Explore. Dream. Discover.

Grimnitszee is located in the eastern suburbs of the capital, and most populous, city in Germany. Berlin is a city that has seen some of the lowest lows in history, namely the Holocaust, but it is also a city that reinvented itself with the German Expressionist movement in the 20th century. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, home to the Class Afloat office, has a piece of the Berlin Wall, standing in front of the Royal Canadian Legion. Lunenburg itself was named after a German Duke- The Duke of Braunschweig-Luneburg. While in Berlin, students will have the opportunity to see remnants of the Berlin Wall, The Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and be surrounded by incredible architecture and history on every street.

Less than 90 minutes from Amsterdam, Heino is a village in the Netherlands with over 7,000 inhabitants, beautiful estates, a castle with impressive gardens and unique sculptures, museums and more. While in Heino, students will call Forest Lodge their home and have many opportunities to build their strong community bond before travelling to Bremerhaven to board the Alex II.

Home to the Alexander Von Humboldt II, Bremerhaven, Germany is where students will board the ship for their adventure at sea.

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is more than a city of pastel streets and ocean breezes—it’s a living classroom. Its layered history, from Roman ruins to Moorish influences and the Age of Discoveries, offers endless opportunities to study cultural intersections and resilience. The city itself models lifelong learning: centuries-old libraries like the Biblioteca Nacional sit alongside modern innovation hubs and universities shaping global research. Lisbon’s street art tells social and political stories, its tiled façades (azulejos) invite lessons in design and math, and its neighborhoods—Alfama, Bairro Alto, Belém—become case studies in urban development and cultural preservation. For students of any age, Lisbon provides an immersive education where history, language, creativity, and global citizenship converge in daily life.

Morocco is a Class Afloat signature port filled with sandy dunes, friendly tour guides and our favourite four legged friends. In Morocco, students will enjoy a camel safari and a night under the stars in the Saharan desert where they will grow closer as a community while experiencing a rich culture and stunning natural environment.

Morocco is a Class Afloat signature port filled with sandy dunes, friendly tour guides and our favourite four legged friends. In Morocco, students will enjoy a camel safari and a night under the stars in the Saharan desert where they will grow closer as a community while experiencing a rich culture and stunning natural environment.

Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is a vibrant island classroom shaped by nature, history, and culture. Nestled between mountains and the Atlantic, it offers lessons in geography and ecology, from volcanic origins to lush botanical gardens where global plant species thrive. Its markets, like the Mercado dos Lavradores, provide insight into trade, agriculture, and the island’s role in global exchange routes. Walking the cobbled streets reveals architectural influences from centuries of Portuguese exploration and settlement, while the painted doors of the Old Town turn public space into an open-air gallery. Even Madeira’s famed traditions—poncha-making, embroidery, or folk music—invite hands-on learning in craft, cultural heritage, and community. For learners of all ages, Funchal is a reminder that education can be rooted in place: the city itself is a dialogue between land, sea, and human creativity.

Tenerife is the largest and most populated of the seven Canary Islands, and a spectacular stop on our itinerary. In previous years, students have hiked up El Teide, the world’s third largest volcano. The volcano’s, craters and rock formations are so incredible they have been the backdrop for many famous movies, including Star Wars! Class Afloat students also love to take surf lessons at the famous reef break, the Spanish Left, at Playa de las Americas.

Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde, is a city where the Atlantic meets Africa and where learning happens at every corner. Its streets, music, and markets teach about cultural fusion, migration, and resilience—shaped by centuries of trade, colonization, and independence. Students of history find living lessons in Cidade Velha, the former capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, where cobblestones and fortresses recall the earliest chapters of the transatlantic exchange. The rhythms of morna and funaná become entry points into studying identity, language, and storytelling, while the vibrant Plateau district showcases contemporary art, politics, and civic life. Even the geography—volcanic islands scattered in the mid-Atlantic—invites inquiry into climate, sustainability, and island ecosystems. In Praia, education extends beyond classrooms: the city itself is a curriculum in resilience, culture, and global connection.

Located on the banks of the Suriname River, students will have the chance to explore the ornate wooden Dutch colonial buildings of Paramaribo and tour the Amazon, learning from local guides about the medicinal properties of jungle plants. Crew members will also have the chance to ride on long, motorized canoes on the Upper Suriname River in the hopes of spotting caimans. Keep your eyes peeled!

Bridgetown, Barbados, the island's largest and most vibrant city. This historic city is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with plenty for our adventurous students to explore. Our crew will reunite in the spectacular city of Bridgetown after their semester break. They will spend a couple of days exploring the city, getting to know our new semester two students and reorienting themselves with safety and sail training sessions before departing for the second half of our year at sea.

And BREAK! During the break between semesters, students do not stay on board the ship. Some students will return home to visit with friends and family, others will continue their travels until the start of Semester Two at sea!

After the break, full-year students will return to their ship while second semester students will be welcomed on board their new home. Following introductions and orientation for our students, we'll make swift departure to our first port of call.

The island of Dominica is host to sperm whales, a variety of flora and fauna and the world’s largest hot spring (Boiling Lake). The youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, it is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity. The island is surrounded by lush mountainous rainforests and is often referred to as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean". During our port stay in Dominica, students will get to experience nature at its best and most pristine. With a bit of luck, they may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Sisserou Parrot, Dominica’s national bird that can only be found on the island.

