Dr. John Freedman
               
           Scholar At Sea®
               Global Studies Scholar & Lecturer
                     

        
                                          
                                      
Scroll down for  MY SCHEDULE:

10 out of 10 on content, clarity and wit. 
11 out of 10 on passion!
Thank you, Dr. John.
Emmett  P
Viking 'Far Eastern Horizons' Japan & South Korea 

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Just wanted to thank you 
for your scintillating lectures!  

Your depth of knowledge is outstanding and 

the humor you add makes attending your lectures 

the highlight of our shipboard time. 

Thanks again!

Arny Katz

Regent Mariner, Sydney-to-Singapore


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                      FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER/X: 
                 @DrJohnFreedman



Dr. Freedman has the most attendance at his lectures 

and he always receives extraordinary feedback. 

He received many comments about his excellence. 

Guests' comments mentioned 

"More Dr. Freedman!" 

that alone says it all.

A real gem. He will be highly missed, 

as he is one of the best lecturers 

I have ever encountered.

Silver Moon Cruise Director, March 2022

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Dear Dr. Freedman,

We have been on many cruises and I must say 

you are by far the best lecturer we have heard!!

 I am very interested in your future schedule.

Thank you for making this not only an enjoyable cruise, 

but also very educational!

Yours truly,

Martha F

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DeDr. Freedman,

We have been on many cruises and I must say you 

are by far the best lecturer we have ever heard!!  

 I am very interested in learning about your future schedule.

Thank you for making this not only an enjoyable cruise, 

but also very educational!

Yours truly, 

Martha F

Dear Dr. Freedman,

We have been on many cruises and I must say you 

are by far the best lecturer we have ever heard!!  

 I am very interested in learning about your future schedule.

Thank you for making this not only an enjoyable cruise, 

but also very educational!

Yours truly, 

Martha F

Dear Dr. Freedman,

We have been on many cruises and I must say you 

are by far the best lecturer we have ever heard!!  

 I am very interested in learning about your future schedule.

Thank you for making this not only an enjoyable cruise, 

but also very educational!

Yours truly



To say that Dr. Freedman’s lectures were outstanding 

is an understatement. 

It was SRO and it was riveting! 

Marsha Dupre

Viking Orion, Bali-to-Hong Kong

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I really appreciated your depth of knowledge 
and enthusiasm as well as 
your ability to synthesize very complicated issues 
and history into very engaging presentations.
Your lectures really 
added a marvelous texture
to my experiences in Asia!
With thanks,
Douglas D
Silver Shadow, Singapore-Hong Kong

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John did an excellent job 

on the Panama Canal commentary. 

Great guest comments overall!

Cruise Director, Silver Moon 

Grand Voyage Caribbean and South America






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You are an inspiring teacher!  

We continue to talk about the quality of your lectures. 

Thank you and we look forward to the next time!

- Fred Hubbard

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HUGELY impressed with content and delivery. 

Never bored!!!!

Many thanks,

John Bannister

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John- I would like to thank you 

for all these years together 

and your great professionalism

in delivering a bespoke program to our guests.

Antonio Marangi, 

Director of Enrichment, Silversea Cruises

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Your knowledge and passion shine through 

and I am grateful to you for sharing it all with us. 

Hope we get another chance 

to see you on a future trip!

Dianne Wallace

We thoroughly enjoyed all your talks!

Would definitely appreciate your schedule 

because we do want to cruise with you again!

Thank you,

Tina Kellogg

We thoroughly enjoyed all your talks!

Would definitely appreciate your schedule 

because we do want to cruise with you again!

Thank you,

Tina Kello

We still remember so fondly your lectures on our cruise 

from Beijing to Singapore! 

We have since done many more cruises 

and have yet to find a lecturer of your calibre.  

We speak often of how much we loved your lectures 

and the reference list of books and movies you provided. 

Denny and Lark Beaugureau

We still remember so fondly your lectures on our cruise 

from Beijing to Singapore! 

We have since done many more cruises 

and have yet to find a lecturer of your calibre.  

We speak often of how much we loved your lectures 

and the reference list of books and movies you provided. 

