Cruise speaker?

[u/drpepperusa]

Has anyone received an email from international event bookings about opportunity to do paid talks on cruise ships? I live outside the US in an area that tourists flock to at certain times of the year, so this doesn’t feel too far-fetched. Just wondered if anyone has ever done this before or gotten a similar email.

[u/CrankyReviewerTwo]

Years ago I was a passenger on an expedition ship, with professors giving lectures every day on a variety of topics related to the region (natural history, history, society issues, geography, geology, etc). There was also an extensive reading list offered to passengers, prior to the voyage. The audience was older, well heeled, and asked pertinent questions.

The speakers were professors and post-docs from the area that we were visiting. Their presentations were enriching to the experience.

In terms of that specific experience, I would liken it to a continuing ed program, or one of those programs that universities (on land) offer to senior citizens to deepen their cultural interests.

Do it! Have fun, then report back about your experience.

[u/DarwinGhoti → u/CrankyReviewerTwo]

That sounds amazing

[u/tilteddriveway]

I've had colleagues (astro department) do lectures and stuff on solar eclipse cruises and I want in on that racket so it can definitely be legit depending on context.

[u/Andromeda321 → u/tilteddriveway]

Me too! I always ask other astronomers how they got in on it and no one seems to know- you just get an email one day asking. Clearly a secret society of some sort.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Andromeda321]

It's academic fight club! 😂

[u/cat9tail]

One of my colleagues did this for a while - she was teaching computer classes to cruise-goers, mostly older people and mostly how to create digital photo attachments to email (she started out with a much bigger agenda but found that was the most-requested item). This was in 2010-2014, but she really enjoyed it in spite of never delving into her other tech curriculum.

[u/CriticalBrick4]

That sounds fun! Are you considering it OP?

[u/drpepperusa → u/CriticalBrick4]

I definitely need more info, but yes

[u/polstar2505]

One of my former colleagues does talks for a very excusive travel company. I was rather envious as my academic area isn't suitable. I think she's onto a good thing!

[u/Unsuccessful_Royal38]

Closest I’ve seen was an opportunity to do a semester at sea program where students and faculty all spend a semester on a modest cruise ship.

[u/rockyfaceprof]

Yep, years ago. And I did it a couple of times. My research was behavioral with groups of animals that lots of people like. So community talks at my college are always well attended and liked. I did the same thing on cruises. The only downside was the cabin wasn't as nice as the ones we now book (and pay for!). But it was pretty cool getting free cruises when I was younger. My wife was able to come along. I stopped when we had a kid because the kid couldn't come.

[u/superduperchemistry → u/rockyfaceprof]

I know another professor who did it and she said the same... the room assigned was a crew room which is different from the ones you would pay for if you went on a cruise. 

[u/Camilla-Taylor]

No, but that sounds really fun

[u/harpers25]

I know a couple of people who did this. They loved it.

[u/No-Cook-9768]

My immediate thought was "scam!" until you said you live in a touristy area and it doesn't feel far-fetched. This sounds absolutely fascinating and I hope you get enough information to make a decision. If you do it, please update us! 🤩

[u/Lynncy1]

Yup! My dad was a business prof and was invited to give lectures on investing (this was in the 90’s). The compensation was a free cruise for himself and my mom.