LEARN IT. OWN IT. LEAD IT. ASCEND. WOC STEMSHIP • AI & TECH LEADERSHIP CRUISE
WOC STEMship Program Book VIRGIN VOYAGES — VALIANT LADY BIG APPLE TO BERMUDA | OCTOBER 2–7, 2026
Your Captains: Dr. Lydia Thomas and Tyrone (Doc T) Taborn People. Opportunity. Leadership. A stronger tomorrow.
01 • WELCOME
Welcome Aboard. WOC STEMship brings STEM professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, educators, technologists and emerging leaders together for an immersive AI, technology and leadership experience at sea. This voyage combines a Virgin Voyages vacation with the WOC STEMship AI & Tech Leadership professional-development experience: live AI and leadership training, ASCEND Knowledge on Demand, executive networking, Bermuda destination time, dining, entertainment, fitness and social experiences.
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AI TRAINING SEA DAYS
OFFICIAL GROUP DINNERS
WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY
LEARN ONLINE → CONNECT AT SEA → EXPERIENCE BERMUDA → LEAD WHEN YOU RETURN
A Human-Centered AI Leadership Experience Learn it. Own it. Lead it. Ascend. Over two training sea days you will move from understanding AI to using it, judging it and leading with it, and you will take a concrete next step home with you. Your Captains Dr. Lydia Thomas • Tyrone (Doc T) Taborn
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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02 • PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Program at a Glance FRI OCT 2
WELCOME ABOARD Embarkation • Welcome Cocktail Party, 7–8 PM, The Loose Cannon • Official Group Dinner #1 at Gunbae
SAT OCT 3
AI TRAINING — SEA DAY Test Kitchen, 12:30–3:30 PM • Live learning and certification checkpoint
SUN OCT 4
BERMUDA EXPERIENCE Bermuda exploration, culture and leisure • Book your own dinner in the Sailor App
MON OCT 5
EXPLORE. CONNECT. RECHARGE. Bermuda • Optional professional networking • Independent dining
TUE OCT 6
AI TRAINING — SEA DAY Test Kitchen, 12:30–3:30 PM • Live learning and certification closeout • Official Group Dinner #2 at Pink Agave
WED OCT 7
RETURN TO NEW YORK Breakfast • Disembarkation • Ascend KoD continues online
All classes and learning activities end by 3:30 PM. Sessions are subject to the final onboard schedule and Virgin Voyages communications.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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03 • LEARNING JOURNEY
Your Learning Journey Five practical, 45-minute courses take you from understanding to application. Each course includes an exercise, an individual next step and a five-question knowledge check. Every course turns listening into doing: explore a concept, experience it, practice with it, apply it to a real need and commit to a next step.
Your Progressive AI Workforce Pathway 1
AI in 45 I can use AI.
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From Data to Decisions I can use AI to think and decide.
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Tech Innovations: AI, Robotics, and Beyond I understand the larger technology ecosystem.
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Data Science and AI: Skills for the Future I know what skills I need to develop.
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The Digital Leader's Edge I can help an organization and its people adopt AI responsibly.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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03 • LEARNING JOURNEY
Training Schedule Test Kitchen • Both training days, 12:30–3:30 PM
Saturday, October 3 — Day 1 12:30–1:15 PM
AI in 45 Practice prompting and learn to verify, protect and use human judgment.
1:15–1:25 PM
Break
1:25–2:10 PM
From Data to Decisions Turn information into insight, decisions and action. Led by Chardae Varlack.
2:10–2:20 PM
Break
2:20–3:05 PM
WOC 1453 — Tech Innovations: AI, Robotics, and Beyond Connect emerging technologies to real problems and your career.
3:05–3:30 PM
Day 1 Application & Wrap-Up Consolidate your action steps and review completion requirements.
Tuesday, October 6 — Day 2 12:30–1:15 PM
WOC 1454 — Data Science and AI: Skills for the Future Build a practical AI and data skill stack and a 30-Day AI + Data Readiness Plan.
1:15–1:25 PM
Break
1:25–2:10 PM
The Digital Leader's Edge B26TEC-401 — Leveraging Technology and AI to Elevate Human Capital. Plan people-centered adoption.
