Point 1: NASA: Kennedy Space Center Tour

First, we’ll be spending the day (August 19) at Cape Canaveral touring the historic Kennedy Space Center. We will travel as a group and tour the exhibits, historic launch sites, and we’ll have lunch with an Astronaut! SkepTours will provide group rates at a hotel in the area. For more info, click here.

Point 2: Challenging the Bermuda Triangle

Then, we’ll climb aboard the Monarch of the Seas for five days cruising through the infamous Bermuda Triangle. We will tempt fate by breaking as many superstitious rules as we can while we visit Nassau, Coco Cay, and have a day of interesting activities on board. We’ll also learn the history of the Bermuda Triangle, why ships and planes disappear here, and maybe we’ll have an incident of our own! For more info, click here.

Point 3: Secrets of Epcot

Finally. we’ll spend a day at Epcot, where we’ll not only enjoy the pleasure of touring with our fellow curiosity seekers, but we’ll also have a private tour discussion the history and oddities found within Epcot itself. If you choose to spend the night, we’ll help you out with finding  a room. For more info, click here.

You can do one, two or all three of these trips!

These trips are all separate. NASA and Epcot require no registration – just drop jeff@skeptours.com a line and let him know you’ll be there. The cruise, of course, does require registration.

We’ll be taking the Space Pass Plus tour, which includes:

• Kennedy Space Center Admission Ticket
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
• U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
• KSC Up Close Tour where you get to go inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (This has been closed to the public for over 30 years!)
• A visit to the Rocket Garden, where you can get up close an personal with an example of many different types of rocket

I’ve secured tickets for all of us, so please don’t buy any. Each of you will need to give me $70 (cost) at some point unless we’ve made other arrangements. They’re unfortunately very disorganized, but I can promise that we’ll DEFINITELY be seeing the launch pads and the Vehicle Assembly Building, as well as all the stuff included in the standard tour. There is a chance we’ll get an up close look at the shuttle Atlantis, but information varies as they’re moving things around. Our tour time is 12:00, so my plan is to get there early, see some stuff, do the tour (two hours), grab some lunch and then see the rest. We’ll meet for dinner at a restaurant on the beach (TBD).

IF YOU ARE MEETING US AT NASA:

Be at the ticket pavilion at 10:00am on Sunday, August 19th. I’ll have my flag.

IF YOU ARE MEETING AT COCOA BEACH HOTELS

Meet as at La Quinta at 9am. We’ll find rides for everyone. There should be enough cars amongst us, and if there isn’t, we’ll figure something out. NASA isn’t very far away, and I can do shuttle runs if necessary. If you have a car and can help carry some folks, that would be great.

To book, call 1-800-794-SHIP (7447).

Point 2 of the Triangle Tour could be a little “dangerous.”

Put your skepticism to the test! Ships and planes have been disappearing in the Caribbean region known as the Bermuda Triangle for hundreds of years. Columbus reported strange lights here, an entire squadron of Navy Avengers has yet to be found over 65 years after their departure, and even those on land aren’t safe, as two lighthouse keepers have been missing for decades.

All of the above are true statements, but as you’re very likely aware, there’s much more to the story. Join us as we brave these waters and see for ourselves what lies in store.

And to up the ante, we’ll be having a “superstition party” during our voyage. Mirrors will break, salt will be spilled, and cracks will be stepped on.

Will we return? Maybe.

Our voyage starts in Port Canaveral, conveniently located near Orlando International Airport. From there, we’ll head south to Nassau, capital of the Bahamas. On shore, we’ll experience glass bottom boats and a rarity on cruises – we’ll have some time on a Caribbean beach at night.

Next, we’re off to the private island of Little Stirrup Cay, now known as Coco Cay. Part of the Berry Islands, this small jewel is now a private retreat featuring extraordinary snorkeling from white beaches, a straw market, and extensive nature trails.

Even first time snorkelers can find a wide variety of tropical fish and coral, as well as anchors, cannons, sunken ships, and even an airplane or two – earlier victims of the triangle.

