If you’ve been researching study-abroad programs, chances are you’ve seen the price tag and wondered: “How much is Semester at Sea, and is it really worth $45,000?”
I set sail on Semester at Sea (SAS) during the Fall 2015 voyage. We were the first voyagers aboard the new MV World Odyssey and visited 11 countries over the course of 100 days. I experienced the incredible shipboard community firsthand, so here’s my honest answer:
Yes, Semester at Sea is 100% worth it.
But it is an expensive investment, and you need to understand where the money goes and how to keep your costs in check.
This guide breaks down the current Semester at Sea cost, what you actually get for that price, where students tend to overspend, and how I personally made the program more affordable.
How much does Semester at Sea cost?
According to Semester at Sea’s Spring 2026 Cost of Participation, the total price is between $42,950 and $47,050, depending on your cabin type.
Here’s the official breakdown:
Semester at Sea Billable Program Fees
- Tuition: $23,500
- Room & board:
- Standard cabin – $8,400
- Premium cabin – $12,500
- Fuel fee: $1,850
Total Billable Program Fee:
- Standard cabin: $33,750
- Premium cabin: $37,850
Semester at Sea Additional Estimated Costs
- Airfare: $2,000
- Visas: $825
- Immunizations: $550
- Personal spending & Field Programs: $4,725
- Local transportation: $550
- Books: $550
Total Cost of Semester at Sea Attendance
- Standard cabin: $42,950
- Premium cabin: $47,050
So yes, the Semester at Sea cost can absolutely hit, or exceed, the $40k mark people talk about online.
But that number also doesn’t tell the full story. Most college students are already paying annual tuition, so you should really consider Semester at Sea as an additional cost to your current tuition.
When you compare the Semester at Sea cost to what a typical U.S. semester already costs, the numbers line up more than most people expect.
A public in-state student usually pays around $12,000–13,000 per semester, including tuition, room, and food. Out-of-state students pay closer to $22,000, while private universities now average $30,000 per semester.
With Semester at Sea’s tuition and room & board ranging from $33,750 to $37,850, the price isn’t far from what many private-school students already pay for a single semester.
And if your scholarships transfer the way mine did, your actual cost difference can be much smaller than the sticker price suggests.
Why the Semester at Sea cost is worth the $45k price tag
It’s been over a decade since I sailed with Semester at Sea, and it’s something I think about each day. I loved so much of my experience, but here are the four biggest reasons why I think the Semester at Sea cost is worthwhile.
1. It’s truly once in a lifetime
I was acutely aware that Semester at Sea was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Before the voyage even finished, I mourned that it was already coming to an end.
Ten years later, I appreciate even more just how unique Semester at Sea is. Truly, it’s an experience you won’t have again anywhere else.
There is nothing else like traveling the world on a floating college campus. The shipboard community becomes its own destination, and that’s something you won’t find in any other study abroad program.
2. The academics are surprisingly strong
I wasn’t sure what to expect for academics, but it was more rigorous than I anticipated. The faculty on my voyage were top-tier and held students to a high standard. Many courses tie directly into the countries you visit, turning each port into an extension of the classroom.
Some students had pass/fail courses, while my grades transferred directly to my university transcript. I was one of only 30 students (out of 600) who made the Dean’s List during our voyage. Some students didn’t take academics seriously, but I definitely did.
3. The friendships last for life
The friendships that Semester at Sea fostered are incomparable to anything else. Being disconnected from the world while simultaneously traveling the globe cultivated lifelong friendships with deep connections.
We spent hours bonding, laughing, and spending time together onboard the MV World Odyssey. I still see and talk to the friends I made on Semester at Sea more than a decade later. These relationships are a huge part of why past voyagers say SAS changed their lives.
4. The personal growth is real
Being immersed in different cultures pushes you to grow in ways you never would at home. Suddenly, I felt confident to travel to destinations that I never imagined.
Being a 20-year-old exploring the world on my own created a strong sense of independence that I had never experienced. While I had traveled before with my family, I had never embarked on something like this.
Hidden costs to expect (and budget for)
It can be difficult to estimate how much you’ll be spending on Semester at Sea. Honestly, as hard as you try to prepare, you won’t know exactly what to expect until you’re onboard.
Some people made friends who liked to spend a lot of money while in port. I was on a tighter budget, and found friends who had similar priorities. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars for an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica, I prioritized staying on the ship.
People often forget these expenses when calculating the real Semester at Sea cost:
- Flights to/from the ship
- Visa fees
- Vaccinations
- Travel insurance
- Meals, transportation, and souvenirs in port
- Optional Field Programs
How I made the Semester at Sea cost more affordable
Many prospective students have sticker shock when they see the cost of Semester at Sea. This is completely understandable, but take a deep breath! There are many different ways you can make Semester at Sea more affordable.
1. Your university scholarships may transfer
I attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our university has one of the top study abroad programs in the country.
At the University of St. Thomas, I was able to apply my existing scholarships directly to SAS tuition. This drastically reduced my out-of-pocket cost.
For example, the study abroad office at the University of St. Thomas states, “The cost of studying abroad for a semester is comparable to the cost of studying on campus and most students are able to use their scholarships, grants and loans to help cover the costs of tuition and housing for any semester study abroad program.”
2. You don’t have to pay for hotels or restaurants
You can treat the MV World Odyssey as your home away from home. Like a cruise ship, you’ll have meals provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some students don’t realize you can sleep on the ship every night in port and eat onboard for free. This alone saved me so much money.
While I loved trying local cuisine, eating in port for three meals every day can get expensive quickly. I often had breakfast onboard and either lunch or dinner, depending on our plans while docked ashore. You don’t have to spend money on food if you don’t want to!
3. Choose field programs wisely
Field Programs are organized tours through Semester at Sea. These are amazing and absolutely worth doing, especially for logistically complex ports. It’s a good way to meet other students, especially at the beginning of the voyage.
But you don’t need to sign up for every single one. Keep a few ports open, especially ones where you can easily explore on your own. Don’t book too many overnight programs, as you’ll make friends and want to have flexibility in your schedule.
However, field programs can be pricey and add up quickly. A mix of program-led trips and independent exploring kept costs manageable.
4. Apply for Semester at Sea scholarships
Semester at Sea offers merit, need-based, and work-study opportunities. Make sure you apply for every scholarship that you are eligible for.
I received a $4,000 academic scholarship from Semester at Sea! It’s worth applying for every Semester at Sea scholarship.
So… is the Semester at Sea cost worth it?
Without hesitation, Semester at Sea was absolutely worth the high price tag.
All of my friends from the voyage would agree that SAS was worth every single penny. I worked hard all summer to save up for my travel costs, and I planned to do Semester at Sea before my freshman year even started.
Semester at Sea changed how I saw the world and inspired who I became as an adult. It sparked an even stronger love for travel. SAS even changed how I approached my career and relationships.
It’s not cheap, and it requires intentional budgeting, but it’s one of the most meaningful investments I’ve ever made.
If you go into the voyage prepared, apply for scholarships, and manage your spending, Semester at Sea can genuinely be worth every penny of the $40k+ price tag.
