Language and Cultural Learning on Cruises

Language and cultural learning on a cruise can take two specific forms: lessons on board and a shore program that introduces the history or everyday life of a place. Each form has a different focus. A history course and a separately described excursion program illustrate the distinction.

English Lessons aboard Carnival Glory in 2013

Carnival and language-travel provider LAL offered German-speaking guests a week-long Caribbean cruise with English lessons on four dates between March and May 2013. Professional teachers held 20 lessons, each lasting 45 minutes. Carnival Glory departed from Miami and sailed via the Bahamas and St. Thomas to Puerto Rico, then returned to Florida via Grand Turk. This dated offer thus combined scheduled lessons on board with a multi-day trip.

The 20 lessons amounted to a total of 15 hours of instruction during the week-long trip. Participants therefore had a set number of hours scheduled. In addition to these course hours, the itinerary linked several island destinations. Lessons on board and a culturally focused shore excursion are different components of a trip. The article on port calls, transit and turnaround explains the different functions of a port visit.

A cultural program ashore: Charlotte Amalie

An excursion program on St. Thomas described by Carnival offers another perspective on the cultural side of a trip. It takes visitors through Kongens Quarter in Charlotte Amalie and presents stories about global trade, Caribbean pirates and everyday life in the port town. The description highlights preserved landmarks dating from the late 17th century. This separately described excursion focuses on local history and historically preserved buildings.

A port stop can therefore be an opportunity to learn about local history, while a language course provides scheduled lesson time on board. For insight into how these vacation trips developed, see the shift from passenger crossings to vacation travel. Historic passenger ships also illustrate how onboard offerings and types of travel have changed. Together, the examples show lessons and culturally focused shore excursions as distinct, compatible parts of a cruise.