Seabourn Cruises Unveils “Authors at Sea” Participants

Seabourn has unveiled a roster of writers, broadcasters, historians, and cultural experts joining its 2026 “Authors at Sea” and “Seabourn Conversations” programs. The lineup includes award-winning novelist Ann Cleeves OBE, Joanne Harris OBE, and Louise Penny, among others. Each participant will host interactive workshops, exclusive events and shore excursions, and small group conversations throughout their sailings.  

“Conversation has always been at the heart of the Seabourn experience, where travelers share their adventures and discoveries,” said Joseph Chantry, Seabourn’s vice president of entertainment and enrichment. “Our ‘Authors at Sea’ program brings celebrated writers on board to connect with guests through engaging discussions and interactive sessions.”

Select 2026 sailings will feature an Authors at Sea lineup including:

Ann Cleeves, OBE, Seabourn Ovation, May 30, 2026 (Dover to Reykjavik): The “Vera” and “Shetland” author is a mystery crime writer and author of 37 novels. During this sailing she will host hands-on crime writing workshops, as well as a live Murder Mystery event.

Joanne Harris, OBE, Seabourn Venture, June 11, 2026 (Barcelona to Gijon): Harris is the author of more than 20 novels, including “Chocolat,” which was adapted to the screen in 2000.

Lady Sandra Howard, Seabourn Quest, Nov. 10, 2026 (Lisbon to Miami): Lady Howard was a top international model in the 1960s. She is now a novelist and freelance journalist.

Louise Penny, Seabourn Encore, Feb. 1, 2026 (Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City): Penny is a former Broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author of the Inspector Gamache series. She is also the co-author of the political thriller “State of Terror,” with former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Seabourn Conversations

Simultaneously, Seabourn also announced a lineup of explorers, scholars, chefs, performers, and other experts who will be joining select cruises as part of the line’s “Conversations” program.

Upcoming guests include:

Clare Balding CBE, Seabourn Encore, March 16, 2026 (Tokyo to Yokohama): An award-winning broadcaster and author who has worked every Olympic Games since 1996 and every Paralympics since 2000, Balding is also the recipient of a BAFTA Special Award for her work on London 2012.

Richard Stone, Seabourn Ovation, June 27, 2026 (Dover to Greenock): Stone is the official portrait painter of the Royal Family, having been commissioned to do portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and King Charles III. He also painted the official portrait of Margaret Thatcher.

Will Lyons, Seabourn Ovation, July 4, 2026 (Greenock to Dover): Lyons has published a weekly column on drinks for nearly two decades (formerly in “The Wall Street Journal,” now in “The Sunday Times.”) Additionally, his podcast “Wine Times” was named Podcast of the Year at the British Media Awards.