Cruise & Capture: Shoot Miami, Explore the Bahamas

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA | GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND & NASSAU, BAHAMAS
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE | JEWEL OF THE SEAS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This immersive photography course is designed to help students develop photography and visual storytelling skills, while also offering an opportunity to extend the experience through travel to the Bahamas. The program begins in Miami Beach, where the core academic portion is completed through guided instruction, hands-on practice, and group activities. Participants will get to know one another while capturing the city’s energy through guided photo prompts focused on vibes, visuals, and cultural detail. Experiences such as visiting iconic landmarks, exploring Little Havana, and participating in a beginner-friendly salsa and bachata lesson provide opportunities to document movement, emotion, and cultural detail in real-world settings.

Through instructor-led sessions and photo assignments, students learn key photography fundamentals, including composition, lighting, framing, capturing movement, and visual storytelling techniques. After completing the academic portion of the course, participants can extend their experience through a guided cruise to the Bahamas, with stops in Bimini and Nassau.

To support a well-rounded learning experience, students will complete pre-course assignments introducing photography and core concepts, along with post-course reflections focused on applying these concepts in everyday life.

This travel experience is designed to complement the course by allowing continued practice in new environments, while exploring different cultures and landscapes. Informal photo challenges and reflection prompts may be offered during the trip to encourage ongoing creative engagement.

Students may use a smartphone or camera, and no prior photography experience is required. By the end of the course, each participant will have created a curated mini photo collection that reflects their journey and demonstrates growth in both photography skills and visual storytelling.

COURSE OVERVIEW

For travel planning, we recommend flying into Miami International Airport (MIA) and departing from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) for the most convenient logistics.

Please do not purchase flights until the program has been officially confirmed to run.

**We reserve the right to modify the schedule, activities, or itinerary if any planned experience becomes unavailable due to inclement weather, port restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Please note that cruise itineraries may also be rerouted or adjusted by the cruise line for safety and operational reasons

MANDATORY Pre-Departure Zoom Meetings
Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time (For October class)

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time (For December class)

Have questions about what this course will look like exactly and what the expectations are? Make sure you attend this Q&A Zoom Meeting!

DAY 1: 10:00AM – 9:00PM Miami Beach
We will begin the course with a welcome orientation, followed by an introductory photography lesson. After class, we’ll explore South Beach through guided photo prompts and creative challenges. The evening will wrap up with a group dinner, followed by a fun salsa & bachata dance class.

DAY 2: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Miami
We will start the day by exploring Downtown Miami, then continue into Miami’s rich Cuban culture with a visit to Little Havana, where we’ll enjoy a Cuban lunch. After lunch, our bus will transfer the group to Fort Lauderdale for cruise embarkation. The ship departs at 4:00 PM.
In the evening, we will have dinner together as a group and enjoy onboard activities, with a few photography prompts to capture the ship’s atmosphere.

DAY 3: Nassau, Bahamas – docked 8:00am – 5:30pm
Participants may take part in an excursion to Rose Island, including the popular swimming-with-pigs experience. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to capture action photography, travel moments, and storytelling through images. Optional prompts and self-guided exercises may be shared to support continued engagement with photography during the excursion.

DAY 4: Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas – ship docked 8:00am – 4:00pm
On Grand Bahama Island, participants will explore the local area and visit the beach, with opportunities to practice photography focused on island landscapes, ocean light, and visual storytelling. Time will also be available to relax and enjoy the beach before returning to the ship. Optional photo prompts may be provided to encourage continued creative exploration throughout the day.

DAY 5: 7:00 AM – Ship arrives back in Ft. Lauderdale
The ship arrives back in Fort Lauderdale at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, participants will begin the disembarkation process, which may take several hours. For this reason, please do not book a return flight earlier than 1:00 PM.

PRICE INCLUDES

This is and all-inclusive program combining a U.S. -based course with a guided travel experience.

Tuition and Academic:

Tuition fees
All course materials

Cruise Experience:

3-night cruise to the Bahamas
Shared inside cabin accommodation (3 nights)
All cruise taxes and pre-paid mandatory gratuities

Meals:

All meals onboard the ship: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Included onboard beverages (as provided by the cruise line)
One meal in Miami Beach (Day 1)
One Cuban lunch in Miami (Day 2, pre-cruise)

Accommodation:

1 night at Beds N' Drinks Hostel in Miami Beach
3 nights in an inside cabin on Jewel of the Seas

Transportation:

Local transportation to and from all included activities and excursions

Activities & Excursions:

All organized activities in Miami and Miami Beach
Famous "Swimming with pigs" excursion on Rose Island in Nassau, Bahamas

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare to and from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Airport transfers (airport to class location, cruise port to airport)
Lunches or Dinners.
Breakfast in Miami Beach on Day 2
Wi-Fi/Internet access onboard the ship (available for purchase at an additional cost)

$1, 095 + registration fees | IN-PERSON | 72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)

Contact Information

Office of Continuing Education
161 Newkirk Street, Room E504
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 360-4224
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