Cultural Treasures of the Black Sea and the Crimea

Dowload the brochure for Cultural Treasures of the Black Sea and the Crimea!

Istanbul, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine
Aboard the Six-Star All-Suite M.V. Silver Wind

From approximately $5,148 per person based on double occupancy, VAT not included
FREE AIR from 23 major gateways!
Operated by Thomas P. Gohagan & Company

Overview
Join us for this seven-night cruise of the Black Sea aboard the Six-Star, all-suite M.V. SILVER WIND during the best season of the year to visit Istanbul, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. This splendid opportunity offers free air* from one of 23 gateways, and a whole host of complimentary features aboard ship are included: all onboard gratuities; select complimentary wine, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages replenished in your suite and served with every lunch and dinner; gourmet dining; in-suite dining; complimentary fitness classes; and even complimentary personal butler service. Choose from a program of attractively priced optional shore excursions, featuring the sixth-century B.C. Greek-founded town of Nessebur, a UNESCO World Heritage site; Livadia Palace, site of the famous 1945 Yalta Conference; the masterful 16th-century Khan’s Palace in Bakhchysaray on the Crimean Peninsula; Odessa’s stately Opera House and the Potemkin Steps; and the architectural treasures of Constanta, Romania. Choose to join the Istanbul Three-Night Pre-Cruise Option or the Cappadocia and Istanbul Four-Night Post-Cruise Option.
*Free Air and Low Air Add-Ons have limited availability and are not guaranteed. 
 
ITINERARY
Day 1:    Depart from the U.S. or Canada
Day 2:    Arrive Istanbul, Turkey/Embark M.V. SILVER WIND
Day 3:    At Sea  
Day 4:    Yalta, Ukraine
Day 5:    Sevastopol
Day 6:    Odessa
Day 7:    Constanta, Romania
Day 8:    Nessebur, Bulgaria
Day 9:    Istanbul, Turkey/Disembark M.V. SILVER WIND/Return to U.S. or Canada
 
Activity Level
Moderately Active

HIGHLIGHTS

• Free air from 23 cities and low air add-ons available from selected U.S. and Canadian cities.*
• Cruise aboard the Six-Star, all-suite M.V. SILVER WIND, a small ship with spacious suites and a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.
• Cruise round trip from Istanbul, Turkey, to Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria during the best season of the year.
• On board the M.V. SILVER WIND, enjoy world-class service, amenities and facilities, with whole host of complimentary features included: all onboard gratuities; select complimentary wine, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages replenished in your suite and served with every lunch and dinner; gourmet dining; in-suite dining; complimentary fitness classes; and even complimentary personal butler service.
• An attractively priced program of shore excursions features opportunities to:
  - Visit the sixth-century B.C. Greek-founded town of Nessebur, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a long and colorful history.
  - Visit the historic site of the 1945 Yalta Conference, where Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin determined the fate of Post–World War II Europe.
  *Free Air and Low Air Add-Ons have limited availability and are not guaranteed.

SIX-STAR, ALL-SUITE M.V. SILVER WIND
SMALL SHIP. REFINED LUXURY. The intimate, Six-Star, 296-passenger M.V. SILVER WIND features a surprisingly spacious interior for its size and is exceedingly agile, docking easily in less visited, more enticing ports. The extraordinarily high crew-to-guest ratio and training by the Leading Hotel Schools of the World ensure an incomparable level of personalized service.

ALL OCEAN-VIEW LUXURY SUITES
Among the most expansive suites of their class at sea, Midship Veranda and Veranda Suites, at 295 square feet, offer sliding glass doors that open to a teak veranda while Vista Suites, at 240 square feet, feature a large picture window providing panoramic ocean views. All feature two twin beds or one queen bed, a sitting area, marble bathroom with full-sized bath, walk-in wardrobe with personal safe, vanity table, writing desk, flat-screen television with DVD and satellite reception, a DVD/CD player, direct-dial telephone, fresh fruit and flowers. Enjoy welcome champagne upon arrival, plus the in-suite refrigerator and bar setup are complimentary and replenished upon request with your selection of wine, champagne, spirits and beverages.

DINING VENUES OF GREAT TASTE
Savor epicurean delights created by international chefs in partnership with the prestigious Grands Chefs Relais & Chateau® in four dining venues throughout the ship: The Restaurant for contemporary international cuisine, La Terrazza featuring authentic Italian cuisine, Le Champagne—the only Relais & Chateaux® Wine Restaurant at sea—and the casual Pool Grill located poolside. Of course you can always dine in-suite 24 hours a day, with selections served course by course. A complimentary wine pairing is included with lunch and dinner, and all beverages are served complimentary throughout the ship.

