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South Africa to Caribbean

5,700 Nautical Miles via St. Helena, Brazil, Devil's Island
This voyage is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sail aboard S/Y Argo, our 112-foot schooner from Cape Town, South Africa to Antigua in the Caribbean via St. Helena, Brazil and Devil's Island. The voyage offers a full complement of academics allowing students to earn up to 12 college credits. Additionally, this voyage will prove to be an exciting travel adventure that emphasizes blue-water sailing skills development, SCUBA diving training, and cultural exploration. Sail training certifications for this voyage are issued through International Yacht Training, as IYT offers the only global standard in professional yachting certifications. Students have the opportunity to progress up to the level of Master of Yachts 200 Ton based on past experience and aptitude.
  • Days
  • Credits
  • Students
  • Term
  • Tuition (USD)
Jan 15 - Apr 14, 2023 - Aboard S/Y Argo
  • 90
  • 12 credits
  • 24
  • Spring
  • $29,770
Availability: Three spaces available
Review the Application Process >

Life Aboard

Sails Up Anchors Down

USF Accredited Academics

Certification Courses

Activities

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Educational & Cultural Tours Hiking & Trekking Service Personal Time

The Voyage

Your Adventure Starts Here
Welcome Aboard!

With the sight of South Africa’s iconic Table mountain in the background – your plane touches down in Cape Town. Argo and her crew are located a mere 30 minutes away docked alongside the wharf outside the famous Table Bay hotel. Once aboard, Life on Argo begins with spending some time getting to know your surroundings, your peers and realizing exactly just what you can achieve over the course of the trip.

Even though the journey you are about to embark on totals about 5,500 nautical miles, you will quickly realize that as an official member of Argo’s crew, the opportunity to learn is boundless. From here on out each consecutive 24 hour adventure is unique. Your journey awaits…

Sample Trip Itinerary*
Start Location End Location
Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) Antigua (ANU)
Area Ports of Call
South Africa Cape Town, Robben Island, Cape Point
Atlantic Islands St. Helena
Brazil Fernando de Noronhas , Fortaleza
French Guiana Devil’s Island, Iles du Salut
Caribbean Barbados, Bequia, Martinique, Dominica, Les Saints, Guadeloupe, Antigua
*Please note that all destinations are weather dependent and subject to change.
New-York-London-Shutdown-central-park
Orientation in the Shadow of Table Mountain
8-10 days

Starting on day two we cast the lines off the dock and your journey begins. As with all of our voyages, the first week to ten days on the program will be a crash course into your drastically new environment. During this time you will learn what it’s like to live full time in close quarters with 31 other individuals. With the help and guidance of the 6 full-time staff, you’ll learn how to sleep, eat, clean up and sail on a 112 ft. schooner.

This time is also about exploring South Africa as much as possible before casting off and chasing the horizon. You’ll take advantage with a group safari, hike up the lion’s head, and tour the infamous Robben’s island political prison.

Scattered throughout this first week, you’ll also have your first lectures for each of the four college courses you’ll be taking over the next semester. Although the structure feels familiar while looking at your course syllabus, seeing upcoming midterms, finals and group projects, the setting couldn’t be any more different from a traditional campus.

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seamester-sailing-video
The Journey, Not the Destination.
Rite of Passage

Just when you’re beginning to grow accustomed to the sights and sounds of the Cape of Good Hope, it’s time to go forth and cross an ocean. With only a few isolated stops until the other side, the horizonless sea will become your new home and the sight of land will eventually seem unfamiliar. You’ll cross the equator, battle squalls, navigate the doldrums and make the tradewinds work for you as you learn to soak in passage life.

Throughout your 90-day voyage, the longest passage can be up to 15 days long with the average passage being 2-5 days long. You’ll be an integral part of a watch team sharing the responsibility of navigation, bow watch, engine checks, sail trim and steering the ship to its intended destination.

sa-caribbean
Anchors Down – St. Helena
(2-4 Days)

Smack dab in the middle of the southern Atlantic Ocean, lies a tiny British territory with big mountains, big fauna, and big history. You’ll have the chance to stretch your legs walking in the exiled footsteps of Napoleon and maroon yourself deliberately through the many walking trails. As the halfway point of your trans-oceanic passage, you likely won’t hesitate to take a refreshing dip in St. Helena’s relatively chilly water. Be sure to bring a mask and snorkel as whale sharks and dolphins are frequent visitors to this lonely island.

