This website (www.bradreynolds1.pageout.net), or handout if you are reading a hard copy, is for YOU if you are interested in taking an exciting cruise from Los Angeles (no air costs!) to three exciting Mexican ports from April 3-10, 2010, during the Spring Break (8 days and 7 nights). Our ship is the beautiful Norwegian Star, which means you will be getting the best on both land and sea! Sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles, you’ll enjoy a couple of days at sea to indulge in the pleasures of your floating resort (that includes pools, hot tubs, casino action, and more) before we hit Mexico. And when you step ashore, you’ll be provided with snorkels, fins, and scuba tanks or the jet boats, golf carts, and fishing gear you need to plunge headlong into your exciting adventure to the Mexican Riviera where you will visit ports renowned for their legendary cliff divers, lively beaches, and wild and energetic party life. This is an adventure you won’t want to miss as you enjoy the beautiful ports of:

CABO SAN LUCAS

MAZATLAN

PUERTO VALLARTA

And you can earn college credits (if you want them) for Western Civ I or II (History 101 and 102 at College of the Canyons and History 150 and 151 at CSUN), U.S. History I or II (History 111 and 112 at College of the Canyons, History 270 and 271 at CSUN, and History 1A and 1B at ECC), and/or Latin American History (History 240 at College of the Canyons and History 161 at CSUN).

Cruise prices start as low as $449, per person, quad occupancy (triples, doubles, and outside cabins are higher, and the price does not include port taxes, security fees, etc. nor tuition, books, or any fees associated with earning the college credit available in conjunction with the cruise). And you can hold your spot for as little as $100! The price includes your accommodations aboard ship, most food and entertainment aboard the ship (excluding the casino, of course!), plus your travel between ports.

The Classes

We expect to offer five optional history classes at College of the Canyons during the spring 2010 semester in conjunction with our Mexico cruise. A brief description of the history classes is listed below, but for more information you should see the syllabus for the class you want. The syllabus for each history class will be listed online at http://bradreynolds1.pageout.net by the fall of 2009. (If the class you want is not yet listed when you look for it, keep checking since it will be listed soon or you can contact Dr. Reynolds if you have questions by calling 661-362-3388 or 818-677-3565.)

Western Civ I This class covers the history of Western Civilization (Middle Eastern and European history) from the beginning of recording time to about 1500. This class is History 150 at CSUN and History 101 at COC.

Western Civ II This class covers the history of Western Civilization (Middle Eastern and European history) from about 1400 to the present. This class is History 151 at CSUN and History 101 at COC.

U.S. History I This class covers U.S. history to 1877. It is History 270 at CSUN, History 111 at COC, and History 1A at ECC.

U.S. History II This class covers U.S. history since 1865. It is History 271 at CSUN, History 112 at COC, and History 1B at ECC.

Latin American History This is a general survey of Latin American history. It is History 161 at CSUN and History 240 at COC.

The classes will be offered during the spring 2010 semester which will run from Februay to May 2010. (If you are reading this after the spring 2010 semester has started, you should contact Dr. Reynolds about getting credit for your cruise during the summer 2010 session). Several orientation meetings will be held during the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 to review class requirements and to answer all questions about the classes and the cruise (contact Dr. Reynolds if you have questions ahead of the meetings). There will also be meetings aboard the ship while we are at sea to answer your questions about the ports or the class requirements and to take exams if you like. There will also be some meetings upon our return to answer all questions for those people who cruised for class credits and to take any remaining exams. Work for the classes will include an optional research paper on the history of ports you will visit, or you can do a photo journal of the historical sites in each port you visit, or you can opt to the homework assigned to the other students in the class you are taking. Whatever you decide, your homework assignment will count as 40 percent of your class grade while each test will count as 30 percent. Again, consult your class syllabus at http://bradreynolds1.pageout.net for more details on the homework, the tests, and the texts, or contact Dr. Reynolds for more information.

THE SHIP

The cruise package includes a 8 days / 7 nights cruise on Norwegian Caribbean Line’s beautiful Norwegian Star, a ship that has 10 restaurants for your dining pleasure, open seating dining from 5:30-11 p.m., a sushi bar, a tapas bar, a full casino, a gourmet Italian restaurant, a 24 hour indoor/outdoor café, 24 hour room service, ocean view balcony staterooms if you want one, 2 pools and 6 hot tubs, an internet café, cigar lounge, sports bar, champagne bar, whisky and beer bar, card room and library, aerobics classes, a full gymnasium, a kids playroom and special kids only pool, disco, 13 bars and lounges, a jogging track, a 24 hour fitness center and Mandarin spa, video arcade, basketball/volleyball/soccer court, and nightly shows with comedians, singers, dancers, and magicians, and a movie theatre (not to mention the continuous first run movies you can watch for free in your cabin).

Plus your package includes aboard the ship: Port talks, first run movies daily in your cabin, the Captain’s welcome aboard party and farewell party, the opportunity to shop duty free aboard the ship, play ping pong, play bingo, take snorkel lessons, or JUST RELAX, plus visit three exciting Mexican ports!

