RSSC, Artful Travelers team on PBS cruise with 'Downton'-themed excursionRSSC, Artful Travelers team on PBS cruise with 'Downton'-themed excursion

Seven Seas Voyager passengers can take a pre-cruise journey through the English countryside with a special lunch and afternoon hosted by best-selling author Lady Fiona Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, better known as the setting for the Emmy Award-winning 'Downton Abbey' on PBS Masterpiece.

In conjunction with the Aug. 27 'Masters and Tsars' cruise, the excursion visits locales featured in episodes of 'Downton Abbey' prior to passengers embarking the ship at Southampton for a Baltic cruise to Stockholm.

A photo stop and tour awaits participants at Basildon Park, the elegant house setting for the 'Downton Abbey' Christmas Day special from 2013. The afternoon features a lavish three-course lunch at The Vineyard restaurant where passengers will learn about the history of Highclere Castle as told by Lady Carnarvon, the longtime steward at the stately home that serves as the primary setting for 'Downton Abbey.'

She has been on set during much of the filming and will share her personal experiences of the cast and crew. The afternoon culminates with Lady Carnarvon signing her latest book, the New York Times best-seller 'Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey.'

Aboard Seven Seas Voyager, passengers will be able to attend lectures and informal discussions with PBS personalities including Gwen Ifill of 'Washington Week' and executive producer of 'American Masters' Michael Kantor. In addition, David Zippel, Tony Award-winning lyricist and director, and Tony Award-nominated vocalist and actress Christine Andreas will join passengers for the sailing and select shore excursions.