A varied programme of entertaining, richly illustrated 45-minute talks bringing history to life through remarkable personalities, great works of art, fascinating places and the stories behind them.

​

Destination-related presentations: Lectures can be selected and tailored to complement individual cruise itineraries, connecting ports of call with the history, personalities, art, architecture and cultural heritage of the places visited. 

​

1. FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO SHAPED OUR WORLD

​

BRUNEL AND THE BIRTH OF THE OCEAN LINER
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the greatest engineers of the Victorian age. He revolutionised ocean travel with three pioneering steamships, each more ambitious than the last. But his genius extended far beyond the sea, embracing magnificent bridges, tunnels and railways. We explore the bold ideas, triumphs and setbacks of a Victorian visionary whose achievements helped shape modern transport.
(UK, Atlantic)

​

CHURCHILL – SOLDIER, STATESMAN, ARTIST
Winston Churchill was a soldier, war correspondent, politician, writer, statesman and accomplished artist. His long life encompassed adventure, triumph, failure and controversy. We discover the many sides of Churchill, from his daring early exploits and wartime leadership to his love of painting, which became a lifelong source of pleasure and escape from the pressures of public life.
(UK, France, Morocco)

​

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS – JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN
In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail across the Atlantic and changed the course of world history. We follow his daring voyages, the people and ambitions behind them, and the far-reaching consequences of his encounters with lands and peoples previously unknown to most Europeans. A compelling story of courage, ambition, navigation, discovery and controversy that continues to provoke debate today.
(Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, Atlantic, Caribbean)

​

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE – FROM EMPEROR TO EXILE
From his early years in Corsica to the imperial throne of France, Napoleon's rise was sensational. A brilliant military commander, ambitious ruler and master of his own image, he transformed Europe before his disastrous downfall. We follow his journey through revolution and empire, exploring his military triumphs, personal relationships and political ambitions before defeat at Waterloo and final exile on St Helena.
(France, Europe, South Atlantic)

 

CLEOPATRA – THE LAST QUEEN OF EGYPT
The last great queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra has fascinated the world for over 2,000 years. Brilliant, ambitious and politically astute, she captivated Julius Caesar and Mark Antony as she fought to preserve her kingdom. Through ancient images, great paintings and Hollywood legends, we examine her dramatic life, tragic downfall and the many myths surrounding one of history's most famous women.
(Egypt, Rome, Eastern Mediterranean)

​

JOAN OF ARC – WARRIOR, MARTYR, LEGEND
Peasant girl, military leader, heretic and saint – Joan of Arc’s story has captured our imagination for six centuries. Through paintings, sculpture and historical images, we follow her astonishing rise, brutal downfall and lasting legacy. Separating history from myth, we discover how a teenage girl from rural France inspired armies, challenged powerful men and became an international icon.
(France)

​

LEONARDO DA VINCI – THE ULTIMATE RENAISSANCE MAN
Leonardo da Vinci was far more than the painter of the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. An artist, inventor, engineer, anatomist and endlessly curious observer of the world, Leonardo developed ideas that were often centuries ahead of their time. Through his paintings, drawings and notebooks, we discover his restless imagination, remarkable achievements and lasting appeal as the ultimate Renaissance man.
(Italy)

​

GALILEO – THE MAN WHO MOVED THE EARTH
Galileo challenged centuries of accepted wisdom and transformed our understanding of the universe. With his telescope, he made revolutionary discoveries, but his ideas brought him into conflict with the powerful Catholic Church. We follow his investigations, his controversial trial and the extraordinary story of a man whose courage and scientific curiosity helped change the way we see the heavens.
(Italy)

​

CATHERINE THE GREAT – POWER, PASSION AND THE MAKING OF AN EMPIRE
Born a relatively obscure German princess, Catherine rose to become one of the most formidable rulers in Europe. Her long reign transformed Russia and expanded its empire, while her colourful private life became the stuff of legend. We explore her unlikely ascent to the throne, political ambitions, personal passions and enthusiasm for art and culture, revealing a ruler of formidable intelligence and determination.
(Russia, Europe)

