singles in categories AA - PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Corinthian II
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Corinthian II Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
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Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 |
Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 |
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Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 |
Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 |
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Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 |
Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 |
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Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 |
Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
