Southern Currents
December 4 - 11, 2013 Eight Days From $2,395 pp
A Journey By Small Ship: Charleston South Carolina To Jacksonville Florida.
Discover the charms and history of the American south on this Southern Antebellum adventure cruise! From serene South Carolina to sunny Florida, the south’s warm embrace invites you to sitback and relax on your Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean small ship cruise. We have always been big fans of small ship cruising. With an intimate setting, guests become acquainted quickly, the crew learn your preferences promptly and small ships can dock in places large mega-cruise ships can only dream of. So it is with the perfect December getaway, right before the busy holiday season, on an itinerary that is quite lovely. We begin in one of our favorite cities, beautiful Charleston and nicer still, enjoy an overnight in this gracious city right aboard our small ship. We then meander down the Intracoastal waterway calling at Beaufort, South Carolina, magical Savannah, Georgia and Brunswick Georgia before a rare call at Jekyll Island and an even rarer visit to St Marys, Georgia, before our arrival in sunny Jacksonville. In addition to the Intracoastal waterway we will cruise the Beaufort and Savannah Rivers, the gorgeous St Johns River in Florida, St Andrews and St Simons Sound and the aptly named Turtle River. Our ship is as special as our ports, the 88 passenger Grande Mariner, offering comfortable cabins, tasty meals and an All-American Crew, all in a casual relaxed setting. Guests reserving soon enjoy FREE round-trip Amtrak travel from any city or town east of Omaha/New Orleans, making this holiday not even convenient but a good value indeed. We look forward to welcoming you aboard this one-time Southern passage. All Aboard!
Your voyage begins in delightful Charleston, SC, a quintessential southern city with antebellum charm and modern attractions. • Travel into the heart of lowcountry to beautiful Beaufort, SC where an antebel lum dance performance teaches about the Gullah culture. • Discover romantic and mysterious Savannah, famed for its live oaks draped in Spanish moss. • An onboard presentation in Savannah discusses this vibrant city’s rich history and diverse local bird population. • In charming Brunswick, GA an onboard presentation teaches about the delicate ecosystem of the Golden Isles. • Arrive at enchanting Jekyll Island, a breathtaking coastal community known for its pristine marshes and beaches. • Sail the lovely St. Marys River and cruise along the sun-drenched coast of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. • Conclude your voyage this evening in lively downtown Jacksonville, FL.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Charleston, SC Arrive by train today and board your small ship in delightful Charleston, SC, a quintessential southern city with antebellum charm and modern attractions. Set against cobblestone streets and trademark palmettos, this postcard-perfect city delivers the ambiance of the Old South. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Discover its countless public parks, Civil War history, and why it’s called “The Holy City.” Day 2: Charleston, SC Spend a day exploring the treasures of Charleston. Marvel at the grand homes along the waterfront, take an optional guided plantation tour to elegantly manicured Magnolia Plantation, or visit the Old City Market where handmade straw baskets are on display. History buffs may want to visit Battery Park and Fort Sumter, where the first shot of the Civil War rang out in 1861.
Fares By Category: CATEGORY 1 $2,395 pp
CATEGORY 2 CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4 $2,695 pp $2,825 pp $2,975 pp Inside Stateroom Outside Stateroom Outside Stateroom Outside Stateroom Some with two Some with two Some with two Some with two twin beds or twin beds or twin beds or twin beds or double lower & double lower & double lower & double lower & single upper single upper and a single upper and a single upper and a porthole. window. window. Port taxes are $140 per person
Day 3: Beaufort, SC Travel into the heart of lowcountry to beautiful Beaufort, SC, located on Port Royal Island. Enjoy free time in this coastal city, known for its perfectly preserved antebellum estates and gardens. Or take an optional walking tour with a local expert through the historic quarter. Discover the importance of estuaries, tides, animals, and oysters from the curator of the Lowcountry Estuarium. Later this evening learn about the Gullah language and history through an Antebellum dance performance. Day 4: Savannah, GA Savannah welcomes you with her natural beauty and gracious hospitality. This treasured city has it all: art galleries, Victorian architecture, seaside eateries, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and 21 public squares. Take an optional trolley tour through the scenic streets of this unique city. Conclude the day with an onboard presentation on Savannah’s rich and storied history and its local bird population. Day 5: Brunswick, GA Relax and enjoy the southern charm and beautiful natural scenery as the ship sails from Savannah to Brunswick, GA, the Gateway to the Golden Isles. An onboard lecture this evening discusses the region’s local wildlife, birds, geology, and the coastal preservation efforts designed to protect this precious ecosystem. Day 6: Jekyll Island, GA/Amelia Island, FL Dock this morning at enchanting Jekyll Island, a breathtaking coastal community known for its pristine marshes, beaches, and abundant wildlife. An optional morning tour of the Golden Isles takes you to stunning St. Simons Island, where romantic draping moss and giant live oaks paint a spectacular natural landscape. The tour continues at Jekyll Island Turtle Center for discovery about this fascinating prehistoric animal. Enjoy lunch aboard the ship en route to lovely Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, an idyllic beach town celebrated for its Victorian architecture. Stroll through the historic quarter and the Amelia Island Museum during an optional afternoon walking tour. Return to the ship for dinner and experience a lowcountry boil cooking demonstration that will delight your senses. Day 7: St. Marys, GA Nestled on the mouth of the St. Marys River, the historic town of St. Marys, GA, offers picturesque natural scenery and a charming downtown area with unique shops and mouth-watering restaurants and cafés. An optional historic tram tour includes a visit to the Submarine Museum, where an expert introduces you to these unique vessels. This afternoon cruise along the sun-drenched Atlantic Coast toward Jacksonville, FL.
RESERVATION INFORMATION: Fares and Itineraries listed in this brochure are those in effect at time of printing. All prices listed are in US Dollars. Upon receipt of your deposit, either by phone or by mail, your reservation in confirmed. A 35% deposit of the Total Fare is required to confirm reservations aboard any tour or program. CANCELLATION PENATLITES: Cancellation penalties apply should you have to cancel for any reason, including medical, once deposit has been made: Cancellations after deposit has been made but prior to final payment are subject to a $750.00 per person penalty: cancellations 90-60 days prior to departure are subject to a 40% penalty of the Total Fare: cancellations 30-59 days prior to departure are subject to a 80% penalty of the Total Fare: cancellations 29-15 days prior to departure are subject to 90% penalty of the Total Fare: cancellations 14 days or less are subject to a 100% penalty of the Total Fare. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Trip insurance is available at a modest cost and additional information may be obtained from your travel professional or the insurance carrier of your choice. We strongly suggest that you purchase travel insurance to cover 100% of your tour cost as there are no exceptions to the cancellation penalties. LOCATION NUMBER 05-3557 COMPANY NAME DBA TRAIN HOLIDAYS: D.B.A., UNCOMMON JOURNEYS, PS-UNCOMMONJOURNEYS 1.800.228.9792
Day 8: Jacksonville, FL Disembark today in Jacksonville and depart for home or extend your stay in sunny Florida.
www.ps-uncommonjourneys.com 333 Indian Canyon Dr., Ste. H, Palm Springs CA 92262
1.760.424.2205 1.888.508.3401 CST 2082870-40