Spring 2024 Parent and Family Trip
Our Parent Trip in South Africa offers premier access to experience South Africa 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 South Africa!
Highlights Include
- Lodging at the The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
- A visit to the village of Franschhoek to explore the Winelands
- Watch your voyagers arrive at the Port of Cape Town
- Adventures at the Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Full Program Itinerary
Nine (9) Days | March 2 – 10, 2024
March 2: Arrival in Cape Town
(Day 1)
Travel to Cape Town. A transfer is included from the Cape Town International Airport to the hotel on the day you arrive. The afternoon will be at leisure, followed by a Welcome Reception in the hotel.
Evening Reception | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
March 3: Cape Town and the Winelands
(Day 2)
In the morning, we will take the N1 National Road to the village of Franschhoek, which has a rich history and tradition of viticulture dating back to the 17th century arrival of the French Huguenots. Following time for browsing, we will continue onto a local wine estate where we will enjoy wine tasting and a picnic lunch. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon for an evening of leisure.
Meals: B, L | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
March 4: World Odyssey Arrival / Cape Town /Sundowners on Signal Hill
(Day 3)
This morning we will meet the World Odyssey at the port in Cape Town. Enjoy time with your voyager and then meet us at the hotel lobby to transfer to Signal Hill. There we will enjoy sundowners, canapés and a magnificent view. We will return to the hotel so you can enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals: B, (Lunch is optional, on ship) | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
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 March 9, the day the ship leaves Cape Town.
March 5: Cape Town to Port Elizabeth & Shamwari Private Game Reserve
(Day 4)
Following an early hotel checkout, we will depart for our flight to Port Elizabeth. There we will visit Cape Recife Lighthouse and enjoy an alfresco breakfast on the beach. We will depart Port Elizabeth and travel to Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Africa’s southernmost big game reserve. After our high tea we will depart on an afternoon game drive. Meals: B, D | Lodging: Shamwari Private Game Reserve
March 6: Shamwari Private Game Reserve
(Day 5)
We will have early coffee, tea and biscuits and a morning game drive followed by a full breakfast upon our return to the lodge. The remainder of the morning and early afternoon will be free for various options, swimming, or watching wildlife from your private cottage or lodge. We will meet again for afternoon tea and a late afternoon game drive.
Meals: B, L, D | Lodging: Shamwari Private Game Reserve
March 7: Shamwari & Return to Cape Town
(Day 6)
We will have another early morning game drive followed by a hearty breakfast before checking out of the lodge and traveling to the airport in Port Elizabeth for a flight back to Cape Town. Spend the evening reminiscing on the amazing sights seen on safari.
Meals: B, L (box lunch provided by lodge), D | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
March 8: Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Tour
(Day 7)
In the morning we will drive along one of South Africa’s most scenic routes to Cape Point, the most south-westerly tip of Africa. Among the highlights along this journey are the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and their differing ecosystems meet. We will end our day at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden which is spread out over 1,384 acres on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
Meals: B, L | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
March 9: Cape Town & Adventures
(Day 8)
After breakfast you may enjoy a day of leisure or choose one of these amazing activities. Option 1: a tour of the colorful Bo-Kaap where you will experience the unique culture, lifestyle and personality of this Cape Muslim community and enjoy local food of samoosa, dhaltjie and koesister. Option 2: Enjoy a 2-hour kayak experience along the Atlantic Seaboard coastline. After kayaking, a visit to the Orangezicht Farmers Market to shop and see local arts and crafts. A transfer will take our voyagers back to the World Odyssey. Our farewell dinner will be held at the hotel with a beautiful view of the ocean.
Meals: B, Evening Reception | Lodging: The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
March 10: Cape Town / Journey Home
(Day 9)
Departures from Cape Town. Transfers to the airport are included.
Meals: B
Registration Details
Trips sell out each semester – do not delay!
- Early Registration Deadline is December 1.
- Final Registration closes December 31, 2023 (or once the trip is full).
- Pricing and detailed itinerary are available on our website.
- Voyagers with a field class during the trip are still encouraged to participate.
For questions, contact Melissa Bingler, Senior Director of Advancement Services, via email or by phone.
The Spring 2024 Parent Trip is sold out!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.