Our Final Free Port

After spending a few days in Cuba, the MV Explorer made it’s way back to Freeport, Bahamas. We arrived on the evening of December 12th and the ship was cleared for all faculty and staff by 8:00pm. The students had finals on December 13th, and thus, would not be allowed to get off the ship until December 14th. The staff took advantage of the option to get off the ship by heading to really the only place within walking distance, Señor Frogs (which could easily be seen from the ship). Señor Frogs is a Mexican-theme bar and grill in tourist destinations throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Señor Frogs was supposed to have a private holiday party that evening, but KP convinced them to open the doors to us as well (side note: never doubt KP).

View of Señor Frogs from the MV Explorer

 Señor Frogs

KP & Carla with Margaritas

The next day, the students were taking their last final exams of the voyage. The Student Life Staff (minus Lorainne, because Blake wasn’t feeling well) took advantage of this and headed to the opposite side of the island to find a beach to relax on. The water was a crazy blue color (like Photoshop blue) and the sun came out midway through the day, which was nice. Our group grabbed lunch, some beach beverages, and some beach chairs. We were challenged to a game of volleyball by a group from one of the large cruise ships in the Freeport harbor. The group was fun to play with and the game came down right to the end with Carla serving and us up 20-19. There was no pressure from anyone, except Nathan, who told Carla not to ruin the voyage for everyone. Carla showed her nerves of steel by serving a nice ball and the SAS team won 21-19!

 Bahama Beach with Carla

With a Bahama Mama in Hand

 Carnival Splendor - Now That's A Cruise Ship!

 Volleyball in the Bahamas...Roman Victor!

After volleyball, we spent some time in the water and took some pictures. The water wasn’t Salvador warm, but it was still a nice temperature. After spending the day in the sun, we headed back to ship to prepare for the Alumni Ball. 

Carla & Megan got their Nails Painted for the Alumni Ball

As each voyage nears its conclusion, the Alumni Ball brings the community together to celebrate the past semester as well as the progression from students to alumni of Semester at Sea. Dinner was held in the Main Dining Room on the 5th deck and the dance was held outside on the 7th deck. It was a fantastic event as everyone dressed in their finest, ate a delicious 5-course meal, took tons of pictures, and danced the night away!

Alumni Ball - 2nd Seating for Dinner

Staff Tables 65 & 66

Student Table 85 - Excellent Group

The Young Family!

Student Activities/Field Office Desk Staff (minus Bri & Ramy)

 With Nathan & Carla

 Winners of Pretty Much Every Intramural Sport - Chris, Phil, and Henry

Two Baltic Bandits - Hannah & Emma

The next day was for the students to enjoy the Bahamas. The students were not allowed to disembark until their RD had checked to make sure they were packed, as the next day everyone’s luggage would be taken from them. As a staff member, I was worried about this day, as the students had no more schoolwork and could pretty much just go to a beach and party, which they did. Overall, the majority of the shipboard community did really well in terms of being responsible and making positive choices (especially revolving around alcohol). Unfortunately, not everyone was put into this category. At around 3:00pm, Patrick and I were called to go to the main beach to see if any students needed medical attention. This came after getting a call that one student had been transported to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. Patrick and I sent another one to the hospital, while everyone at the beach headed back to the ship…and by “ship,” I mean Señor Frogs. Thus, when Patrick and I returned, a large number of the shipboard community was still drinking. The students had to be back on the ship by 9:00pm, but when getting back on the ship, many of them were visibly intoxicated, which meant they were going to the “VIP Room.” All in all, we had 30 students go to the VIP room, or rooms, as we had to open up 4 spaces. Unfortunately, the RDs (with help from a handful of others) had to sit in these rooms as observers. Although it’s never fun to be in the “VIP Room,” we made the most of this situation and our time with the students.

The next morning, the luggage would be taken from everyone’s cabins and moved to a station for final disembarkation. At 8:00pm, the ship would leave Freeport and make its way to our final destination, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"'Tis your road to choose, for 'tis your search. We walk beside you, but do not tell you which way to go."