Denny and Lark Beaugureau

2025 SCHEDULE :


SILVERSEA Silver Shadow

  Los Angeles-Papeete  and  Papeete-Papeete   

January 4-26 and January 26-Feb 6, 2025

A marvelous voyage to Hawaii and French Polynesia -

stunning natural beauty and epic stories to be told ... 

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PONANT Le Jacques Cartier

  Guadalcanal to Guam 

Expedition Cruising in storied lands

March 1-14, 2025

A fascinating journey through the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia and on to Guam in the Marianas- an extraordinarily interesting

part of the world which we will delve into in a robust onboard lecture program. 

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SILVERSEA Silver Nova

  Tokyo-Tokyo 

2 voyages: March 26-April 9  and April 9-23,  2025

Explore Japan's uniquely intriguing history and culture with a robust lecture series that will provide deep context for our journey  

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SEABOURN Quest

Beautiful and Fascinating Japan

Yokohama-Kobe and Kobe-Yokohama

October 12-24 and October 24-November 5, 2025 

Fall foliage in beautiful Japan with an 

in-depth lecture program on 

Japanese History, Culture and Current Affairs)

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2026 SCHEDULE :


SEABOURN Sojourn

WORLD CRUISE SEGMENT- POLYNESIAN WONDERS

Los Angeles to Papeete,Tahiti - via Hawaii     

January 4-24, 2026

Join me to explore the geology, history, anthropology, and rich literary & cinematic legacy

of this storied part of the world.


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REGENT Navigator

4 ENCHANTING SOUTH PACIFIC VOYAGES

Auckland-Papeete     Papeete-Papeete x 2   

and   Papeete-Auckland

Feb 6-22   Feb 22-March 4      March 4-14     March 14-31

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PONANT  Le Soléal

2 FASCINATING JAPAN & KOREA VOYAGES

Osaka-Busan  May 7-19     Busan-Osaka  May 9-31 


A fascinating small ship immersion with exploration of a very wide variety of Japan's uniquely intriguing ports


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SILVERSEA Silver Moon

  Tokyo-Tokyo 

Sept 19-Oct 3, 2026

Explore Japan's uniquely intriguing history and culture with a robust lecture series that will provide deep context for our journey  

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VIKING Mars

CARIBBEAN-CENTRAL AMERICA-PANAMA CANAL

3 VOYAGES:

November 3-13     Ft. Lauderdale to Panama

  November 13-23     Panama to Ft. Lauderdale

Nov 23 - December 7       Ft. Lauderdale Round Trip

I will provide a robust lecture series covering history, geography, 

biogeography and cultural aspects of our fascinating destinations. 


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2027 SCHEDULE :

SILVERSEA Silver Whisper

Papeete-Papeete

January 24-Feb 7  2027

A CAPACIOUS FRENCH POLYNESIAN LOOP

Join me to explore the geology, history, anthropology, biogeography 

and rich literary & cinematic legacy

of this storied part of the world.

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SEABOURN Encore

Tokyo-Tokyo

April 10-24  2027

Japan & South Korea

Join me on a wonderful journey around the islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Hokkaido, with a bonus visit to dynamic Busan, South Korea. 

My robust lecture series will cover the intriguing history, unique culture and important current affairs issues of this fascinating part of the world. 


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SMITHSONIAN Journeys

Treasures of Japan & South Korea

April 30-May 9, 2027

aboard Ponant's elegant Le Soléal

Join me on an educational voyage from thriving Busan, South Korea, across the Korea Strait, and into Japan's Inland (Seto) Sea to explore the islands of Honshu and Kyushu.

My robust lecture series will bring our destinations' dynamic history, culture, and current affairs alive. 

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CRYSTAL Serenity

New York to San Juan

Oct 12-21  2027

Sail out of NY Harbor to Bermuda and on to the storied Caribbean - with a robust lecture program exploring the rich history of this Atlantic region.  


San Juan to Rio de Janeiro

Oct 21-Nov 4  2027

Sail through the Caribbean and on to fabulous Brazil, with a comprehensive lecture program

highlighting key historical and cultural aspects related to our intriguing destinations. 