We leave from Port Canaveral, convenient not only to the famous NASA facility but also not far from Orlando International Airport and the Disney mega-complex.  World-famous Cocoa Beach is nearby.

Our first port is in Nassau, capital of the Bahamas. We’ll spend a full day exploring this

What Lurks Beneath? Find Out...

Caribbean paradise, with options for glass bottom boat excursions, shopping in the hay market, and the chance to enjoy unusual local cuisine such as conch, grouper or guava duff.

From there, we head to the private island of Little Stirrup Cay, also known as Coco Cay. Here’s we’ll frolic in the sun and discover ship wrecks and doomed aircraft, explore the jungle and enjoy beach side refreshments and a BBQ. Island residents will be there in the straw market, and live calypso music will fill the air.

On our return, we’ll spend a day at sea enjoying each other’s company, braving the rock wall, and listening to talks. Would you like to give a talk? You can – SkepTours has a tradition of allowing travelers to also be presenters.

On board, we’ll share meals together and create bonds that only traveling can provide.

Pricing includes the following:

• Cruise fare
• Taxes
• Port charges
• All meals onboard (including room service)
• Tips for room stewards and dining room staff
• Most onboard activities (shows, rock climbing wall, etc)
• Snorkeling (equipment rental available)

Pricing doesn’t include:

• Alcohol and bar drinks
• Spa Services
• Excursions

There are three cabin types available:

	Inside Cabins- Standard cabins feature convertible twin/queen bed, TV, phone and private bath.  $415.45 per person, double-occupancy. (Third persons possible at a lower rate.)
	Outside Cabins- Standard cabins feature convertible twin/queen bed, TV, phone and private bath. They also feature a large window. $465.45 per person, double-occupancy. (Third persons possible at a lower rate.)
	Junior Suites- Larger cabins with a generous seating area, these cabins also feature spacious balconies. They’re located on the highest decks, which provide the best views. $765.45 per person, double-occupancy. (Third persons possible at a lower rate.)

To book, call 1-800-794-SHIP (7447).

Questions? E-mail jeff@skeptours.com.

Single cabins are available at slightly less than double the double-occupancy rate.

Final payment is due June 1, 2012. Bookings made after this date must be paid in full.

Travel insurance is always recommended. Call for details.
Deposits are fully refundable until June 1st. After that, a pro-rated scale set by the cruise company determines refund amount.

Everyone loves Walt Disney World, but do you know the history behind the attractions? For this trip, we’ll focus on Epcot, which was originally designed to be an entire city, and still retains some of those features today.

The morning will be spent on our own getting acquainted with Epcot. Visit the World Showcase or see what it’s like to command a capsule at Mission: SPACE. Visit Spaceship Earth and learn about the history of communication, or take a Segway tour if you’re feeling especially adventurous.

In the afternoon, we’ll gather at a centrally located area and start a walking tour around the entire park to talk about its interesting history.

Learn about some of the following:

• Disney’s original vision
• Talking water fountains
• Where some ofthe parks food comes from
• How a bucket was needed for the park to run
•  Why Epcot used to be EPCOT
• Which well-known SciFi character was supposedly living here
• How you can SCUBA dive in an attraction
• Several of world records set here
• Lost Rides

After the walking tour, those who wish can remain for dinner and the fireworks display. As pricing for EPCOT varies depending on may factors, SkepTours will not be providing tickets. We’ll meet

inside the park at 2:00 in front of the Mexico pyramid. There is NO CHARGE for the tour, but you are responsible for your own park tickets and expenses.

To sign up, send an e-mail to jeff@skeptours.com.

Pre and Post Tour Info:

Pre-Tour

We’ll be arranging a tour in Quito and the surrounding area on March 26th. We’re hoping to visit the marketplace, the equator, and to have lunch at a volcano. Also, if we’re lucky, we’ll get to try the local delicacy, cuy. While it’s not hard to find outside of Ecuador, it is hard to find it prepared just this way in the U.S., Canada or the UK. Pricing is still up in the air, but we’re aiming for around $50 a person. You’ll need to fly in a day earlier and get another hotel night.

