September 20 – October 4, 2006

Note: This tour has concluded. The following was our itinerary:

Map of Cruise Route

Be explorers as the Seven Seas Mariner sails the Pacific Ring of Fire passage of volcanoes along Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula. Photographers and birders will delight in the soaring bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and hundreds of sea birds rising over the land and sea. Discover the shrines of Japanese dynasties shrouded in the mists of time. Come and experience rebirth of the spirit on a voyage through the primeval archipelago of hidden volcanoes and pristine nature from Alaska to Japan.

Distinguished Lecturer

Dennis Mammana, Sky Photographer

Early Deposit Bonus! Deposit by May 1, 2006 and receive a 2 category upgrade up to a D.

Your Cruise Includes...

Itinerary

Wed, September 20 Sail —Whittier, Alaska
Sail away into the Pacific aboard the magnificent Seven Seas MARINER. Relax in your room with all the fine amenities.

Thu, September 21 —Kodiak, Alaska

Kodiak

Today admire the scenic beauty of Kodiak Island as you embark on an in-depth optional tour of the many points of interest in and around the City of Kodiak, the first Russian settlement in Alaska. Photographic opportunities abound as you explore this area, very much influenced by Native American and Russian ancestry. Fort Abercrombie was an historic defense installation for the North Pacific during World War II. The local Russian and Native American history and legend can be seen a the Baranov Museum - the oldest Russian built structure in the United States. In 1874, the first Russian Orthodox Church was established in Alaska.

Fri, September 22 Cruise the Shelik of Strait

Dutch Harbour

Sat, September 23 —Dutch Harbour
Unalaska Island contains 240 square miles of some of the most rugged, majestic and awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. A flightseeing tour may take you near an active volcano, over a rugged mountain range.

Sun/Mon, September 24/25 —Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian chain is Earth’s most impressive volcanic examples with soaring ice-capped peaks offering a backdrop for the peregrine falcons, bald eagles, tufted puffins and approximately one million fulmar birds. The Aleutian archipelago is home to humpback and sperm whales and Asian birds that have “strayed” from their normal migration routes.

Tues/Wed, September 25/26 —Commander & Komandorsky Islands

Thu, September 28 —Petropavlovsk, Russia/Kamchatka Peninsula

Koryatsky Volcano, Kamchatka

Two of the Kamchatka’s volcanoes which surround Petropavlovsk are considered “home volcanoes”. The Avachinsky Volcano, Burning Hill, appeared more thanten thousand years ago. Three thousand years ago a giant explosion tore away its upper part and a new cone 700 meters high appeared. The volcano became two-leveled or “soma-Vesuvius”. The last eruption took place in 1991.You will be able to walk to the extrusive form of the Avacha volcano called the Camel. Through the exhibits at the local Cultural Museum, you will learn about the famous sea explorers who visited Kamchatka at different times, Vitus Bering, La Perouse, Charles Clarke and others. You will drive by the historic monuments of the founder of the city, Vitus Bering, the Kuril Islands Defenders and a chapel built in memory of the defenders of Petropavlovsk during the Crimean war of 1854.

Fri, September 29 —Cruise the Kuril Islands

Sat/Sun, September 30/October 1 —Bering & Okhtsk Seas

Mon, October 2 —Hakodate, Japan

Hakodate Waterfront

The city of Hakodate is the gateway for Hokkaido and is perhaps the most interesting. The Goryokaku was Japan's first Western-style fortification. The star-shaped fort was built in 1864 for the defense of Hokkaido against invasion. All that remain now are the outer walls, and the interior is now a park open to the public. Goryokaku Tower provides a fine view of the fort and Hakodate City. The Trappsit Convent was founded in 1898 by eight Catholic sisters from France and is managed by the Trappist Order.

Tue, October 3 —Sendai, Japan

Date Masamune Mausoleum

Zuganji Temple was founded in 828 and constructed in 1606 by Date Masamune. It is one of Tohoku's finest Zen temples and well worth a visit to see the painted screens and interior carvings of the main hall and the Seiryuden (treasure house), which contains works of art associated with the Date family. In contrast, a small wooden temple of Godai-do, built by Date Masamune and lying on a pine clad islet, it is reached by two bridges.

Wed, October 4 —Tokyo, Japan
You will be transferred to the airport or your extension hotel.

Fujisan

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