北加州淡江大學校友會通訊

(Tamkang University Alumni Association of Northern California)

December 2009 Dream Cruise Vacation

親愛的校友們，

You are all invited to a special cruise journey and gathering below:

【Cruise Vacation】: 7 Days Mexican Riviera Cruise Roundtrip Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA
【Cruise Line】: Carnival Cruise Line
【Ship】:  Carnival Splendor (New Ship, Launched April 2009)
【Port of Call】:    USA: Long Beach, CA, Mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatian, Cabo San Lucas

【Time and Price】: Pick One from the Two Sailings Below:

• Pre-X’mas Cruising: 2009年12 月6日(星期日) ~ 12月13日(星期日)

• Guest 1,2: $419.00 per person + taxes (double occupancy)
• Guest 3,4: $189.00 per person + taxes*
• Amenities: $100 onboard credit and 1 bottle of red wine for each stateroom when the group books 5 rooms or more

• Christmas Cruising: 2009年12 月20日(星期日) ~ 12月27日(星期日)

• Guest 1,2: $729.00 per person + taxes (double occupancy)
• Guest 3,4: $489.00 per person + taxes*

* <Note> 3rd/4th person price subject to change based on availability at time of booking

【Limited Space】: Only 8 rooms are reserved and available for each sailing
【Deposit】:

• $250 per person deposit to be received by August 31, 2009 for the 12/6/09 sailing and before September 10 for the 12/20/09 sailing
• Fully refundable if the booking is cancelled before September 10, 2009 for the 12/6/09 sailing and before September 25 for the 12/20/09 sailing

【Final Payment】: Due September 10, 2009 for 12/6/09 sailing and September 25, 2009 for 12/20/09 sailing

【報名表】: E-mail corinalu@yahoo.com 或洽 Corina 許明玉 (510) 552-5830 索取

 
Carnival Splendor Ship Highlights
• New ship, launched April 2009
• Staterooms with flat screen TVs
• A spectacular 21,000-square-foot, two-level spa and gym facility
• 5,500-square-foot children's playroom

• Camp Carnival (age 2-11): activities are further divided to 3 age groups, age 2-5, 6-8 and 9-11. If you’re traveling with children, then you’ll love Camp Carnival! Run by trained youth counselors, this fantastic program offers a fun and exciting variety of age-specific activities with separate programs for toddlers, juniors, intermediates, and teens.
• Circle C (age 12-14): Offering 12 to 14 year olds their own special hang-out, Circle C on the Atlantic Deck provides “tweens” with all the activities they could ask for, including video games, dance parties, movies on the 42” plasma TV, basketball, pool parties, and much more. 
• Club O2 (age 15-17): Teens aged 15 to 17 have their own special space at Club O2. Located on the Promenade Deck, Club O2 offers a dance floor with a state-of-the-art sound system and a DJ, a stylish lounge, a teen-oriented library, and a packed schedule of fun shore excursions.

• Sliding Sky Dome: A mid-ship pool covered with a two-deck-high Sliding Sky Dome
• New Carnival Splendor Seaside Theatre: Watch movies, concerts, news, sporting events, and even watch others shake their "groove thing" on the theater. A 12'x22' jumbo-sized LED screen with a crystal-clear picture and a 70,000-watt, easy-to-hear sound system.
• Fountain of Youth: Carnival Splendor's Thalassotherapy Pool features jets of water that massage your body and a special formulation of ocean water rich with trace elements of vitamins.
• Serenity Adult-Only Area: This Carnival Splendor kid-free oasis is the hub of relaxation. Chill out and take in the ocean view, read a book, chat with friends or just kick back and relax.
• Show Lounge: If you’re a fan of the performing arts, you’ll be delighted with Carnival Splendor’s main theater, Spectacular Spectacular. This state-of-the-art performing arts venue features a packed schedule of live entertainment, including music, comedy, Las Vegas-style stage shows, and more.
• Royal Flush Casino
• Red Carpet Dance Club: If you live for the nightlife, then the Red Carpet Dance Club has your number! After dinner and a few post-dinner drinks, join your fellow nighthawks in this cosmopolitan nightclub to catch the beat of the hottest dance hits played through a state-of-the-art sound system.
• El Morocco Lounge: When the sun goes down the action starts at El Morocco Lounge. Eye-catching décor, bright colors, dazzling lighting, comfortable seating, and an extensive menu of innovative cocktails and premium beers, wines, and spirits combine to make this a great spot for a night of unwinding and socializing.