Post-Tour

You’re coming to Ecuador, why not visit the Amazon Rainforest? We have a chance to visit the unique Sacha Lodge for a bit of eco-tourism on a black water lake. After a flight over the top of the Andes in a small plane, we’ll take a motorized canoe up the river, and then walk for about 30 minutes (porters carry the luggage). From there, we’ll be paddled in non-motorized canoes across the lake to get to the lodge. Guides will be on hand in the well-equipped facility to coordinate our daily activities as we explore the surrounding jungle and river way. Definitely not luxurious; the emphasis is on wildlife viewing and not on creature comforts, however this is the most comfortable lodge of its kind.  There are private baths in the hut-like rooms and the meals are very good. 4 days/3 nights Friday to Monday. The trip leaves and comes back to Quito. Pricing will be near $1250 per person, with a 50% supplement if you want to travel as a single. Triples are available.

Starting at $2000 per person, including airfare from Quito to the Islands.

When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1831, he had no idea that what he saw there would cause him to change the world. When we travel to the Galapagos in March 2013, we’ll be able to appreciate them in ways Darwin never could.

Our home for this incredible voyage will be the Motor Yacht Coral 1, which we will have all to ourselves. Our guides are Galapagos natives, who will lead us daily on wet and dry tours of these amazing islands.

Our adventures will not be limited to the islands themselves, as we’ll be swimming and snorkeling with the curious wildlife that abounds. You will dive with sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, and other creatures, and they’ll be as curious about you as you are about them.

After the day’s adventure, we’ll return to the Coral 1 for cocktails and gourmet meals made with native meats and produce. Evenings are spent gazing at strange constellations, watching lava gulls fish for squid, and socializing in the lounge on board. Group activities will be scheduled as interests and energy levels dictate.

Space is EXTREMELY limited, and we’re running on a strictly first come, first served basis. If you’re at all interested, consider putting down a deposit and reserve your cabin. Deposits are fully refundable until July 31st, 2012.

Dates

The flight from Quito to Baltra departs the morning of Wednesday, March 27th. We will return the afternoon of Sunday, March 31st. Depending on flight schedules, you may wish to spend a day or two in Quito on either side of the trip. We’ll help arrange hotels and side tours.

Itinerary

While the final itinerary is subject to change, we’re scheduled to visit the following ports of call:

• Baltra
• Venice
• Rabida
• Egas Port
• Tangus Cove
• Batholomew
• Black Turtle Cove
• Charles Darwin Station

Ship

The Motor Yacht Coral 1 was built in Germany and completely refitted in 2005. She is fully outfitted with the latest safety and navigational equipment. Her maximum speed is 12 knots, which is more than enough to take us through these picturesque islands. Cabins are modern and efficient, and while they’re a little smaller than you might find on a large cruise liner, they all have private baths and beds that convert from queen to twins depending on the desires of the occupants. (Cozy cabins have a non-convertible full-sized bed.)

The lounge is rich with wood and brass, and features a well-stock bar, library and computer with Internet access (fee). Our meals will be in the separate dining room, and there’s also a small boutique if you’ve forgotten something. For the best views, however, you’ll want to be outside on the multi-level deck which features a BBQ, hot tub, and many lounge chairs.

In Galapagos, smaller is better. A smaller ship has less impact on the environment, and less impact on you as well. There will be no long lines, no getting lost in the crowd, and you’ll have a real chance to bond with your fellow travelers as well as the local fauna.

Cabins

All cabins have their own bathrooms, flat screen TV and telephones.

What’s Included

• A berth on the Coral I
• All meals on board
• All tours, guided by highly-trained local naturalists
• Onboard programming
• Airfare from Quito to Baltra ($500*)
• Transfers to and from Baltra Airport
• Park Entrance Fee ($100)
• Fuel Surcharge ($100)
• Various Taxes and Fees

*Airline tickets are issued 30 days before the voyage, and there is the small chance of a surcharge if prices are unusually high.

