Archbishop Desmond Tutu Signs On as Head Speaker for Holland America's 2014 Grand World Voyage

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the former archbishop of Cape Town, is scheduled to lecture on a segment of Holland America Line’s 2014 Grand World Voyage on ms Amsterdam. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate will sail March 28 to April 2, 2014, from Durban to Cape Town, South Africa.

Tutu will address guests at two speaking engagements onboard about his role as the first black African to serve as archbishop of Cape Town and about his work forging racial equality throughout the world. Beginning with his opposition to apartheid in South Africa, he has worked to spread peace, justice and democracy around the globe. A question-and-answer session will enable guests to gain more insight into his life.

Tutu is among the world's foremost human rights activists. In 2007, Tutu joined The Elders, a group ofworld leaders including Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and others, who meet to discuss ways to promote human rights and world peace. Prior to retiring in 1996, Tutu was Archbishop of Cape Town, an office he was elected to in 1986. In 1978, he left his job as Bishop of Lesotho to become general secretary of the South African Council of Churches. In that position, which he held until 1985, Tutu became a recognized national and international figure.

Tutu is the recipient of several awards. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Pacem in Terris Award in 1987, the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007 and the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Tutu and his wife Leah founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, a nonprofit organization committed to creating a society that nurtures tolerance and understanding among all people. It is guided by the virtues that the archbishop identified as essential human values and the building blocks for sustainable peace: love, hope, tolerance and courage.

Around-the-world cruise adventurers can join the full 113-day Grand World Voyage or one of several segments that range from 20 to 86 days, and embark and debark at top cities along the cruise. Rates for segments begin from $3,899 per person, double occupancy. The full voyage begins at $19,999 per person.

For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com.