– Airfare to and from Miami, Florida

– Airport transfers (airport to class location, cruise port to airport, or cruise port to Miami)

– Lunch on Day 1, Lunch or Dinner on Day 2, Breakfast in Miami Beach on Day 3

– Wi-Fi/Internet access onboard the ship (available for purchase at an additional cost)

– Alcoholic beverages

Each student is solely responsible for obtaining and carrying all required travel documents for the duration of the cruise and course. All documentation must be valid and available at the time of boarding and throughout travel. Passengers who do not present the required documents will be denied boarding. No refunds will be issued to individuals who are unable to travel due to missing, invalid, or incomplete documentation.

The following Travel Documents are needed:

– Your valid passport with J-1 Visa

– A valid extension DS-2019 that has been signed for travel

– Your I-94 card

– Depending on your nationality, you may need a Visa to enter the Bahamas. Please check HERE if you require a visa to the Bahamas

In most cases, au pairs in their extension year are not permitted to travel internationally. However, U.S. regulations include an exception called Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). AVR may allow travel for 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent Caribbean islands, as long as the au pair:

– has a valid passport

– has a valid DS-2019 with a current travel signature

– has a valid I-94 record

– does not apply for a new U.S. visa while outside the U.S.

Please Note** Even if AVR applies, re-entry is never guaranteed. Cruise lines may deny boarding, and final admission to the U.S. is always decided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.

Au pairs must contact their sponsoring agency in advance to confirm whether they are eligible before booking any international travel and signing up for this class.

Attendance is mandatory for all days of this class. You may not arrive late on the first day or depart early on the final day. Please book flights that allows you to attend all scheduled class hours.

This is a long-weekend, intensive course, and days will be full. Please bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water, and snacks. We expect you to arrive well-rested and prepared to participate fully, learn, and enjoy the experience.

SCHEDULE

DAY 1: 12:00PM – 7:00PM

DAY 2: 6:00AM – 10:00PM

DAY 3: 8:00 AM – 6:00PM

DAY 4: ship is docked 8:00 AM – 6:00PM

DAY 5: ship is docked 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

DAY 6: 7:00AM ship arrives back in Miami

This 72-hour course consists of in-person instruction as well as required pre- and post-assignments completed through Google Classroom. You will receive a Google Classroom invitation approximately two months prior to the course start date. Please register using a Google-compatible email address (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, or Yahoo), as all course communications and your course completion certificate will be sent to this email. Invitations may be filtered to spam/junk folders. If you do not receive the invitation, you are responsible for contacting us to request access.

Pre-assignments will be posted three weeks before the course begins and require approximately 18 hours to complete. These assignments must be completed before attending the in-person sessions.

Post-assignments will be posted during the course weekend and also require approximately 18 hours to complete. Successful completion of these assignments is required to receive the course completion certificate.

Course completion certificates are emailed within a few days of the official course end date, provided all required assignments have been successfully completed. Students have four weeks to complete post-assignments. If you require your certificate earlier, please indicate this during registration; and provide necessary documents.

1.) Apply fundamental photography techniques — including composition, lighting, framing, and motion — to create visually strong and intentional images.

2.) Demonstrate an understanding of visual storytelling by producing photo sequences that communicate mood, place, culture, and personal perspective.

3.) Use photography as a tool for cultural observation, thoughtfully documenting environments such as Miami Beach, Little Havana, and Nassau.

4.) Identify and describe key elements of Bahamian culture, including local traditions, history, architecture, community life, and island environment, and reflect on how culture influences daily life.

5.) Adapt photography techniques to diverse settings and lighting conditions, including urban spaces, natural landscapes, onboard environments, and island destinations.

6.) Capture movement and candid moments using basic techniques to freeze action or creatively convey motion.

7.) Select and curate a cohesive collection of images that reflects growth in technical skills, cultural awareness, and storytelling ability.

8.) Engage in reflective discussion and peer feedback, articulating how visual choices influence meaning, cultural representation, and interpretation.

9.) Demonstrate increased confidence using either a smartphone or camera to document travel experiences with intention, creativity, and cultural sensitivity.