If learning about photography, marine life, food and wine, and the chocolates and coffees of South America appeals to you, then Regent Seven Seas Cruises has what you’re looking for in their new Circles of Interest program.

Initiating it’s first-ever “Discovery Collection,” an extended exploration of Africa, the Middle East, India and South America in 2008, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a series of special lectures, themed events and on shore activities during this 82-night, five-continent odyssey, including six combinable cruise segments aboard the 490-guest, all-suite (90 percent with private balconies) Seven Seas Navigator. This unique collection was created for veteran cruisers eager to explore new destinations as well as first-time guests with a taste for the exotic.

Five of the six segments of the Discovery Collection will offer a special themed focus for guests, including:

Photography - Guests will capture breathtaking destinations like Aqaba, Fujairah and Mombasa (Kenya) on film during a special Photography Circle of Interest, available on the Discovery Collection’s segments from Athens to Dubai (October 8 - 23, 2008); Dubai to Mumbai (Bombay) (October 23 - November 1); and Mumbai to Cape Town (November 1 - 21). Both aspiring photographers and experienced shutterbugs will improve their skills as professional photographer Ken Haas and a team of photo coaching assistants host onboard lectures and on shore photo-exploration programs for participating guests. This program is limited to smaller groups and must be pre-purchased ($215 - $395 per person).
Marine Life - Regent will welcome famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, founder of the esteemed Ocean Futures Society, during the November 1 - 21 segment from Mumbai to Cape Town. Guests will learn about the ecosystems of southeastern Africa and Madagascar during a complimentary lecture series.
Food & Wine - The spotlight shifts to food and wine on the November 21 - December 4 cruise from Cape Town, South Africa to Rio de Janeiro. Guest experts including South African winemaker Ken Forrester will share the exciting developments of the region’s extraordinary wine country through a series of complimentary onboard tastings, cooking demonstrations and a preview of the culinary delights of Brazil.
Chocolate - The December 4 - 18 cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale will trace a route through several of the top chocolate producing countries in South America and the Caribbean, celebrating two of the region’s dark delights - chocolate and coffee. Guests will enjoy complimentary tastings, cooking demonstrations and lectures about these delectable treats.
Regent also offers exciting Concierge Collection land programs, like an exclusive tour of ancient Egyptian catacombs — three tiers of burial chambers dating back to the 2nd century that are carved into rock 100 feet below the ground. Take a driving safari through Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you may encounter giraffes, lions, rhinos, cheetahs and elephants. Or explore the wondrous old cities hidden among the Amazon jungles.
Several of the cruise segments will also include a complimentary on shore activity for guests, ranging from a daytrip to explore the splendors of ancient Egypt, to a VIP dinner and tour of the Bahrain Grand Prix Race Track, to a special match of polo, “the sport of kings,” played exclusively for Seven Seas Navigator guests in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Per person prices start at $6,195 for the September 27, 2008 segment from Monte Carlo to Athens and the October 8 segment from Athens to Dubai; from $4,595 for the October 23 segment from Dubai to Mumbai; from $8,795 for the November 1 segment from Mumbai to Cape Town; from $3,995 for the November 21 segment from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro; and from $4,295 for the December 4 segment from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale. Along with exciting sites and memorable experiences, guests can receive complimentary shipboard credits of up to $200 per suite, complimentary shore events on select sailings and Seven Seas Society Savings.