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2028 SCHEDULE :

CRYSTAL Symphony

Fort Lauderdale to Papeete, Tahiti

Jan 11- Feb 13, 2028

A momentous journey: 

Sail through the Caribbean, then on to the Pacific via the Panama Canal, continuing on through the storied South Pacific to stunningly beautiful  French Polynesia 

(via Easter Island and Pitcairn Island!)



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Dear Dr. Freedman: I would like to thank you 
for the incredibly enlightening lectures 
that you so enthusiastically presented. 
Your talks and the information you presented 
made this cruise EXCEPTIONAL. 
We hope to schedule another cruise 
when you'll be speaking -
so please send us your schedule!
Thank you again,
Eva Incaudo

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John, 
It is always a pleasure to have you on Silversea, 
knowing you will do a marvelous job 
of enlightening our guests.
Andrew Poulton, 
 Director, Onboard Enrichment Programs
Silversea Luxury & Expedition Cruises

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ON FASCINATING DESTINATIONS!
Follow me on Twitter: 
I thoroughly enjoyed your lectures onboard the Voyager- both extremely informative 
AND very entertaining!
- EL, Virginia Beach, VA 
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Thanks so much for your TERRIFIC presentations!
Hope to sail with you again soon.
- John Ekin, Cruise Director, Oceania Riviera
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May I say once again how much we enjoyed your lectures on board the Explorer from Miami to Lisbon - splendid presentations!

- BG, U.K.

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Dear Doctor John,
Very many thanks for your lectures 

on our Smithsonian cruise in Japan! 

My wife and I have really enjoyed them. 

Great slides, well researched, excellent content. 

We have enjoyed the experience and 

the opportunity to add to our learning.

With thanks and our best wishes.
-Brian and Marion

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Wow!! Wonderful lectures!
Thank you,

Carol Blythe, on RegentVoyager Dubai-Beijing

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I was very strongly impressed by our speaker, 

Dr. John Freedman, who does on Regent what I have been doing at the University of California 

for the last two decades.

-Giles Gunn, Professor of Global Studies, UCSB

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John, 

Your timing and humor are terrific. I felt like you were really letting us in on something BIG. And you really enjoy interacting with the audience. Loved it!

- Tom T, Oakmont Symposium attendee

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Dear Dr. Freedman,

Just to let you know how much I am enjoying your lectures on Vietnam. This is my first opportunity to see Vietnam up close. My only previous exposure was patrolling off the coast in 1963, compliments of the US Navy. I'm looking forward to more of your very interesting and informative lectures. Thank you for enriching my Southeast Asia cruise.

- MW, Viking Orion

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Awesome, Dude! Thanks for teaching me with humor and quality and quantity education! 
- so important, fascinating, and HELPFUL 

during my journey through Cuba. 

I loved your lecture series- 

obviously you know your stuff! You rock.

-Vicki S, Nyack NY

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We had the BEST lecturer ever on our recent cruise on the Orion - Dr. John Freedman! 

His lectures were standing room only, not to be missed. 

-Posted by NanciEA, on Cruise Critic, May 20,2019

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Agree about Dr. Freedman. We were on the Bangkok to Hong Kong segment and all of his lectures 

were filled to capacity. He is simply the best.

- Posted by 'tubeamps' on Cruise Critic- May 21, 2019

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Dear Dr. Freedman,
I attended your lectures on our cruise of the Iberian Peninsula and I would like to tell you how much I enjoyed them. Your lectures added a deeper dimension to our entire journey. 
I hope I shall have the opportunity 
to be present on future occasions when 
you will be the speaker on historical subjects. 
Sincerely,
YY, Oceania Riviera, Iberian cruise
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Check out my online presentations on 
and
John- It was a pleasure as always! 
Your scores came in very high, so the office will be happy too!
Cruise Director, Viking Orion
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John, it has been an absolute pleasure 
working with you!
Cruise Director, Viking Star
----------------------------------------------------
I loved it all! - Great lectures! Thanks!
HS, Regent Voyager Cuba Cruise, 2016
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John entertains you like no other
with his vast knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject!
MD, Viking Orion Japan & Korea 2019
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Wonderful lecture. Thank you so much. 

Bravo Viking TV. Bravo Dr. Freedman!!

-Viewer comment 

on Viking TV 'The Mighty Mother Mekong' presentation






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Dr.John Freedman
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