Science at Sea - Alaska 2009 Join the Spangler Science Team for a Learning Adventure at Sea!

Dates and Cities June 17, 2009 Depart Anchorage (Whittier) on Carnival Spirit June 18, 2009 Cruise through Prince William Sound - Time with Naturalist More Details June 19, 2009 Sitka Shore Excursion - Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest More Details June 20, 2009 Juneau Shore Excursion - Mendenhall Glacier and Gardens Tour More Details June 21, 2009 Skagway Shore Excursion - White Pass Rail & Klondike Highway More Details June 21, 2009 Cruise through Lynn Canal - Time with Naturalist More Details June 22, 2009 Ketchikan Shore Excursion - Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer More Details June 23, 2009 Cruise through Inside Passage - Time with Naturalist More Details June 24, 2009 Debark in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Registration Information

Registration for Science at Sea is really a two part process. You'll start by reserving your space in the class by completing our online registration. After you're registered for the class, our AAA travel coordinator will personally help you select the perfect cabin onboard the Carnival Spirit.

The price for the Science at Sea class is $895 per person, plus the cost of your room selection through Carnival. We have negotiated discount pricing on all of the cabins ranging from a lower-level interior cabin up to a first-class suite on the top level. Carnival pricing starts at $958 per person based on double occupancy. Please note that all of our pricing for rooms includes the additional fees that are normally not listed on travel websites. These additional fees include port charges, government fees, taxes and fuel surcharges.

What if you want to bring a friend or family members? You may register additional people under your primary registration for the discounted fee of $795 per person. Remember... this fee includes the price of all of the shore excursions and entitles family members and friends to participate in all of the onboard classes and experiences.

Once you've registered for the Science at Sea workshop, our personal AAA travel coordinator will personally contact you to help guide you through the cabin selection. The rate for your room will be separate from your workshop registration fee and paid directly to Carnival Cruises through the AAA Travel Agency. By working directly with a AAA professional, you are ensured the highest level of expertise, travel protection and customer service from the best in the travel industry. You can expect the same high level of support and professionalism that you've come to count on with all Steve Spangler Science experiences.

What Does the Price Include?

The Science at Sea registration fee includes all of the following...

• Steve Spangler's pre-cruise kick-off workshop in Whittier, Alaska on June 16th
• Four custom-designed shore excursions in each of the ports of call. The fee covers the cost of all ground transportation to and from each shore excursion. For additional details, see the Shore Excursions section.
• Six onboard seminars offered by our naturalists and the Spangler Science team
• One-on-one time with the Science at Sea naturalists, Steve Spangler and his teaching team
• Curriculum support materials... and some special privileges onboard the ship for the Science at Sea participants

If you've taken a cruise in the past, you know that shore excursions alone (especially in Alaska) can exceed the cost of our week-long class.

Special Group Pricing from Carnival Cruises

The Spangler Science team worked closely with Carnival Cruises and AAA Travel Colorado to offer special group discount pricing to everyone who is registered for Science at Sea. You will book your cruise accommodations directly with Carnival through our own AAA travel coordinator based in Colorado. Please note that our AAA Colorado travel coordinator, Gina MacDonald, is the only agent authorized to book your Science at Sea accommodations with Carnival Cruises.

Our special group pricing starts at $958 based on double occupancy. Carnival Cruises promises to offer our Science at Sea participants pricing that beats their lowest advertised pricing for this cruise. If the price goes down based on incentives offered by Carnival, you're final payment will reflect this discount.

Please note that this starting price of $958 includes all of the additional port charges, government fees (taxes) and fuel surcharges that normally get tacked onto the advertised price. These additional fees total over $430. We want you to know all of the costs upfront... that's why we included the additional fees in our advertised price.

To inquiry about pricing and room availability, please contact our AAA travel coordinator, Gina MacDonald toll free at (877) 244-9790 x 8921 or e-mail Gina at gmacdonald@colorado.aaa.com

Our Naturalist

Steve and his instructional team have assembled an award-winning group of naturalists who will lead us through an unforgettable learning experience. Even on ship days without a shore excursion we will have plenty of activities planned to keep the learning going!

Shore Excursion Details

DAY TWO - Day on Ship, Prince William Sound - Located off the coast of Anchorage, this amazing body of water hosts the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska, including the College Fjord, a series of glaciers named after elite Ivy League schools. Keep one eye on the shoreline while you cruise, as you just may spot otters, seals, bears, eagles and deer.

College Fjord was discovered during an 1899 expedition funded by Ivy League colleges. As a result, all of the glaciers were named after the various schools in their honor. Located in the northwest corner of Prince William Sound, College Fjord is surrounded by over a dozen glaciers, the largest of which is called Harvard Glacier. As you sail along enjoying the serenity and natural beauty of this destination, listen for the splash of glaciers calving into the water below.

