Semester at Sea: A Floating Campus
Semester at Sea is the best-known academic voyage in the world: a full college semester taught aboard a ship as it sails between countries. It is run by the Institute for Shipboard Education and sponsored by Colorado State University, which the program describes as its academic partner. Courses meet on sea days, and in port the learning moves ashore through field classes and program-led trips.
It is not a cruise in the vacation sense. Students apply, enroll in courses and earn credit, and the shipboard community includes faculty, staff and their families as well as students. But because so many people search for it alongside educational cruises, we explain how it works and who it suits.
How a Voyage Works
Voyages run in the fall and spring. The program’s schedule shows, for example, a Fall 2026 voyage from September 9 to December 22 and a Spring 2027 voyage from January 5 to April 20. Itineraries are announced well ahead and sometimes adjusted; check Semester at Sea for current routes.
The ship has been the MV World Odyssey, which the program says remains its campus through the spring 2028 voyage. Semester at Sea has announced a new shipboard campus from the fall 2028 voyage.
Who Semester at Sea Is For
| Traveler | How they take part |
|---|---|
| Undergraduates | Take a semester of courses for credit, usually transferring it to their home university |
| Gap-year students and recent graduates | Sail before or after college as part of the program’s student body |
| International students | Join from universities outside the United States |
| Lifelong learners | Sail as adult participants, attending classes and port programs |
| Faculty and staff | Teach or work aboard, sometimes with family |
The program has also announced a partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Colorado State University, reflecting its interest in adult learners alongside students.
Before You Apply
- Talk to your home university about how credits will transfer.
- Ask the program what the fees cover — tuition, cabin, meals and field programs — and what is extra.
- Look at the program’s financial aid and scholarship pages early; deadlines come well before sailing.
- Check the passport and visa needs for every country on the itinerary.
Semester at Sea is booked through the program itself, not through a cruise agency. If you want a shorter learning voyage as a family or as an adult, see educational cruises for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea is a study-abroad program run by the Institute for Shipboard Education and sponsored by Colorado State University. Students take college courses on a ship that sails between countries, with field classes in port.
When do Semester at Sea voyages sail?
The program runs fall and spring voyages. Its own site lists, for example, a Fall 2026 voyage from September 9 to December 22 and a Spring 2027 voyage from January 5 to April 20, with later voyages scheduled. Check the program for current dates and itineraries.
Can adults who are not students go on Semester at Sea?
Yes. The program has a lifelong learners option, and it lists gap-year students, recent graduates, international students and faculty and staff among the people it is designed for.
How much does Semester at Sea cost?
We do not quote fees because they change by voyage and cabin. The program publishes its own costs and financial aid and scholarship information; apply and ask through Semester at Sea directly.
Prefer a Shorter Learning Voyage?
If a full semester is too long, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can suggest shorter educational cruises with strong enrichment programs, with free quotes.
Suggest a Learning Cruise