"The goal of a CME AWAY™ conference by Sea Courses is to provide the very best opportunity for health care professionals to not only LEARN but to CONNECT with peers in a stimulating yet RELAXING environment."
Welcome to Sea Courses – specialists in creating the ideal CME conference. Founded in 1995 and developed by Dr. Martin Gerretsen and Mr. Harvey Strydhorst, we are recognized as leaders in healthcare conferences at sea, and now on land, around the world. Our courses cover a wide range of specialties in medicine. The programmes are designed to provide education with plenty of practical take-home tips, to create opportunities for networking between faculty and participants, and to foster health, wellness and rejuvenation.
Since our first voyage in 1995, Sea Courses has provided over 300 cruise and land conferences visiting the seven continents and the seven seas. Physicians find it increasingly difficult to have time to travel to local cities for their education – but a CME AWAY allows everyone to combine their education requirements with a family vacation.
Research by Sea Courses indicates there are two major advantages to a cruise or resort based conference. First, >Inter-Professional Learning: very few home based conferences offer an opportunity for attendees from a variety of specialties to interact and learn from one another. Second, Longitudinal Learning: with the course sessions spread over several days, there is ample opportunity for attendees to interact with faculty and colleagues to discuss individual issues and learning needs.
Yes. The ships and resorts provide many special amenities for our groups such as private meeting rooms, dining
arrangements, cocktail receptions and more. Participants must book their trips with Sea Courses in order for us to be able to provide these services. It is highly recommended that your family and friends also book with Sea Courses so that they will be able to join you at dinner and be invited to join our complimentary partner’s events. One of our professional consultants will be happy to assist you with the reservations and ensure that you have the best available accommodation and fares.
You may either call us toll free at 1-888-647-7327 or search this website for the programme you are interested in and complete the “more information” form on the page. One of our professional consultants will quickly contact you with detailed information and a brochure including trip information, conference details and the registration link.
All CME AWAY™ programs will be submitted for approval of CME credits applicable to family physicians and specialists in both Canada and USA. Once CME accreditation has been obtained, an official statement regarding the type and number of credits available will be stated on the conference program website. If you have any questions about a program’s certification, please contact our office at 1-877-647-7327.
As long as you book your trip with Sea Courses, there is usually room for one more! But, don’t delay as some trips sell out well in advance of departure and our most popular conferences may run out of meeting room space.
Typically the course sessions are scheduled while the cruise ship is at sea and not while in ports of call. Similarly, if it is a resort trip, courses are scheduled to leave plenty of time to enjoy the facilities. A detailed schedule for each course will be provided.
Attendees need to sign in at the start of the conference to confirm attendance. In most cases, the certificate will be distributed at the conclusion of the conference.
Many physicians advise us they take advantage of the tax and business considerations that are available when they attend our programmes. Sea Courses is not permitted by law to offer specific tax advice and always refers clients to discuss the details with their accountants.
The following features of our CME AWAY™ conferences will assist attendees when considering the tax and business aspects of travel:
Each conference has a date when the tuition becomes non-refundable. Please make sure that you have appropriate cancellation insurance coverage that includes the value of your tuition. Your Sea Courses consultant can provide you with insurance details and a quote.
One of the most attractive features of a cruise or all-inclusive vacation is the good value received for the money paid. On a cruise, your meals, accommodations, entertainment and most activities are included in the fare for you and your travelling companion. On an all-inclusive resort vacation there are often even more inclusions. It’s easier to stick to your budget. Typically the only extras are shore excursions or tours and, in the case of cruises, on board purchases such as alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, photos, etc. Alcoholic beverages and watersports are often included at all-inclusive resorts. Sea Courses always secures group inventory and guarantees the best available price at the time of booking.
Travel with a spouse or companion is important to our attendees. With our “Companion cruises or stays free” programme, basic cruise fare or resort costs are incurred by the conference attendee, and their companion cruises or stays for free. Please note that additional cruise-related expenses (gratuities, port charges, taxes and fees) and travel-related expenses (flights, additional hotel nights, transfers and insurance) will be charged to each person.
As a top producer of business to many cruise lines and resorts, Sea Courses is able to offer our guests very competitive prices and excellent value for their CME AWAYTM conference experience. For each of our conferences, Sea Courses negotiates preferred group rates and as part of our contracts, we are requested not to publish these rates on a public site. To receive a quote for a particular conference simply contact us by email (cruises@seacourses.com), via the website (complete the information request form) or call us toll free at 1-888-647-7327.
Yes, in fact it is highly recommended that family and friends also book with Sea Courses so they can take advantage of our special group rates and any group inclusions. They will also be able to join you at dinners, book any special tours that we offer and partake in any companion events. Your referrals of family, friends and colleagues are greatly appreciated and you will earn valuable Sea Bucks. Call Sea Courses for details at 1-800-647-7327.
On every Sea Courses’ trip, you will enjoy the company of a trained and experienced Sea Courses Concierge. They are there exclusively for Sea Courses’ guests to ensure your experience is not only worry-free but also extraordinary.
The cruise lines and resorts all offer excursions that have been tested over the years. In some cases, Sea Courses will offer our own custom designed and priced tours. We do this when we feel we can offer something even better for our clients.
Both of these options receive high marks from our participants. Each of them have their own appeal. Cruises let you see a variety of places without packing and unpacking. Ships can be large and be like floating resorts. Or they can be smaller, offering a more intimate and less crowded venue. Resorts are all about relaxation. In both cases, we plan our CME’s not to interfere with your vacation activities. If you are uncertain, our professional consultants can answer all of your question and help you choose the CME AWAYTM that is right for you.
Every guest can enjoy the use of any of the ship’s facilities. The price and the category of staterooms are based primarily on size, locations on the ship and added amenities. Whatever category you book, you’ll enjoy the same courteous service, onboard activities and entertainment as everyone else on the ship.
Location may be important when choosing your stateroom. Factors to consider are your level of mobility (you may want a room close to the elevators), potential noise issues (rooms close to public areas) and sensitivity to motion sickness. In this case a mid-ship stateroom might be helpful.
It is unlikely you will notice any motion on today’s modern, large cruise ships. All ships today have stabilizers to smooth the ride, but if you are motion-sensitive, a mid-ship stateroom is recommended. And, if the seas do get rough, there are many preventative medications available on board.
Cruising and resort stays are ideal for single people travelling alone, because it’s so easy to meet other people. Most ships and resorts have parties for singles, so you can get to know people right away. And Sea Courses always has a welcome reception to help you get to know your fellow CME travellers. As a Sea Courses’ guest, you will have the opportunity to be seated with other passengers in our group.
Virtually all ships and resorts have a smoke free environment for rooms and staterooms, private balconies and most public areas. Most will have areas where smoking is permitted.