Mexico & Bahamas Cruise
Marketing & Hospitality at Sea- Mexico and The Bahamas
Program Description
Join the unique oppurtunity to set sail on the Virgin Cruise Lines in March to take your learnings beyond the classroom sailing to Cozumel, Mexico and Bimini, Bahamas. Open to undergraduate and graduate students to experience the intersection of hospitality management, destination marketing, and serice operations. From exploring the operations of a cruise ship management to destination marketing and promotion startegies, students will gain firsthand insights from hospitality industrys. Earn course credit in hospitality management or marketing making it a rare chance to combine global travel, professional networking, and make unforgettable memories.Ìý
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| Program Dates and Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | Application Deadline (or as space permits) |
Start Date/Check-in | End Date/Check-out |
| Spring | 2026 | October 27, 2025 | March 8, 2026 | March 13, 2026 |
Program fee payment deadline: See details below in program cost section. Program fees cannot be deferred. Plan accordingly.Ìý
Information Sheet |
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|---|---|
| Open to | All academic disciplines |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Level of Study | Undergraduate & Graduate |
| Credit Offered | FAU credits |
| Program Primary Subject | Marketing |
| Sponsoring College | College of Business |
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Program Course Offerings:
- HFT 4503: Hospitality/Toursim Marketing
- HFT 4955: International Hospitality ExperienceÌý
- MAR 4957: Marketing Study Abroad
- MAR 4933: Tourism Marketing & Service Operations
- MAR 6959: Global Marketing Field Experience
Course Eligibility & Requirements:
Students participating on the program are required to take one of the course offerings listed for 3 credits.Ìý
Include your course(s) of interest on your study abroad application in the course section.
Program Eligibility & Requirements
- Must have a 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate at the time of application
- Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
- Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
- See Policies & Procedures page for more information
*Before a study abroad application is approved for this program, students are required to contact the faculty-leader to discuss the program and expectations.Ìý
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Contact a program leader for information on the academic course offerings and program itinerary. The individuals listed below will be leading the program. |
For information on the study abroad application, contact the Education Abroad office listed below.Ìý |
| Primary Faculty Leader: Peter Ricci, pricci1@fau.eduÌý | Email: goabroad@fau.edu |
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Co-Faculty Leader: Marc Rohrer, mrhorer@fau.edu |
Phone number: 561-297-1208 |
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Location
Students will set sail from Miami, Ï㽶´«Ã½ to be on sea before docking in Cozumel, Mexico located in the Caribbean celebrated for the world class coral reefs and main attraction is the turquoise beach. Set to sea for one day before arriving to the The Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas. A island located 50 miles off the coast of Ï㽶´«Ã½ known for their fishing, beaches and vibrant marine life.
Housing
Students will set to sail on Virgin Cruise Line and will have the option to choose along the following accommodations below. Includes transport on the vessel, standard unlimited Wi-Fi, all restaurants onboard, andÌý basic beverages.
*Solo interior rooms may be smaller than double occupancy ones
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Single Occupancy (per person) |
Double Occupancy (per person) |
| Insider (Interior)- $1,788 | Insider (Interior)- $1,175 |
| Seaview (Window)- $2,299 | Seaview (Window)- $1,437 |
| Sea Terrace (Balcony)- $2,680 | Sea Terrace (Balcony)- $1,628 |
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Program Cost and Funding
Financial Aid and Scholarship InformationÌý
- Students participating on FAU Faculty-led Programs may use eligible financial aid
- Program participants may be eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship
- See additional scholarship and funding information here.
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Program Cost
Double Occupancy: I nsider (interior) - $1,175, Seaview (window) - $1,437, Sea Terrace (balcony) $1,628
OR
Single Occupancy: Insider (interior)* - $1,788, Seaview (window) - $2,299, Sea Terrace (balcony) $2,680
+ÌýTuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
Program fee payment deadlines:Ìý
1ST PAYMENT:Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý$500 Due Monday, October 27, 2025
2ND PAYMENT:Ìý Ìý Ìý Remaining Balance Due Sunday, November 17, 2025
*After Oct. 27, payment in full (deposit, plus remainder) must be paid to participate, if space is available.*
Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email.Ìý
Program Fee Includes:
- Group Fitness Classes
- Basic Beverage Package
- Standard Unlimited Wi-Fi
- Theater Shows
- Hotel Service
- All Resturants Onboard (Excluding select premium dining & entertainment combination)
- Classroom Space
- International Health Insurance
Program Fee Does Not Include :
- $200 administrative fee due at time of application
- Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
- Most lunches and dinnersÌý
- Personal spending money
- Additional travel documentation (ETIAS travel authorization)
Travel Documentation, Health, and Safety
Passport and Travel Documentation
- A valid passport is required for all international travel. You need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
- Review up-to-date details . Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
- Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling. Ìý
- If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit .
- Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required.
International Health Insurance
All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost. The 2026 Coverage plan will be available in January 2026. Participants can review the current 2025 plan HERE for reference.
Health and Safety Resources to Explore Prior to Traveling Abroad
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory – Country Information:Ìý
- U.S. Students Abroad -Ìý
- FAU SHS:Ìý /shs/
- World Health Organization (WHO):Ìý
Pre-departure Orientation and Meetings
All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program.Ìý
1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips.Ìý
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.