The Sights:

[From the 26 Glaciers Web Site]: "The 26 Glacier Cruise travels over 135 miles into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 “named” glaciers and many more unnamed. We get face to face with these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blues hues. On the 26 Glacier Cruise, you'll see several types of glaciers, including Alpine (hanging), Piedmont and Tidewater. Glacier calvings (when broken pieces of ice fall into the water and become icebergs) are normally seen on each cruise."

"It’s not just about the ice – it's very common to see sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions and whales – humpback and orca – during the cruise. You may also spot bear, mountain goats and bald eagles. At the end of the trip we stop at a bird rookery which is home to thousands of Kittiwakes."

Schedule:
Thursday June 26, 2008. Here is an approximate schedule; please be sure to re-check this schedule at the time of the conference in case there are minor changes:

• 5 PM: buses depart Hilton (available for boarding at approximately 4:45 PM). Don't be late -- there is a one-lane tunnel on the journey that adheres to a fixed timetable. If a bus waits for stragglers it won't make it through the tunnel, and will miss the boat. Please be on time for the bus!
• 7 PM: vessel leaves dock in Whittier
• 10:30 PM: vessel docks in Whittier
• 11:40 PM: sunset (which means we'll have daylight for the entire cruise)
• Midnight: buses return to Hilton

Tickets:
This is a private cruise -- we have booked the entire ship. The only way to get tickets is via the DSN registration page. All full conference attendees will receive one ticket as part of their registration fee (including students!). You can purchase additional tickets at slightly below cost from us in advance. Very few tickets, if any, will be available at the last minute. Refunds for unused tickets will not be possible (we're paying based on advance head count, whether tickets are used or not.) So, please plan ahead!

Here is the planned menu (subject to change):
Assorted Passed Canapés: Spanakopitas, Goat Cheese Crostinis, Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce, Assorted Cheeses, Reindeer Sausage en Croute
Buffet Dinner: Caesar Salad, Tossed with Croutons, Dressing and Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Fresh Rolls and Butter, Oven Roasted Salmon Filet with Sautéed Leeks and Apples, Lemon Hollandaise; Breast of Chicken Roulade, Filled with Herbs and Asiago Cheese; Roast Sirloin of Beef, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Fresh Sautéed Asparagus, Scalloped Potatoes, Assorted Petite Desserts, Coffee Service

Clothing:
Prince William Sound and Glaciers make their own weather. So the weather on the excursion will likely be very different than the weather in Anchorage.All seats are in a fully enclosed, heated interior, but the best viewing is outside on deck. The water is generally calm, and the catamaran hull of this ship provides superior stability, so seasickness is unlikely to be problem unless you are very sensitive. You should plan to bring or wear:

• Business casual attire. (Jeans are OK for kids.)
• Rubber-soled shoes if possible so you don't slip on the deck. Avoid spike-heeled shoes.
• A lightweight hooded raincoat. A light drizzle at some point in the excursion is likely. Umbrellas aren't that useful due to wind.
• A warmth layer (fleece, sweatshirt, sweater) that fits under the raincoat.
• A set of thin gloves.