Submitted by Danielle DiGiorgio on the 2018 spring break program in Florida/Bahamas sponsored by the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
My week on the Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had in my life so far! I had never been on a cruise nor an island before.
We first got on the ship and did a scavenger hunt to get our bearings and learn about all of the wonderful activities, restaurants and amenities the ship had to offer! It felt very surreal to be on a boat because it just feels like you’re in a very fancy hotel, until you step outside and see the waves crashing around you.
Throughout the program, I was able to participate in many fun activities like karaoke, watching shows, roller-skating and participating in a skydiving simulator. It was crazy to think of everything this ship had to offer. In addition, I got to do some pretty exciting things while we were ported in Florida and the Bahamas. We got to explore where rocket ships used to launch and went on many tours to discover the culture of the island. I was also able to explore the island myself, by going to the beach, trying local cuisine and getting my hair braided.
It was also interesting to hear from those who actually work on the ship. Three days out of the week, many speakers came to talk to my class about their responsibilities and job characteristics on the ship. We heard from people in customer service, chefs, recreation directors, one of the captains and many more! We were also able to go on an all-access tour to see the inner-workings of the ship. It was so cool to see the kind of work that gets put into running a 4,000-person cruise.
This program was amazing not only because of all that I learned, but also because of the amazing people I got to meet. From the other students on this program, to staff members, to the local people, I enjoyed making friends and connections with them all. I’m so glad I got to experience this study abroad adventure!