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Semester at Sea Enrichment Voyage, Segment 2: Atlantic Europe

Program Number: 21120RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/10/2013 - 5/25/2013;
Duration: 15 nights
Location: France/Belgium/Netherlands/Scotland/Ireland/England
Price starting at: $2,999.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 39; 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Set sail on the MV Explorer, the ocean liner that serves as the “floating campus” of the renowned Semester at Sea study abroad program, for an Enrichment Voyage exploring France, Belgium, Holland, Great Britain and Ireland. Onboard the ship, take part in interactive lectures and pre-port briefings led by academic experts and enjoy being part of a university-like community. Explore Belfast on an exclusive Road Scholar field trip and discover remaining ports independently or on field excursions of your choice.




Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile per day; some uneven terrain and stairs. You may choose field trips that require more strenuous physical activity.



This voyage is designed for the independent traveler and is less structured than our traditional Adventures Afloat programs. Road Scholar will provide a field trip exclusively for our participants in one port. In the remaining ports you will have the freedom to choose your own field excursions based on your interests and preferred physical activity level, or you can choose to explore on your own.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Paris (France), 1 night; aboard MV Explorer, 13 nights.



Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A.


Days 2-4: Arrival Paris (France) / coach to Le Havre / embark MV Explorer:

Arrive in Paris, where you enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant before an orientation session led by your Road Scholar group leader. The next morning, set out on an expert-led field trip to Monet’s brilliantly colorful gardens at Giverny and the lovely medieval city of Rouen. Board the ship in Le Havre and enjoy an additional day to explore this city where the River Seine meets the English Channel. Lodging: Comfortable Paris hotel.



Days 5-6: Antwerp (Belgium)
Days 7-8: Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Day 9: At Sea
Day 10: Edinburgh (Scotland)
Day 11: At Sea


Day 12: Belfast (Northern Ireland):

Discover Belfast on an exclusive Road Scholar field trip. Historically Belfast has been known for the shipyards that built the Titanic and for the Troubles, a period of bloody conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Climb into a black taxi for a look at the city’s neighborhoods and famous murals led by a true expert: a longtime local taxi driver. Enjoy lunch at An Culturlann, a cultural center that works to preserve the Irish (Gaelic) language. Continue to Stormont, the Parliament Buildings of Northern Ireland, to meet a member of the Local Assembly or of the Belfast City Council for a question-and-answer session.



Days 13-14: Dublin (Ireland)
Day 15: At Sea
Day 16: Dover (England) / disembark / departure


