Meet the speakers who have completed their journey with Cruise Speaker Academy. Discover their experiences, backgrounds, and stories of becoming cruise ship speakers.
Patti D’Beck and David Leong collaborated on nearly 40 Broadway plays and musicals, including A Chorus Line, Grease, Pippin, Hamlet, and Macbeth. They have also worked with and choreographed numerous well-known performers and celebrities.
Cruise Presenter | Historian | International Keynote Speaker | Lecturer
A former Royal Canadian Air Force Major and United Nations Peacekeeper, John has traveled extensively around the world and presented destination and specialty talks for Holland America and Celebrity Cruises.
Mark is a former museum director and private tour guide specializing in World War II history. Since 2014, he has led tours based on personal interviews with veterans of the Normandy D-Day beaches.
Roger is the founder of TEDxStanleyPark and Vancouver Entrepreneurs Toastmasters Club and has coached more than 100 TEDx speakers. He has also served as a gentleman dance host aboard Cunard, Silversea, and Regent ships.
Dr. Stefanie Naumann is a professor, published author, and engaging speaker who shares destination secrets, local foods, and fun facts with cruise passengers around the world.
Pierre brings cultures, local customs, and unusual stories to life through engaging presentations. Having traveled to more than 30 countries, he uses his experiences to make every destination a new adventure.
A seasoned traveler with more than 50 countries under her belt, Melanie brings fascinating stories, travel experiences, and humor to her presentations. She has also lectured at Capilano University and speaks to cruise audiences around the world.
Destination Speaker | Educator | Chiropractor | Amateur Historian
With 29 years of experience in private practice and extensive teaching and lecturing experience, Dr. Robert Vari brings complex topics to life with an entertaining style. His destination talks invite cruise passengers to discover new ports, places, and fascinating stories.
Sharon has explored more than 70 countries and lived in several countries across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. Her international career and passion for cultural experiences inspire her engaging stories about travel and life around the world.
Dr. Steven James has more than 40 years of experience in medicine and academia, including positions at Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania. His engaging presentations combine science, history, and storytelling.
Maureen is a published author and international speaker who has delivered more than 200 workshops on motivation and empowerment. She has also spoken on Celebrity Cruises, sharing fascinating stories about destinations, history, and unusual mysteries.
An award-winning speaker, lecturer, and educator, Suzanne draws on her travels around the world to share fascinating stories and insights about destinations and cultures. Her witty and engaging presentations entertain audiences while inspiring a love of lifelong learning.
Travel Writer | World Traveler | Professional Speaker
Jeff has traveled to more than 30 countries, developing his storytelling skills through his experiences around the world. His quick wit and insightful observations have entertained audiences through his writing, radio, and television appearances.
Travel & Destinations | Education | Sport & Physical Activity
A retired educator and researcher, Jackie has worked and traveled extensively around the world. Her adventures include hiking to Everest Base Camp, summiting Kilimanjaro, and traveling across Africa, bringing fascinating stories and experiences to her destination talks.
She has a serious case of wanderlust — six continents deep and still counting, camera always close at hand to catch the next great view or unexpected moment. She’s also led over 100 workshops on leadership and wellness. She’ll have your guests captivated with stories from the 20 countries she’s explored along the way.
Information Technology | Entrepreneurship | Leadership
With more than five decades in Information Technology, Luke combines technical expertise with storytelling, practical knowledge, and humor. His engaging presentations offer thought-provoking insights for curious travelers and diverse cruise audiences.
Frank draws on his years of world travel and knowledge of cultures and history to offer fascinating insights into the places and people he encounters. With family roots in Hungary, Belgium, and the Netherlands, he brings a unique perspective to every journey.
Leadership | Travel & Culture | Personal Development | Cruise Speaker
With 18 ocean cruises and a lifetime of international travel, Catherine brings a wealth of cultural experiences to her presentations. She combines travel stories with practical insights from coaching, education, and international business to inspire curiosity and reflection.
Leadership | Storytelling | Travel | Human Potential
A retired Canadian Army officer and author, Bill brings decades of leadership and public speaking experience to his presentations. His stories combine travel, humor, and insights into human potential to entertain and inspire audiences.
MEd, Psychologist | World traveler | Author | Educator | Art | Humor | Inspired Learning
Adele brings her knowledge and life experiences to audiences around the world. Since the beginning of her cruise-speaking career in 2016, Adele has spoken for multiple cruise lines and continues to share her curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring our amazing planet.
Professor | Storytelling Expert | Author | Speaker
An award-winning educator and storyteller, Hank has been recognized as a Houston Moth storytelling champion and recipient of the Tejas “Trailblazer” Award. His engaging presentations bring compelling stories and personal experiences to life for cruise audiences.
With hundreds of talks delivered and a lifetime of global travel, Patrick brings insight, humor, and reflection to his presentations. Fluent in German, he draws on experiences across Europe, Asia, and the Americas to explore culture, human nature, and our shared experiences.
Retired Captain Delta Airlines | Former U.S. Air Force Colonel
Paul Carr brings more than 40 years of global aviation and travel experience to the stage. His presentations combine aviation, travel, history, culture, and engaging storytelling, giving audiences a unique perspective on the people and places he has experienced throughout his career.
Leadership Coach | MBA University Instructor | Professional Speaker | Cruise Destination Enrichment Lecturer
Ashli brings a passion for culture, history, leadership, food, wine, and human connection to life through engaging storytelling. Having lived in Canada, the Bahamas, Italy, and Barbados, she draws on her international experiences, Art History background, and sommelier training to create presentations that are both educational and entertaining. As an onboard enrichment speaker, Ashli shares destination-focused stories that help audiences connect more deeply with the places they visit.
Television Producer | World-traveling Tour Director
Barbara has spent decades exploring and interpreting cultures across the globe. Her work with broadcasters such as CBC and TVO has taken her from the Arctic to Southeast Asia, uncovering the stories that shape our world.
Director | Torchbearer | Volunteer Five Olympic or Paralympic Games
Peter brings a lifetime of travel, Olympic experiences, adventure, and curiosity to the stage. Having visited 26 countries and participated in five Olympic and Paralympic Games, he shares fascinating stories shaped by history, sports, culture, and personal adventure. From white-water rafting in the Rockies to running a marathon, earning a curling gold medal, and reading all 11 volumes of The Story of Civilization, Peter brings passion, purpose, and curiosity to every presentation.
Former Deputy Ombudsman, Vice Minister of the Presidency & Judge | University Professor
Also an accomplished attorney and former Costa Rican public official with over 30 years of public service. He has traveled to more than 40 countries across four continents. Beginning his career as a tour guide, he blends legal insight with a passion for culture and travel. His presentations bring powerful stories of justice, history, and global connection to life.