Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu to join Crystal South Africa voyage

LOS ANGELES, CA – World-renowned peace and human rights crusader Archbishop Desmond Tutu will bring an especially intimate perspective of South Africa – and the world – aboard Crystal Cruises’ March 13, 2015 voyage through Tutu’s African homeland. The 1984 Nobel Laureate was considered his country’s “voice of conscience” throughout its struggle against apartheid, and is still one of world’s leading voices for freedom and justice. Via a complimentary presentation and interactive Q & A session, the Archbishop will share personal insights about South Africa’s history and topics like “Bridging the Chasm between Black and White,” as well as speak to universal themes that can inspire all, such as the search for spiritual values in today’s world and the power of unity and goodness in business. The World Cruise segment sails from Perth to Cape Town, where Tutu is Archbishop Emeritus.

“Our inquisitive guests are engaged travelers who will relish the rare opportunity to experience South Africa through the eyes of one of the country’s most precious sons…and perhaps take some of his inspirational spirit home with them,” says Bret Bullock, vice president of entertainment.

The son of a schoolteacher and a domestic worker, service to others is part of Desmond Tutu’s heritage. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Tutu has advocated for human rights and equality, acting as a spiritual and political leader during South Africa’s perhaps most tumultuous period in history. As General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), the often controversial Tutu pursued his objective to end apartheid and achieve racial reconciliation vigorously, and became internationally renowned for his efforts toward the cause. He continued to bridge South Africa’s racial gap as Bishop of Johannesburg and Archbishop of Cape Town.

Still making headlines in the name of justice, Mr. Tutu now works to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and Climate Change as chairman of the Elders, a nonpartisan group of statesmen from around the world. Most recently, he made headlines by joining Ireland’s President Mary Robinson in the fight for environmental justice at the world’s first International Conference for Climate Change. The Archbishop boasts some of the world’s highest honors for his contributions to humanity, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as honorary degrees from more than 130 worldwide universities.

Tutu is just one of 50 stimulating speakers planned for Crystal’s 25th Anniversary “Silver Celebration” World Cruise aboard Crystal Serenity. The 108-day voyage is comprised of six 16- to 21-day segments sailing between Miami, Lima, Auckland, Perth, Cape Town, and Rio.

This segment visits several South African cities central to Archbishop Tutu’s legacy, including Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay (maiden call) and Cape Town (overnight). Other calls include Mauritius/Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius; St-Denis, Réunion, France; Ambodifotatra and Taolanaro, Madagascar (both maiden calls); Maputo, Mozambique, and the embarkation port of Perth, Australia.