​

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE – MORE THAN THE LADY WITH THE LAMP
Florence Nightingale became famous as the "Lady with the Lamp", but her achievements went far beyond the Crimean War. A determined reformer, pioneering statistician and tireless campaigner, she revolutionised hospital care and nursing. We discover the formidable woman behind the familiar legend, her battles against official resistance and her lasting influence on modern healthcare and the nursing profession.
(UK, Turkey, Crimea)

​

2. DESTINATIONS, PEOPLE AND THEIR STORIES

​

ALL AT SEA – THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF CRUISING
From pioneering Victorian pleasure voyages to today’s magnificent floating resorts, cruising has undergone a huge transformation. Discover the glamorous ocean liners, eccentric passengers, visionary entrepreneurs and remarkable ships that shaped the industry, along with the rivalries, disasters and innovations that turned ocean travel into one of the world's favourite holidays.
(All destinations)

​

THE MASTERS OF MEDIEVAL TRADE – THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE
Long before multinational companies and international trade agreements, the Hanseatic League created a powerful commercial network stretching across northern Europe. Its merchants traded by sea, amassed enormous wealth and transformed ports and towns around the Baltic and North Sea. We explore the ships, cities and enterprising characters behind this medieval trading powerhouse, together with the splendid architecture and commercial legacy it left behind.
(Northern Europe, Baltic)

​

PAINTING THE FRENCH RIVIERA – SUNSHINE, COLOUR AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
Sunshine, brilliant colour and the dazzling light of the Mediterranean have drawn artists to the French Riviera for generations. Many just came for a visit and stayed, establishing homes and studios along this glamorous coastline. We follow in the footsteps of Matisse, Renoir, Picasso, Bonnard and other celebrated painters, discovering how the landscape, lifestyle and light of southern France inspired some of their most vibrant paintings.
(France, Mediterranean)

​

GREAT RAILWAY STATIONS OF THE WORLD
From London’s St Pancras to New York's Grand Central, great railway stations evoke the romance, excitement and adventure of travel. But there are many more architectural treasures waiting to be discovered. We journey through some of the world's most glorious stations, exploring their spectacular architecture, engineering and artworks, including famous paintings by Claude Monet and William Powell Frith. A colourful celebration of places where every rail journey begins.
(International)

​

MASTERPIECES, MYTHS AND MONUMENTS – MICHELANGELO IN ROME
Few artists have left a greater mark on Rome than Michelangelo. Sculptor, painter, architect and notoriously difficult genius, he helped shape some of the city’s greatest treasures. From the famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel to the soaring dome of St Peter's Basilica, we explore his masterpieces, artistic techniques, fiery personality and the powerful popes who commissioned his work.
(Italy)

​

PICASSO'S EUROPE
Born in Málaga and ending his days in the south of France, Picasso’s eventful life took him through some of Europe’s great artistic cities. From Barcelona and Madrid to Paris and the Mediterranean coast, each place left its mark on his work. We follow his journey across Spain and France, exploring the paintings, personalities and relationships that shaped one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
 (France, Spain, Mediterranean)

​

PAUL CÉZANNE – FROM PARIS TO PROVENCE
Why did so many great artists regard Cézanne as a genius? Often called the father of modern art, he transformed the way artists looked at the world and profoundly influenced those who followed. We explore his life in Provence and Paris, his portraits and landscapes, and those wonderfully mind-bending still lifes where perspective plays tricks on us. Discover why Picasso, Matisse and others regarded him as a master.
(Southern France, Paris)

​

TURNER TAKES ON VENICE
When J. M. W. Turner first visited Venice in 1819, he discovered a city ideally suited to his fascination with light, water and atmosphere. He returned twice, creating some of the most beautiful images of Venice ever painted. Through his masterful watercolours and magnificent oil paintings, we explore Turner’s love affair with the city and the artistic vision that made him one of Britain’s greatest painters.
 (Italy, UK)

​

SUNLIT SANDS – THE LUMINOUS LANDSCAPES OF THE DANISH SKAGEN PAINTERS
At the remote northern tip of Denmark, a pioneering group of artists gathered to paint the special light, sweeping beaches and people of Skagen. They created luminous paintings of fishermen, families, summer evenings and life beside the sea. We explore the art, friendships and colourful lives of this Scandinavian artists’ colony and discover why Skagen became Denmark’s answer to the French Impressionism.
(Scandinavia)