>Next stop: Fernando de Norona
fernando
Fernando de Norona
(2-4 Days)

After not seeing land for 10+ days, you will assume that your eyes are playing tricks on you with the paradise that is Fernando de Noronha. Just off the coast of Brazil, the picturesque beaches and pristine landscapes of these remote islands are a sign of things to come and will let you know that you have truly arrived in the tropics. The crystal clear waters attract divers and snorkelers from all over the world and as a UNESCO world heritage site, this archipelago boasts one of the most intact ecosystems anywhere in the western hemisphere. This is where scuba becomes a big part of your life onboard and your crew will top it all off with a well deserved night out in the most civilization you’ve seen in a month!

>Next stop: French Guiana
Îles-du-Salut
Iles du Salut
(1-3 Days)

Many people have heard of Devil’s island but few would be able to stick a pin on a map. Once a notorious penal colony of imperial France, you’ll wonder why anyone would dread an extended stay in this sanctuary of waving palms and singing macaws. You’ll have a chance to explore French ruins and improve your diving skills right off the boat. An espresso and baguette to start your day on shore will serve as a reminder that you are making your way back to the real world and to take advantage of every moment you have left.

>Next stop: Barbados
barbados
Barbados
(1-3 Days)

Once you dock Argo at Port St. Charles, you’ll recognize the strangely familiar feeling of being stationary as it will be the first time you have been docked since leaving Cape Town. You won’t want to hang around to enjoy the feeling too long as the island of Barbados and its promise of adventure awaits! Here, beginning divers will become certified while advanced divers will enjoy some fun dives on the island’s many wrecks. Everybody enjoys some time on shore together with tours of cultural sites including colonial architecture, the Mount Gay rum distillery, and the Doyle sail loft.

>Next stop: Tobago Cays
crossings
Crossings

Just as you move the ship across the endless sea gradually with few indications that anything is changing at all – you won’t realize just how far you’ve come personally or how much you’ve actually learned during your time on Argo. Everything you’ve accomplished and all the ways you have changed aren’t always in the forefront of your mind. Sometimes it takes big landmarks or crossings for it all to come rushing back.

On this journey, you’ll hit a number of waypoints as you discover and develop your passions. Notably, you’ll make the transition from Pollywog to Shellback as you and your crew bring Argo across the equator from one hemisphere to another.

Seamester Study Abroad Gap Year Brochure
grenada
Anchors Down -Tobago Cays & Bequia
(1-3 Days)

When you’re standing on the deck of Argo looking out on the uninhabited Tobago Cays, it’s easy to think that it looks like something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean… And that’s because it is. Acquaint yourself with distinctly Caribbean wildlife through night snorkels over shallow reefs and learn first hand about the bold conservation efforts of Bequia’s turtle rehabilitation sanctuary.

>Next stop: St. Lucia
st-lucia
St. Lucia
(1-3 Days)

Upon arrival you’ll set anchor in Soufriere in the shadow of the Petit Piton, one of the most iconic spots in all of the Caribbean. During our time in St. Lucia, you’ll work with the local marine park, SMMA, to spearfish the invasive Lionfish, take a mineral bath at the Diamond Botanical Gardens and have a chance at a well-deserved night out in Marigot Bay.

>Next stop: Guadeloupe
guadeloupe
Guadeloupe & Les Saintes
(1-3 Days)

This small archipelago is considered a region of France, so the minute you step off the boat you’ll find yourself fully immersed in an enclave of European culture. Hike to Fort Napoleon, enjoy an espresso after siesta, or take out a Hobie Cat with one of your shipmates to live the lifestyle unique to this small corner of the world.

>Next stop: Dominica
antigua
Dominica
Port of Call (1-3 Days Each)

Although this island is close to its neighbors, the culture of Dominica might as well come from a different side of the planet. Nicknamed the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica is often considered one of our students’ favorite islands of the voyage.  With the help of our good friends, local Dominicans Pancho and Sea Cat, you’ll hike through the rainforest to the world’s largest boiling lake, all while refreshing yourself in one of its dozens of natural hot springs.

