Floating university ship docks in Mombasa, again

avdeltanews(at)gmail.com

The MV World Odyssey, a cruise vessel that operates as a travelling university under the “Semester at Sea” programme, has docked at the Port of Mombasa with hundreds of international students onboard for an academic stop in Kenya.

The ship arrived from Cochin, India, marking its sixth visit to Mombasa, carrying 609 students and 183 crew members.

Also onboard are three Kenyans--one student and two lecturers--participating in the global study programme.

For the next six days, the vessel will serve as a floating campus while students undertake field excursions across Kenya.

Their itinerary includes visits to wildlife parks, historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites, linking classroom instruction with real-world experience.

During its last call at Mombasa, the vessel’s students toured coastal heritage sites, community projects and inland wildlife destinations as part of structured academic modules.

The visit contributed to local tourism revenue and reinforced Mombasa’s profile as a regional cruise and educational port of call.

Its repeat docking signals the port’s growing appeal for academic cruise programmes that combine travel with experiential learning.

Cruise tourism is among the fastest-growing segments of global travel, blending education, leisure and cultural exchange.

The Port of Mombasa has recorded a steady increase in cruise ship calls in recent years, signalling renewed confidence in Kenya’s tourism infrastructure.

Industry players say such visits benefit local businesses — from tour operators and hotels to transport providers and artisans — while promoting Kenya’s wildlife and cultural heritage to a global audience.

As the floating university continues its world voyage, its stop in Mombasa once again places Kenya firmly on the map of international academic travel.