Nautical Nostalgia Cruise Ship Talks

David is frequently invited to sail as Guest Lecturer aboard cruise ships, which he gives under the Nautical Nostalgia banner. Recent appointments include Cunard’s “Queen Mary 2” and “Queen Victoria”, the “Saga Sapphire”, P&O’s “Oceana”, “Ventura”, “Oriana” and “Arcadia”, also Fred. Olsen’s “Balmoral” and the old “Black Prince”.

I was 3rd Officer on this cargo ship

One of his favourites was the venerable “Discovery” (now sadly no more. Scrapped 2015).

This activity began when, during a cruise aboard “Discovery” in 2005, David was asked if he would like to give a talk on board about his experiences in Antarctica. The resulting talk – “Antarctic Antics” was so well received that he was asked to repeat the talk the following year. Since then he has expanded his repertoire to around twenty talks (see Repertoire).

David’s subject relates to various aspects of Maritime History. Two talks are based on his own career at sea in the 1960s and 70s (a little bit of maritime history in itself) while others relate to the late 19th and 20th century Merchant Navy, particularly the history of the great liners in peace and in war.

David champions very strongly that much-maligned and unloved character – the Merchant Seaman.