{DSN08 logo}   DSN 2008
The 38th Annual IEEE/IFIP International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks

June 24-27, 2008
Anchorage, Alaska, USA

 

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Previous Conferences:
DSN 2007
DSN 2006
DSN 2005
DSN 2004
DSN 2003
DSN 2002
DSN 2001

Excursion Information

The excursion and banquet for DSN 2008 will be a special version of the 26 Glacier Cruise on Prince William Sound, including a visit to see Surprise Glacier. Our special version will include a very nice multi-course buffet dinner with drink tickets, and a reduced total time on the water to be back at the hotel by midnight. For more information on the cruise, please see http://www.26glaciers.com. All pictures on this page were taken by the General Chair on the same ship we are using (click on pictures for wallpaper-size versions).

Families, friends, and especially kids are very welcome to come on the excursion -- it is a an experience kids will remember for a lifetime! (See the registration page for details and please book early. Unfortunately we won't be able to provide last-minute tickets due to advance head count requirements of the excursion operator. We have arranged a signficantly reduced price for children.)

The Sights:

[From the 26 Glaciers Web Site]: "The 26 Glacier Cruise travels over 135 miles into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 “named” glaciers and many more unnamed. We get face to face with these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blues hues. On the 26 Glacier Cruise, you'll see several types of glaciers, including Alpine (hanging), Piedmont and Tidewater. Glacier calvings (when broken pieces of ice fall into the water and become icebergs) are normally seen on each cruise."

"It’s not just about the ice – it's very common to see sea otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions and whales – humpback and orca – during the cruise. You may also spot bear, mountain goats and bald eagles. At the end of the trip we stop at a bird rookery which is home to thousands of Kittiwakes."

  {hanging glacier}
{short description of image}  

Schedule:
Thursday June 26, 2008. Here is an approximate schedule; please be sure to re-check this schedule at the time of the conference in case there are minor changes:

  • 5 PM: buses depart Hilton (available for boarding at approximately 4:45 PM). Don't be late -- there is a one-lane tunnel on the journey that adheres to a fixed timetable. If a bus waits for stragglers it won't make it through the tunnel, and will miss the boat. Please be on time for the bus!
  • 7 PM: vessel leaves dock in Whittier
  • 10:30 PM: vessel docks in Whittier
  • 11:40 PM: sunset (which means we'll have daylight for the entire cruise)
  • Midnight: buses return to Hilton

Tickets:
This is a private cruise -- we have booked the entire ship. The only way to get tickets is via the DSN registration page. All full conference attendees will receive one ticket as part of their registration fee (including students!). You can purchase additional tickets at slightly below cost from us in advance. Very few tickets, if any, will be available at the last minute. Refunds for unused tickets will not be possible (we're paying based on advance head count, whether tickets are used or not.) So, please plan ahead!

Here is the planned menu (subject to change):
Assorted Passed Canapés: Spanakopitas, Goat Cheese Crostinis, Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce, Assorted Cheeses, Reindeer Sausage en Croute
Buffet Dinner: Caesar Salad, Tossed with Croutons, Dressing and Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Fresh Rolls and Butter, Oven Roasted Salmon Filet with Sautéed Leeks and Apples, Lemon Hollandaise; Breast of Chicken Roulade, Filled with Herbs and Asiago Cheese; Roast Sirloin of Beef, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Fresh Sautéed Asparagus, Scalloped Potatoes, Assorted Petite Desserts, Coffee Service

   {short description of image}
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Clothing:
Prince William Sound and Glaciers make their own weather. So the weather on the excursion will likely be very different than the weather in Anchorage.All seats are in a fully enclosed, heated interior, but the best viewing is outside on deck. The water is generally calm, and the catamaran hull of this ship provides superior stability, so seasickness is unlikely to be problem unless you are very sensitive. You should plan to bring or wear:

  • Business casual attire. (Jeans are OK for kids.)
  • Rubber-soled shoes if possible so you don't slip on the deck. Avoid spike-heeled shoes.
  • A lightweight hooded raincoat. A light drizzle at some point in the excursion is likely. Umbrellas aren't that useful due to wind.
  • A warmth layer (fleece, sweatshirt, sweater) that fits under the raincoat.
  • A set of thin gloves.

Transportation:
We will provide motor coach transportation and strongly recommend against driving yourself. There is a long, one-way tunnel leading to Whittier with a strict timetable. If you miss the tunnel window you usually have to wait a half hour to get another chance to go through it. If you must drive, the 26 Glaciers web site has detailed information on how to do that. Plan to be at the tunnel at the beginning of the window in your direction, not a the last minute!

Ship Information:

[From the 26 Glaciers Web Site]: "The Klondike Express is the largest, fastest and most luxurious catamaran in all of Alaska. This 137-foot, high-speed catamaran holds 342 passengers on three decks, two of which are enclosed and heated. The Klondike Express is a non-smoking vessel. Comfortable upholstered booths with tables are available for all passengers and the large picture windows provide a view from every seat. A saloon, snack bar, gift shop and seven restrooms are a few of the other amenities available to our glacier cruise passengers. Nichol’s Bros. Boat Builders of Freeland Washington constructed the Klondike Express. This unique vessel cruises at 38 knots and has a top speed of 42 knots, which is equal to 50 mph land-speed. Its first-class design provides our passengers luxurious comfort and incredible viewing experiences." Additionally, for our excursion there will be a buffet meal with drink tickets, and additional drinks available at the cash bar.

The ship has limited capacity. If the trip is oversubscribed we will attempt to make alternate, comparable arrangements for additional attendees and guests.

{surprise glacier}
Sponsored by:
{IEEE}
{IFIP}
  IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Dependable Computing and Fault Tolerance
IFIP WG 10.4 on Dependable Computing and Fault Tolerance
In Cooperation With:
{Carnegie Mellon}   Carnegie Mellon University

Contact us: {e-mail address}(sorry, but to reduce spam you must type in this address rather than click on it).