>Next stop: Antigua
dominica
Antigua
Port of Call (1-3 Days Each)

Directly after visiting two very French islands, you’ll arrive at the very British Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua. As one of the world’s only fully restored Victorian era dockyards, it provides an amazing backdrop to your time spent in Antigua. In your last port as a crewmember, you’ll enjoy a steel drum and reggae concert at Shirley Heights, walk the historic ramparts of English Harbor and dive the crystal blue waters while anchored outside of Green Island.

>Next stop: Real Life
Play Video
accredited-academics-seamester
Academics Aboard
12 USF Credits

Throughout the voyage, it’s easy to forget that this is college even though academics are an integral part of the experience. Our instructors schedule 3 or 4 lectures, discussions, or labs per class each week and each course includes quizzes, research projects, midterms, and finals.

Learning in an environment that combines academics with experience allows you to truly interact with your education. It brings academics to life, adding relevance and practical application to the material. Learning has never been this fun.

captains-license-semester-abroad
First Step to Becoming a Captain.
Academics

For those who have the prior requisite experience, a passion for sailing, and hope to work in the maritime industry, all our 80 & 90-day voyages aboard S/Y Argo offer the Professional Skipper and Crew Training course (PSCT).

Typically only 3 to 4 students will choose to take this course. Students are offered the opportunity to work towards their Master of Yachts 200 Ton Offshore License by completing the theory portion, which means passing a series of in-depth examinations covering subjects such as Meteorology, Navigation, Tides & Currents, and Collision Regulations.

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Seamester Scuba Diving
Exploring the Underwater Realm
10-15 Dives

As Argo sails north towards the warm waters of the Caribbean, scuba diving will not only become a more frequent experience but a more exhilarating one as well. Over the course of the 90-day voyage, you’ll become an experienced diver, completing between 10 and 15 dives yet the novelty of breathing underwater will not disappear. Whether working towards a new certification in 15 feet of water, chasing down invasive lionfish, or exploring a wreck at 100 ft. – you’ll gain a lifetime worth of stories from places few people get to see.

If you’re new to diving, you’ll earn the PADI Open Water Dive Certification as well as the Advanced Open Water Dive Certification. Depending on time, conditions and student interest, many groups also earn the PADI Rescue Diver certification. If you’re already an experienced diver, you can work all the way up to the professional Divemaster certification. If you feel that scuba diving is a passion, this is definitely the voyage to consider.

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Time to Say Goodbye

The best way to explain what it means to say goodbye to your shipmates is to use the words of one of our past staff members themselves…

It is our last day together on Argo and everyone has grown so much in the last three months. Learning how to connect with the ocean, losing your security blankets, immersing yourself with 25 random people, and surrendering to this social experiment called Argo has been life-changing. Everyone has gained so much knowledge, self-awareness, and self-love. Most of what we have gained is intangible, so when you see your kid for the first time in three months just listen to them and watch them. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised by the person you are meeting again.

Rachel B. English Harbour, Antigua

Trip Logs

IMG 8102
Day 84
By Emma. L

Thanks Argo

Argo was my haven. She sailed me safely through squalls, sheltered me from the stressors of everyday life on land,…

Read More
IMG 20200207 133252
Day 85
By Brittany. P

Never Stop

Crossing an ocean puts everything into perspective. Obviously, it makes you understand just how vast the ocean is. Those times…

Read More
IMG 3845
Day 83
By Jayda. R

With Wind and Water

Before I even stepped foot on Argo, I knew that It was going to be a powerful and transformative experience…

Read More
FB5FD425 6FD8 4D87 8CE8 3ACB4C12DF33
Day 82
By Lilly. H

What is Home? 

A question I’ve contemplated these past few months. Home is where people feel loved and give support. It is a…

Read More
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Day 90
By Argo Crew

Signing Off

It’s a weird thing we do here at Seamester; we sell trips based on the places and things we…

Read More

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Vocational Certifications

Depending upon previous experience, students will have the opportunity to complete a number of the following certifications during their voyage.