​

PLAYING WITH ICE AND FIRE – THE ART OF OLAFUR ELIASSON
Step into the imaginative world of Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, whose spectacular installations use light, ice, water and mist to transform the way we experience art. From the giant sun in Tate Modern to melting Arctic ice, we explore his Scandinavian roots, fascination with the natural world and ability to turn familiar elements into unforgettable experiences that challenge our senses and perceptions.
 (Scandinavia)

​

REMBRANDT – GENIUS, FORTUNE AND THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE
In the 17th century, the Netherlands became one of the wealthiest nations in the world and produced an astonishing flowering of art. At its heart was Rembrandt, a painter of exceptional talent whose life was marked by triumph, tragedy and financial ruin. We explore his dramatic life, his greatest masterpieces and the colourful world of the Dutch Golden Age.
(Netherlands)

​

LOUISIANA – “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM IN THE WORLD?”

Just north of Copenhagen lies one of the world’s most remarkable modern art museums. At Louisiana, outstanding art, beautiful architecture, sculpture gardens and spectacular views across the Øresund come together in perfect harmony. We explore the fascinating story of this much-loved museum and some of its artistic treasures, discovering why the setting is every bit as memorable as the art itself.

(Scandinavia)

​

3. ART, HISTORY AND THE UNEXPECTED

​

WHAT YOU GET FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS – THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE ART
Step inside the international art market, where masterpieces sell for enormous sums and fortunes change with the fall of a hammer. Who buys these works, who sells them, and what drives such eye-watering prices? From Old Masters and French Impressionists to contemporary art, we examine some of the world’s most expensive paintings before tackling the ultimate question: are they really worth $100 million?

​

THE LOST LEONARDO – A 500-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY
How can a neglected painting bought for a fraction of its eventual value become worth $450 million? Discover the tumultuous story of Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi – a tale of genius, ambition, greed, royalty, scientific investigation and bitter controversy. We follow its journey from obscurity to the auction room and ask whether it is truly a lost masterpiece or the most disputed painting ever sold.

​

BOTTOMS UP – THE HISTORY OF ALCOHOL IN ART
Raise a glass to a spirited journey through the history of alcohol in art. From merry tavern scenes and lavish banquets to drunken revelry and cautionary tales, we explore how artists have celebrated – and sometimes condemned – our love affair with drink. Along the way, we encounter famous artists, surprising stories and some decidedly questionable behaviour. A lively blend of art, history and humour.

​

MOVE OVER DARLING – BEDS IN ART
Why have artists been so intrigued by beds? They provide the setting for some of life’s most intimate moments – love, birth, illness and death. From seductive reclining nudes and exotic harems to royal bedchambers and the controversy of Tracey Emin's My Bed, we explore one of art’s most surprising subjects, revealing changing attitudes to intimacy, morality and everyday life.

​

TRASH OR TREASURE – THE GREAT MODERN ART DEBATE
Modern art can shock, delight, baffle and infuriate. From a black square to a banana taped to a wall, we examine some of the most controversial works ever created. Along the way, we consider how art has changed, why seemingly simple works command enormous prices and the question everyone has an opinion about: is it a masterpiece or could my five-year-old really do that?

​

POTS AND FROCKS – THE WORLD OF GRAYSON PERRY
Sir Grayson Perry is one of Britain’s most distinctive and entertaining artists. Famous for his colourful ceramics, elaborate tapestries and flamboyant frocks, he uses humour to explore surprisingly serious subjects – from class and taste to identity and modern British life. We uncover the stories behind his witty, provocative and sometimes outrageous art, and the intriguing personality of the man who created it.

​

THE INTENSE COLOURS OF MATISSE
Few artists have used colour with the confidence and sheer joy of Henri Matisse. From sun-drenched landscapes and richly patterned interiors to portraits and exotic figures, his paintings burst with energy and colour. We follow Matisse’s long and remarkable career, culminating in the brilliant paper cut-outs of his later years – created when ill health prevented him from painting, but certainly not from making extraordinary art.

​

DESPERATE ROMANTICS – THE PRE-RAPHAELITE BROTHERHOOD
Young, rebellious and determined to shake up the art world, the Pre-Raphaelites formed a secret brotherhood and challenged the artistic establishment. Their brilliantly coloured paintings, meticulous attention to detail and striking portrayals of women created a new ideal of beauty – and frequently shocked Victorian society.

​​