Authors at Sea

Seabourn welcomes a star-studded line-up of literary luminaries with "Authors at Sea." This new program features best-selling authors, historians and biographers, along with live events and hands-on workshops for aspiring authors. Guest authors will also engage with guests on board.

On some ships, they lecture. On Seabourn, they join the conversation.

The Authors

Ann Cleeves, OBE

Ann Cleeves, OBE is a mystery crime writer and author of 37 critically acclaimed novels and an international bestseller translated in to over 20 languages worldwide. In 2017, she was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest accolade in crime writing. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV’s The Long Call, respectively.

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Ann Cleeves OBE mystery crime writer and author

Joanne Harris, OBE

Joanne Harris OBE is the author of over twenty novels, including CHOCOLAT, which was adapted to the screen in 2000, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of Sheffield and Huddersfield, is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Her books are published in over 50 countries, and have won many British and international awards.

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Santa Montefiore

Santa Montefiore is the number one international bestselling author of thirty-four titles. Her books are translated into twenty-five languages and she has sold over 8 million copies worldwide. She also co-wrote the children’s series 'The Royal Rabbits of London' with her husband, historian Simon Sebag-Montefiore. They live in London with their two children, Lily and Sasha, and their Labrador Simba.

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John Kiriakou

John Kiriakou is a New York Times bestselling author, award‑winning journalist, and former CIA counterterrorism officer with more than 15 years of service in U.S. intelligence. A leading voice on espionage, geopolitics, and world affairs, he is the author of nine books, including The Reluctant Spy and Doing Time Like a Spy, and the host of a Top 10 Apple podcast on intelligence and global security.

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Jill Dougherty

Jill Dougherty is an expert on Russia and the region. She served as CNN's Moscow Bureau Chief for almost a decade. Other postings include: White House correspondent; Foreign Affairs Correspondent covering the U.S. State Department; U.S. Affairs Editor; and Managing Editor CNN International, Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong.

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Portrait of Jill Dougherty behind a grey wall

Louise Penny

Louise is a member of the Order of Canada and bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels, translated in to 35 languages with 19 million copies sold. Set in idyllic Quebec, with intriguing plots, vivid descriptions of characters, beautiful scenery, Quebecois culture and cuisine, these multi award winning mysteries have frequently topped the New York Times best seller list.

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Sir Ian Rankin, OBE

Sir Ian Rankin OBE is the recipient of four Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards including the prestigious Diamond Dagger. Ian previously won America’s celebrated Edgar Award for Resurrection Men. He has also been shortlisted for the Edgar and Anthony Awards in the USA, and won Denmark’s Palle Rosenkrantz prize, the French Grand Prix du Roman Noir and Germany’s Deutscher Krimipreis.

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Robert K. Wittman

Robert K. Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI’s investigative expert involving cultural property crime. During his 20 year FBI career he recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property which resulted in numerous prosecutions and convictions.

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Mandy Hickson

Mandy Hickson has spent over 30 years in aviation. She joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and went on to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line, including patrolling the “No Fly” zone over Iraq. As one of the RAF’s first female fast jet pilots, Mandy brings a unique perspective on teamwork, courage and operating under pressure.
Since leaving the RAF, she has continued to support the next generation of aviators, serving as an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport and as an Ambassador for the Girl Guides.
Her bestselling memoir, An Officer, Not a Gentleman, tells the story of her journey to become one of the first women to fly fast jets in the RAF.

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Clare Balding, CBE

Clare Balding CBE is an award-winning broadcaster and author. She has worked on every Olympic Games since 1996 and on every Paralympics since 2000. Clare won BAFTA’s Special Award for her work on London 2012 and continues to present major events in sport, factual documentaries, and Royal events, including commentary of the King’s Coronation for BBC One. A passionate campaigner for equality and women’s sport, Clare is also a best-selling author of numerous book and children’s novels. In June 2022, it was announced Clare had been awarded a CBE for her services to Sport and Charity which she was honored to receive at Buckingham Palace in December 2022.

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Image of Clare Balding CBE in a yellow suede jacket with blue background.

Lady Sandra Howard

Lady Sandra Howard was a top international model in the 1960s and the only model to appear on the cover of American Vogue for two consecutive months. She is now a novelist and freelance journalist, and her novels often draw from her extraordinary experiences, including encounters with Frank Sinatra and the Kennedys. Her latest novel is set during WWII in Cairo and East Africa.

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See all Conversationalists

From celebrated authors and renowned journalists to pioneering explorers and distinguished leaders, Seabourn Conversations brings extraordinary guests aboard select voyages. Enjoy exclusive talks, thought-provoking discussions, and personal interactions that transform time at sea into a journey of discovery.

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Join Authors at Sea

As part of Seabourn’s Authors at Sea program, selected voyages feature acclaimed authors who share their insights, inspiration, and creative journeys through engaging presentations and conversations on board. These enriching experiences offer guests unique opportunities to connect with celebrated storytellers while enjoying the unparalleled luxury of a Seabourn voyage.

12-Day Caribbean & Atlantic Passage

Ship: Ovation

Depart | Arrive: Bridgetown, Barbados | Lisbon, Portugal

Sailing: March 27 to April 8, 2027
Authors: Jill Dougherty | Joanne Harris, OBE | John Kiriakou | Santa Montefiore

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10-Day Seville, Granada, Murcia And French Riviera

Ship: Ovation

Depart | Arrive: Lisbon, Portugal | Genoa, Italy

Sailing: April 8 to April 18, 2027
Author: Ann Cleeves

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14-Day North Cape & Norwegian Fjords

Ship: : Quest

Depart | Arrive: Dover, England, UK | Dover, England, UK

Sailing: July 17 to July 31, 2027
Author: Sir Ian Rankin, OBE

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7-Day Classic Caribbean Yacht Harbors

Ship: Ovation

Depart | Arrive: Bridgetown, Barbados | Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Sailing: February 13 to February 20, 2027
Author: Clare Balding, CBE

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12-Day Atlantic Crossing

Ship: : Quest

Depart | Arrive: Lisbon, Portugal | Miami, Florida, US

Sailing: November 10 to November 10, 2026
Author: Lady Sandra Howard

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14-Day Leeward Island Jewels

Ship: Quest

Depart | Arrive: Miami, Florida, US | Miami, Florida, US

Sailing: November 22 to December 6, 2026
Author: Robert K. Wittman

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12-Day World Cruise: Panama Canal To Callao

Ship: : Quest

Depart | Arrive: Miami, Florida, US | Callao (Lima), Peru

Sailing: January 5 to January 7, 2027
Author: Mandy Hickson

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12-Day Newfoundland & Gulf Of St. Lawrence Reverie

Ship: Quest

Depart | Arrive: Montreal, Canada | Montreal, Canada

Sailing: September 25 to October 7, 2027
Author: Louise Penny

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Connect with a Seabourn Personal Cruise Consultant

Planning your next voyage with your complimentary Seabourn Personal Cruise Consultant includes exclusive benefits:

Personalized Advice: Tailored recommendations based on your preferences and needs.

Insider Knowledge: Your Personal Cruise Consultant has a wealth of knowledge on destination information and Seabourn exclusive features you may not find on your own.

Time Savings: From initial booking, to managing changes, your Personal Cruise Consultant saves you time and effort.

Stress-Free Planning: They assist with travel arrangements before and after your cruise, ensuring a seamless experience.

Best Offers: Always advocating for you, your Personal Cruise Consultant will secure your preferred suite with the best fares and special offers.

^{If you are using the services of a travel advisor, please contact them to book.}

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