The Yachts of Seabourn has announced an exciting line-up of prominent personalities as guest speakers for its Enrichment Program aboard the new Seabourn Sojourn’s 111-day maiden world cruise, departing January 5, 2011, from Los Angeles and ending in London on April 27, 2011. Among the array of impressive luminaries is successful film producer and studio executive Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a major Hollywood film studio; British journalist, author and media personality Carol Thatcher, the daughter of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; and thelegendary restaurant critic and author Gael Greene, who helped shaped the way many Americans think about food, and is a co-founder and board chair of the restaurateurs’ charitable organization Citymeals-on-Wheels.

They join a remarkable group of speakers and lecturers, from award-winning journalists and diplomats to artists, authors and filmmakers, who will share their insights and expertise about world affairs, arts and culture, film and media, cooking and history with Sojourn guests during the world cruise.

“We want to ensure that our world cruise guests have an onboard experience as amazing as the places they’ll see during their voyage,” said Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO. “This illustrious group of speakers and personalities, with their diverse range of expertise and insights, will undoubtedly be a memorable part of their journey around the globe.”

Seabourn will host the following distinguished speakers during the world cruise:

Onboard during segment voyage from Los Angeles to Sydney, January 5 – February 6

• George Losey, Jr. – historian, marine biologist and expert in South Pacific history, culture and marine life.

• Mimi Shapiro – artist and instructor, who will teach guests how to create a unique travel journal, mixing narrative with art, photography and objects.

• David Frazier and Joe Garry – Theater veterans who have collaborated for the past 35 years. Frazier has performed more than 150 leading roles, while Garry has directed hundreds of plays and musicals.

• Thomson Smillie –author and opera historian who has worked most of his life for opera companies, including the Scottish Opera, Wexford Festival in Ireland, the Opera Company of Boston, and the Kentucky Opera in Louisville. 

• Dr. Roy Willis – world historian and avid global traveler, Dr. Willis is a former history professor at the University of California, Davis, who has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships for his scholarly works.

Onboard during segment voyage from Sydney to Hong Kong, February 6 - 26

• Alan Patching – one of Australia’s internationally recognized leaders, Patching has been described as the Australian project and business leadership guru. He is best known as Chief Executive Officer of the entity that owned Sydney's Olympic Stadium, and he is also an expert on Australia’s history.

• John Stainton – Australian film producer and director of documentaries and The Crocodile Hunter television series for his close friend, the late Australian naturalist Steve Irwin.

• Rick McKay – multiple award-winning producer, director, writer and cinematographer of the hit film Broadway: The Golden Age.

• Lawrence Blair – documentary filmmaker who co-produced the internationally-acclaimed and Emmy Award-nominated BBC/PBS television series Ring of Fire, highlighting his 10-year exploration of Indonesia.

Onboard during segment voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore, February 26–March 12

• Sherry Lansing – first woman to head a Hollywood film studio, 20th Century Fox; responsible for blockbuster hits such as Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Titanic, and founder of the Sherry Lansing Foundation, which supports cancer research and other philanthropic projects.  Lansing was awarded an Oscar for her humanitarian work.

• Pang Eng Fong -- former Singapore Ambassador to U.K., Ireland, Belgium and the European Union, South Korea, and Mongolia. Dr. Pang is an author and professor at Singapore Management University, and former professor at the National University of Singapore, Columbia University and University of Michigan.

Onboard during segment voyage from Singapore to Dubai, March 12 - 26

• Daniel Silke – an independent political analyst with a special interest in political parties and elections, and a renowned Futurist lecturing widely on globalization and the future of the world.

• Hugh Thomson – a writer and filmmaker, who has produced numerous documentaries exploring different regions around the world, including Machu Picchu, the Himalayas, India and many more.

• Bruce Riedel - a Senior Fellow in foreign policy at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy of the Brookings Institution; a former CIA analyst, counter-terrorism expert, and author.

Onboard during segment voyage from Dubai to Rome, March 26 – April 15

• Ambassador Adrian Sindall – Former British diplomat and Ambassador to Syria and British High Commissioner to Brunei.

• Rick Senat – film historian, and founder and director of the London Film Museum.

Onboard during segment voyage from Rome to London, April 15 – April 27

• Caroline Boyle-Turner – founder of the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art, historian and author on European art of the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Carol Thatcher – British journalist, author, media personality, and daughter of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

• Gael Greene – legendary American restaurant critic and co-founder and board chair of the culinary charity Citymeals-on-Wheels.

The intimate, all-suite Seabourn Sojourn entered service June 6, 2010, bringing the number of ultra-luxury yachts in the Seabourn fleet to five. It offers travelers highly personalized service in a relaxed, sociable and luxurious atmosphere. The yacht carries 450 guests in 225 spacious suites, 90 percent of which have private verandas. All suites feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalized stationery, iPod and MP3 connections, and spacious granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks.

The two-deck, state-of-the-art Spa at Seabourn features a Spa Villa for hours of pure indulgence and relaxation, as well as a Kneipp Walk, herbal bath facility and an aroma steam bath with salt inhalation. Guests aboard the new vessel enjoy dining at four venues, all without any additional charge, as well as six bars and lounges serving a full range of beverages including fine wines and spirits, with Seabourn’s compliments.

On Jan. 5, 2011, Sojourn will embark on a world cruise from Los Angeles to London, visiting 46 ports via the South Pacific, New Zealand, around Western Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and the Mediterranean. Fares for the full 111-day world cruise begin at $49,995 per person, based on double occupancy, and include many valuable bonus benefits and amenities, such as a pre-cruise Bon Voyage event with dinner and luxury overnight in Los Angeles, numerous special shoreside events and exclusive complimentary shore excursions, Personal Valet luggage shipping service, and shipboard credits of $2,500 per guest. Gala onboard celebrations and special gifts will also be offered to guests during the voyage.

For travelers who cannot sail on the entire world cruise, shorter segments from 16 to 69 days are available, several of which also offer value-added benefits. Segments start from $5,050 per person.
Seabourn’s Enrichment Program speakers and lecturers and dates aboard Sojourn’s world cruise are subject to change without notice.