Semester at Sea lasts from a summer to a full semester and the top priority of a student is often what to pack. However, there is a lot more preparation needed before embarking on the voyage of a lifetime. There are forms to fill out, many of which need to be done before the voyage begins and some that need to mailed all over. There are doctor's appointments to make, checklists to go over, and travel plans to be made.
It can all be pretty hectic, but with a bit of planning and patience, a student who knows what to expect can easily prepare for his or her voyage. Many of the pre-trip preparations need to be made by everyone who sails, not just students.
Forms and Paperwork for Semester at Sea
The fun stuff to fill out is the trip schedule. Each voyage visits at least eight countries and docks in them for several days. Semester at Sea organizes various trips in each country. Before the voyage a packet detailing those trips and their cost is sent out, along with a form to sign up for them. Voyagers can plan their in-country itinerary, but must be certain to mail back the form to get a spot on the trips!
There are other forms as well for signing up for classes, reserving a room on the ship, and getting transcripts and health certifications out of the way. Many of these forms have a due-date and must be mailed to Semester at Sea before the voyage begins. Keep an eye on the due dates, make photocopies of all forms, and stay organized!
No voyager will be able to travel on Semester at Sea without a passport. Anyone without one should consider applying for it even before being accepted on the voyage.
Health Before and During Semester at Sea
Many countries require visitors to have immunizations like Yellow Fever or Hepatitis before entering the country. As soon, or even before, a voyager is accepted on Semester at Sea they should contact their doctor and the World Health Organization to figure out what vaccinations they will need and get them well in advance. Voyagers should consider getting extra immunizations like Meningitis as well. The doctor issued Yellow Fever card may need to be presented with a passport to enter certain countries and must be brought on Semester at Sea.
A traveler should also have medication with them to take on the voyage. Some is required, like anti-Malaria medicine. Other medication could be for preventing sea-sickness, allergies, or diarrhea. A lot of voyagers on Semester at Sea bring Pepto-Bismol pills with them and chew one before each meal to prevent stomach problems. Students who take regular medication will need to make sure they have enough to last them the entire voyage.
Keeping in Touch on the Cruise
Before the voyage students should get contact information for anyone they may want to send a postcard to. Students have access to email on the ship and some gather email addresses and send out emails about their voyager as they go. A list with Port addresses is mailed home and if the student wishes to get mail he should give out those addresses before leaving.
A Facebook group for each semester is often formed before the voyage and it's a good idea to join it. It gives the voyager a chance to get to know some of the other students on the voyage before it begins. Some students even meet up before the voyage or plan to share a hotel room or cab ride on the way to the ship.
Getting to the Ship
The ship leaves promptly at a certain time and each voyager must be ready to get there. Plane tickets and hotel rooms need to be booked well in advance. Semester at Sea often chooses a hotel where voyagers will meet up before traveling to the ship and it's a good idea to get there and stay the night before. Be sure to have plenty of spare time in case something happens to delay the trip.
It can be hectic gathering and getting on the ship. Each voyager must be sure to have their passport ready and their luggage labeled with their name. The bags are slowly delivered to each room, which takes a while, so anything the traveler thinks he will need before the ship leaves port should be kept separate in a backpack kept with him.
Enjoying Semester at Sea
Nobody should stress out about everything there is to do before the voyage. A few checklists, appointments made in advance, and somewhere to keep everything organized will be invaluable to the voyager. When all the forms are turned in, all needed shots have been gotten, and everything the voyager needs is packed, she can sit back and relax.
The only other thing a traveler can prepare for before Semester at Sea is her mind. Every mind should be left open and ready to see the world in a whole new way.
Katie Ouderkirk - Katie Ouderkirk started working at a barn when she was ten. As the years went on she worked at a number of different barns, two zoos, and ...
Join the Conversation