Having the opportunity to visit our daughter during her SAS voyage was very special. The [Parent Trip] was planned to perfection. The accommodations were amazing and the safari was first class. Meeting other SAS voyagers and their parents made the week perfect. As parents we bonded with one another knowing we would always be connected through our children’s experiences with SAS. SAS is an opportunity of a lifetime for both parent and traveler. Many of the parents agreed we want an encore and hope to have a 5 year parent reunion in South Africa. Melissa, you ready for one more trip!
Fall 2025 Parent and Family Trip
Our Parent Trip in Vietnam offers premier access to experience Vietnam through a different lens as you immerse in an exceptionally curated journey. There’s no better way to unplug and spend precious quality time as a family. This is an interactive itinerary for all ages!
The Semester at Sea Parent Trip is an opportunity for you to reunite with your voyager and other families to experience the magic of Semester at Sea. Together, you’ll bond over a bucket list experience in Vietnam!
Highlights Include
- Lodging at The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
- A visit to the nature wonder of Ninh Binh
- Adventures in Ha Long Bay on an overnight Indochine Cruise
Full Program Itinerary
9 Days | November 29 – December 7, 2025
November 29: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
(Day 1)
Travel to Ho Chi Minh City. A transfer is included from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the hotel on the day you arrive. The afternoon will be at leisure, followed by welcome cocktails in the hotel.
Evening Cocktails | Lodging: The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
November 30: Ho Chi Minh City– The Essence of the Mekong
(Day 2)
After breakfast we will depart our hotel for a tour of the Mekong Delta. You will explore one of the country’s most enchanting landscapes traveling by road to Ben Tre. Upon arrival at the local pier, hop on a motorized wooden boat for a close view of the Tan My floating community. Enjoy hands-on experiences at a beeswax workshop and then take a buggy around tranquil village paths. Pause for a delicious Mekong-style lunch in a garden home. We will return to our hotel for an evening of leisure.
Meals: B, L | Lodging: The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
December 1: MV World Odyssey Arrival / Insider’s Tour of Saigon
(Day 3)
The morning is at your leisure, followed by a midday transfer from the hotel to the Saigon Port for the arrival of the MV World Odyssey. Greet your voyager and enjoy a ship tour, followed by a transfer back to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Saigon to discover the city’s vibrant diversity, as it retains a beautiful mix of its Vietnamese, Chinese and French influents. Enjoy a Vietnamese dinner before returning to your hotel or optional drop off at Ben Thanh Night Market. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: B, (Lunch is optional, on ship) | Lodging: The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
Please note that some voyagers may have required faculty-led Field Classes. Students will check into the hotel today and will be with the group until December 6.
December 2: Flight to Hanoi/ Hanoi Highlights with Water Puppet Show
(Day 4)
In the morning, we will depart for Ho Chi Minh – Tan Son Nhat airport for our flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival to Hanoi, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in the center of the city, followed by a city tour visiting sites including the Old Quarters, Temple of Literature, and historic relics Hoa Lo Prison. As the sun sets, take part in a traditional water puppet show, an art form that dates to the 11th century. After the show, the rest of the day is free at your leisure, with dinner on your own arrangement.
Meals: B, L | Lodging: Grand Mercure Hanoi
December 3: Nature Wonder of Ninh Binh
(Day 5)
After your breakfast, depart Hanoi and transfer to Ninh Binh, which is often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on Land.” Upon arrival, enjoy a rowboat trip along the Boi River and the scenery of Tam Coc grottos, seasonal rice fields, and the life of farmers in the Red River Delta. Return to the pier and have lunch at a rustic restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the remains of the once impressive citadel of Hoa Lu, once the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Following your tour, transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: B, L, | Lodging: Grand Mercure Hanoi
December 4: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise
(Day 6)
After your breakfast, bid farewell to Hanoi and set off on a scenic journey by road to Ha Long Bay, a breathtaking geographical and cultural jewel of Vietnam. Upon arrival at the jetty around midday, complete check-in formalities before being welcomed aboard the Indochine Cruise. You will be served lunch while cruising the tranquil waters and will have plenty of time to take in the magnificent seascape of Lan Ha Bay – an unspoiled extension of the famed Ha Long Bay. In the afternoon, set out to explore the Dark and Bright Cave (also known as Bat Cave) a hidden grotto known not only for its stunning limestone structure but also its tranquil natural habitat. After exploration, return to the cruise and enjoy swimming in the bay, relax on the sundeck, or take a dip in the pool.
Meals: B, L, D | Lodging: Indochine Cruise
December 5: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi by Road, Flight back to Ho Chi Minh
(Day 7)
Begin your day early at sunrise with breakfast, followed by a 30-minute Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Then take a guided walk-through Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island, returning to the ship for a leisurely brunch while taking in the final views of Lan Ha Bay.
At the pier, we will begin our journey back to Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, check in your hotel, and the rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Meals: B, L | Lodging: The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
December 6: Final Day with your Voyager in Ho Chi Minh City
(Day 8)
This morning is free at leisure. Lunch is on your own arrangement. Around noon, the voyagers will check out the hotel. This is a moment for the family to say goodbye to their voyagers. The guide will wait at the hotel lobby, then have a short transfer to the Saigon pier to re-embark the ship. The bus will transfer the families back to the hotel afterward.
The rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Meals: B | Lodging: The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
December 7: Ho Chi Minh City/Journey Home (Day 9)
After hotel check out, transfer to Ho Chi Minh – Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
Testimonials
“My husband and I took part in the parent trip that was beautifully organized by Semester at Sea. It was wonderful meeting the ship in Cape Town. I loved knowing that all the arrangements were taken care of. The trip to the local winery, Table Rock cocktails , the flights to and from Shamwari Private Game Reserve, breakfasts, hotels, airport transfers… all of it was top notch. We saw incredible animals at Shamwari and loved our guide and tracker. We met so many great families and SAS staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. Of course the best part was seeing our son and having him show us around the ship and seeing first hand how much he was enjoying his semester. We would highly recommend taking part in the Parent Trip! Thank you Melissa for arranging such a fun week!”
-Laurie Seidler, Spring 2024 Parent Trip Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average group size?
We typically have 40 participants (parents and their voyagers), but we may occasionally have a slightly larger group. Two Semester at Sea home office staff members travel with the group as well.
Who can participate?
While Semester at Sea Parent and Family Trips are designed primarily for parents and family members of voyagers, we welcome extended family and friends who wish to experience educational travel.
Are there age or physical fitness restrictions?
We welcome trip participants over 10 years of age to join us. While there is no maximum age, all participants must be physically fit, active, and in good health. Certain itineraries are better suited for families, and we encourage you to reach out to a Semester at Sea staff member to inquire about your own personal needs. Please refer to the program brochure for trip-specific requirements.
Any condition that requires special medical attention or assistance must be reported at the time a reservation is made. The individual trip brochures will provide specific details on the rigors of individual trips. If you have concerns about your ability to participate, please feel free to call us.
Are there payment plans?
We do not offer payment plans for the Parent and Family Trips at this time. Full payment is required upon registering for the trip. You may use a credit card or mail a check (specific payment details are listed in each trip).
How many days is an average trip?
We typically arrive two days before the ship arrives in port, and stay one day after the ship leaves. Trips are usually 7-10 days.