During their time in the DR, students will work closely alongside the Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi-Las Terrenas, a community volunteer service organization that works in educational and community development. Students will have a chance to hike to (and swim in) the gorgeous El Limon waterfall before heading to Las Terranes where they will meet their host family.

During their time in the DR, students will work closely alongside the Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi-Las Terrenas, a community volunteer service organization that works in educational and community development. Students will have a chance to hike to (and swim in) the gorgeous El Limon waterfall.

Salsa dancing anyone? During Semester Two, our students will have the chance to explore Havana, the bustling capital of Cuba! Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, this cultural hub is Cuba’s largest city and, while it was once the Caribbean’s main centres for ship-building, is best known today for its vibrant history, culture and architecture. Not to be missed are awe-inspiring buildings like El Capitolio, historic landmarks like Revolution Square and colourful cars lining the streets. Havana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

From wandering the streets of Hamilton or St. George's to visiting the Royal Navy Dockyards or walking the Railway Trail, there's no shortage of things to see and do in beautiful Bermuda.

Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores, is a living lesson in how humans and nature shape one another. Surrounded by volcanic lakes, geothermal fields, and the vast Atlantic, it offers unique opportunities to study geology, oceanography, and sustainability firsthand. Its whitewashed churches, black basalt streets, and 16th-century architecture reveal the history of Portuguese settlement and Atlantic navigation, while the city’s museums and university connect this heritage to modern research in marine sciences and renewable energy. Everyday life in Ponta Delgada—whether at the lively Mercado da Graça or along the marina—teaches about island economies, migration, and cultural exchange. Even its traditions, from Azorean cuisine to religious festivals, embody lessons in resilience and community. For learners, Ponta Delgada is both a gateway to the natural laboratory of the Azores and a reminder that education thrives where land, sea, and culture converge.

Cherbourg, perched on France’s Normandy coast, is a city where maritime history and cultural exchange become part of the curriculum. Its harbor—once a strategic naval base and now home to La Cité de la Mer—offers immersive lessons in ocean exploration, naval engineering, and marine biology. The city’s role in World War II, including its liberation after D-Day, makes it a powerful site for studying resilience, strategy, and the human impact of conflict. Walking its streets, students encounter layers of architecture that tell stories of industry, rebuilding, and everyday life by the sea. Cherbourg is also a living laboratory for geography and environmental studies: the tides, cliffs, and surrounding landscapes illustrate the dynamic relationship between humans and coastlines. For learners of all ages, Cherbourg demonstrates how one port city can hold the keys to understanding history, innovation, and our connection to the ocean.

Home to the Alexander Von Humboldt II, Bremerhaven, Germany-students will disembark the ship and begin their land-based travels of semester 2.

Melchtal, nestled in the Swiss Alps, is a valley where nature itself becomes the classroom. Surrounded by towering peaks, alpine meadows, and winding trails, it offers firsthand lessons in ecology, geography, and the rhythms of mountain life. The valley’s pastoral traditions—cheese-making, farming, and seasonal transhumance—invite reflection on sustainability and cultural heritage. Local legends and folklore, tied to the land, provide rich material for exploring identity, storytelling, and community resilience. For those studying spirituality or contemplative practice, the quiet of Melchtal’s monasteries and retreat centers turns the landscape into a place of inner learning as much as outward exploration. Whether approached through science, culture, or reflection, Melchtal demonstrates how education can be rooted in place, reminding learners that mountains teach patience, perspective, and interconnection.

Ardèche, in southeastern France, is a region where landscapes, history, and culture come together as a vast open-air classroom. Its dramatic gorges and limestone caves—like the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc, home to some of the world’s oldest known cave paintings—offer unparalleled lessons in geology, archaeology, and early human creativity. The winding Rhône and Ardèche rivers make the area a natural laboratory for studying ecosystems, water systems, and outdoor adventure as education. Villages with stone houses and lively markets invite exploration of rural traditions, gastronomy, and community life, while local crafts and winemaking demonstrate the interplay between environment and culture. From prehistoric art to contemporary sustainability practices, Ardèche teaches learners that education is both rooted in the past and evolving in the present.

Barcelona, perched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Collserola hills, is a city that teaches through its art, architecture, and vibrant public life. Its streets are a living gallery: Gaudí’s whimsical creations, Gothic quarter alleyways, and contemporary urban design offer lessons in history, geometry, and creativity. Markets like La Boqueria provide insights into culture, economics, and gastronomy, while the city’s festivals and music traditions showcase social cohesion and cultural identity in action. Barcelona’s commitment to public spaces, bike lanes, and sustainable initiatives makes it an engaging case study in urban planning and environmental awareness. From the beaches to the museums, the city demonstrates how learning extends beyond classrooms: here, curiosity, innovation, and human connection are everywhere, inviting learners to explore, observe, and reflect.

La Muela de Algodonales, a small village perched in the hills of Andalusia, offers a unique classroom in culture, geography, and rural life. Its terraced landscapes and olive groves provide lessons in sustainable agriculture, land management, and the rhythms of seasonal work. The village’s whitewashed streets and traditional architecture reveal centuries of Moorish and Spanish influence, perfect for studying history, design, and regional identity. Local crafts, festivals, and gastronomy invite hands-on learning about community traditions and cultural continuity, while the surrounding mountains offer natural lessons in geology, biodiversity, and ecological balance. In La Muela de Algodonales, education is woven into daily life: every path, harvest, and festival is an opportunity to observe, reflect, and connect with the land and its people.

Graduation will be held in Seville, Spain.