World
World Academy on MS Volendam: South America, Asia & the Pacific
Program No. 25129RJ
135 days, one voyage, countless memories — board Holland America’s MS Volendam for an unforgettable learning journey around the world!
Program
At a Glance
Duration
135 days
Program Begins
Fort Lauderdale
Program Concludes
Fort Lauderdale
Meals
397 (
133B, 131L, 133D
)
Activity Level
Board the MS Volendam for the voyage of a lifetime that begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and continues around the globe! Set sail to South America and Antarctica — where you’ll enjoy a four-day expedition— before sailing west for Australia to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House. Voyage onward in search of unique wildlife like the Komodo Dragons, the largest lizards in the world that make their home in Indonesia and immerse yourself in the culture of Singapore on an overnight in port. Continue your journey through Japan as you discover Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Throughout this incredible adventure, you’ll enjoy lectures and discussions led by our experts to help you discover the very best of each port.
Best of all, you'll...
- Take in UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
- Spend an overnight in port in Sydney Harbor and visit the renowned Sydney Opera House.
- Get up close to the remote landscapes and wildlife of Antarctica on a four-day expedition to this unique continent.
Featured Expert
All Experts
John Cerone
Professor John Cerone holds faculty appointments at The Fletcher School-Tufts University, American University-Washington College of Law, and the University of London. As a practicing international lawyer, he has worked for numerous IGOs and NGOs, served as Special Adviser to the first U.S. delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council, and has extensive field experience in conflict and post-conflict environments. He has taught in more than 40 countries around the world and is the author of dozens of articles and book chapters on international law.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
John Cerone
Professor John Cerone holds faculty appointments at The Fletcher School-Tufts University, American University-Washington College of Law, and the University of London. As a practicing international lawyer, he has worked for numerous IGOs and NGOs, served as Special Adviser to the first U.S. delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Council, and has extensive field experience in conflict and post-conflict environments. He has taught in more than 40 countries around the world and is the author of dozens of articles and book chapters on international law.
Jill Rosenfield
Jill Rosenfield lives in Jerusalem and works full time as an Israeli official guide and Road Scholar group leader. For the past 25 years, she has led a wide variety of groups. She loves introducing the historical, cultural, and culinary wonders of Israel. Jill grew up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa to finish her schooling and university. After graduating, she emigrated to Israel and worked for many years as a special education teacher, then changed careers and became a licensed Israeli guide.
Ngaire Douglas
Dr. Ngaire (NY-ree) Douglas is a retired senior university professor. She is published widely on Pacific studies, history, and cruise ship management. Since 2006, she has worked with Australian Business Volunteers, a government-funded organization placing short term expertise into projects in developing countries. Her contribution is in university locations across Southeast Asia, training academics in the development of education materials and improving teaching skills. Ngaire is passionate about food, wine, travel, and sharing Australia and New Zealand with Road Scholars.
Sinisa Diklic
Sinisa Diklic started working in travel at the age of 17 while studying law at Zagreb University. He was a sport animator and resort representative before becoming a group leader. After residing in London and the Costa del Sol, Sinisa now in lives in Zagreb, Croatia. He is fluent in Croatian, English, Spanish, and Italian, and is interested in history, cultures, arts, music, food, tennis, and skiing.
Oscar Oviedo Velasco
Oscar Oviedo Velasco is a native Peruvian with over 20 years of experience as a local expert and group leader. He has special expertise in archeology, history and art of Peru, and has conducted independent studies on pre-Hispanic textile and pottery techniques as well as the Viceregal history of Lima. He has participated in archaeological excavation projects related to pre-Inca civilizations and battlefields in Lima and studied photography. He created and maintains a popular website about museums in the city of Lima at museosdelima.com.
Luana Sotero
Luana Sotero, born and raised as a “Carioca” to a family of politicians and artists, was introduced to the core of Brazilian culture, religion, and society with its unique mixture as a child. Later, she lived abroad for a couple of years in Europe and Russia. She has since been leading groups and teaching lessons of Brazilian culture and history. Luana has worked as a volunteer at the Brazilian Navy Archives and is a founding member of a project to protect the famous Selarón Steps.
Katy Chamberlain
Katy Chamberlain is a geologist and volcanologist, who specializes in the interpretation of pre-eruptive magmatic evolution using geochemical analyses of erupted products. She currently holds the position of lecturer in igneous petrology at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Katy has worked all over the world, studying super-eruptive processes in the Bishop Tuff (USA), ocean island volcanism at Ascension Island and the Canary Islands, and subduction zones processes in the Southern Volcanic Zone of Chile.
Christopher Chapman
Dr. Kit Chapman is a science historian and adventurer who has traveled extensively throughout Japan and lived in South Korea. An avid enthusiast of Japanese history, particularly the Sengoku period, Dr. Chapman is also a fan of modern Japanese cinema including the films of Akira Kurosawa and Studio Ghibli. He has a Ph.D. in the history of science, focused on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and has visited the particle accelerators at RIKEN, based just outside Tokyo, where Japanese scientists are currently attempting to create new building blocks of the universe.
Laura Gingerich
Laura L. Gingerich is an award-winning documentary and travel photographer whose early work documenting humanitarian relief and disasters evolved into leading photo trips around the world. With over 20 years of experience, her photography spans the Middle East, India, Haiti, Cuba, North Africa, Europe, and beyond. When Laura is not on assignment, she loves to share what she knows while leading photography workshops that inspire beginners to advanced enthusiasts.
Max Meza
Maximo (Max) Meza has been a travel leader in South America for over 40 years, with extensive knowledge on its history, geography, and biology. In recent years, Max has shared his knowledge aboard The World, providing lectures on various South American ports from Callao, Peru to Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a proud Chilean, Max looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience of the southernmost enclave of the planet.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.