Similar to how corporate cousin Cunard Line offers its great Cunard Insights enrichment program, Seabourn presents its own Seabourn Conversations series of engaging special guests, and the luxury line has announced its 2017 schedule intent to “intrigue, edify, and inform its guests.” Returning and inaugural speakers come from the fields of journalism, government, preservation and the culinary arts to the entire fleet of Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest and the new Seabourn Encore.

"We are delighted to be able to continue to attract the most-engaging personalities to amuse and inform our guests through Seabourn Conversations," said Seabourn President Richard Meadows. "The series continues to be highly successful as prominent speakers captivate onboard audiences with their personal experiences and hard-earned global perspectives on issues of the day."

READ MORE: What Makes Seabourn So Special?

Showcased 2017 speakers are scheduled onboard as follows:

Tim Rice (Seabourn Encore, January 7) ~ The award-winning lyricist and creator of musicals “Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita” and “The Lion King” will be aboard Seabourn Encore’s inaugural cruise in southeast Asia to narrate the ship’s new "An Evening with Tim Rice” production show, as well as discuss his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andresson of ABBA and more.

Lord Digby Jones (Seabourn Encore, January 17) ~ 2005-knighted Business Ambassador at UK Trade & Investment, Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles and Corporate Ambassador for Jaguar Cars.

Dr. Clive & Dr. Geraldine Finlayson (Seabourn Quest, April 15) ~ The former is the Director of the Gibraltar Museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Center veteran, and the latter is Deputy Head of Heritage and Director of the Institute of Gibraltarian Studies, as well as Chief Laboratory Scientist of the Museum. Together, they helped make Gorham's Cave Complex Gibraltar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chef Daniel Sherlock & World Wine Guys (Seabourn Quest, April 15) ~ Aboard the Epicurean Quest Food and Wine Cruise, the chef for London’s award-winning charcuterie bar Salt Yard will join World Wine Guys and television and culinary print publication personalities Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen to discuss food.

Chef Darren McGrady (Seabourn Sojourn, April 23) ~ Continuing culinary conversations will be the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry. The author of “Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen” has also cooked for Presidents Ford, Reagan, Clinton and the Bushes.

READ MORE: TravelPulse Onboard: Seabourn's Seabourn Quest Review

Hon. Frank Murkowski (Seabourn Sojourn, June 1) ~ Just in time for Seabourn’s return to Alaska, the state’s former Governor and U.S. Senator will talk about its history, native people and his experiences in public office.

Michael Moss (Seabourn Sojourn, July 21) ~ Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and writer of “SALT, SUGAR, FAT: How the Food Giants Hooked Us.” Now he is authoring “HOOKED: Food and Free Will.”

Chef Hartmut Handke (Seabourn Odyssey, October 4) ~ The culinary heavyweight has won 38 gold medals at more than 50 competitions and three of the American Culinary Federation's awards over 40 years’ time.

Alexander Heffner (Seabourn Odyssey, October 4) ~ American political observer on news networks and in Variety, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more, as well as host of “The Open Mind” on PBS.

Walter Robinson (Seabourn Odyssey, October 30) ~ The Boston Globe editor-at-large and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, whose reporting informed Academy Award-winning film “Spotlight,” also acted as Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Northeastern University. 

Julia Gillard (Seabourn Encore, November 10) ~ Australia's first and only female deputy prime minister, prime minister and leader of a major political party. She is now honorary visiting professor at the University of Adelaide, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's center for Universal Education and the chairwoman of the Global Partnership for Education.

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