Safety
Coronavirus / COVID-19 Response
We are dedicated to continually evolving our health and safety protocols in line with best practices and expert recommendations.
Background
While the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted three planned Semester at Sea voyages (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Fall 2021), we resumed our program in the Spring of 2022 and continue to operate at full capacity. Today, our voyager experience looks very much like it did prior to the pandemic. This is due to an ongoing and longtime focus on voyager safety and wellness, the assistance and support of our voyagers, as well as our crew’s dedication to meeting and exceeding our industry’s high standards for sanitation and cleanliness.
Our Current Approach
- Fall 2023: As all ports on our current Fall 2023 itinerary have lifted their COVID vaccination requirements (as of March 2023), voyagers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Voyagers who sail without vaccination may be barred by local port authorities should those requirements be reinstated.
- Spring 2024: As of June 2023 all ports on our current Spring 2024 itinerary have lifted their COVID vaccination requirements. Voyagers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Voyagers who sail without vaccination may be barred by local port authorities should those requirements be reinstated
- As we travel to 10+ ports of call during each voyage, we and our passengers must abide by existing requirements related to testing, vaccination, and more. Please be aware that these may change at any time. As a result, we strongly encourage all voyagers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- The entire ship is ventilated with MERV 13 air filters, which the EPA and CDC recommend for commercial filtration for COVID-19 and other viruses. MERV 13 filters remove greater than 75% of the aerosol particles that cause COVID-19 and improve fresh air intake and circulation.
- The medical team will continue to offer testing to symptomatic voyagers and assist with limiting the spread of all air-borne illness through proactive and reactive measures. While procedures may change, as of Spring 2023, voyagers sickened by COVID-19 receive meal service in their rooms but are allowed to participate in all ship activities (including classes) provided they are cleared by the shipboard medical staff and follow masking protocols during their infectious window.
Insurance
Travel Insurance
All voyagers are covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy provided by Semester at Sea. This policy provides for medical treatment in the port countries, including treatment for COVID-19.
The policy Semester at Sea provides through CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) has two components: medical and security. While services deemed medically necessary are covered, security evacuation for fear of catching a pandemic/epidemic illness is not covered. This is not a covered occurrence under the benefit due to the exclusion for endemic or epidemic diseases or global pandemic diseases. (This is not just the case for this policy. Most insurance carriers do not consider it something that is insurable at this time.)
The provided travel insurance will cover COVID-19 testing as long as the individual being tested is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19. There is no limit on the number of times someone can be tested (as long as they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.) Treatment for pandemic-related illness is covered on the medical side (doctor visits, medication, hospitalization, medical evacuation, etc.)
Voyagers are encouraged to read the full policy and consider purchasing additional coverage for items not included (for example, trip interruption/cancellation if desired.)
Medical Facilities Onboard
Trained Medical Staff
One of the great parts about studying abroad with Semester at Sea is that you travel with a team of U.S. licensed health professionals ready to support you 24/7 no matter where you are in the world.
We may increase the number of medical personnel on any given future voyage to include additional trained physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and medical swing positions (who stay in-country with any voyager who needs to remain in port for medical reasons after the ship departs). There is a provider call system in place, so help is always available.
Medical Facilities Onboard
Ship Clinic
The clinic aboard the MV World Odyssey is staffed with U.S. licensed health professionals and is equipped to handle common emergencies and urgent cases and provide short-term follow-up for exacerbation of chronic conditions. The facility is most consistent with that of an urgent care clinic in the United States or Europe. We are capable of stabilizing voyagers with severe respiratory distress, including that seen with COVID-19. This includes oxygenation, intubation, and ventilation with a transport ventilator before an emergency evacuation is commenced.
Going forward, the medical clinic will have improved and enhanced medical equipment and PPE for treating critically ill patients with COVID-19 or other serious illnesses. The clinic has been redesigned to separate and treat those passengers with suspected infectious diseases from those without.
The clinic is not established to take the place of a primary care provider and participants are instructed to bring ample supplies of the home medications with instructions for appropriate use for the entire voyage. If evolving medical conditions cannot be adequately addressed at the clinic, we work with numerous health care partners to meet the medical needs of the voyager in port. Occasionally, there are emergent needs that require a voyager to return home for additional medical care to ensure their safe recovery.
In cases requiring advanced and/or emergent medical attention, the onboard health team works closely with our international crisis management partners to determine the most viable course of action (including helicopter evacuation if necessary).