Two Generals + two Ambassadors + two award-winning journalists = four intimately cerebral and worldly “insider” cruises through New England and Canada on Crystal Cruises this fall. Spanning from September 13 to October 25, 2011 on Crystal Symphony, the ultra-luxe line’s complimentary “Distinguished Speaker Series” promises to give guests frontline insights into world affairs, U.S. politics, military operations, and leadership from top experts whose range of experience stretches from Nixon to the Bush eras.

Speakers include:

General Hugh Shelton: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who spearheaded transformation of the U.S. armed forces for the 21st century.
Ambassador Edward Peck: Past Chief of Mission in Iraq, State Department Deputy Coordinator of Covert Intelligence Programs, and Deputy Director, Cabinet Task Force on Terrorism, who is still a vocal advocate for even-handed U.S.-Middle East policy.
Lou Waters: CNN anchor—from network launch, through the next 21 years’ major wars and news events—whose expertise covers the evolution of news in the internet age.
General Nick Halley: 82nd Airborne Division, Special Ops, and Anti-Terrorist veteran who commanded soldiers in Vietnam, Grenada, and Desert Storm and now serves as a military and terrorism expert for Fox News and WGN.
Tom DeFrank: Newsweek’s White House correspondent for 25 years who co-authored Secretary of State James Baker’s memoirs and has covered eleven Presidential elections in 42 years as a Washington reporter.
Ambassador Marc Ginsberg: Ex-Deputy Senior Advisor to the President for Middle East Policy, with involvement in ground-breaking Palestinian and Egyptian issues, who now serves as President of the first American-led Arabic television production company.

Presenters vary on four 10- and 11-day voyages, which visit New York, Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor or New Brunswick, Halifax, Quebec City, and Montreal. Two-for-One fares start at $3,940/person. Huge fall sale offers $1500-$4,000/couple savings off Verandah and Penthouse accommodations, respectively. All sailings include free air (or air credit) from 24 North American gateways and $1000/couple “As You Wish” shipboard credit.

Crystal’s award-winning, luxurious offerings always include a diverse selection of thought-provoking, scholarly, and sophisticated enrichment activities that provide extensive onboard choices for cultured world travelers.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a professional travel agent