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'Credit Union Winds of Change Symposium at Sea' "Odyssey of the Ancient Crusaders 2012"
September 21 - October 3, 2012 Princess Cruise Line ... "Pacific Princess"® Exploring The Holy Land & Other Ancient Religious Destinations ... Rome, Italy ... Sorrento, Italy ... Patmos, Greece ... Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey ... Nazareth/Galilee (Haifa), Israel ... Jerusalem/Bethleham (Ashdod), Israel ... Port Said, Egypt (for Cairo & Giza) ... Alexandria, Egypt (for Cairo & Giza) ... Santorini, Greece ... Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Cruise/Conference Registration & Information: ADTRAV Meetings & Incentives ... Ask For Lisa Townsend or Serena Simmons Email: educruises@adtrav.com
"Live in the Sunshine, Swim the Sea, Drink in the Wild Air"
Explore the Latest Credit Union Trends as we Visit the Holy Cities: Witness the awe-inspiring ruins of Pompeii and Ephesus. Explore the Holy Land in-depth with 2-Day Experiences in Israel and Egypt to see Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Great Pyramid and Sphinx of Giza. And unwind on the charming island of Santorini. Board this EduCruise to attend the most unusual and exciting educational event you have ever experienced in your life! Board this EduCruise to benchmark your strategic thinking, examine new success strategies and prepare for those seen and unseen changes that threaten our very existence. This EduCruise will take your credit union to a new level and will offer a wake-up call to many. Don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime as we explore the ancient historical ports of the Mediterranean and the cradle of civilization.
Timely Credit Union Issues We Will Navigate: Each CU EduCruise is packed with useful cutting edge information, focused around these key strategic areas: What’s ahead for credit unions and their leaders—big challenges and opportunities 2. What credit union members and potential members really want—consumer trends and changing preferences 3. Governance and boards—insights for improving effectiveness 4. Credit union strategies and innovations—better ways to serve members, to grow, and to successfully compete in the financial services industry 5. Big idea discussions—participant questions –the sharing of successes, stumbles, and lessons learned (All sessions are very interactive. Questions, discussion, and exchange of ideas are highly encouraged.)
Benefits To You and Your Credit Union:
What Others Have Said About This Cruise/Conference: "Enjoyed and appreciated the smaller group, open forums, and frank discussions with other volunteers" .... Jim - CP FCU "The program was exceptional. EduCruises sets a high standard for quality & content" ... Joseph - JAX FCU "Loved the opportunity to discuss and share new ideas and information with other participants!" ... Bradley - MAX FCU "First class educational program and incredible cruise experience" ... Gary - Bossier FCU
Experience Beautiful, Ancient Religious Sites: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy A renaissance fort guards the harbor of Civitavecchia, gateway to Rome -- one of the world's greatest cities. From its inception in 753 B.C. to the days of its decline, Rome has been the focal point for many of the world's greatest artists, architects, rulers and philosophers. The Colosseum still stands as a reminder of the mighty Roman Empire. Seating 50,000, the arena was flooded for naval battles, then dried and sanded in just a few hours for battling gladiators. St. Peter's Basilica, located in Vatican City, is the world's smallest sovereign state. St. Peter's Basilica is the world's largest church and a major achievement of the Renaissance, with the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's famous paintings: "The Creation of the World" and "The Last Judgment." Sorrento, ItalyThe Amalfi Coast, south of the Bay of Naples, is one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful coasts with its lemon trees and spectacular scenery. Its most alluring town is Sorrento, high on the cliffs above the sea. Once the domain of kings and wealthy nobleman, modern Naples is a lively, working port city along the Amalfi Coast. It is surrounded by Cape Miseno on one side and the Sorrento peninsula on the other and across the blue waters of the Bay of Naples lies the charming isle of Capri. Its modern skyline is dominated by the heights of the not-too-distant Mount Vesuvius. Completely buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Pompeii is one of the world's most magnificently preserved ancient cities. Built within curved walls, the excavations unearthed sumptuous private homes that featured colonnaded central courtyards with lavish fountains and interior murals painted in vivid colors. Patmos, GreeceThis small island in the Dodecanese enjoys a singular honor. In 1981 the Greek Parliament passed a special resolution designating Patmos a "Sacred Island." For rocky and barren Patmos claims one of the holiest spots in Christendom: the Grotto of the Revelation. Exiled from Ephesus in 95 A.D., St. John retired to Patmos spending 18 months in a cave. There he received the visions that resulted in Revelation, the last Book of the New Testament. Travelers can still view the saint's Grotto and climb the path to the 11th-century monastery of St. John the Theologian. Patmos occupies a place in classical mythology as well. Orestes fled to Patmos to escape the Furies after avenging the murder of his father Agamemnon. Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey A sleepy fishing village until only recently, Kusadasi has emerged as one of the most alluring spots for travelers along the Ionian Coast. Tourists from all over the world come to Kusadasi to visit Ephesus, one of the most fascinating archeological sites available to the modern-day traveler. Ephesus is a treasure of antiquity and historical legend. On its ancient streets paved in white marble and lined with colonnades, Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession and St. Paul preached against the goddess Artemis. Don't miss the ruins of the cathedral are reputed to cover the resting place of St. John, who composed the fourth Gospel of the New Testament in Ephesus. Nazareth/Galilee (Haifa), Israel Atop Mount Carmel in northern Israel, Haifa is your gateway to the cherished cities of Galilee and Nazareth. Make your pilgrimage to Galilee, where Jesus is believed to have performed his miracles, or explore Nazareth, widely regarded as Christ’s childhood home. Along the Sea of Galilee, Tabgha is the site of the feeding of the multitude, where Jesus fed thousands of hungry people with just a few loaves and fish. Commemorating these miracles is the Church of the Multiplication, featuring 4th and 5th-century remains. Just west of Mount Tabor lies Nazareth, where Jesus is said to have spent his childhood. The domed Basilica of the Annunciation marks the grotto where the Archangel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary and told her she would conceive a son. Jersusalem/Bethleham (Ashdod), Israel Israel’s largest sea port, Ashdod is your gateway to Jerusalem, a world-renowned city of great religious significance for the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Ancient sites are scattered throughout the holy city, with the golden Dome of the Rock peeking out above its skyline. The most holy Jewish site in the world, the revered Wailing Wall stands on the western side of the Temple Mount. Written prayers overflow from the cracks between its enormous stones, the remnants of Jerusalem’s Second Temple, which was destroyed in 70 CE. A guided walk through Jerusalem's narrow and crowded cobbled streets takes in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the other Stations of the Cross along this historic route believed to be taken by Jesus. The Dead Sea Scrolls, a scale model of 1st-century-AD Jerusalem, the sculpture garden and several exhibits and artwork highlight this world-class museum located in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem. Port Said, Egypt ( for Cairo & Giza) This busy port city has the second most important harbor in Egypt behind Alexandria. It is strategically positioned at one end of the Suez Canal and acts as a great starting point for exploring the cradle of civilization. Port Said's National Museum provides a good overview of Egypt, covering the history of this ancient land as well as a section on Islamic culture and traditions. Cairo, the Capital of Egypt, is a sprawling metropolis of millions. It is a blending of modern and ancient cultures where you can find all the modern amenities of big city side by side with the age-old traditions of this ancient culture.Make a point to visit the incredible Pyramids of Giza. At the outer limits of greater Cairo, south of the Nile River, the wondrous tombs of the pharaohs reside. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest, and is the oldest and only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Alexandria, Egypt Alexander the Great traveled to Egypt after conquering Greece and selected a small fishing village in the Mediterranean for his new capital, Alexandria. It's now Egypt's second largest city, and a juxtaposition of modern influences and ancient culture. Don't miss the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The dramatic architecture of this modern library and research center isn't the only thing that is exciting about it. The massive complex includes a planetarium, three museums, a conference center, as well as several concert and exhibition halls. The Roman Amphitheater is a true wonder. This well-preserved amphitheater of marble and mosaic design is a spectacle to see. With seating for 800, it was most likely a lively venue for concerts and athletic events. Santorini, Greece Known as the "Black Pearl of the Aegean," Santorini has one of the most dramatic backdrops of cliffs, sea and sky in the world. The island was not always crescent-shaped as it is today. A