News Anchor Sam Donaldson, Writer Kitty Kelley - 2010 Grand World Voyage - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Krazy Kruizers · 06-20-2009, 01:58 PM

News Anchor Sam Donaldson, Writer Kitty Kelley and Grammy Award Winner Doc Severinsen to Sail on Holland America Line's 2010 Grand World Voyage

114-day ms Amsterdam cruise also features musical legends

Seattle, June 16, 2009 — Famed television news anchor, Sam Donaldson, best-selling writer and biographer, Kitty Kelley, and Grammy award winner, Doc Severinsen are scheduled to headline the enrichment program on Holland America Line’s 2010 Grand World Voyage aboard ms Amsterdam.
The 114-day cruise departs Jan. 6, 2010, taking an eastward route sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Los Angeles, Calif., while exploring South America, Africa and Asia.

“Being a premium cruise line means offering our guests premium enrichment experiences, and the line-up for the Grand World Voyage is top-notch,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “To have a journalist as respected as Sam Donaldson and entertainers as talented as Doc Severinsen puts our enrichment program at the top of the cruise industry.”

Sam Donaldson scheduled to cruise spring Grand World Voyage segment in late March
Donaldson is scheduled to sail March 28 through April 1 from Hong Kong to Shanghai. While on board he will present lectures to guests on a wide range of current events.
Donaldson joined ABC News in 1967, yet the turning point in his career came 10 years later when he was assigned to cover the incoming Carter Administration as ABC's chief white house correspondent. By 1981, he was anchor of “World News Sunday.” Donaldson also has hosted “Prime Time Live” and “The Sam Donaldson Show — Live in America” on ABC radio. He is the recipient of three George Foster Peabody and four Emmy awards. Today, he hosts his own half-hour program, “Politics Live,” on the high-definition digital network “ABC News Now.”
Kitty Kelley scheduled to cruise Grand World Voyage segment in late January

Kitty Kelley is scheduled to sail Jan. 28 through Feb. 7 from Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While on board, she will discuss her popular biographies and participate in question and answer sessions.
Kelley is an acclaimed writer and biographer whose last four books have each ranked first on the New York Times best-seller list. Kelly’s book, “Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography” sold one million copies in hardback and became the fastest selling biography in U.S. publishing history. Her other biographies, “Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star,” “His Way” about Frank Sinatra and “Jackie Oh!” also were New York Times best sellers. After four years as a press assistant to U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy, Kelley worked for two years as the editorial page researcher for The Washington Post. Since then, she has had a full-time career as a freelance writer.

Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida scheduled for January Grand World Voyage segment
Musicians Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida are scheduled to sail Jan. 6 through 11 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Fuerte Amador, Panama, next year.
Severinsen, a long-time former music director of the Johnny Carson-hosted show, became a staff musician for the NBC television network in 1949. After years of playing with television studio bands, he was invited to play with the “Tonight Show” band. The conductor asked him to join that band in 1962, and five years later, Severinsen took over Carson’s show, where he stayed until 1992. A Grammy award winner, Severinsen has more than 30 albums. After moving to Mexico in 2006, Severinsen created El Ritmo de la Vida with Mexican musicians Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center scheduled to sail Grand World Voyage segment in early April

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is scheduled to sail April 1 through 5 from Shanghai to Xingang (Beijing), China.
CMS is one of 12 resident organizations of Lincoln Center, the world’s leading performing arts complex. Through its performances, education, and recording and broadcast activities, it draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind. Its annual activities include concerts, national and international tours, nationally televised broadcasts on “Live From Lincoln Center,” and a nationwide radio show, and National Public Radio's “Performance Today” appearances.

The Holland America Line Enrichment Experience
Holland America Line offers a full enrichment program on every ship. As part of the Explorations Speaker Series, special guest lecturers sail on segments of the Grand Voyages to offer unique and enriching perspectives on regional art, history and culture. Culinary staff and guest chefs lead cooking classes and demonstrations in the on-board Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine; The Explorations Café — powered by the New York Times — allows guests to stay connected via the Internet or simply relax, listen to music and have a latté.

The line’s newest enrichment program is the Holland America Line Digital Workshop powered by Windows. In an interactive, user-friendly atmosphere, guests learn how to share all of their digital vacation memories through e-mail, blogging and social networking.
For more information on Holland America Line’s 2010 Grand World Voyage or other cruises, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Editor’s Note:
Photography available at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/W19MF:WaX:fGs

- www.hollandamerica.com -

Char · 06-20-2009, 04:18 PM

Yonnie, just for grins, how big a dent in my pocketbook would a world voyage of 114 days make?

nealberk · 06-20-2009, 05:26 PM

We had the digital workshop on the Noordam but it was closed for the whole cruise. An excellent idea for those who really want to extend their cruise by being able to share memories with others.

Krazy Kruizers · 06-20-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char

Yonnie, just for grins, how big a dent in my pocketbook would a world voyage of 114 days make?

Really depends on the category you book. For the last few years HAL has been making deals that if you book the entire cruise nearly a year in advance, HAL will foot the automatic tips -- which is really big on a 114 day cruise -- which alone is $2508.

The if you take tours in all the ports -- and HAL's aren't cheap -- MORE BIG BUCKS!!

One time we figured that if we booked an SA for the 114 days -- and toured -- and left extra tips at the end -- we would spend nearly $750,000!!

Think we will pass.

Char · 06-20-2009, 08:50 PM

I never thought about the gratuities for that long! Wow!

If we win the lottery we might consider such a voyage. Until then, I'll have to just read about them.

nealberk · 06-21-2009, 01:50 AM

Yonnie, you forgot the additional $7.00 per day in fuel surcharges that will probably be reintroduced soon.