Maritime History Presentations

For over 18 years, Chris Frame has delivered engaging and informative maritime history presentations, drawing on his extensive knowledge of ocean liners and cruise ships from the 1830s to the present day. His 45-minute presentations explore the fascinating intersection of maritime history and world events and command a full-house crowd.

Chris’ Popular Lecture Topics:

  • Evolution of Passenger Ship Design
  • Cunard Line History
  • The Original Cunard Queens
  • White Star Line History
  • Changing Uses of Passenger Ships (mail, immigration, tourism, cruising)
  • Ocean Liners in World War I & II
  • P&O and Orient Line History
  • Maritime Disasters (Titanic, Lusitania)
  • The Pandemics Impact on Cruising

Speaking Experience:

Chris has lectured extensively worldwide, including aboard QE2 during her farewell season where he was noted as being the youngest ever Cunard Insights speaker during the ship’s 39 1/2 year career.

He has spoken aboard numerous cruise ships, and at prestigious maritime museums such as the Australian National Maritime Museum, Western Australian Maritime Museum and SeaCity Museum Southampton. He has presented for the World Ship Society, was a keynote speaker for the RMS Queen Mary’s 90th Anniversary and has been engaged by numerous cruise lines including P&O, Celebrity and Cunard Line. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences and events having spoken at the Australian Marketing Institute, ACSA and LASA conferences.

Where To See Chris:

  • 2026 Cunard Schedule: Speaking aboard Queen Mary 2 as a keynote speaker during the ship’s 450th Transatlantic Crossing in November 2026. Book via Chris’ recommended travel agency [this page contains an affiliate link].

  • 2026 Celebrity Schedule: All Beyond the Podium engagements are complete until 2027.

  • 2027 Cunard Schedule: Negotiations are underway for 2027 engagements. Updates will be published on Chris’ Substack.

  • 2027 Celebrity Schedule: The Beyond the Podium schedule continues in 2027. Details will be posted on Substack.

  • 2028 Four Queens (Cunard): Speakers for the Liverpool Four Queens event are yet to be announced. Check Substack for updates.

What others say about Chris Frame’s Lectures:

“Chris is an accomplished speaker with a passion for the maritime industry. His talks are interesting, engaging and well thought out. He is a regular speaker on all three Cunard ships. Not only does he have a well rounded understanding of maritime history (and particularly Cunard), but he also keeps up to date with industry news and trends to ensure his content is current and relevant for our discerning audience. He engages well with guests both on stage and around the ship, acting as a consummate professional. It is always a pleasure having Chris sail with us, both as a speaker and a guest.”

David Webster | Cunard Global Head of Entertainment & Director

“Chris is an exceptional wealth of knowledge on maritime history and the way he has been able to create and deliver a bespoke series on Cunard is a definite asset to our Insights programme on ship and attracts large audiences and followings. He presents with passion and engages his audiences from the very start to the very end. His published works are great too.”

Neil Kelly | Cunard Entertainment Director

“While I was an Entertainment Director for Cunard Line, Chris came on board on numerous occasions to lecture on Cunard History. Chris is exceptionally well read and informed about Cunard’s history and it was always a pleasure to see his passion for the subject. He supported his lectures with numerous superb pictures and was consistently well received by international audiences. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”

Alastair Greener | Former Cunard Entertainment Director

“A most interesting and popular lecturer in maritime history who fills the auditorium and keeps his audience engaged throughout. Author of several well researched and readable books on ships present and past.”

Christopher Rynd | Former Cunard Commodore

“It is always a joy to have Chris with us… exploring the incredible stories of the great liners in a down-to-earth and clear way.”

Andy Skinner | SeaCity Museum

“Chris is a wonderfully engaging speaker, with a wealth of knowledge on all things maritime… thoroughly captivating them with his tales of Cruise Ships in the past.”

Colleen Mangan | Cancer Council

“Club members have enjoyed his presentations… Chris knows his subjects well and illustrates his talks with visuals to hold the listener’s interest.”

Dawn Palm | Rotary Club President

“…a very knowledgeable and engaging speaker… The audience thoroughly enjoyed Chris’ talk.”

Margaret Brooker | City Libraries

“…Chris Frame talk[ed] to our group, several times… a very competent & entertaining speaker. Chris’ presentations are always well prepared & most importantly take into account the age & interests of his audience.”

Beryl Channer | President U3A

Book a Lecture:

For inquiries about booking Chris Frame for a maritime history lecture, click here to get in touch.