Seamester is a PADI 5 Star Resort

Scuba Certifications

Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Divemaster
Learn more about scuba
 

Seamester is an International Yacht Training partner school

Sailing Certifications

International Crew
VHF Operator
Navigation Master
Master of Yachts 200 Ton Offshore Theory
Learn more about sailing

Seamester Safety Certifications

Safety Certifications

Emergency First Response - First Aid & CPR

Need To Know

Our 90-day Global Sea|mester Voyages offer the most comprehensive experience in terms of the geographical area covered and both academic and vocational classes and certifications earned. During the program, up to 12 academic credits are offered for the Seamanship, Student Leadership, Oceanography, and Marine Biology classes taught aboard. In addition, there are several vocational courses offered for those looking to further their professional development in the maritime industry. For more information on our classes, please visit our academics page.

None at all. All you need is a great attitude and a willingness to fully participate in every aspect of the experience.

Six professional staff members live aboard full-time. There will be the Skipper, the First and Second Mate and two Marine Biologists (who are typically scuba diving instructors) and a sixth staff member who could also be an EMT or someone with other special skills. Take a look through our team page for more information.

Meet our team

The weather in South Africa, at the beginning of the trip, should be mild with some cooler sailing conditions as we begin heading north and west in the Southern Atlantic. It is likely that we will see varying tropical weather conditions during our westbound crossings from St. Helena to Brazil. Once in South America, we will sail north in increasingly hot tropical weather as we transit the equator and into the refreshing Caribbean trade winds.

When we are ashore or close at anchor there will be plenty of opportunities to communicate with friends and family at home. That said, while aboard we have guidelines as to when it is appropriate to use your personal communications devices. The environment we strive to create relies heavily on each individual remaining focused on the group and our experience. Being tied to the modern world of “instant communications” can, in certain circumstances, be a hindrance to the personal and group processes aboard.

Cell Phones: Check with your provider before you go, but so long as you have a sim card, your cell phone will likely work in most global locations.

Internet: While our vessels are not wifi equipped, another way to communicate is by email, text, Facetime or Skype using shore side internet. The internet is often free or available to purchase in most of the locations that we visit.

Both on the vessel and ashore, the answer is up to you. The vast majority of the meals during your trip are prepared and eaten aboard. For meals aboard, each person on the crew takes a turn as head chef to plan and cook the meals for an entire day with the help of another person acting as sous-chef. We all work to stay within a budget, with both students and staff responsible for stocking the vessels. We endeavor to accommodate everyone aboard while providing what any alumni will tell you, was a great dining adventure. During your free time ashore you will have the opportunity to eat more adventurously.
With this voyage starting in Africa, students will get to sample some decidedly African fare such as Biltong (jerky). For the culinary risk takers of the crew, the continent of Africa does have some traditional meals that contain millipedes! Once across the Atlantic Ocean, the South American and West Indian influence will take over and by the end of the trip, most of the crew will have hopefully tried a Chicken Roti in Antigua.

Sea|mester students range in age from 18 through to about 22. Average age is right around 20, yet this can change from voyage to voyage. Give a call through to the office if you are interested in learning more about the student crew.

Nitty Gritty

Students come from all over the world, so coordinated travel is vital.

You can choose to book on your own, yet we suggest that you start by requesting a quote from one of our recommended travel partners as they will provide you with service on-beyond an online booking service or search engine.

This voyage is scheduled to:

  • Start in Cape Town, South Africa (airport code CPT)
  • End in English Harbor, Antigua (airport code ANU)

When booking travel, students should be aware that the program start date is the date upon which students should arrive aboard the vessel. The program end date is the date on which students should depart the vessel and start their travel home.

Recommended Travel Agents

a. TRC Travel Center

Leah Hernandez is our primary travel coordinator, and she works for a company called TRC Travel Center. Leah obtains great fares and provides close monitoring and assistance on travel days in case of flight difficulties. Leah will also maintain your flight details in the Student Portal on your behalf, ensuring their accuracy in the event of flight changes. Connect with Leah –
Phone: +1.281.528.7727 (9am – 5pm Central Time)
Email: leahctn68@hotmail.com

b. Global Marine Travel

An alternative is to contact Global Marine Travel (GMT) to request a quote for a “Marine Fare” ticket. Marine Fares may be cheaper or more expensive than a regular fare, but in most cases will be more flexible should you need to change your ticket and will include the provision for a larger number of checked bags. Do the research to figure out which ticket suits you best. Connect with GMT –
Phone: +1.954.761.9595 (24hrs)
Email: info@flygmt.com

When contacting GMT, you will need to reference the following:

  • Organizational Name: Global Expeditions Group
  • Vessel Name (select): Ocean Star, Argo or Vela
  • Vessel Registry: British Virgin Islands

c. Other Booking Options – Air Miles & Self Booking

We cannot be responsible for coordinating flights booked in this way, so please ensure that you are booking the correct itinerary (dates/destination) before purchasing a ticket online or through a source other than our recommended travel partners. If you have any questions regarding the date or time of arrival for your voyage, please call us to confirm any proposed flight itinerary before you book it. Once booked, you will be required to enter, then maintain accurate flight details in the relevant section of the Student Portal.