DAY THREE - Sitka Shore Excursion - You will have the opportunity to observe sea otters, whales, sea lions, porpoises, harbor seals, brown bears, black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and a variety of marine birds.
On this excursion you will: While cruising, you will also learn about the sea otter population recovery, following their near-extinction at the hands of Russian fur hunters in the early 1800's. Learn the Sea Otter Express and her jet-driven sister ships are designed to navigate southeast Alaska's narrow island passages, allowing for spectacular wildlife viewing at close range. Find your vessel features a warm and comfortable cabin with enclosed seating, large windows, a snack bar, and restrooms. Be guaranteed you will see a sea otter, a whale, or a bear. If not, you will receive a $100 cash refund at the end of the voyage. Upon return to Sitka, you will be dropped off downtown, minutes from the main shopping district and St. Michael's Cathedral. A ticket to the Cathedral is included in the price.
Note: Please dress warmly and bring a rainproof jacket to wear on the observation deck.

DAY FOUR - Juneau Shore Excursion - Nestled alongside Thunder Mountain is a stunning combination of hanging gardens, flowered pathways, and temperate rainforest.
On this beautiful excursion you will: Arrive at Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, meet your tour guide who will escort you to an exquisite atrium full of beautiful hanging baskets in full bloom. View forest, landscaped gardens, and a stream surround the atrium, and you will enjoy a guided tour in covered shuttles into the rain forest. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, Auke Bay, Stephen's Passage, Admiralty Island, and the Chilkat Mountain range from the viewpoint on Thunder Mountain. Visit Mendenhall Glacier, a moving river of ice with rugged crevasses and a distinctive blue color, which appears deceptively close because of its immense size. Stroll the walkways to the U.S. Forestry Service Visitors' Center and take in one of the glaciology exhibits, listen to an interpretive talk with a Forest Service Ranger, or marvel at the panoramic views of the glacier. Have spotting scopes available for a close-up view of the glacier and to assist wildlife viewing.
Note: Guests on this tour will not be able to walk on the glacier. You will be staying across the lake at the Glacier Visitors Center, which offers spectacular views of the glacier face.

DAY FIVE - Skagway Shore Excursion - Experience an unforgettable journey aboard the world-famous narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

On this excursion you will:

• Travel along the eastern side of the White Pass to the 2,885-foot summit, returning along the Klondike Highway via motorcoach.
• Board an old-fashioned parlor car and retrace the original route beyond the summit of White Pass, while learning about the history of the gold-rush era.
• Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia, you will board a motorcoach for a journey down the west side of the White Pass Canyon.
• After a snack of hot cider and cookies, have your photo taken with a huge Mackenzie River Husky or stop in the rustic Liarsville General Store for some of Skagway's most unique shopping.
• On your return to Skagway, you may choose to stop in town for more shopping or return to the ship.

Note: This excursion enters Canada. A passport or birth certificate AND Government issued ID are required for all U.S. and Canadian citizens. All non-U.S./Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport.

DAY FIVE - Time on Ship, Cruise through Lynn Canal - Stretching nearly 100 miles through some of Alaska's most breathtaking scenery, Lynn Canal is the longest glacial fjord in North America. As you cruise through this regal landscape you'll be awed by hanging glaciers, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains.

DAY SIX - Ketchikan Shore Excursion - Explore Misty Fjords while cruising in luxury aboard one of the fastest sightseeing vessels in Alaska.
On this excursion you will: Begin your adventure as soon as you leave Ketchikan's picturesque harbor, passing by colorful fishing boats and float planes, en route to a wilderness experience you will never forget. Keep a sharp eye out for whales, porpoise and sea lions as the water jet-powered catamaran "flies" at sea level past rugged coastlines. Cruise into into Behm Canal surrounded by the pristine beauty of Misty Fjords, stop to view an active bald eagle's nest and a Tlingit pictograph. Admire New Eddystone Rock, an immense volcanic spire rising from the emerald sea. Delight in the unhurried exploration of Rudyerd Bay, an ice-carved masterpiece deep within the monument. Learn the natural history of the fjords while gliding quietly beneath 3,000-foot vertical cliffs. Feel the mist of glistening waterfalls and listen to the call of seabirds nesting on a rock face sculpted by glacial forces. Cruise south from Rudyerd Bay to view a gathering of harbor seals. Enjoy a selection of complementary snacks and beverages while watching for other species of wildlife that thrive here. While en route to Ketchikan, have the opportunity to experience native culture and history presented by a Tlingit storyteller, watch a native artist at work, or enjoy a tour-related video presentation.
Note: Be sure to bring a warm, waterproof jacket to wear on the topside observation decks and remember to bring your camera!

DAY SEVEN - Day on Ship, Cruise through Inside Passage - Located right along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales as you cruise the passage to the historic Alaskan ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Debark in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Program Coordinator at (800) 223-9080 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.