Cunard to carry rare facsimile of the Salisbury Magna Carta

Queen Mary 2

A rare facsimile of the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history, will be going on display on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and sister ship Queen Victoria between May and September 2015 to celebrate its 800th anniversary year.

Salisbury Cathedral will be lending a rare facsimile of its Magna Carta (dated 1215) to Cunard and is one of only four of the original documents in existence. The facsimile will be displayed in the Grand Lobby of Queen Mary 2 from early May until September. It will also be briefly carried on-board Queen Victoria in late May.

The cruise line already has experience carrying an original Magna Carta. During World War II, the Lincoln Magna Carta, one of the four originals, was moved to Washington DC for safe-keeping. In January 1946 it began its journey home, first to New York and then on board Queen Elizabeth for the voyage to Southampton.

Chairman of the Salisbury Cathedral 2015 Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Board Robert Key will be escorting the copy of Salisbury's Magna Carta during crossings on-board Queen Mary 2 on voyages departing 10 May and 4 September. He will also be on-board Queen Victoria's voyage departing 22 May.  Key will host two talks on each voyage about the legacy of the Magna Carta and the effect it had in shaping the world as we know it today.

"I, and Salisbury Cathedral, are delighted to be working with Cunard as we celebrate the Magna Carta's 800th anniversary by loaning a very rare facsimile of the document. The impact of the Magna Carta was not only felt ashore, but in these lectures we have a golden opportunity to explain and explore those fundamental freedoms that give Cunard ships the right to sail the seven seas – rights that we won 800 years ago and for which people the world over are still prepared to fight and to die" said Robert Key.

(Photo credit to Cunard Line)

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Cruising With Jean-Michel Cousteau

Cruise ship lectures are now a significant part of the cruise experience, and several lines are now making them a headline feature in their own right. It's not uncommon to find big-name speakers among the lecturers, hence it is something we keep a close eye on these days.

Luxury line Paul Gauguin Cruises has just revealed its guest speaker line-up for 2014, and we thought it was worth passing on as the line-up includes speakers who are experts in the culinary arts, wine, photography, fine art, history, music and the wonders of the deep.

Foremost among them is world-famous oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, who joins several sailings aboard the Paul Gauguin in 2014: to the Society Islands & Tuamotus Marquesas; Fiji & Australia; and Tonga, Cook & Society Islands. In addition to presenting lectures and videos of his work, he will accompany several dives from the ship.

They also include Chef Propriétaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius, Jean-Pierre Vigato, who has inspired signature menus for Paul Gauguin Cruises for several years. This celebrated chef will be onboard the Gauguin’s June 25 Australia & South-east Asia voyage and will provide culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques. 

From the vineyards of California’s Sonoma County and Central Coast to the great estates of Bordeaux, Daniel Baron has learned the importance of the pursuit of excellence in winemaking. Today, he serves as winemaker for the Napa Valley’s prestigious Silver Oak Cellars. Baron will be aboard the Gauguin’s December 3 Tuamotus & Society Islands sailing for a lecture and wine-tasting.

The full list is long and equally impressive and you can see more on this link.

More info: 020 7399 7691 or visit www.pgcruises.com.

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Seabourn's Stellar Special Guest Line-Up On World Voyage

By Editor Simon Veness

Luxury specialists Seabourn Cruise Line have announced an impressive line-up of distinguished celebrities, guest entertainers and lecturers for Seabourn Sojourn's World Cruise next year, boosting the line’s “Seabourn Conversations” programme of onboard enrichment and special guest entertainment.

The featured guest speakers and celebrities include Tony Award-winning Broadway star Patti LuPone; former CIA operative Tony Mendez, whose heroic exploits inspired the Academy Award-winning film “Argo”; and Andrew Fairlie, Scotland’s only two-Michelin star chef. Sojourn’s 116-day world cruise begins on January 4 at Los Angeles and ends in Venice on May 1.

From historians and scientists to authors, destination and maritime experts, the exciting luminaries will share their stories, expert opinions and valuable insights to guests throughout the once-in-a-lifetime voyage. In addition, they will experience the journey along with guests, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage.

“Our guest speakers are as intriguing and worldly as the destinations we will visit during the world cruise,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president, marketing and sales. “Not only will they entertain and delight our guests with their talent, expertise and knowledge, they will also be a part of the daily social scene, enhancing our guests’ experience.”

In addition to the “Celebrity Conversations” with LuPone, Mendez and Fairlie, Seabourn Sojourn’s world cruise will feature “Arts Conversations” with David Smith, photographer and travel writer; “Culinary Conversations” with Dennis Conner, an American yachtsman and four-time America’s Cup winner; “Cultural & Destination Conversations” with Ronald Sampson, CBE, a former commander of the British Empire for Diplomatic Services; Dr. Thomas Lippman, journalist and author specialising in Middle East affairs; and “Current Affairs and History Conversations” with Ralf Vargas and Daniel Silke, foreign policy experts. A list of currently scheduled Seabourn Conversations guest speakers can be viewed here.

The fabulous 116-day cruise will visit 53 ports in 20 countries, encompassing destinations such as Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia, Indonesia and South-east Asia, India, Arabia and the Mediterranean. Rates for the full cruise begin at £32,599 per person, based on two sharing a suite, including round-trip air and a host of other complimentary amenities. For guests who cannot sail the entire voyage, shorter voyages are available from 22 days, with cruise-only rates starting at £5,040 per person, based on double occupancy.

More info: call  0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

 

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