What’s Not Included

• Airfare to Quito from your home airport
• Tips
• Alcoholic beverages and other bar drinks
• Snorkel equipment rental, including wet suit (nominal charge)
• Hotel and transfers in Quito, if required
• Travel insurance, highly recommended

Details

$500 per person refundable* deposit is required to reserve a berth. You will be given the opportunity to choose your specific cabin on a first come, first served. A second payment of $1000 will be due by August 31st, 2012, and the final payment will be due November 30th, 2012.

*Deposit is refundable up until August 31st, however if you decide you’re not going to be able to join us, please let us know ASAP so we can free the cabin for someone else.

PaymentPlease call 312-569-9244 or e-mail jeff@skeptours.com to arrange payment. Because this is a charter, we are forced to add 3% to any credit card payments. Checks are gladly accepted.

Questions? Any questions at all, please contact Jeff Wagg at jeff@skeptours.com

Deck Plan

Click to enlarge.

In cooperation with Chicago Skeptics, SkepTours is proud to promote George’s return to the midwest.

A gathering of the Midwestern skeptical tribes will convene at a classic of Midwestern tourist destinations, House on the Rock. Saturday, March 31-Sunday, April 1st in Spring Green, WI.

Saturday will be planned for a tour of House on the Rock. It’s an extended museum of antiques, faux antiques, interesting objects, optical illusions, a giant carousels, music machines, architectural interest, roadside attraction that played a central role in Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”. It is a truly unique piece of Americana.

Saturday night will be George Hrab’s concert at the House on the Rock Resort nearby.  Appetizers included, cash bar. And Geo! Yay!

For those who do stay overnight, a fun Sunday excursion might be Cave of the Mounds, which is about a half hour from House on the Rock, and where I first learned the difference between stalactites and stalagmites as a wee child.

Ticket price for Geo is $20 with a very generous sliding scale for those who can’t afford that (i.e. if you can’t afford it, let me know.; tour cost for House on the Rock is $20-ish); lodging for those staying over Sat to Sun looks like it’ll cost somewhere between $45-$115 depending on what you want.

Buy Tickets Now!

SkepTours is pround to present the College of Curiosity,  an event designed to broaden your horizons and open your mind. This all-day event is held at the legendary St. Louis City Museum, which is part fun house, part art museum, and absolutely like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Our seasoned faculty, made up of scientists, artists, writers, doctors and magicians will lead us through the following and so much more:

• Climb out of an airplane and into another. Oh yes, they’re in the air
• See the world’s largest pencil
• Explore tunnels, tree houses, and caves that cover acres of indoor space
• Taste foods in a completely new way. Drink lemon juice and enjoy it!
• Learn about bizarre radio stations and unexplained sounds
• Find out what it’s like to be abducted by aliens
• Learn how you can explore space from your bedroom
• Realize that you can do incredible math in your head
• Keep your secrets to yourself, and then have someone whisper them to you
• Defy gravity in several different ways

Our Faculty includes:

• Mentalist Jonny Zavant
• Skeptologist Brian Dunning
• Mathemagician Ethan Brown
• Doctor Jennifer Newport
• Alien Expert Kitty Mervine
• Radio Astronomer Nicole “Noisy Astronomer” Gugliucci
• and Instigator Jeff Wagg

This event truly defies description, and that’s why you need to visit CollegeOfCuriosity.com today and see for yourself.

Our Group Scaling the Falls in Ocho Rios

SkepTours are advetures for the curious mind. We find that traveling with like-minded people can be a much richer experience than traveling with a general group. Activities are geared towards science and curiosity, and everyone gets a chance to address the with a talk or presentation should they wish to.

Despite our commonalities, our groups are diverse. It’s typical to find someone in their 80′s sitting at a table with someone in their 20′s discussing the latest trends in genetics or simply swapping stories.

People who attend a SkepTour make friends for life. Many of our travelers have already been on one or more journeys, and we’re confident you’ll have the same positive experience.

We are your tribe… and we’re on the move.

Come with us!