Passports

Your passport’s expiration date is of utmost importance to the immigration officials in the countries we visit. Each government mandates a “minimum validity,” with many using a six-month rule, meaning that the visitor’s passport must remain valid for six (6) months AFTER the last day of travel in that country. A few nations have more lenient minimum validity rules, but since we typically visit multiple countries throughout the voyage, meeting the six-month standard is compulsory in most cases. If your passport expires sooner than six months after the final day of your program, we recommend that you talk to the passport office about their backlog and renewal timeframe. You may also contact our office to learn more about whether you would be able to travel on a passport that expires earlier than six months after your trip ends.

Visas

US Citizens: Those traveling on a US passport rarely need to apply for specific country visas in advance of the program. In certain circumstances, we are required to process a vessel cruising permit or visitation visa on your behalf before the trip. If this is the case, we’ll let you know in advance whether there are any steps that we need you to take.

Students traveling on non-U.S. passports: Aside from needing a valid US ESTA to transit through the United States (if applicable), students traveling on a Canadian or an EU passport rarely need to apply for any other specific country visas in advance of the program. Learn more about the ESTA requirements, and whether this applies to you here – https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.

Citizens of Asian, African, and South American nations may need to apply for specific visas. Since we cannot apply for visas on your behalf, you must take the following steps as soon as you can.

  • Contact our office and request a definitive list of the countries we will visit on the voyage. Please do not rely on the sample itineraries listed on our website.
  • Verify visa requirements for your nationality by contacting the local embassy or consulate for these destination countries.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Sea|mester requires all students to be fully vaccinated* for COVID-19 before the voyage’s start date.

With most countries worldwide working hard to vaccinate their population as quickly as possible, there is considerable speculation on how vaccination status will change an individual’s ability to travel internationally. Many countries are adopting policies requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to fast-track quarantine requirements or even enter their Territory. These policies protect their population (many of whom may not receive the vaccine for some time) while restarting their tourism economy.

We respect individuals’ right to choose whether a COVID-19 vaccination is appropriate for them. Yet, as an international program visiting multiple international destinations, we must be ready to adhere to local policy while looking out for our students’, staff’s, and local community’s general health and safety. Any student with medical considerations or religious beliefs that precludes vaccination should contact us to discuss program options for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.

*Fully vaccinated – current definition
The CDC considers individuals fully vaccinated for COVID-19 greater than or equal to 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.), or greater than or equal to 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).

It’s possible that this definition may change with the recommendation of “booster shots” and will be updated in our protocols accordingly.

Other Immunizations

We know that each individual has unique medical considerations and understand that families have varying opinions on immunizations as a whole. While we are not physicians and cannot provide official or specific medical advice, we recommend that you talk with your healthcare provider to discuss the trip and check that all standard immunizations and boosters are up to date.

The CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website at www.cdc.gov contains an excellent section that focuses on Travelers’ Health. This is a useful resource as you consider which precautions you might want to take. When completing your research, bear in mind that your voyage is almost 100% coastal. Many of the CDC’s recommendations are specific to agricultural or rural areas or regions within the country which we do not visit.

Sea|mester tuition includes the following:
  • Sea|mester academic instruction for the applicable courses offered during the voyage
  • University of South Florida (USF) academic credit for all academic classes offered during the program.
  • Full room and board
  • All group excursions, field trips and destination-focused educational experiences
  • Non-professional sailing instruction and certification costs
  • Non-professional scuba instruction and certification costs
Not included in the Sea|mester tuition:
  • Travel expenses from home to the program (flights, visas, ferry, taxi, baggage, taxes, etc.)
  • Required International SOS and MedAire membership & emergency evacuation insurance. (20-day voyages = $85 | 40-day voyages = $150 | 80 & 90-day voyages = $225) LEARN MORE >
  • Vaccinations (if required/selected)
  • PADI required course books and materials
  • In-country COVID-19 testing fees – Dependent on voyage itinerary and individual country health requirements. Expect $200 to $500 USD.
  • Personal spending money
  • Travel & Tuition Protection insurance – LEARN MORE >

Though the fundamentals of our voyages do not change, specific logistics evolve over time and can be subject to change based on any number of factors, most of which relate directly to risk management planning.

