Semester at Sea is pleased to announce that Captain Kostas Siamantas will return as Captain of the MV World Odyssey for the Spring 2026 Voyage.
A respected Greek mariner with nearly two decades of service to the program, Captain Kostas’s steady leadership and dedication to the voyager experience have made him a defining presence in the Semester at Sea community.
“Captain Kostas exemplifies the spirit of Semester at Sea,” said Scott Marshall, President and CEO of the Institute for Shipboard Education. “His leadership, professionalism, and genuine care for our voyagers help make the ship not just a vessel, but a community. We are thrilled to welcome him back to the bridge.”
Alternating Leadership at Sea
With Captain Kostas’s return, Semester at Sea will move forward with a leadership rotation in which Captain Jan Christiansen will command the MV World Odyssey during fall voyages and Captain Kostas Siamantas will be in command during spring voyages.
Captain Jan, who first took command in late 2023, has quickly become a highly respected and valued leader within the Semester at Sea community. Together, Captains Jan and Kostas provide Semester at Sea with exceptional leadership across the full academic year, ensuring that every voyage continues to uphold the program’s longstanding standards of safety, excellence, and community.
A Longstanding Legacy with Semester at Sea
Captain Kostas first joined the program in 2005 as Staff Captain and assumed full command as Captain in 2011. He led the MV Explorer and later the MV World Odyssey on its inaugural SAS voyage in 2014, continuing to command most voyages through 2022. After briefly stepping back in 2023 to focus on his health, he remained active as a Marine Auditor and Compliance Manager. Originally from the seaside village of Epanomi in Northern Greece, Captain Kostas grew up surrounded by the sea. After graduating from the Macedonia Marine Academy, he began his maritime career as a bridge officer on cargo vessels before finding his calling aboard passenger ships. The sense of community and purpose he discovered in passenger service became the foundation of his lifelong career.
In addition to his merchant marine experience, Captain Kostas served 24 months in the Hellenic Navy as commander of a supply vessel, completing his compulsory service in the Hellenic Armed Forces.
Looking Ahead
As the MV World Odyssey prepares for its next global voyage, Semester at Sea looks forward to welcoming Captain Kostas back to the bridge this spring and continuing to sail under the exceptional leadership of both Captains Kostas and Jan in the years ahead.
