Australian Literature Festival at Sea a travelling bibliophiles dream

You are immersed in the picturesque landscapes of England’s Cornwall with Daphne du Maurier, or perhaps you’re engrossed in Scott Fitzgerald’s New York Long Island scenes during the Jazz Age.

That is, until you close the pages of your book and head to lunch at Britannia Restaurant, followed by an interactive Q&A session with some of the world’s best-loved writers.

This isn’t a bookworm’s pipe dream, but a real-life travel opportunity for cruise-loving bibliophiles.

British cruise line Cunard are set to host the Australian Literature Festival at Sea this December on a five-night return voyage from Sydney to Tasmania. Here’s everything you need to know …

+ The festival will be held on art deco-style cruise liner Queen Elizabeth from December 11 to 16.

+ The festival has a line-up of acclaimed authors including Alexander McCall Smith, Fiona McIntosh, Anita Heiss, Graeme Simsion, Anne Buist, Paul Cleave, Sue Williams and Elizabeth Stanley.

+ There will be a chance to expand your literary skills in hands-on workshops, trivia sessions, Q&A’s and panel discussions with authors

+ Queen Elizabeth will dock in Hobart on day three and take a scenic cruise around Great Oyster Bay on day four, with travelling sea days either side.

+ Ship facilities include; a grand lobby, Royal Court Theatre, six restaurants, a games deck, two outdoor pools and one indoor pool with a spa, and indulgent Cunard traditions such as Afternoon Tea.

+ Bespoke literature-themed shore excursions will be available (at an extra cost).

+ The festival is in partnership with Australia’s oldest bookstore, Dymocks. Books will be available to buy on board, which can be signed by the author at their relative festival events.

+ Prices from $1634-$4616.

Itinerary Highlights

The mastermind behind acclaimed novel series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, will be joined by fellow authors Fiona McIntosh, Paul Cleave, Anita Heiss, and Graeme Simsion on a panel discussing literature trends. The British author of more than 100 books will also be sharing stories from his illustrious career.

Bestselling author Fiona McIntosh will take guests on a deep dive into the art of storytelling in a workshop sharing her writing techniques and engaging all five senses of a reader. The master storyteller will also be joined by Paul Cleave in a discussion about crime fiction.

Anita Heiss, one of Australia’s most prolific authors, will be presenting a thought-provoking keynote exploring the common threads that unite us through human experiences, in a world divided by differences.

The Rosie Project author Graeme Simsion will be hosting an interactive workshop into the creative process of his six bestselling novels.

Cunard is also hosting a Literature Festival at Sea in the Northern Hemisphere, aboard their Queen Mary 2 ship from December 8-15 from Southampton (UK) to New York (USA) and back.