For this reason, the map and voyage timeline portions of this page should give you a basic understanding of the places we’ll go and activities we’ll do, but you should expect your voyage to be unique. If you take a look through the Trip Logs for previous voyages you’ll see that they can differ significantly.

With that in mind, we encourage all students to “live in the moment” while on the program. Travel, even on organized trips, requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. We hope you’ll take the bumps in stride, and enjoy the adventure!

Students come from all over the world, so coordinated travel is vital.

You can choose to book on your own, yet we suggest that you start by requesting a quote from one of our recommended travel partners as they will provide you with service on-beyond an online booking service or search engine.

This voyage is scheduled to:

  • Start in Cape Town, South Africa (airport code CPT)
  • End in English Harbor, Antigua (airport code ANU)

When booking travel, students should be aware that the program start date is the date upon which students should arrive aboard the vessel. The program end date is the date on which students should depart the vessel and start their travel home.

Recommended Travel Agents

a. TRC Travel Center

Leah Hernandez is our primary travel coordinator, and she works for a company called TRC Travel Center. Leah obtains great fares and provides close monitoring and assistance on travel days in case of flight difficulties. Leah will also maintain your flight details in the Student Portal on your behalf, ensuring their accuracy in the event of flight changes. Connect with Leah –
Phone: +1.281.528.7727 (9am – 5pm Central Time)
Email: leahctn68@hotmail.com

b. Global Marine Travel

An alternative is to contact Global Marine Travel (GMT) to request a quote for a “Marine Fare” ticket. Marine Fares may be cheaper or more expensive than a regular fare, but in most cases will be more flexible should you need to change your ticket and will include the provision for a larger number of checked bags. Do the research to figure out which ticket suits you best. Connect with GMT –
Phone: +1.954.761.9595 (24hrs)
Email: info@flygmt.com

When contacting GMT, you will need to reference the following:

  • Organizational Name: Global Expeditions Group
  • Vessel Name (select): Ocean Star, Argo or Vela
  • Vessel Registry: British Virgin Islands

c. Other Booking Options – Air Miles & Self Booking

We cannot be responsible for coordinating flights booked in this way, so please ensure that you are booking the correct itinerary (dates/destination) before purchasing a ticket online or through a source other than our recommended travel partners. If you have any questions regarding the date or time of arrival for your voyage, please call us to confirm any proposed flight itinerary before you book it. Once booked, you will be required to enter, then maintain accurate flight details in the relevant section of the Student Portal.

Passports

Your passport’s expiration date is of utmost importance to the immigration officials in the countries we visit. Each government mandates a “minimum validity,” with many using a six-month rule, meaning that the visitor’s passport must remain valid for six (6) months AFTER the last day of travel in that country. A few nations have more lenient minimum validity rules, but since we typically visit multiple countries throughout the voyage, meeting the six-month standard is compulsory in most cases. If your passport expires sooner than six months after the final day of your program, we recommend that you talk to the passport office about their backlog and renewal timeframe. You may also contact our office to learn more about whether you would be able to travel on a passport that expires earlier than six months after your trip ends.

Visas

US Citizens: Those traveling on a US passport rarely need to apply for specific country visas in advance of the program. In certain circumstances, we are required to process a vessel cruising permit or visitation visa on your behalf before the trip. If this is the case, we’ll let you know in advance whether there are any steps that we need you to take.

Students traveling on non-U.S. passports: Aside from needing a valid US ESTA to transit through the United States (if applicable), students traveling on a Canadian or an EU passport rarely need to apply for any other specific country visas in advance of the program. Learn more about the ESTA requirements, and whether this applies to you here – https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.

Citizens of Asian, African, and South American nations may need to apply for specific visas. Since we cannot apply for visas on your behalf, you must take the following steps as soon as you can.

