The Scholar Ship

THE SCHOLAR SHIP

The Scholar Ship was an educational programme organized by Royal Caribbean International and seven universities around the world. Two voyages were sailed in 2007 and in 2008 respectively. Students from different countries gathered in a community, and the onboard academic programmes and residential lives were designed to develop their intercultural leadership skills. In 2008 June, The Scholar Ship cancelled all future voyages due to difficulties in raising necessary funds for running the programme.

The 2007 September voyage lasted for 16 weeks, and sailed from Athens, Greece to Hong Kong via Central America and South Pacific. The 2008 January voyage also lasted for 16 weeks, which departed from Hong Kong, then travelled to Southeast Asia and Africa, and finally ended at Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In each port of call, various activities were prepared, which included academic field programmes, shore excursions, community services and independent travel. This provided opportunities for students to explore different cultures and broaden their horizons.

Former Ship(s)


Ship	Oceanic II
Entered Service	1966 April
Builder	John Brown & Company, Clydebank (Scotland)
Original Cost	US$22 million
Registry	Nassau, The Bahamas
Gross Tonnage	28891 tons
Length x Beam x Draft	201.2 x 26.6 x 8.6 (m), 660.0 x 87.1 x 28.1 (ft)
Speed	20 knots
Passenger Decks	8
Number of Cabins (Inside/Oceanview/Balcony)	389 (88, 301, 0)
Passengers (Standard Occupancy / Full Occupancy)	778 / 1104
Passenger Space Ratio (Standard Occupancy / Full Occupancy)	37.13 / 26.17
Total Crew	350, International
Crew to Passenger Ratio (Standard Occupancy / Full Occupancy)	2.22 / 3.15
Navigation Officers	European
IMO Number, Call Sign	6512354, C6RU6
Sister Ships	/
History	1966-1975: Kungsholm <IV> (Swedish America Line) 1975-1979: Kungsholm (Flagship Cruises) 1979-1986: Sea Princess (P&O Cruises) 1986-1991: Sea Princess <I> (Princess Cruises) 1991-1995: Sea Princess (P&O Cruises) 1995-1999: Victoria (P&O Cruises) 1999-2000: Victoria (Union-Castle Line) 2000-2002: Victoria (P&O Cruises) 2002-2006: Mona Lisa (Holiday Kreuzfahrten) 2006-2007: [laid up] 2007-2007: Oceanic II (Louis Cruise Lines) 2007-2007: Oceanic II (Pullmantur Cruceros) 2007-2008: Oceanic II (The Scholar Ship) 2008-2008: Mona Lisa (Lord Nelson Seereisen) 2008-2009: Mona Lisa (Peace Boat) 2009-2010: Mona Lisa (Lord Nelson Seereisen) 2010-2011: [laid up] 2011: Veronica (floating hotel in Oman)