Cruises and tours

By Dorcas Taylor

PASADENA—The WCG will once again offer group travel this fall—an Eastern Caribbean cruise, a Mexican Riviera cruise, a Grand Canyon group tour and a Russian tour group.

The Eastern Caribbean cruise will take place Oct. 11 to 18 on the MS Zaandam. We will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, a site made famous for rocket launches. Those who would like to take an extra few days can tour the Kennedy Space Center and take in the attractions at Walt Disney World, Epcot Center and Universal Studios.

Our first port of call is Philipsburg, St. Marten. Half of the island is Dutch, and the other half is French. Our next port will be St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free shopping extravaganza. This is the place to buy souvenirs of every description, cameras, jewelry, watches and perfume. Our final port will be Holland America’s privately owned island of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. This is the perfect place to snorkel (the water is crystal clear), sunbathe or enjoy an afternoon barbecue.

Inspirational worship services will be conducted on board, and we will have plenty of free time for fellowship. This group tour is offered to the church at a generous 56 percent off full tariff. Prices start at $612 plus port charges and taxes.

Join Joseph and Tammy Tkach and family along with Russell and Phyllis Duke on this Mexican Riviera cruise that departs from San Diego, California. Our first port of call will be Cabo San Lucas, where you have an entire day to enjoy the sites. Here you can search for gray whales or go kayaking.

Next we’re off to Mazatlan to enjoy another full day of experiencing the city. You can go horseback riding or explore the historic colonial villages in the Sierra Madres. Our final stop is Puerto Vallarta, where you can take a jungle tour or shop, especially for different offerings of folk art.

Worship services will be conducted on board the ship. This seven-day tour is Oct. 13 to 20 aboard Holland America’s MS Ryndam. Prices start at $658 plus port charges and taxes.

This land-based group tour by luxury coach visits some of the most spectacular scenery in the world—the Grand Canyon and several national parks. We travel by motor coach to the Grand Canyon. From there we go on to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion National Parks and Monument Valley.

This Western-themed tour will include all motor coach transportation, admission fees for all National Parks, all meals (with the exception of a lunch or two), accommodations in first-class hotels (where available) and gratuities for guides and drivers. Our ministerial team is Neil and Susan Earle, who will arrange worship services on select days.

The tour is Oct. 12 to 19, and prices will be about $1,295 per person based on double occupancy.

For the first time this year we are forming a group tour of the historic and cultural sites of Moscow and St. Petersburg. John and Pat Halford will be our ministerial team on this trip and will be joined by Ron and Norva Kelly. Together they will conduct worship services and be tour guides for the group.

This is an all-inclusive land program that leaves the United States Oct. 9 and returns Oct. 17. The land price is $1,395 per person based on double occupancy and includes meals, lodging, visa expenses, motor coach, tour site entry fees and local tour guide tips. Group airfare from the United States is also available through Travel Gallery, or participants can arrange their own.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003