MV Explorer

Built in 2002 by the renowned Blohm & Voss shipbuilders of Germany, the MV Explorer is described by Maritime Telecommunications Network as one of the safest ships afloat. Learning amenities include nine state-of-the-art classrooms, a library, computer and multimedia labs and a student union. The ship also has a pool, gym and wellness center.
Meals and Lodgings
   VILLA BEAUMARCHAIS
  PARIS, France 1 night
   MV Explorer
  mv Explorer - At Sea, USA 14 nights
 VILLA BEAUMARCHAIS
Type: Hotel
  Description: In the heart of the Marais, around the patio, forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Adjacent to the former royal hunting pavilion, the Villa Beaumarchais is able to offer you a charming stopover, an ideal Paris pied-à-terre.
  Contact info: 5, rue des Arquebusiers
PARIS,  75003 France
phone: +33 1 40 29 14 00
web: www.villa-beaumarchais.com/EN/index.html
  Room amenities: A/C. Fully equiped bathroom. Minibar.Wifi on demande. Safe.
  Facility amenities: Air conditionning WIFI on demand. Conference room.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: 160€ twin / 150€ single Call the Road Scholar Program Department at 1-866-359-5966.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 MV Explorer
Type: Cruise Ship
  Description: MV Explorer, built in 2002 for the now-defunct Royal Olympic Cruises, is used most of the year for the non-profit Institute for Shipboard Education’s “Semester at Sea” program. Acquired by the Institute after Royal Olympic's bankruptcy in 2004, the ship has the distinction of being one of the fastest seagoing passenger vessels in the world, able to maintain a speed of 30 knots. Despite its modern architecture, the ship enjoys classic lines and has a following among enthusiasts who will be pleased that a new partnership with has opened the ship to the cruising public during semester breaks.
  Ship Information: Tonnage: 25,000 tons Length: 590 ft. (180 m) Beam: 84 ft. (26 m) Length: 590 ft. (180 m) Beam: 84 ft. (26 m) Draft: 24 ft. (7 m) Maximum Cruising Speed: 28 knots Stabilizers: yes Air Conditioning Throughout: yes Outside Deck Space: 30,000 sq. ft. (2.800 m2) Passenger Decks: 6 Pool Area: 7,500 sq. ft. (700 m2) Swimming Pool: 1 Classrooms: 9 Passenger Capacity (double basis): 836
  Contact info: PO Box 400885
Charlottesville, VA 22904 USA
phone: 800-854-0195
web: www.semesteratsea.org
  Room amenities: All staterooms are equipped with a refrigerator, safe, phone, closed circuit tv with movies and music and a hair dryer.
  Facility amenities: CLINIC The Medical Team is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating total patient care for the students, faculty, staff and assisting with the officers and crew aboard the MV Explorer. The Physician is assisted by a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner and one Registered Nurse, as well as, a Crew Doctor and a Crew Nurse. DINING HALLS The dining halls are located on decks 5 and 6. The Aquamarine Dining Hall, on Deck 5, is the ship's formal dining room. GYM A fitness room with treadmills, elliptical machines, and stairmasters is located on Deck 7. UNION This space is used as a large classroom and for ship wide events such as pre-ports, lectures, shows, movies, and more. Events can be videotaped and broadcast to all classrooms and cabins. LIBRARY The library contains about 9,000 volumes specifically tailored to international study and travel, and to the curriculum of each voyage. There is an extensive map collection containing physical, political, topographical and historical maps. Also onboard is a significant collection of videos for educational and recreational purposes. HUDSON COMPUTER LAB The Computer Lab is available for academic use on a 24-hour basis. Each computer is configured with Windows XP, Microsoft Office XP, and USB ports. The lab is also equipped with several high volume Laser printers that are accessible from any of the computers inside the lab, as well as from individual laptops via wireless connection.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after:  The ship does not offer pre night arrival


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
This program begins in Paris, France with dinner on at a local restaurant You will be staying at VILLA BEAUMARCHAIS that night.
  End of Program:
This program ends in London after breakfast on board the ship. You will be staying at MV Explorer the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
not applicable
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  PARIS
  Nearest airport:  Charles de Gaulle airport
  Transportation to site: All participants who arranged their air travel through Road Scholar Travel Services, and are arriving on Saturday, May 11, will be provided with a transfer from the Paris International Airport to the program hotel.
  From End of Program
  Location:  mv Explorer - At Sea
  Transportation from site: There will be one group departure transfer on the program end date from the cruise port in Dover to London International Airport. This transfer will take place at 9:00am
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Paris/Transfer to the program Hotel
(Friday, May 10)
   