WORLD-CLASS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND SPA
The ship features a spa and beauty salon, swimming pool, two whirlpools, fitness center with state-of-the art equipment, men’s and women’s saunas and steam rooms.

EXCLUSIVE BUTLER SERVICE
A dedicated personal butler is at your service to unpack your luggage and to ensure your in-suite beverage selection, dietary preferences and personal fitness sessions are accommodated.

INCLUDED FEATURES

ON BOARD THE SIX-STAR, ALL-SUITE M.V. SILVER WIND

• Seven-night cruise round trip from Istanbul, Turkey, with port calls at Yalta, Sevastapol and Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta, Romania; and Nessebur, Bulgaria.
• Spacious, Six-Star, outside Suite accommodations.
• All gratuities to shipboard staff.
• Captain’s welcome and farewell receptions.
• Complimentary beverages throughout the cruise; house wines are served at lunch and dinner.
• Six-Star service and amenities, featuring butler service, in-suite dining, 24-hour room service, in-suite beverages, extensive daily entertainment and complimentary fitness classes.
• All gourmet meals, served at single, unassigned seatings.

ENHANCED TRAVEL SERVICES

• Transfers and luggage handling between the airport and pier included only with the Free Air/Low Air* Add-Ons Program.
• A program of optional shore excursion available at additional cost in Yalta, Sevastopol, Bakhchysaray, Odessa, Constanta and Nessebur.
• Experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Director to accompany you throughout the travel program.
• Hospitality desk aboard the ship.
• Travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure information.
  *Limited availability. Free Air and Low Air Add-Ons (Silversea’s Silver Sky Air Program) are economy class and based on contractual agreements between Silversea and respective airlines; Gohagan & Company and the sponsoring association/organization have no control over availability.

ISTANBUL PRE-CRUISE OPTION
This special three-night option in Istanbul, Turkey, features accommodations in the deluxe CEYLAN INTERCONTINENTAL and included guided tours of the city’s magnificent landmarks from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to Topkapi Palace. Option available at additional cost. Complete details will be included with your reservation confirmation.

CAPPADOCIA AND ISTANBUL POST-CRUISE OPTION
Complement your Aegean Sea experience with this four-night extension in Turkey highlighting the mesmerizing fairy chimney landscapes of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of nature’s most captivating treasures. Travel to the heart of Anatolia, the enchanting world of volcanic rock formations where early Christian converts sought shelter from Roman legions. Here, local vintners continue to produce wine just as their ancestors have for more than 3,000 years. Visit 2,000-year-old rock-hewn villages and learn about the region’s distinctive culture, which traces its roots to Biblical times. Accommodations for two nights will be in the deluxe CAPPADOCIA CAVE RESORT, an intimate property nestled amid the rock formations of Ushisar in the heart of the National Park of Göreme. This Post-Program Option also includes flights to and from Cappadocia, two nights in Istanbul’s deluxe CEYLAN INTERCONTINENTAL and inclusive guided tours of the city’s magnificent landmarks from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to Topkapi Palace. Option available at additional cost. Complete details will be included with your reservation confirmation.

Your Northwestern Host

Alan K. Cubbage (GJ78, GJ87) is the vice president of University Relations at Northwestern University, located in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois. He is responsible for the university’s media relations, publications, marketing and communications activities, as well as the university’s top-level web presence. Alan serves as the university’s chief public spokesman and is responsible for crisis communications management. He has worked extensively in both traditional and new media.  In addition, Alan supervises the university’s alumni magazine, Northwestern, the faculty/staff newspaper, Northwestern News, the electronic alumni newsletter, and the electronic internal newsletter. He also assists in the university’s community relations efforts and was in charge of the celebration of Northwestern’s Sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of Northwestern’s founding.

Alan is also an adjunct lecturer in Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and in Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, teaching public relations and integrated marketing communications. He speaks at conferences on topics ranging from crisis communications to branding to effective usage of electronic communications.

Alan received his undergraduate degree in communications from Grinnell College in Iowa, and holds two master’s degrees, one in journalism and one in advertising, from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. He also holds a law degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and is a member of the Illinois Bar.

A life-long Chicago Cubs fan, Alan suffered through a disappointing season last year, but has high hopes for this year. He will be accompanied on the trip by his wife, Charlotte Cubbage.