Do you enjoy reading a good book? Would you love to meet the author? Better yet, are you an aspiring author who’d like tips for your own literary path? Well, Seabourn‘s new “Authors at Sea” program — complimentary to the ultra-luxury line’s guests — may be a great reason to book a cruise vacation!
But the opportunities are coming up soon — many between March and December 2025 with a few in 2026. So, if you haven’t yet talked with your personal travel planner, now is the time. Here’s the scoop!
This year, as part of the popular Seabourn Conversations program, select Seabourn sailings will feature appearances by best-selling authors, historians and biographers. Plus, the ultra-luxury line will also offer live events and hands-on workshops for aspiring authors.
The star-studded lineup will include Debbie Macomber, Ann Cleeves OBE, Robert King Wittman, Lord Jeffrey Archer, Zelda La Grange and Lady Sandra Howard. Beyond the lectures and onboard activities, the guest authors will also engage with guests in casual chats, share meals and join in shoreside adventures.
Authors at Sea: Debbie Macomber
Best-selling author Debbie Macomber will sail on the 20-day “Pacific Passage: Golden Week to Glacier Bay” voyage, departing April 27, 2025. The 458-passenger Seabourn Quest will operate this voyage from Yokohama, Japan, to Vancouver, B.C.
Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, with 15 hitting the number one spot. Known as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” six of her Christmas books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel movies.
In addition, she’s also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series, which inspired Hallmark Channel’s first scripted TV series.
Onboard Seabourn Quest, she’ll offer fascinating insights into her books and characters. That’s a big enrichment plus for fans of her novels. But wait, there’s more! Macomber will also host a writing workshop for aspiring authors.
At press time, this voyage started at $8,562 per person, double occupancy. Talk with a professional travel advisor to ensure you get the best price and smoothly handle your booking.
Authors at Sea: Lady Sandra Howard
As a top 1960s international model, Lady Sandra Howard was the only model to appear on the cover of American Vogue for two consecutive months.
“Now a novelist and freelance journalist, Lady Howard’s novels often draw from her extraordinary experiences,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “Among them were incredible encounters with Frank Sinatra and the Kennedys.”
Ready for something exotic? Lady Howard’s latest novel is set during World War II in Cairo, Egypt, and East Africa.
You can sail with Lady Sandra Howard on the eight-day “Western Mediterranean Mosaic” voyage, departing May 10, 2025. The 600-passenger Seabourn Encore will sail from Lisbon, Portugal, to Civitavecchia (Rome).
Pricing started at $4,249 per person, double occupancy, prior to publication. Contact your personal travel planner for more details.
Traveling with Lord Jeffrey Archer
A global best-selling author, Lord Jeffrey Archer has sold more than 275 million copies of his books in 115 countries and 48 languages. In fact, he’s the only author to have a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction.
A former athlete and politician, he has also served in both the United Kingdom’s House of Commons and House of Lords. His latest novel, “Traitors Gate,” is part of the William Warwick series.
So, when can you sail with Lord Archer? He’ll be aboard Seabourn’s 10-day “Spain & Moroccan Gems” voyage setting sail on July 1, 2025. The 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation will sail roundtrip from Barcelona.
Pricing started at $5,158 per person, double occupancy, at press time.
Authors at Sea: Robert K. Wittman
As a former FBI special agent specializing in art crime, Robert K. Wittman recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property.
He also founded the FBI’s Art Crime Team and authored the FBI Cultural Property Investigative Manual.
Wittman’s memoir, “Priceless” and his book, “The Devil’s Diary,” are bestsellers. The good news is that if you’d like to hear his talks, you have a choice of sailings this year and next. He’ll be aboard these three voyages:
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- May 17, 2025 – 14-day “Iberian Coast & Bordeaux” – Seabourn Sojourn – Barcelona, Spain, to Dover, England, U.K. (Fares started at $7,139 per person, double occupancy, at press time.)
- August 30, 2025 – 10-day “Tyrrhenian Treasures & Malta” – 600-passenger Seabourn Ovation – Monte Carlo, Monaco, to Barcelona, Spain. (Fares started at $6,063 per person, double occupancy, at the time of this article’s publication.)
- April 24, 2026 – 22-day segment of “World Cruise: Golden Week To Glacier Bay” – 458-passenger Seabourn Sojourn – Tokyo, Japan, to Vancouver, B.C. (Fares started at $6,969 per person, double occupancy, at press time.)
Authors at Sea: Ann Cleeves
As a mystery crime writer, Ann Cleeves, OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), has authored 37 acclaimed novels. Her books are international bestsellers that have been translated into more than 20 languages globally.
In 2017, she was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest accolade in crime writing.
She is also the creator of such popular detectives as Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn; they’re found on television in ITV’s “Vera,” BBC One’s “Shetland” and ITV’s “The Long Call,” respectively.
During the Seabourn voyage, Cleeves will share fascinating insights into her books and characters. Plus, she’ll host the following:
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- Crime Writing Workshops – Cleeves will offer crime-writing workshops to help budding authors write their own mystery.
- The Glass Room Murder Mystery – Hosted by Cleeves, guests will enjoy a classic mystery during this live event. As the mystery unfolds, the audience must discover who the culprit is and bring that person to justice.
Cleeves will be aboard two sailings in late 2025 and 2026, so you have time to plan; contact your personal travel planner and secure a booking on one of these voyages:
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- Dec. 20, 2025 – 15-day “Australia & New Zealand Holiday“- Seabourn Quest – Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand (At press time, pricing started at $9,349 per person, double occupancy.)
- May 30 – 7-day “Scotland & Iceland’s North Coast” – Seabourn Ovation – Dover, England, to Reykjavik, Iceland. (Pricing started at $5,609 per person, double occupancy, at publication time.)
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Motivational Speaker: Zelda La Grange
After serving Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years in many roles and as his closest aide, Zelda La Grange is a motivational speaker who shares her life-changing experiences. She was truly inspired by one of the world’s most influential statesmen and humanitarians.
Guests can set sail with La Grange on the 14-day “Atlantic Crossing“voyage. Seabourn Quest will set sail on April 26, 2026, from Miami, FL, to Lisbon, Portugal.
At press time, this voyage was priced from $4,733 per person, double occupancy. That said, ask your professional travel advisor about getting the best deal that includes any promotions.
The advisor will also manage your booking. You’ll have a fabulous “go-to” resource and at no added fee. That way, you can just relax and anticipate the upcoming vacation and listen to La Grange’s insights.
Parting Thoughts
Seabourn Conversations is designed to enlighten, inform and entertain guests. With the author lineup shown above, guests can enjoy a personal interest while sailing the seven seas.
“Best of all, the ‘Authors at Sea’ program is complimentary for booked guests on those select voyages to enjoy,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “Each speaker will offer fascinating insights, expert opinions and enlightening conversations. And that will occur while he or she is presenting on stage, but also in other ways.”
For instance, the authors will mix and mingle with booked guests — sharing meals, adventuring ashore, and socializing with them throughout the voyage.
Of course, there are different strokes for different folks. Not into literature? Maybe soft adventure in a polar region might better float your boat. If so, check out this past blog outlining some top experiences of two Pavlus Travel employees during their Seabourn expedition cruise in the Arctic.
No matter the type of voyage, for reservations or to answer all your questions, contact a friendly, knowledgeable personal travel planner.
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