 Morning: Late afternoon/early evening arrivals into Paris. Transfer to the program hotel
 Afternoon: Meet your group for a group orientation lead by your group leader.
 Dinner: Group Dinner at the hotel or at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: VILLA BEAUMARCHAIS
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: La Havre, France
(Saturday, May 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the program hotel
 Morning: Transfer to Giverny and discover Monet's gardens at Giverny and the stunning foliage that inspired the great artist. After the tour transfer to Rouen.
 Lunch: Group Lunch in Rouen.
 Afternoon: Explore historic Rouen, its magnificent cathedral where Monet studied and painted the effects of changing light, and its famous half-timbered houses. Your expert guide walks you through this unique city's history, also taking time to pause at the site of the burning of Joan of Arc. Transfer to the ship.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: La Havre, France
(Sunday, May 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
 Morning: Morning to explore La Havre on your own. The ship will depart shortly after lunch from La Havre
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
 Afternoon: The cruise ship departs La Havre at 1:00pm
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Antwerp, Belgium
(Monday, May 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Antwerp, Belgium
(Tuesday, May 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Amsterdam, Netherlands
(Wednesday, May 15)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Amsterdam, Netherlands
(Thursday, May 16)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: At Sea
(Friday, May 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Enjoy a day of interactive lectures, workshops, and pre-port briefings led by college professors and other experts. Enrichment Sessions provide you with the opportunity for personal growth and discovery through examining the history, culture, indigenous people, literature, music, geology, biology, and current issues of the regions through which you travel. Additional enhancements to learning are provided through community sessions led by your fellow shipmates plus a 9,000-volume library and a computer lab with limited internet access for further self-study. A daily schedule will be posted in the ship's newsletter
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Your afternoon is free to relax, socialize with students and other lifelong learners, and enjoy the amenities of the ship.
 Evening: Explorers' Seminar
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Leith ( Edinburgh) Scotland
(Saturday, May 18)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: At Sea
(Sunday, May 19)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Enjoy a day of interactive lectures, workshops, and pre-port briefings led by college professors and other experts. Enrichment Sessions provide you with the opportunity for personal growth and discovery through examining the history, culture, indigenous people, literature, music, geology, biology, and current issues of the regions through which you travel. Additional enhancements to learning are provided through community sessions led by your fellow shipmates plus a 9,000-volume library and a computer lab with limited internet access for further self-study. A daily schedule will be posted in the ship's newsletter .
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Your afternoon is free to relax, socialize with students and other lifelong learners, and enjoy the amenities of the ship
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Belfast, Ireland
(Monday, May 20)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Enjoy an exculsive Road Scholar excursion. Meet your on-site co-ordinator at the port of Belfast who will welcome you to the city. Board the private motor coach for brief transfer to city centre. En route learn about the rich legacy of the Harland & Wolff shipbuilders where the ‘Titanic’ was built. Illustrated Lecture: “The Mural Tradition & Political Transformation in Northern Ireland”. This will serve as an Introduction to Belfast and a basis for understanding the expertly guided field trip of Belfast city later in the morning. Depart by a fleet of former London black taxi cabs who will take you to see the colourful and evocative murals of East and West Belfast. It has been said that a city can be defined by its taxi drivers and nowhere is this more true than in Belfast. Your driver, having lived through the Troubles and an era of massive social change acts as your local expert, giving you a unique insight into the social history and daily life of the neighborhoods you visit. The Belfast wit and humour is renowned so expect a lot of laughs throughout the morning!
 Lunch: Lunch at An Culturlann, a community run arts and culture centre on the Falls Road. An Culturlann is the centre for the Irish Language community in Belfast. It is home to the Irish language Radio Station 'Raidió Fáilte', an Irish language theatre company and filmmaking company and Pobal, the umbrella organisation for the Irish speaking community in Northern Ireland. You will hear the Irish language spoken by staff and customers alike at this lively centre
 Afternoon: Depart by private motor coach to Stormont. The building at Stormont served as the seat of Parliament in Northern Ireland and is now home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative authority for Northern Ireland established under the terms of the Belfast Agreement 1998 (the Good Friday Agreement). Learn about the workings and current challenges of the historic Power Sharing Assembly. Meet with a Member of the Local Assembly (MLA) or a member of Belfast City Council who will lead a question and answer session on what the future holds for this formerly deeply divided society. Return to your ship by private motor coach with a new impression of Belfast, one of Europe's most unique cities.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Dublin, Ireland
(Tuesday, May 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Dublin, Ireland
(Wednesday, May 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
 Morning: Use your shipboard credit to choose from a variety of shore-based field trips offered by the Institute for Shipboard Education. As soon as the shore excursions are available, you will be sent information on how to register in advance (or you may wait until you get on board, although availability may be limited). A sample Field Program brochure is available online at: http://enrichmentvoyages.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sample-Field-Program-6.12.pdf
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
 Afternoon: Continue to enjoy the field trip of your choice before returning to the ship for dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: At Sea
(Thursday, May 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a day of interactive lectures, workshops, and pre-port briefings led by college professors and other experts. Enrichment Sessions provide you with the opportunity for personal growth and discovery through examining the history, culture, indigenous people, literature, music, geology, biology, and current issues of the regions through which you travel. Additional enhancements to learning are provided through community sessions led by your fellow shipmates plus a 9,000-volume library and a computer lab with limited internet access for further self-study. A daily schedule will be posted in the ship's newsletter .
 Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
 Afternoon: Your afternoon is free to relax, socialize with students and other lifelong learners, and enjoy the amenities of the ship
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Dover, England/Disembarkation
(Friday, May 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
 Morning: Transfer from the cruise port in Dover to the airport for flights home.
   
Accommodations: MV Explorer
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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