General questions are welcome at jeff@skeptours.com or by calling 1-800-794-SHIP (7447). We can also arrange individual cruises or package tours for your group or family. We book with all major cruise lines and tour companies. We are a division of Absolutely Cruising!, a travel agency with 30 years experience based in Boston, MA.

A Stone from the Witch Memorial

By special arrangement with the American Humanist Association, SkepTours’ Jeff Wagg will be leading a tour to the site of the infamous “Witch Hysteria” of 1692. This trip is only available for attendees of the American Humanist Association’s 70th Annual Conference in Cambridge, MA.

We’ve arranged a special private tour of the Rebecca Nurse homestead in Danvers (Salem Village). This historic structure was the home of one of the accused.

Jeff grew up in Salem in the Witchcraft Heights section of the city and has an insider’s viewpoint of the tragedy and its aftermath.

From the AHA:

Join fellow conference attendees for a bus trip to Salem, Massachusetts to explore the history of the “witch hysteria” and the role religious belief played in it. Your tour guide, Jeff Wagg, is the owner of SkepTours, an agency based in Boston which organizes tours geared toward skeptics and freethinkers. Participants will be picked up at the hotel at 1:00pm on Sunday, April 10 after the conference (boxed lunch provided) and visit key sites in Salem, including The Witch House, The House of Seven Gables, Gallows Hill, the Witch Hysteria Memorial, and others. The cost is $89 per person and includes transportation, admission to sites, a boxed lunch, and a copy of the House of Seven Gables or The Crucible. This tour is limited to 50 guests, so sign up early!

The Home of Rebecca Nurse, Accused Witch

For more information on the conference, please visit this link. For questions specific to the Salem tour, please contact jeff@skeptours.com.

Celebrity Century

On March 19th, 2011, a group of inquisitive travelers set sail from Miami, though the completely debunked Bermuda Triangle, and landed at Ocho Rios, Jamaica and George Town, Grand Cayman. Upon the return, a few of the survivors experienced the Jungle Queen in Fort Lauderdale and the essential happy hour at Mai Kai.

The voyage started innocently at the Howard Johnson’s at Miami Airport. This informal gathering featured a lively discussion at the hotel lobby bar followed by table dancing by the ladies in the impromptu Latino-disco night club.

All Dressed Up and Heading to Jamaica

The following morning, a shuttle ride brought the group to our home for the next five nights: Celebrity Century. She’s the smallest of the Celebrity fleet (Xpedition excluded) but her understated charm and quirky themes delighted everyone.

It's Sushi Thirty!

Our first night found us at the aptly-named Sunset Bar on the back of the ship watching for the “green flash” as Sol was consumed by the sea. Twyla jumped on a chair to see if she could see the sun over the horizon if she jumped high enough. Jeff led everyone in a toast, and announced that traveler Reed Esau had been voted President of the newly formed Independent Investigations Group in Denver. Then it was off to dinner.

Starthinker Shows His Artistic Side

Food aboard Celebrity was excellent with reasonable portions and an interesting menu. Escargot and frog’s legs rounded out various preparations of beef and chicken. After the meal, we returned to the deck to observe the Super Moon, which cast a glow upon us as well as on the ocean.

The Color-Changing Ice Bar

The next morning, we were in the conference room listening to lectures. Jeff led us off with a talk about the various ports we would be visiting and an explanation of what was in the “goody boxes.”  The included towels sure came in handy later in the week, and Jeff enjoyed the Peggy Lawton cookies even if no one else did.

David Green gave a talk on how the patent process works and how the records can be useful for skeptics and misused by conspiracy theorists. Thermite in the World Trade Center? Not likely. And H1N1 is more than just a type of flu.

We're On a Boat!

Next up was Dr. Jennifer Newport who led a discussion on what it means to be a skeptic. This would be a theme for the entire cruise, as many impromptu conversations centered around this concept. Why do we identify as skeptics and how did we get here?

After lunch, Adam Levenstein talked about Archaeology and the Mormons, pointing out some embarrassing facts about the Mormon’s “Book of Abraham.” Joseph Smith supposedly translated this work from “reformed Egyptian,” but it seems much more likely that he made up his tale from whole cloth. Or papyrus in this case.

