Gabriel Gonzalez Student Life

Cruise Management Course Trip Near Deadline

Photo of Bahamas beach Image courtesy of Asad Photo Maldives on pexels.com

Gabriel Gonzalez

Student Life Editor

The eight-night cruise line management course is reaching its deposit deadline. Those who sign up for the course and trip must leave AAA a deposit of $250 before Friday, Nov. 1. Past that date, the prices will increase. After any of those interested leave their deposit, they can expect to board the Norwegian Express from Mar. 17 to 15, 2025.

Dr. Li-Ming (Stanley) Chiang, department chair of hospitality, recreation and tourism management, and Dr. Fredrick C. Meitner, assistant professor of hospitality, recreation and tourism management explained the details behind the course and trip in a presentation on Oct. 30.

The name of the course tied to the trip is Cruise Line Management (HRML 281), and according to the course description, students can expect that: “Topics covered include service culture, diversity, employee motivation, technology, generational workforce changes, ethics and sustainability in the cruise line industry.” Students will meet twice before the trip at ESU, but after that point the learning will consist of tours and lectures on the cruise itself.

The course is worth three credits. For more information about prerequisites can be found at this link.

The trip has actually been taken before pre-COVID, but it took some time to get off the ground post-COVID. While more than 20 were allowed on the last trip, 15 has become the new limit. The first 10 students to leave deposits will knock $200 off off of the final price.

Hosted by AAA, the cruise promises students a front-lines look into cruise management over the course of one week onboard the Norwegian Express, a cruise line on course for the Bahamas. First, the trip will leave from New York City Port, go to Port Canaveral, FL, then to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas, and back to New York. Full cruise itinerary below:

Photo of Norwegian Express
Image courtesy of ncl.com
  • 3/7: Leave from New York City Port at 8 p.m.
  • 3/7-8: At sea.
  • 3/10: Arrive at Port Canaveral, FL at 6 a.m. and leave at 9 p.m.
  • 3/11: Arrive at Great Stirrup Cay at 9:30 a.m. and leave at 6 p.m.
  • 3/12: Arrive in Nassau, Bahamas at 8 a.m. and leave at 5 p.m.
  • 3/13-14: At sea.
  • 3/15: Arrive back in New York City, NY.

While it is an academic trip with assignments to complete and lectures to attend, there’s still plenty of time in between to enjoy the experience.

In Florida, students may be able to visit SpaceX. There’s plenty of opportunity to sunbathe on the white beaches of the Bahamas in Nassau. And cruisegoers can even scuba dive with pigs, in Great Stirrup Cay.

Photo of pig swimming with an osprey sitting on top
Image courtesy of pexels.com

Of course, there is the price. There are two options available, both for double occupancy.

Option One:

  • Category: IB (Interior Stateroom)
  • Cabin Type: Interior
  • Rate per Person: $1322.60

Option Two:

  • Category: BD (Balcony Stateroom)
  • Cabin Type: Balcony
  • Rate per Person: $1552.78

After the deposit, the rest will be paid in monthly installments.

More information on included features, cancelations and penalties and what proof of citizenship is needed are on this brochure.

Time is ticking. Those interested in joining the eight-night excursion must contact Ali Brink at 570-421-2500 ext. 142., or email abrink@aaanorthpenn.com or visit aaa.com to make an appointment.