Saga Cruises is about to launch the world’s first onboard e-library and to celebrate, Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go, has signed up to the company’s onboard meet-the-authors programme
The author (above) who topped Granta’s prestigious ‘Best of Young British Writers’ list joins India Knight, Jonathan Coe and Rhidian Brook giving talks on cruises next year.
The four are appearing on Saga’s programme to celebrate the fact that the Saga Pearl II will offer passengers the chance to lend e-readers pre-loaded with 36 titles from November 22.
The e-readers will carry a selection of Penguin titles in six genres including – crime and adventure, escapist fiction, travel writing, literary gems, historical fiction and celebrity biography to match Saga passengers’ reading preferences.
Penguin has also donated physical copies of all 36 books in the selection to Pearl II’s library for those readers who prefer the printed page.
Saga Cruises CEO Robin Shaw said: “Saga Pearl II has a wonderful library with 2,600 books and plenty of space to relax in comfortable sofas or leather armchairs.
“Penguin e-books will be add another dimension to reading choices and our librarian will be on hand to assist passengers who are new to reading from a tablet.”
Taiye will join guests when the Saga Pearl II sails from Venice on December 3 for the 13night journey back to the Southampton. The cruise includes a Venetian masked ball, performances from soprano Hayley Westenra, The Operababes, The Three Tenors tribute act and The Gondolier Trio plus the opportunity to visit the ancient ruins of Cartagena, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, mythical Corfu and historic Split.
Prices start from £1999 for 13 nights (Dec 3-16). The price includes UK door-to-door travel service, all meals, soft drinks and house-branded alcohol, entertainment, gratuities, room service, travel insurance and cancellation cover.