Reformed Egyptian or Revisionist Bullshit?

And then we had a field trip to Michael’s Room to attend a talk by one of the ship’s acupuncturists. “Pricky,” as we’ll call him, said a few things of questionable veracity (Such as – The AMA regulates acupuncture). When some in our group asked him about these things, he got quite upset and started shouting. Finally, he lost his cool altogether and stormed off while intoning “you’re very disrespectful” over and over again. In fact, we weren’t disrespectful. It might be considered disrespectful to give people incorrect information and then charge them $150 to stick needles in them according to a map based on Chinese rivers made a little over 100 years ago. But hey, I could be biased.

And then… the first of many Sushi Thirties. Every evening at 5:30, unlimited sushi was available in the Windjammer cafe, and several of us at a bit more than our fill.

James Bond Pier from Our Balcony

The next morning, we awoke in Jamaica near the famed James Bond pier which featured prominently in the ending of the movie Dr. No. After a bit of coordination, we loaded in a van and headed to Dunn’s River Falls, which the more intrepid of us climbed. Paperskater, undeterred by the declaration that we should climb the falls in an orderly fashion while holding hands, headed to the most difficult parts of the climb, with a few of us following. Amazingly, none of us died and we all made it to the top. One traveler said “This was a highlight of my life,” and that’s understandable as there are few places where you can embrace the scenery in such a direct way.

Dunn's River Falls and THE Flag

We had a break at Margaritaville where Starthinker and Twyla were fed alcohol by a man wandering around with liquor bottles, and Jeff, David Green and Thomas braved the twisty slide into the pool (complete with swim up bar.) Jeff regained his virginity during this process, but that’s a tale for another time.

Bathing Facilities Were Rather Primitive

Back on board, we sailed towards Grand Cayman while watching Dr. No in the conference room. Several of the crew created a “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ vibe that made it a very enjoyable event.

Jeff and Dave, Ready for Adventure

With the dawn came the stingrays… hundreds of them. We boarded the private tour vessel Sea Hunt for a trip to Stingray City, where we got up close and personal with the large, slimy beasts. Once again we were embracing the scenery, but this time the scenery embraced us back. No one was stung, but a couple of us were bit while we fed them pieces of squid.

"Are you Sushi?

After that, a few of us headed to Hell followed by drinks at the ubiquitous Hard Rock Cafe. Oh, what do we mean by Hell? Well, Hell is actually on Grand Cayman. You’ll get there soon enough. Twyla saw a recruiting station for Kentucky Fried Chicken as well.

Hell.

The following day, we were back in the conference room. Jeff talked about women pirates, and the difference between “history” and “herstory.”  Twyla Gill followed with a presentation on why we know vaccines don’t cause autism, and Reed Esau finished the morning by explaining the pathologies of “I don’t know.” This turned into a spirited discussion that was carried over into an evening recording session for Rational Alchemy.

Naomi Explaining the Fracking Details

And our last speaker was Naomi Baker, who explained what fracking was, and why it has nothing to do with Cylons. There were bad guys in this story though, the producers of the film Gasland, who seem at odds with the facts and data.

Finally, our photo contest proclaimed Thomas and Patrick co-winners. Thomas’s video of stingrays and an “unidentified beast” impressed half the audience, while Patrick’s artistic shot of the group watching the Super Moon entranced the others.

Paperskater Discovers the Wonders of Scotch

A final drink at the sunset bar provided farewells for many, but a few went up to Fort Lauderdale to experience the Jungle Cruise. While there isn’t much jungle anymore, we did get to see Stephen Spielberg’s yacht as well as Paul Allen’s “boat.” OK, it had a helicopter on it, but it was still tiny next to Spielberg’s vessel. We also stopped and watched some alligator wrestling and some sad monkeys in cages.

After that, we adjourned to the Mai Kai for some tiki drinks and appetizers. There’s no better way to end a trip, and there are no better people to travel with than SkepTourists. We’ll see you on the next one.