Silversea Launches Most-Expansive Enrichment Programme Ever

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises.
Over 160 voyages this year will feature nearly 200 distinguished guest lecturers, celebrated chefs and destination experts as part of Silversea’s most-expansive and varied enrichment programme ever offered in a single year.
Complementing this record undertaking is the roll-out of new branding for the programme — Silver Perspectives — designed to communicate the exceptional calibre of speakers selected to share their views and expertise with Silversea guests.
Steve Tucker, Silversea’s vice president of field sales for North America, said: “Our Silver Perspectives enrichment programme offers travellers interesting journeys hosted by noted historians, political analysts, bestselling authors and other esteemed experts. And many of these voyages will feature several guest lecturers teaming up to host a broad range of entertaining and enlightening presentations on a single itinerary.”
One such sailing with multiple guest speakers is Silver Spirit’s 15-day, Dubai-to-Athens World Cruise, departing 18 April. Highlighting the enrichment programme are: Dr. Zahi Hawass, one of the world’s most famous Egyptologists and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo; Dr. Scott Pearson, an international relations expert and Harvard economist who has won several awards for his research and teaching; Gerald M. McCormack, a retired colonel of the Australian army who served in operational, training and diplomatic appointments; and Dr. Lew Deitch, destination consultant and semi-retired professor with over 30 years’ experience teaching geography. Also a Wine Series voyage, this sailing will be hosted by Philip di Belardino, the genial vice president of fine wines for leading US importer Banfi Vintners.
And Silver Spirit’s 16-day World Cruise, Athens to Southampton, departing 3 May, will also feature an array of guest lecturers, including Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Saban Centre for Middle East Policy of the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, former CIA analyst, counter-terrorism expert and author; Robert Lacey, British historian and biographer whose numerous international bestsellers include Majesty, considered the definitive study of British monarchy; and destination consultant Dr. Lew Deitch. Also a Wine Series voyage, four wine experts will be on hand to share their expertise: Lyn Farmer, award-winning wine and food writer; Filippo Chia of Castello Romitorio; Felipe Gonzalez of Gonzalez Byass; and Rupert Symington of Graham’s and Dow’s. And Silversea culinary trainer David Bilsland will host the Relais & Châteaux L’École des Chefs cooking school. Plus, Silversea’s executive vice president of fleet operations, Christian Sauleau, will be on board to host the sailing.
In addition to previously announced luminaries such as Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Dan Rather (hosting Silver Spirit World Cruise, Hong Kong to Singapore, departing March 22and eminent Australian historian Geoffrey Blainey (hosting Silver Spirit World Cruise Segment, Auckland to Sydney, departing February 12), a small sampling of other luminaries includes:
Silver Spirit – 12 February – Auckland to Sydney
Terry Waite: As envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya during the 1980s.  In 1987, negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,763 days.
Silver Shadow – 7 May – Shanghai to Tokyo
Li Cunxin: Born into utter poverty in Mao’s communist China, his astounding drive and relentless hard work made him one of the best ballet dancers in the world. The inspirational story of Li’s life is recounted in his bestselling memoir Mao’s Last Dancer, which has been made into a feature film.
Silver Whisper – 7 September – Southampton to New York
Alastair Bruce: A descendant of Robert the Bruce, he is the author of numerous books on British royalty and a commentator for Britain’s Sky News and the BBC. He is also a documentary filmmaker and was historical advisor to recent award-winning films such as The Young Victoria and The King’s Speech, as well as the acclaimed ITV and PBS television series Downton Abbey.

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