Crystal Storytellers

Professional storyteller and explorer Rob Caskie has trekked the Anglo Zulu War battlefields, specialized in the early explorations of the Arctic and Antarctic and embarked on expeditions around the world. Today he shares the ways travel fundamentally changes who we are, and how the generosity of friends helped spark his own spirit of exploration after the death of his mother when he was just a child. 

Equal parts cheerleader, economist, coach and psychologist, Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Kevin McCollum has spent his 25-year career creating hit shows with the stage’s greatest talents. Today, he’s pulling back the curtain on his career, his partnership with Crystal and how collaboration wins over competition when young people participate in theater. Tune in to his conversation with Rick Spath aboard Crystal Serenity.

Her books have changed the lives of women around the world, dealing with the juggling between careers and families, struggles with domestic violence and the toughest life choices they face. New York Times best-selling author, columnist for The Washington Post, and renowned speaker Leslie Morgan Steiner shares some of her most personal experiences, and why she finds the women sailing with her aboard Crystal Serenity to be some of the most interesting she’s met. 

He’s been all over the globe in service as a British Ambassador and diplomat, and today he’s sailing from Tokyo to Hong Kong aboard Crystal Symphony. Tune in to learn his unique insights on the cultures and languages of Europe, Asia and the Arab world, and how a “father-son talk” led him to the career path of a lifetime. Read more about this episode.

Set sail through the South Pacific with journalist, author and historian, Ken Walsh. He’s authored eight books, was president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and is currently the White House and Political Analyst for U.S. News & World Report. But what sparked his passion for communication was actually a childhood motivation for dessert. Tune in now! Read more about this episode.

Set sail from Hong Kong to Tokyo with Scott Kelly as he shares his untraditional path to becoming a military fighter, test pilot and U.S. Navy captain; engineer; astronaut and commander of the International Space Station. Kelly recalls his childhood and shares a story of perseverance as a struggling student who never thought he would spend a year in space! Read more about this episode.

Set sail aboard Crystal Symphony with Michele Lee, the award-winning actress, singer, director, producer and philanthropist. Tune in to hear how she was discovered at age 16, worked with legends from Hope to Astaire, has been a pioneering woman in show biz, and what she said to make Cruise Director Russ Grieve blush. Read more about this episode.

Grammy-Award winning singer, songwriter, and actress Melissa Manchester set sail from Tokyo to San Francisco, sharing tales from her early days of singing jingles, backup for Bette Midler as part of the Harlettes and her story of how a conversation with her writing collaborator Carole Bayer Sager about their personal relationships at that time led to the hit “Midnight Blue.” Melissa’s illustrious career spans more than four decades and is sure to inspire any lover of the arts. Tune in and find out how she nabbed all four Beatles’ autographs at age 14 (hint: a travel advisor was involved!), plus many other highlights from the life of this prolific artist. Read more about this episode.

Set sail from Hong Kong to Tokyo with General Anthony Zinni, retired United States Marine Corps Four Star General, former Commander in Chief for theUnited States Central Command (CENTCOM), and former special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Sharing personal stories from his two tours in Vietnam as well as commentating on modern warfare, you are sure to feel as though you are alongside General Zinni on the battlefield.  Read more about this episode. 

Set sail from Tokyo to San Francisco with Bruce McGill, known for playing a wide range of unforgettable roles in both film and television including “Sheriff Farley” in My Cousin Vinny and “D-Day” in the classic National Lampoon’s Animal House. Dive into the history of theater with Bruce as he shares his own coming of age story and hear what it was really like behind the scenes in Animal House. Read more about this episode.

Set sail through Polynesia with novelist and TV producer of the smash television series Bones, Kathy Reichs describing her early career juggling childcare by day, crime writing by night, and learning how to be an executive producer of a hit television series. Whether you are an avid true crime follower or fan of Kathy’s published works this episode will provide you a window into the life of Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist turned novelist turned television producer. Read more about this podcast.

Picture this: You’re on a dream vacation and you run into your favorite best-selling author, GRAMMY award-winning singer, or professional golfer. You’d never bother them, of course—they’re on vacation, too. But what if you could sit down for an intimate one-on-one chat? Here’s your chance: Pull up a deck chair and join Crystal, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, in a candid talk with the fascinating guest speakers featured in its renowned onboard Enrichment Series. Equal parts travelogue, lecture and candid discussion, each show delivers on its promise to educate, entertain, and excite the adventurer in us all. Read more about this podcast.