January 8, 2011: The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) is monitoring winter storm systems that may impact the timely arrival of flights into Nassau, Bahamas for the departure of the Spring 2011 voyage of Semester at Sea. Participants and families should make every effort to arrive to Nassau for embarkation and departure as scheduled Wednesday, January 12. If you experience significant travel delays, please contact ISE at [This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots; you need JavaScript enabled to view it] or 800.854.0195. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any changes.

Fall 2010 marks the 100th issue of the Shipmates alumni newsletter. Highlights include an important message from ISE President Les McCabe and stories of the lasting legacy of the Semester at Sea experience. Click here for the e-version of Shipmates, an interactive flip book that makes it easy to share stories and fun to read.

Travel expert Evelyn Hannon will share her insights and observations as an active member of ISE's Central America and Panama Canal Enrichment Voyage. Learn about the voyage community including Distinguished Lecturer Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the ports of call, and the unique travel and learning experience that Enrichment Voyages offer by following her travel blog. Stay tuned for photos and videos and more Dec. 15, 2010 through Jan. 4, 2011.

The Fall 2010 SAS Parent Trip enabled 50 parents to reunite with their students and to take part in the SAS experience. Parents traveled on SAS field trips with their students in Saigon, Cambodia, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay. Parents attended a reception on the MV Explorer where they were able to meet and speak with the faculty and Staff, including the Academic and Executive Deans. "As co-chairs of the SAS Parents Council, Jane and I were thrilled to be able to share these experiences with the parents. Each of the parents is thrilled that their son/daughter has been able to participate in the Fall 2010 SAS voyage," said trip leader Dwight Allison.

They came together to mourn the loss and to celebrate the life of their classmate, their friend, their student, a member of the Fall 2010 shipboard community. "We're here to celebrate the short, yet unbelievably eventful life of Andre Ramadan," said student Max Ball. "Although I only knew Andre for a month, I can honestly say that he changed my life." {More»}

November 9, 2010 (Update)

The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) and Fall 2010 Semester at Sea administrative leadership and student support services teams continue to address the needs of the voyage community. We encourage all participants to take advantage of the support and counseling resources available. Classes are underway and the voyage will arrive to the ninth port of Hong Kong as scheduled on November 11.

It is important to note that after an incident of this nature, the Institute and V.Ships, the vessel management company which operates the MV Explorer, follow an investigative protocol as required by maritime law and ISE policy. These protocols can include student conduct investigations, investigations by vessel management, investigations by local authorities (Viet Nam), investigations by the ship's flag state (Bahamas), and investigations by U.S. authorities. Following this protocol, we will continue to collect and evaluate information and to respond accordingly.

November 6, 2010

Dear members of the Semester at Sea Fall 2010 voyage community:

It is with the deepest sadness that I inform you of the loss of one of our students today aboard the MV Explorer while docked in Vietnam. Andre Ramadan, 20, a sophomore at the University of California-Santa Barbara, died of unknown medical causes. The Institute for Shipboard Education and senior voyage administrators are in close contact with the U.S. State Department, Vietnamese officials, representatives from UC Santa Barbara, and Andre's family. We wish to convey our condolences to them and to his many friends. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Counseling and support services are available to all members of the Semester at Sea voyage community. Participants are urged to contact Student Support Services at x3333 or the Dean of Students at x2336.

The Institute for Shipboard Education and the Fall 2010 Semester at Sea voyage administration will inform participants and others of opportunities to remember Andre as plans are finalized.

-President Les McCabe

October 31, 2010: The true essence of globalization was apparent aboard the MV Explorer as students and faculty from National University of Singapore (NUS) joined Semester at Sea to mark the recent academic partnership between the academic institutions in two days of events during the Fall 2010 voyage's stop in Singapore. {More»}

October 22, 2010: Today marks the 47th anniversary of Semester at Sea and its predecessor programs. On this day in 1963, 275 students set sail for 22 ports around the world aboard the MS Seven Seas to begin a tradition of shipboard education that continues to this day. In alumni chapters around the world and aboard the MV Explorer on the 103rd SAS voyage, people are celebrating this significant historic milestone. Learn more about our rich history through our interactive historical timeline and by connecting with our alumni community on Facebook.

The upcoming Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) Enrichment Voyage, a one-of-a-kind travel and learning adventure for participants of all ages, will feature a keynote address by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who will join the voyage Dec. 15-19, 2010. A long-time acquaintance of ISE's world-renowned Semester at Sea program, Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his work to end apartheid. Cabins are still available for this unique educational experience. Learn more.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrated his 79th birthday aboard the MV Explorer with dozens of family, friends, and well-wishers during Semester at Sea's time in Cape Town, South Africa. More than 150 people crowded the Glazer Faculty/Staff Lounge to honor the Archbishop and Leah Tutu, who celebrates her birthday next week. {More»}