Semester at Sea: Study Around the World

Semester at Sea: Study Around the World

4.91 · 171 reviews
Location
Multiple Locations +19
  • Netherlands
    • Amsterdam
  • Portugal
    • Lisbon
  • Spain
    • Malaga
  • Kenya
    • Mombasa
  • Ghana
    • Accra
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
    • Casablanca
    • Tangier
  • South Africa
    • Cape Town
  • India
    • Kochi
  • Malaysia
  • Vietnam
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Thailand
    • Bangkok
    • Bangkok
  • France
    • Nantes
  • China
    • Hong Kong
  • Germany
  • Brazil
    • Salvador
  • Sri Lanka
    • Colombo
  • Indonesia
  • Scotland
Term
Fall, Spring

Program Details

Program Type
At Sea
University
Colorado State University
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Boat
Language
English

Pricing

$33,750
Price Details
Our program fees include up to 15 academic credits, housing, buffet style meals, travel health insurance, one in-port field class for each course, and a full-time shipboard residential and student services team. We have need and merit based grants, student assistant positions, service and journalism fellowships, and more financial aid awards available. About 60% of voyagers receive some type of financial aid!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Meals Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

-Up to 15 college credits
-Academic Field Classes
-Email account
-Comprehensive travel health insurance

What's Not Included
Some Accommodation Some Activities Airfare Visa
What's Not Included (Extra)

-Overnight stay prior to embarkation
-Textbooks
-Any appropriate vaccinations and boosters
-Between-meal food & beverages while onboard
-Laundry
-SAS Field Programs and personal travel in-country
-Fuel surcharge (if applicable)

Jun 30, 2026
Jul 09, 2026
320 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Semester at Sea is a unique opportunity to travel around the world with a cruise ship as your campus and an ever-changing scenery as your view. On board the MV World Odyssey, our seven deck, 590-foot ship, you will have the opportunity to select from 70-72 courses across a wide range of disciplines. In one semester, you will get exposure to 10+ countries across multiple continents, earn 12-15 credits from Colorado State University, and transit over 20,000 nautical miles.

Go to class while sailing the sea, watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean or stare up at the Mediterranean stars. Whether in class, studying, or engaging in shipboard activities, you’re always a few steps away from friends, the ocean and a global perspective.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a unique global study experience aboard a ship, visiting multiple countries in one semester.

Program Highlights

  • Earn 12-15 academic credits from Colorado State University
  • Explore 10+ countries around the world
  • Maximize your time in-country through Field Programs
  • Scholarship opportunities available

Video and Photos

Popular Programs

SAS Ship

Embark: September 9, IJmuiden, The Netherlands
Disembark: Dec 22, Bangkok, Thailand
Itinerary: Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Spring 2027 Voyage map

Spring 2027: Asia, Africa, and Europe
Embark: Jan 5, Bangkok, Thailand
Disembark: Apr 20, Bremerhaven, Germany
Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Scotland

Fall 2027 Voyage Map

Embark: September 9, IJmuiden, The Netherlands
Disembark: Dec 22, Bangkok, Thailand
Itinerary: Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 171 reviews
  • 5 rating 93.57%
  • 4 rating 5.26%
  • 3 rating 0.58%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0.58%
  • Academics 4.15
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 171 reviews
Xavier
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a life time

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The beginning. I went into the program knowing no one. But the first few days were pure ice breakers and being in a such a foreign place I gained the courage to just put myself out there and it paid off during the voyage when people came up to me because they remembered me from these first few days.
Pros
  • Ship campus
  • Travel to lots of countries
  • International oriented education
Cons
  • Sea sickness
2 people found this review helpful.
Zowie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Changing the world one person at a time

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person. Every voyage is different and will be a whole new experience so enjoy the journey. You will not regret going on a voyage of a lifetime!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don’t stress about doing new things just do it because if you don’t you will regret it. Say yes to everything and don’t over pack!
Pros
  • New experiences
  • New view points
  • You will be a changed person
Cons
  • Small living spaces
  • Expensive
1 person found this review helpful.
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!

Live on a ship for 3/4 months and travel the world!!! This was the best experience of my life! I met lifelong friends and experienced countries in ways that make you feel local. Honestly the most I think i’ve ever gotten out of school! I learned things i never would have experienced in a normal classroom! The program is absolutely. positively. life changing! If you’re thinking of doing it, do it. While i know it is pricey it was worth every bit of it. I don’t regret it and would do it again if I could!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I spent the week at a local school in ghana and experienced local life first hand. We played soccer games with the whole community, visited local markets, at dinner at a family home every night, and made the most meaningful connections. It was one of the highlights of my experience!
Pros
  • Visit multiple countries
  • Make the best connections
  • Feel like a local
Cons
  • Pricey sometimes
  • only 2 taco nights on the ship ;(
  • far away from home
1 person found this review helpful.
Ellen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you have the chance, do it!