Carnival Splendor Ship Facts
Gross Tonnage: 113,300 tons
Length: 952 feet
Passenger Decks: 13
Cruising Speed: 21 knots
Guest Capacity: 3,006 (double occupancy)
Total Guest Staterooms: 1503
Total staff: 1,150
Registry: Panama

Itinerary A: (Pre-X’mas 2009)
Day                           Port of Call                  Arrive       Depart
Sunday, Dec 06         Long Beach, CA                             5:30pm 

Monday, Dec 07        Fun Day At Sea           

Tuesday, Dec 08       Fun Day At Sea           

Wednesday, Dec 09  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico    9:00am     10:00pm   

Thursday, Dec 10      Mazatlan, Mexico             9:00am       6:00pm   

Friday, Dec 11           Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 7:00am      3:00pm   

Saturday, Dec 12       Fun Day At Sea           

Sunday, Dec 13         Long Beach, CA              9:00am       

Itinerary B: (Christmas 2009)

Day                           Port of Call                  Arrive       Depart
Sunday, Dec 20        Long Beach, CA                               5:30pm

Monday, Dec 21        Fun Day At Sea          

Tuesday, Dec 22       Fun Day At Sea          

Wednesday, Dec 23  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico    9:00am    10:00pm  

Thursday, Dec 24      Mazatlan, Mexico             9:00am      6:00pm  

Friday, Dec 25           Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 7:00am      3:00pm  

Saturday, Dec 26       Fun Day At Sea          

Sunday, Dec 27         Long Beach, CA              9:00am      

Destination Highlights

Long Beach, CA

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Mazatlan, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

1. Long Beach, CA

• Special Hotel Offer from 4 Star Rating Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center
• $89.00 per night (+taxes) based on the availability for Cruise Passenger Only  
• Free Parking for Pre/Post Cruise Stays and 7 Days Duration of Cruise (normally $15/day for self parking) 
• Free Shuttle to/from Long Beach Cruise Terminal 
• Two Free Drinks in the Hotel Lobby Bar
• Free High Speed Internet Access
• Offer ends 12/31/2009
• Long Beach Local Attractions and Special Events (pre/post cruise optional tours)
• 4 blocks (10-15 minutes) walk from Hilton Hotel to downtown busy district of Pine Avenue.
• If not driving, city bus is a good alternative especially downtown metered parking could be expensive. Get on FREE PASSPORT SHUTTLE, 3-level seating bright red shuttle buses, right outside the Hilton Hotel for a free ride to many waterfront attractions such as The Queen Mary, Aquarium and Shoreline Village.
• Garden Tours
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens: spend 30-60 minutes at this 1.3 acre Japanese-style located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach with a tour of the garden’s waterfalls, tea house, Zen garden and Koi pond.
• Rancho Los Alamitos: this historic ranch is located in the residential area called “Bixby Village” and is accessible on foot or car. You can walk across CSU-Long Beach campus and up to the Rancho. Allow 1-2 hours to tour this authentic ranch house and its four acres of nationally significant gardens and barns.
• Special Events in December 2009
• 12/4-6 The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (open to the public) will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center on December 4-6, 2009.
• 12/4-6 The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a special Holiday Treat the same weekend as the CWIM Show . Here’s the description of the event: In celebration of the holiday season, Scuba Santa will be delivering an ocean of gifts to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s sea otters, seals, sea lions, birds, fish, and other animals. Guests can see Scuba Santa dive with sharks and watch the Aquarium’s animals receive their special treats and enrichment gifts during the Holiday Treats for the Animals weekend. Families can enjoy holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, shopping, and more. The Seal and Sea Lion Habitat will be decked out for the “sea”son with frozen “fishmas” treats. Guests can watch the sea otters savor candy cane-shaped ice treats, gourmet lobster tails, and their very own snowman. Throughout the day Aquarium staff will give special gift delicacies to other marine animals as well. Check www.aquariumofpacific.org for more details.
• 12/19 Naples Boat Parade: in the evening of December 19, 2009- the Naples Boat Parade will be taking place in Naples (accessible via the Passport Shuttle as well). It is always a fun event to attend with the family or a loved one! See the description below. The magic of the season floats through Long Beach.  Watch the spectacular display of decorated boats as they sail through the charming canals of Naples Island.  This year's theme is "The Naples Spirit--Joy of Giving"   Call 562/221-8900 for more details.