volcanic eruption during the Bronze Age caused the middle of this once-circular island to sink, leaving an enormous sea-filled crater flanked by mammoth cliffs. This cataclysmic event is the reason for many of the island's remarkable features -- from its black-sand beaches and exquisite wines, to its fascinating archeological sites. Visit Akrotiri, where Minoan Pompey, a well-preserved archeological site from the Bronze Age, was excavated. This ancient city was covered in pumice when the island's volcano erupted. Some believe these ruins to be the lost city of Atlantis. Santorini's climate and volcanic soil allows for an exceptional grape-growing region. The Santo Winery sits at the peak of the cliff-like caldera and offers superb views. Fira, the largest town on Santorini is a cluster of whitewashed buildings clinging to volcanic cliffs and at sunset it could perhaps be the most beautiful place on Earth. Athens (Piraeus), Greece With its magnificent architecture, legendary cultural attractions and unparalleled place in history, this capital city known as "the cradle of Western civilization" is a must-see destination for world travelers. A captivating blend of the classical and the contemporary, Athens boasts some of the world's oldest and most renowned landmarks, and wears its ancient heritage proudly. The Acropolis is a must see. The "High City" as ancient Athens was called offers the glorious marble structures of The Parthenon, built in honor of Athena, goddess of wisdom, and its entry gate, the Propylea; The Temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to the winged maidens who attended to her; and the Erectheion "Porch of the Maidens." The Hill of the Muses, where legend has it Socrates paid the price for his advanced ideas on youth and religion by drinking a fatal cup of hemlock. In Horologion, known as the Tower of the Winds, listen closely for the voices some say speak from an ancient time.
Pacific Princess ... Our Floating Conference Resort:
While Pacific Princess features space onboard for just 680 passengers, she doesn’t skimp on amenities. As one of the Small Ships of Princess, this intimate ship offers two incredible specialty restaurants onboard, Sterling SteakhouseSM and Sabatini’sSM, both with great tasting food to enhance your night out. In the main dining rooms, Traditional Dining offers an authentic cruising experience where the same friendly waitstaff serve you each night as you get to know your fellow tablemates.
Here is just a small sample of what to expect aboard the Pacific Princess:
Beautiful Staterooms at Great Rates CRUISE/CONFERENCE RATES: (Ask Us About a Group Discount)
CRUISE ONLY RATES (if not attending conference):
Inside Staterooms starting at Call us for availabilty Oceanview Staterooms starting at Call us for availability Price Available on Request Balcony Staterooms starting at $ 3,973 $ 3,973 Price Based on Availablity Mini Suites $ 4,784 $ 4,784 Price Based on Availability Are you a past Princess Cruise Line passenger ? If so, you may be entitled to even better pricing and benefits. Let us know ... we will get you the very best prices available ! Your Rate Includes Many Things: Above rates include stateroom, most meals, fabulous entertainment, trip cancellation insurance, conference registration fee, conference materials, top industry speakers, free consultation time with our on-board industry leaders, port charges, government fees and taxes. Rates are based on double occupancy, except when noted. Cabins are subject to availability. Rates do not include airfare or tranfers. Will quote price upon request. To attend conference and/or to take advantage of these low group rates, all cabin reservations must be booked through "ADTRAV Meetings & Incentives", our designated travel affiliate. Only those travel arrangements that are booked through "ADTRAV" will be covered by the included insurance premium. The cabin deposit and Conference Registration Fee is immediately payable upon first booking this cruise/conference. Cruise Rates subject to change by cruise line. Credit Cards are NOT ACCEPTED for payment. Interested in extending your trip, before or after the cruise? Ask Lisa Townsend or Serena Simmons, our EduCruise travel experts, to assist you with all the details!
"Odyssey of the Ancient Crusaders"
   Call Lisa Townsend or Serena Simmons at ADTRAV Meetings & Incentives For More Info & To Register! Photos Courtesy of Princess Cruises
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John Vardallas is founder of The AmericanBoomer, an international Credit Union business consulting organization. He conducts and facilitates leadership, management development, marketing and strategic planning seminar training for credit union staff and volunteer leaders. He is one of the most requested speakers in the credit union industry and has spoken before thousands of credit union volunteers and management teams during his 20-year career. John has facilitated countless credit union strategic planning sessions around the world.
