For 9 years and counting, I've hosted a Cruising Teachers group cruise for teachers in my state. I put together fun and educational shore excursions in our ports of call and get them approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs)/Professional Development through a local university. Teachers are able to take a great cruise and earn credit for learning about a variety of topics in the fields of science and social studies. Being engaged in another culture helps them bring these topics to life for their students. 

One of my favorite experiences with the Cruise Teachers group has been visiting a local school in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I've established a relationship with a local tour provider who happens to be on his daughter's school board and was able to get us a tour. The differences between our schools in the US and the schools in Jamaica were vast, but the same foundations were in place. Afterwards, we took a history/culture tour around Montego Bay. 

On another cruise, we visited Mayan ruins in Costa Maya and then had an authentic Mayan meal with a local family. Both the Jamaica school tour and the Mayan cultural tour were very moving and left a huge impression on us. 

Other years, we've visited Blackbeard's castle in St. Thomas, explored Pompeii and the Colosseum in Italy, traversed the White Pass of Alaska, and more. This is a very rewarding group to host every year.