August 23, 2014
I’M. ON. THE. SHIP.

I checked out of my hotel in London this morning and took the bus to Heathrow airport. There, I took the Heathrow Express to the main terminal (yes, the airport was so big that it had trains to transport people from place to place). Upon arrival I checked in with SAS and hopped on a shuttle to my floating home.

After riding for an eternity I finally saw water, but no ship. There was a large building in the way. In this building I waited in line for an hour to sign contracts, submit my passport, send my luggage through x-ray, and have a pat-down. When all of this was finished I was directed to a corridor. At the end of the corridor was a woman, and when I reached her, with a smile she beamed, “Welcome… to Semester at Sea.” I rounded the corner behind her and there she was: the MV Explorer in all of her sparkling, breathtaking, enormous wonder – a vessel that will give me the world.

Aboard the ship is like a dream. I don’t use the word “magnificent” often but I think this ship deserves it. Here are a few pics just to give you a taste.

I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me due to lack of internet, but I’ve been writing along the way. Stay tuned for an international “What Are This?” overload.