Semester at Sea will move its turnaround port from Bremerhaven to IJmuiden, near Amsterdam, when it switches to the Ambella in 2028.

The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) also said it intends to bring much of its current crew along.

Scott Marshall, president and CEO of ISE, shared the details during a “State of the Institute” webinar for alumni, days after Ambassador Cruise Line announced it had bought the Oceania Sirena from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

The Sirena will stay with Oceania Cruises under a leaseback through spring 2028.

She then becomes the Ambella and sails summers for Ambassador’s new German brand, Ambassador Kreuzfahrten. Semester at Sea will charter the ship for about eight months a year, starting with the fall 2028 voyage.

Marshall said the charter runs for 10 years, with an option to extend.

He said the structure mirrors the program’s current deal for the World Odyssey, which will remain its campus through the spring 2028 voyage.

Amsterdam Replaces Bremerhaven

Semester at Sea now picks up the World Odyssey in Bremerhaven each fall and returns her there after the spring voyage. Under the Ambassador deal, that exchange will take place at IJmuiden.

“Amsterdam is really the major city with a great airport and a very short trip up to IJmuiden, so it’s actually a win for us,” Marshall said.

Crew and Captains

Marshall said ISE told Ambassador early in the talks that it wanted the World Odyssey’s crew to move to the new ship. He said Ambassador was receptive because it does not have crew for the additional vessel.

“We want as many as possible to continue with us beyond spring 2028 and into fall 2028,” he said.

Marshall added that the agreement gives ISE a major voice in choosing the ship’s captains. The program plans to keep its current fall and spring masters, who are employed by the vessel’s technical management company.

Refit for Classrooms

A small ISE team walked the ship over two days in February. A larger group will meet Ambassador onboard this week to plan classrooms and decide how to allocate cabins among students, faculty and lifelong learners.

“These are cruise ships; they’re not built for the academic experience,” Marshall said. He added that not every ship can accommodate that kind of renovation.

Marshall said the ship is slightly larger than the World Odyssey, with more cabins and more balconies. It also has a wider selection of cabins for lifelong learners and a fitness center with a running track. Starlink internet service will continue.

The search for a new ship took two and a half years and was led by a Future Ship Task Force chaired by ISE trustee Marisa Huber.

No Return to Circumnavigation

Marshall said single-voyage world circumnavigations are unlikely. He cited the higher speeds they require, greater fuel costs, the risk of arriving late to ports and the program’s commitment to longer port stays. Each voyage will continue to visit at least three continents and up to 11 countries.

Marshall said fuel is currently above $100 a barrel. ISE hedges fuel through a broker, charges voyagers an upfront fuel fee and occasionally adds a surcharge.

ISE has told Ambassador it would like occasional U.S. port calls, and Marshall said there are tentative plans for alumni voyages. Neither has been confirmed. The fall 2028 itinerary is expected to be announced in March or April 2027.