2:10–2:20 PM
Break
2:20–3:15 PM
ASCEND Application Lab Apply the five-course pathway to a career or workplace challenge. Choose a use case, define safeguards and identify a measurable next step. This lab supports the courses; it is not a sixth course.
3:15–3:30 PM
Completion Review & Next Steps Review knowledge checks, completion requirements and your action plan.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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03 • LEARNING JOURNEY
Course Profiles AI in 45 1
Purpose: Make generative AI understandable and useful for beginners. You will practice: Drafting, summarizing, brainstorming, organizing information and learning; giving AI better instructions, checking its output and applying verify, protect and use human judgment. Outcome: Begin using AI productively on Monday while retaining professional responsibility.
From Data to Decisions 2
Led by: Chardae Varlack Framework: DATA → INSIGHT → DECISION → ACTION. Decision Lab: Use AI as an analyst to identify patterns, distinguish facts from assumptions and decide what action is justified. AI can accelerate analysis; people remain responsible for decisions and action. Outcome: Reduce information overload and strengthen judgment.
WOC 1453 — Tech Innovations: AI, Robotics, and Beyond 3
Progression: SEE IT → CONNECT IT → TEST IT → CHECK IT → BUILD YOUR NEXT STEP. Explore: AI, robotics, automation, sensors, networks, edge computing and the compute, electricity, cooling, facilities and people that support AI. You will practice: Building a rapid prototype and applying Verify – Protect – Escalate. Outcome: Understand how emerging systems connect and identify where your career intersects with the technology economy.
WOC 1454 — Data Science and AI: Skills for the Future
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Understand: The distinctions among artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, deep learning and generative AI. Progression: UNDERSTAND IT → WORK WITH IT → QUESTION IT → PROTECT IT → BUILD YOUR PATH. Decision Lab: Examine a realistic dataset, identify patterns, separate facts from assumptions, find missing information and recommend possible actions. Safeguards: Data quality, hallucinations, human review, approved tools and organizational protections. Outcome: Leave with a 30-Day AI + Data Readiness Plan combining technical and human skills.
The Digital Leader's Edge — B26TEC-401 5
Purpose: Connect AI adoption to workforce performance, learning, engagement, quality and innovation. You will practice: Selecting worthwhile use cases, reducing repetitive work, verifying outputs and building confidence through training and low-risk pilots. Leadership responsibility: Reinvest saved time in learning, innovation, mentoring and strategic contribution. Time savings are not the final objective. Outcome: Introduce AI while protecting quality, trust, accountability and human contribution.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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04 • THE VOYAGE
Your Voyage SHIP
SAILING
Virgin Voyages — Valiant Lady October 2–7, 2026 5 nights, Big Apple to Bermuda: New York → Bermuda → New York
DEPARTURE
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal – Pier 12 210 Clinton Wharf, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Departure is from Brooklyn, not Manhattan. Check the Virgin Voyages Sailor App before leaving for the terminal for your assigned arrival time and the latest embarkation instructions.
RETURN
Wednesday, October 7 Valiant Lady returns to Brooklyn, New York. Final arrival and disembarkation instructions are communicated by Virgin Voyages onboard and through the Sailor App. Plan onward transportation with flexibility.
Passports & Travel Documents — Check Now We strongly recommend that every STEMship Sailor travel with a valid passport book. A passport book provides the greatest flexibility if illness, a missed sailing or another unexpected circumstance requires international air travel. Passport book vs. passport card. A U.S. passport card may be usable for qualifying land and sea travel involving Bermuda, but it cannot be used for international air travel. Follow Virgin Voyages’ current documentation requirements for your individual circumstances. Passport validity and non-U.S. citizens. Review Virgin Voyages’ current passport-validity requirements before travel. Bermuda currently requires U.S. travelers to present a passport valid at the time of entry. Visa and document requirements vary by citizenship and immigration status; confirm your individual requirements with Virgin Voyages and the appropriate government authorities.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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05 • LIFE ABOARD
Life Aboard Your voyage pairs professional development with the full Virgin Voyages experience: dining, entertainment, fitness and social experiences, all aboard Valiant Lady.