THE PORTS

Cabo San Lucas

The hundreds of luxury hotel rooms along the corridor north of Cabo San Lucas (which is located at the tip of Baja, California) has transformed this formerly rustic and rowdy outpost. Although it retains boisterous party life, Cabo San Lucas is no longer the simple town Steinbeck wrote about. Once legendary for big-game fish, Cabo San Lucas now draws more people for its nearby world-class fairways and greens, and it has become one of Mexico's most elite resort destination. You will enjoy a growing roster of adventure-oriented activities, and the party life is as hot as the desert in July. A collection of popular restaurants and bars along Cabo's main street stay open and active at all hours and as fishing charters head out to sea. But despite the growth in diversions, Cabo remains more or less a one-stoplight town, with most everything located along the main strip, which means easy walking and touring for you. Aside from fishing, sports available in Cabo San Lucas include surfing, whale-watching, kayaking and boat trips to Los Arcos or uninhabited beaches. All-inclusive daytime cruises are also available on a variety of boats, including a restored pirate ship. Many of these trips include snorkeling, while serious divers have great underwater venues to explore. But while sports and partying are Cabo's main attractions, there are also a few cultural and historical points of interest that I know you want to see even if you are not going for college credit. The stone Iglesia de San Lucas (Church of San Lucas) on Calle Cabo San Lucas (close to the main plaza) was established in 1730 by the Spanish missionary Nicolás Tamaral. When you go, take a look at the large bell in a stone archway which commemorates the completion of the church in 1746. Buildings on the streets facing the main plaza are gradually being renovated to house restaurants and shops, and the picturesque neighborhood has the most Mexican ambiance in town.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta's seductive innocence will captivate you and beckon you to return – and to bring friends. Beyond the cobblestone streets, graceful cathedral, and welcoming atmosphere, Puerto Vallarta offers a wealth of natural beauty and manmade pleasures. Ecotourism activities are gaining ground, from mountain biking the Sierra foothills to whale watching, ocean kayaking, or diving with giant mantas in Banderas Bay. Twenty-six miles of beaches extend from the center of town around the bay, many tucked in pristine coves and accessible only by boat. Meanwhile, high in the Sierra Madre Mountains, the mystical Huichol Indians still live in relative isolation in an effort to protect their centuries-old culture from outside influences. The area's natural appeal aside, Puerto Vallarta also offers sophisticated services with over 250 restaurants, a sizzling party life, and enough shops and galleries to tempt even jaded consumers. Luxury shopping centers have sprung up to the north and south of the original town, allowing Vallarta to grow to a sizable city of 250,000 without sacrificing its considerable charms. Today, it boasts the services and infrastructure of a modern city as well as the authenticity of a colonial Mexican village. While there you will enjoy the cool breezes that flow down from the mountains along the Río Cuale, which runs through the center of town. The main waterfront street, or malecón, is graced with fanciful public sculptures and bordered by lively restaurants, shops, and bars. The malecón is a magnet for both residents and visitors, who stroll the broad walkway to take in an ocean breeze, a multihued sunset, or a perfect wave. The surrounding mountains offer the equivalent of a continual, comforting embrace, adding to that sense of welcome that so many visitors feel as well. You will like PV!

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a model of modern infrastructure, services, and luxury hotels, yet it retains the quintessential Mexican beach and fishing village feel. In short, it offers an ideal contrast and the best of both worlds. Those looking for luxury can head to one of the five star hotels along the beach and hang out there for the day. While those who prefer a more rustic retreat with real personality can head to the fishing port area where American fishermen seem to return year after year. The city, with a backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains and a foreground of Pacific waters, provides a full range of activities and diversions including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, bay cruises to remote beaches, and golf, among other favorites. The party life is lively and nonstop. Soak it all in!

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW

Deposits and Payments: Your deposit of $100 will hold your spot. Payment plans are available for the remaining balance and all major credit cards are accepted (with final payments due by January 15, 2010).

Literature is available regarding the ship and ports of call – ask for copies

You can bring whomever you like on the trip, or we can find you roommates of the same age and sex.

You do not have to be enrolled in a college or university to join the group, and all ages are welcome (there is a themed kid’s pool and Planet Kids program)

Inexpensive travel insurance is available and recommended if you think there is any chance that you will need to cancel your cruise after October 1 (travel insurance is required for those folks going for college credit).

HOW TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE

You can send your deposit check for $100 per person to Brad Reynolds at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Or you may pay by credit card by calling Brad Reynolds at (661) 362-3388 or (818) 677-3565, or sending him an email at breynolds@csun.edu   or brad.reynolds@canyons.edu, or drbradreynolds@gmail.com with your credit card number, expiration date, and the amount you want to charge, along with the type of cabin you want and the name(s) of the people in your cabin. The charge will show up on your credit card statement as Norwegian Cruise Line, Miami, Florida. Dr. Reynolds will also need your birthdate, passport number, phone number, address and email when you decide to sign-up if you are going for college credit. You will be billed for your final payment in December 2009 and all payments are due by January 15, 2010.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASSES

To take the classes offered with this trip you will need to enroll in the spring 2010 semester at College of the Canyons. Rgistration will start in mid-November of 2009. Enrolling is easy. Simply go to www.canyons.edu and follow the directions. If you are not a regular student at COC, you do NOT have to take any special placement tests to enroll for the travel classes! After the class finishes, you simply have your transcript sent to your regular college and you will get the three units for each history class you take.