By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com
January 1, 2007
While some American college students enhance their learning experience by spending a semester abroad, none have ever been offered the chance to spend that long at sea.
Royal Caribbean Cruises plans to fill that void.
Working with six major universities from around the world, the cruise line will carry 600 college students on a 16-week voyage that starts in September.
Royal Caribbeans Scholar Ship will be the first ship-based educational program to bring graduate and undergraduate students together in an academic and living environment that is not only multi-cultural but promises a live look at multiple destinations.
The University of California, Berkeley is the participating American academic steward, while Macquarie University of Sydney, Australia will be awarding academic credit to students for their work in the program. Also participating are universities from China, Ghana, Mexico, and Morocco.
Specially-selected students and staff will embark from Greece (Piraeus) and sail westward, visiting Portugal (Lisbon), Panama (Panama City), Ecuador (Guayaquil), Tahiti (Papeete), Fiji (Suva), Australia (Sydney), China (Shanghai), and Japan (Okinawa and Kobe).
A second voyage will depart from Kobe in January 2008 and stop in China (Shanghai), Singapore, India (Cochin), the Seychelles, South Africa (Capetown), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Morocco (Casablanca), Spain (Barcelona), and Greece (Piraeus).
All ports of call will provide educational opportunities for the students through special port programs that involve academic field study, shore excursions, and independent travel.
Royal Caribbean Cruises has provided funding and operational support, while a special $2 million scholarship fund has been created to ensure a diverse student body. Cost per student is approximately $20,000.
Assisting in the preparation of the program are IBM, Microsoft, HSBC Bank and other multinational corporations seeking to ensure practical application of the lessons learned at sea.
To learn more, see www.TheScholarShip.com.