Friday, October 2 Afternoon — Embarkation & Ship Orientation. Settle in, explore Valiant Lady and connect with fellow travelers. 7:00–8:00 PM — Welcome Cocktail Party. The Loose Cannon. Meet fellow sailors before the group dinner.
Dining OCT 2 8:45 PM
Gunbae — Official WOC STEMship Group Dinner #1. Confirmed for the group of 36 sailors.
OCT 6 8:45 PM
Pink Agave — Official WOC STEMship Group Dinner #2. Confirmed for the group of 36 sailors. Celebrate new relationships and the onboard learning experience.
No group dinners are arranged on October 3, 4 or 5. Sailors are welcome to book dinner on their own through the Virgin Voyages Sailor App.
Training Location Live learning takes place in the Test Kitchen on October 3 and October 6, 12:30–3:30 PM.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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06 • BERMUDA
Explore Bermuda. Connect. Recharge. October 4 and 5 are conference-free destination days for cultural exploration, leisure and optional networking. SUN OCT 4
Bermuda Exploration, Culture & Leisure Explore Bermuda through cultural experiences, leisure and optional activities. Continue informal networking and follow the ship’s posted all-aboard time.
MON OCT 5
Bermuda Exploration, Wellness & Networking Enjoy leisure, wellness, mentor conversations and informal professional connections. Follow Virgin Voyages instructions for going ashore and returning to the ship.
Going Ashore Follow Virgin Voyages’ instructions and the ship’s posted all-aboard time. Do not bring marijuana, cannabis or CBD products into Bermuda. Local restrictions also apply to weapons and certain self-defense items.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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07 • COMPLETION & CERTIFICATION
Completion & Certification All STEMship seminar content will also be available through Ascend KoD (Knowledge on Demand). Participants can receive applicable program and certification credit by completing eligible seminars in person during STEMship or online through Ascend KoD, subject to attendance and completion requirements. ATTEND IN PERSON
Participate in eligible live seminars aboard Valiant Lady.
COMPLETE ONLINE
Complete eligible seminar content online through Ascend KoD.
How Completion Works • Knowledge check. Each course includes a five-question knowledge check; generally 4 of 5 correct answers (80%) demonstrates mastery. • Individual action. Each course includes an exercise and an individual next step. Your participant workbook provides worksheets, prompts, decision exercises, checklists and an individual action plan. • Checkpoints. Saturday, October 3 includes a certification checkpoint and a review of completion requirements. Tuesday, October 6 includes a completion review, certification closeout and your action plan. • After the cruise. Ascend KoD continues online, including access to STEMship seminar content and eligible online learning and certification activities. Ascend KoD availability, credit and certification are subject to applicable program participation, availability and completion requirements.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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08 • NEXT STEPS
Next Steps Before You Sail PASSPORT CHECK NOW
Travel with a valid passport book. Review the passport and travel-document guidance in the Voyage section.
SAILOR APP READY TO SAIL
Download or update the Virgin Voyages Sailor App. Complete the Ready to Sail steps, review your reservation and travel information, and upload required documents.
ARRIVAL USE ASSIGNED TIME
Check the Sailor App before departure for your assigned arrival time, terminal updates and onboard information.
BERMUDA BE PREPARED
Review the going-ashore guidance and prohibited items in the Bermuda section.
Book and Learn More Booking and program information: [INSERT BOOKING / INFORMATION LINK]
After the Cruise Continue your professional-development journey through Ascend KoD. Learn online. Connect at sea. Experience Bermuda. Lead when you return. IMPORTANT — FINAL AUTHORITY & PROGRAM DISCLAIMER Virgin Voyages controls ship operations, itinerary, ports, arrival/departure timing, dining, entertainment and onboard activities; these may change because of operational, weather, safety, port or other conditions. Sailors should rely on the Sailor App and official Virgin Voyages communications for current voyage information. Career Communications Group / WOC STEMship / STEM City Travel coordinate the educational and group experience but do not control ship operations. Seminar content, instructors, speakers, locations, dates, times, dining arrangements, activities and other program elements are subject to change. Participants are responsible for required passports, visas, IDs, travel documents and embarkation requirements.
WOC STEMship • Valiant Lady • Big Apple to Bermuda • October 2–7, 2026
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