Sharks & Extraterrestrial Life

Sharks, Extraterrestrial Life, Myths and More: Explorers and Experts Will Enliven Seabourn's South America Cruises 

MIAMI, Sept. 16
Guests aboard Seabourn Pride's cruises circumnavigating South America early next year will share their journey with renowned experts in fields as varied as history, biology, cultural anthropology, archeology, geographic exploration and the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Seabourn has assembled a fascinating lineup of lecturers for its celebrated Dress Circle enrichment program during the 72 days the intimate, ultra luxury ship will spend exploring South America. The epic voyage, which can also be purchased in separate cruises of seven to 56 days, will provide a tremendous variety of sights, sounds and experiences for guests, and the insights and expertise offered by the team of Dress Circle lecturers will help them make the most of their adventures.

During the ship's Treasures of the Inca Coast cruise, January 4 to 22, 2003, guests will learn about the myths, legends and artwork of Panama's Cuna Indians and the ancient history and tribal lore of the Mayan and Inca civilizations in Ecuador, Peru and Chile from Patrick Goodness, an expert in comparative mythologies worldwide.

John McMichan, recently retired from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, will lend advice on healthy traveling, based on his years as a ship's surgeon in Asia.

Dr. John Billingham, who will be on board until February 9, will explore another fascinating topic. After a scientific career with NASA and America's space program, Dr. Billingham continues to look skyward as a Board Member for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, now privately funded.

Sailing from January 22 to February 9 will be Professor Roy Willis, who took his Ph.D. in History from Stanford University. He has received grants from the Ford, Rockefeller and Guggenheim Foundations, and taught at Stanford, the University of Washington and the University of California, Davis. Professor Willis' textbook writing gradually led him from European history to an overview of World Civilizations exploring the role of cities in civilizations worldwide.

Dr. Stanley Spielman, sailing from January 22 until March 1, is a Fellow of The Explorer's Club and the Royal Geographical Society of England. His numerous expeditions combine contacting and documenting endangered tribal peoples with delivery of medical treatment and rendering their unspoiled likenesses in superb oil paintings. He is also an expert on sharks, having surveyed populations in scuba gear and ultralight aircraft, and performed operations on full-grown sharks in the water.

Lyman Johnson, on board from January 22 to February 9 is a professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has taught in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cardiff, Wales as a Senior Fulbright-Wales Fellow. Johnson's text on Colonial Latin America, 4th edition, is the best-selling college text in his field.

British explorer John Harrison, sailing from February 16 until March 1, is the author of "Up the Creek: An Amazon Adventure." Despite its breezy title, the endeavor the book describes was characterized by John Hemming, Director of the Royal Geographical Society as " ... months of physical hardship, disease, privation, technical skill and mental determination that make the average mountain climb seem like a weekend ramble." In 1991, the National Geographic Society made a film, entitled "John Harrison: Explorer," about Harrison's exploits. Harrison will regale Seabourn guests with lavishly illustrated tales of his adventures in uncharted territory.

With Early Booking Savings up to 35 percent, fares start from $3,996 per person for a seven day cruise, based on double occupancy of a 277-square-foot Seabourn Suite. Fares for the January 4, 2003 18-day Treasures of the Inca Coast start from $6,997 per person, and include free roundtrip coach class airfare from 28 North America gateways. Combinations of cruises totaling 25 to 72 days earn Grand Voyage Savings up to 40 percent.

For more information, or to book a Seabourn Pride South America cruise, contact Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.