I LOVED IT!!! I visited countries I never thought I would be able to visit. We spent about 6 days in each country so it was just enough to see the big landmarks. The ship introduced me to some of my best friends and helped me learn about different cultures. All the classes on the ship were tied into the next country we were going to. The professors were very knowledgeable about what to expect in the next country. Overall, it introduced me to the world and the different cultures. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes more than no! You never know who you will meet and the experiences you gain if you do not do it.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Fun atmosphere
  • 3 continents in 4 months!
Cons
  • Long travel days (but worth it)
46 people found this review helpful.
Abigail
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester At Sea: The Semester of a Lifetime

Semester at Sea gave me opportunities I never would've dreamed of and friendships that will last a lifetime. This program is unique when it comes to having your entire campus in the middle of the ocean. You live with your professors, classmates, and faculty, which creates a special sense of community you won't get anywhere else. I traveled to over 10 countries across 3 continents over the span of 5 months, all with like-minded and adventurous students. Knowing I'll never experience anything quite like this again is sad, but I am entirely grateful for the experience I had and 100% recommend it to everyone.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try everything and talk to everyone. Some of the best experiences I had in this program were the things I was nervous to try with people I never thought I'd befriend.
Pros
  • Multiple Countries
  • Unique Housing
  • Students from around the world
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Lots of planning
  • Difficulty with Technology (Living at Sea)
90 people found this review helpful.
Cate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-Altering Experience

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be comfortable with the uncomfortable! Step out of your comfort zone. Talk to as many people as you can (In the program and locals).
82 people found this review helpful.
Rowan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

DO SEMESTER AT SEA

Semester at Sea was the most incredible, life-changing, eye-opening 4 months of my life! I truly enjoyed everything about the program, from the housing, academics, ship life, and in-country experiences. The ship is an incredible place full of people from diverse backgrounds. The ship crew is one of a kind and the most giving, caring crew you could imagine. The food on the ship is decent and after a couple months gets repetitive but there are other options like fancy dinner and the pool bar to change it up when needed. The rooms are small but they are very nice for a cruise ship. The professors and faculty are amazing and the classes are not too terribly difficult since the professors are also there to enjoy the experience and travel with their partners and families. There are activities almost every night, whether they are organized or not, you can always find something to do. In-country travel was another wonderful experience that forced me out of my comfort zone in so many good ways. My voyage started in Bangkok, Thailand, and then we visited Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Spain, and ended in Germany. I had a fantastic time in each country and used multiple SAS field programs to travel in groups but also did independent travel with my friends from SAS. Whichever way you choose to travel SAS provides food ideas, places to visit, things to do, emergency contact numbers and there is always a staff member on call if needed.

I have no bad things to say about this program. My life was truly changed and not a day goes by that I do not think about my experience.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment I felt like was entering countries such as Ghana, Kenya, India, and other areas that are often seen as poor, dirty, underdeveloped and have such a bad image. It was difficult for me to not get nervous from all the external sources and information I was taught that these countries were dangerous and unsafe. All of this I quickly learned was untrue. In each of these countries we were met with open arms and smiles from the locals. They wanted to show us their way of life and help us experience as much as we could of their culture, food, traditions, and more in the six days we had in each port.
Pros
  • Ship board community & lifestyle of students, crew, faculty and life long learners
  • Opportunity for a multi-country study abroad experience
Cons
  • Sea sickness which often lasted a couple hours
87 people found this review helpful.
Reece
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most diverse study abroad experience

If you want to study under successful, experienced, and interesting professors while traveling the world on a ship with 600 of your new best friends, then this place is for you. This program offers courses across all studies to support your major while introducing you to new topics you might have overlooked or not had access to at your home university. The moving nature of the 'campus' allows you to apply what you learn across many different cultures and customs. I feel this program provides great support while allowing you to become independent as a global citizen and grow as an individual.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Waste no time! ~100 days might seem like a lot, but you will miss it for the rest of your life.
79 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

No, we only offer undergraduate courses.

There is no age requirement, but you must have graduated from high school in order to participate.

Yes!! Just be aware the cost is in American Dollars so be aware of your countries conversion rate as it can be pricey!

As long as you were enrolled as a full-time student the semester immediately before your voyage, and you have proof of admission to the university you are transferring to (such as an admission letter) after your voyage, then you should be all set!