2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta lies along Banderas Bay, the second largest bay in the Western Hemisphere. It is located 352 kilometers (219 miles) from Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco, and it is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The region has an average temperature of 27° C (80° F).

Puerto Vallarta has all the amenities of a classic beach resort: surf, sand and sun. But, that’s just the beginning. Perfect for honeymooners, families and seniors alike, Puerto Vallarta features fun-filled activities including: sport fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking and whale watching. A modern destination that remains loyal to its traditional Mexican roots, this port is distinct from any other destination in Mexico. The mountains, jungles, beaches, rivers and waterfalls make Puerto Vallarta the perfect vacation destination. 
 

3. Mazatlan, Mexico
If you're ready to experience some of the finest sailing and sport fishing available, then you're ready for Mazatlan. This is an exquisite seaside resort by anyone's standards. Of course, you don't have to partake in world-class water sports to enjoy Mazatlan. You can relax on one of its soft-sand beaches caressed by trade winds that are even softer. Or shop for silver jewelry and Mexican crafts in the shops of "The Golden Zone," where you can also celebrate your purchases at one of the area's lively cantinas

Mazatlan, one of the most important ports on the Pacific coast, is located in the southern region of the state of Sinaloa, 212 km (131 mi) southeast of state capital Culiacan. The climate is warm with an average year-round temperature of 25º C (77º F). Known as the Pearl of the Pacific because of its beautiful beaches and its abundant marine life, it has become an important site for international fishing tournaments such as the Bisbee’s Billfish Classic. This destination combines traditional architecture in its Historic Center, known as Old Mazatlan, with modern hotels and restaurants in the Zona Dorada, a 10 km (6 mi) strip with beautiful beaches such as Playa Norte, Playa Gaviotas and Playa Venados. These areas are ideal for surfing, diving and sailfish or marlin fishing. In Old Mazatlan, you can visit la Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion (The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception) and walk down beautiful streets lined with 19th-century constructions.

Here you’ll also find natural treasures such as el Cerro del Creston, where you can do ecotourism outings and go rock climbing. At Creston’s peak you’ll find a lighthouse, which is the world’s second tallest (only the one at the Rock of Gibraltar is taller). You’ll also find fantastic golf courses with ocean views. For boating enthusiasts, Mazatlan has two marinas that offer docking and maintenance service for all kinds of boats. Among the cultural and sports events that you can enjoy in the port town are: The Jesus Arnoldo Millan International Golf Tournament, the Grand International Tennis Tournament, the Mazatlan Cultural Festival, the Sinaloa Arts Festival.

4. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Championship golf courses, world-class deep sea fishing and incredible diving opportunities have transformed Cabo San Lucas, a once sleepy fishing town located on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, into one of the most popular resort destinations in Mexico. Rolling sand dunes and hidden coves dot a countryside ringed by some of the most famous and often-photographed rock formations in the world.

Originally a hiding place for English pirates, Cabo San Lucas found fame when John Steinbeck wrote "Log from the Sea of Cortez." Shortly after, Cabo's "Marlin Alley" became a celebrity favorite for big-game fishing. Today, it is one of Mexico's prime resort destinations. Located on the Baja Peninsula, Cabo is still known for fishing, but it's also gaining a reputation for its stunning scenery, near-perfect weather, golfing, water sports, underwater nature preserve, whale watching and nightlife.