We had one more night in Sweden. Chris returned to the ship while the girls stayed at a hotel in Stockholm. With red wine we toasted to family and fell asleep before finishing our glasses. The next morning, we shopped for souvenirs, ferried across the harbor, and channeled our best Dancing Queens at the Abba Museum before taxiing to the port and sending Liv back to Exeter. I hate good-byes, but this one was a little easier knowing we would see her again in just over a week.

Back on the ship, we went to work. After months of honing embarkation processes, we moved through them smoothly and were relieved to be staging our final ship wide COVID test. Though Sweden had no COVID requirements, Germany still mandated testing and ten days of quarantine for all positive cases. Beyond the disruption of travel plans, this raised concerns about Schengen Visa limits and questions about who would support those in quarantine after the voyage was over. The leadership team had been brainstorming options, collaborating with the home office, and working with the captain. After hours of emails and phone calls, the final decision was made to test for the last time at embarkation in Sweden. Any positive cases would disembark, and we would sail into Germany “COVID-free.” Sadly, three students tested positive and had to leave us, and several lifelong learners chose to end their voyages early because they were worried about quarantine requirements.

Over the next week, we ramped up and wound down all at the same time. The things we accomplished seemed almost miraculous. Bruce, Laura, and Melissa from the home office were aboard to conduct debrief meetings and support packing. At the end of each spring voyage, the ship transforms into the MS Deutschland to sail several short-term summer tours with the Phoenix Reisen cruise company. Consequently, all Semester at Sea equipment and supplies must be boxed for storage. Staculty and crew began packing, while the ship’s management company went to work changing logos and replacing furniture. All the while, classes continued to meet, and activities moved forward.

Our route took us south from Stockholm, and the captain hosted a staff reception on his patio as we sailed under the Great Belt, a combination suspension bridge and railway tunnel connecting two islands of Denmark. We had a spectacular view with wine and hors d’oeuvres, and Captain Kostas surprised Cindy and me with the chance to sound the horn as we sailed under the bridge!

As usual, our resident directors were impressive as they collaborated to support students and build community. Amanda and Mike lovingly handled student discipline issues, while Leah supported mental health concerns and Noah managed end-of-voyage events. Liz guided a group of students who developed World X, a “Ted X” type evening with presentations focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Taeko organized a fabulous day of re-entry programming with panel discussions and break-out groups. Chris and I were excited to take part in the life after SAS section, sharing about our experience in the Peace Corps.

As registrar, Heather was responsible for organizing convocation, and she knocked it out of the park. There was a processional to Pomp and Circumstance, and a group of students sang the SAS alma mater. Captain Kostas spoke about the extraordinary accomplishment of completing this voyage and received a standing ovation of gratitude for his leadership. Two graduates, Victor and Maja, spoke eloquently about their SAS experience and two faculty, June Cotte and Patrick Mahoney, challenged students to carry that experience forward. We were so proud that Mom and friend Dan Bianca were selected to speak representing the LLLs. As integral members of the community, they offered the perfect balance of humor, sentiment, and wisdom.

A myriad of other activities filled the days. Phill and a group of students organized an Easter service, the ship kids led an egg scavenger hunt, a group of students observed Ramadan, and Harlee led a Seder service to a packed house. Chris coordinated taco nights and sundae parties for small groups and arranged for Captain Kostas and Dexter to play the winners of the Sea Olympics ping pong tournament. We organized a competition for packing luggage, and in an attempt to get a minority of disrespectful voyagers to maintain masking and social distancing, Perry and Belkin to make a thoughtful plea on behalf of the crew over the Bing Bong.

We held thank-you gatherings for our student life assistants and with the Sea Council and had one more get together with our ship family where we snapped sunset photos and exchanged contact information. Chris and I took the Lindas to fine dining to celebrate the enthusiasm and tenacity that made them the best ship mates possible and to acknowledge both as lifelong members of Team Seng. The VoLT organized the traditional alumni ball, and though it was modified to accommodate social distancing, students and staculty dressed up, took pictures, reveled in time together and acknowledged the unbelievable adventure we had shared.

Amidst it all, we lingered over breakfast conversations with Paul, Ken and Hyla, Ursula and Stepanka and stayed too long in the Chappy bantering with Henry or playing Quiddler. We tried to capture every sunrise and sunset and during breaks from studying, students gathered signatures for voyage maps.

In one final push, after trying the entire semester, Chris convinced the ship’s officers to open the swimming pool that had been closed due to repairs, weather and COVID. We had a single afternoon, and because we were sailing through the North Sea in April, we organized it as a Polar Plunge. Voyagers lined up, stepped into the pool one by one, swam across and exited to warm towels on the other side. Many participated willingly, while others acquiesced when the crowd chanted encouragement. Dean Bing Bong was the first one in, and I stayed warm and dry capturing photos safely from the sidelines!

Luke, Kaley and I packed boxes in the field office as we pulled alongside in Bremerhaven a day early, spending our last night “at sea” docked. We created one more green sheet with emergency information for Bremerhaven, and our final logistical pre-port was planned and conducted by students. Sharing their best impressions of the leadership team, Foster and friends drew laughter, applause, and tears. At the end, the VoLT gathered arm in arm on stage with a message of gratitude from Shaun to an incredible and resilient shipboard community.

At 7 a.m. on April 20, with bags packed and stacked high on Deck 9, Dean Bing Bong stationed himself at the reception desk and called the seas in sequence for the last time. A fortuitous safety hazard afforded me the opportunity to stand at the gangway to ensure no one fell off the ship. More importantly, I was able to say good-bye to every, single voyager. Though I do hate good-byes, this was a gift. Lifelong learners, John and Joan, led the way with their “first off the ship” auction winnings. Then, one by one with tears streaming, voyagers dragged bags and fumbled with ship IDs as they went ashore.

After the last hug, I found Chris at the reception desk looking as lost as I felt. The ship was empty, and she seemed lonely. It was time. My tears welled as Chris placed the Bing Bong behind the desk. We grabbed our bags, breathed deep, and disembarked.