  • Contact our office and request a definitive list of the countries we will visit on the voyage. Please do not rely on the sample itineraries listed on our website.
  • Verify visa requirements for your nationality by contacting the local embassy or consulate for these destination countries.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Sea|mester requires all students to be fully vaccinated* for COVID-19 before the voyage’s start date.

With most countries worldwide working hard to vaccinate their population as quickly as possible, there is considerable speculation on how vaccination status will change an individual’s ability to travel internationally. Many countries are adopting policies requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to fast-track quarantine requirements or even enter their Territory. These policies protect their population (many of whom may not receive the vaccine for some time) while restarting their tourism economy.

We respect individuals’ right to choose whether a COVID-19 vaccination is appropriate for them. Yet, as an international program visiting multiple international destinations, we must be ready to adhere to local policy while looking out for our students’, staff’s, and local community’s general health and safety. Any student with medical considerations or religious beliefs that precludes vaccination should contact us to discuss program options for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.

*Fully vaccinated – current definition
The CDC considers individuals fully vaccinated for COVID-19 greater than or equal to 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc.), or greater than or equal to 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).

It’s possible that this definition may change with the recommendation of “booster shots” and will be updated in our protocols accordingly.

Other Immunizations

We know that each individual has unique medical considerations and understand that families have varying opinions on immunizations as a whole. While we are not physicians and cannot provide official or specific medical advice, we recommend that you talk with your healthcare provider to discuss the trip and check that all standard immunizations and boosters are up to date.

The CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website at www.cdc.gov contains an excellent section that focuses on Travelers’ Health. This is a useful resource as you consider which precautions you might want to take. When completing your research, bear in mind that your voyage is almost 100% coastal. Many of the CDC’s recommendations are specific to agricultural or rural areas or regions within the country which we do not visit.

Sea|mester tuition includes the following:
  • Sea|mester academic instruction for the applicable courses offered during the voyage
  • University of South Florida (USF) academic credit for all academic classes offered during the program.
  • Full room and board
  • All group excursions, field trips and destination-focused educational experiences
  • Non-professional sailing instruction and certification costs
  • Non-professional scuba instruction and certification costs
Not included in the Sea|mester tuition:
  • Travel expenses from home to the program (flights, visas, ferry, taxi, baggage, taxes, etc.)
  • Required International SOS and MedAire membership & emergency evacuation insurance. (20-day voyages = $85 | 40-day voyages = $150 | 80 & 90-day voyages = $225) LEARN MORE >
  • Vaccinations (if required/selected)
  • PADI required course books and materials
  • In-country COVID-19 testing fees – Dependent on voyage itinerary and individual country health requirements. Expect $200 to $500 USD.
  • Personal spending money
  • Travel & Tuition Protection insurance – LEARN MORE >

Though the fundamentals of our voyages do not change, specific logistics evolve over time and can be subject to change based on any number of factors, most of which relate directly to risk management planning.

For this reason, the map and voyage timeline portions of this page should give you a basic understanding of the places we’ll go and activities we’ll do, but you should expect your voyage to be unique. If you take a look through the Trip Logs for previous voyages you’ll see that they can differ significantly.

With that in mind, we encourage all students to “live in the moment” while on the program. Travel, even on organized trips, requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. We hope you’ll take the bumps in stride, and enjoy the adventure!

RelatedVoyages

View All Voyages
Seamester vessel Ocean Star Seamester vessel Ocean Star
Spring 2023

Antigua to Grenada -w- Antigua Yacht Regatta

via Dominica, The Grenadines, Martinique, St. Barts

Our spring Caribbean voyage covers the length of the Lesser Antilles, allowing us to spend plenty of time exploring both above and below the Caribbean Sea. Unique to this program is that we end by challenging crews from around the globe at the world-renowned Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

Availability: Limited View Details
80 days
12 credits
1,100 miles
penguin-header Caribbean to Tahiti Semester at Sea
Spring 2023

Caribbean to Tahiti

via Panama, Galapagos, The Marquesas

From dream location to dream location... Step aboard your new college campus at the sailors' rendezvous island of Antigua, and prepare yourself for an academic adventure at sea that spans more than 6500 nautical miles and some of the most incredible destinations the planet has to offer.

Availability: Waitlist - Please call for details View Details
90 days
12 credits
5,960 miles