From time to time, I will publish a more in-depth feature about some of the most interesting people I encounter while cruising.  Today I sat down with Mike West in the Gallery Bar for a chat to learn more about his background and a little insight into life as a guest lecturer.

Michael “Mike” West, a retired US Navy Commander, also known as “The Ship Guy,” has been entertaining and educating us since we left Fort Lauderdale almost two weeks ago.

Mike came from a long line of Naval Officers and was commissioned in 1971 via NROTC and was initially assigned to USS Cochrane (DDG 21). Over his 22-year career, Mike served on various ships and finally served as the commanding officer of the USS MILLER (FF 1091) in 1991.   MILLER was originally a Knox class destroyer escort before being converted to a frigate in 1975.  Handling a single-shaft ship like MILLER without the bow thrusters or Azipods you find on modern cruise ships presented many ship-handling challenges.  Nevertheless, Mike remembers that he could bring MILLER into port without the assistance of tugs in most cases.

Mike’s wife, Barbara, encouraged him to take his first cruise in the Mediterranean in the late 1990s.  After a life at sea, many Navy veterans often wonder why they would want to pay to go to sea.  However, after he set foot on his first cruise ship – his passion for the sea was reignited, and he immediately fell in love with cruise ships and cruising.

Later, while on a 28 Day cruise on PRINSENDAM, Mike was enjoying the presentations by the guest lecturer, and that sparked his interest in becoming a guest lecturer himself.  After much networking and persistence, he lined up his first speaking contract with the Celebrity EQUINOX.  Since then, he has expanded his speaking to other cruise lines and is now a frequent speaker with Holland America.  Mike speaks on about 12 cruises a year.

After hundreds of hours of research and preparation, Mike has developed a series of 16 lectures that are constantly revised and improved.  The cruise line doesn’t prescreen the lectures, and aside from their general guidance on avoiding the obvious controversial topics, he has wide discretion on what material to present.  All his presentations are targeted to be 45 minutes.

Here is the list of the eleven topics Mike has presented or will present since we left Fort Lauderdale on 3 January 2023.  He will head home when were arrive in Papeete after spending a few days enjoying the Tahiti with Barbara.  Mike’s lectures have been well attended and it’s best to arrive early to get a better seat.

• The Wonder of Ships #1
• The Wonder of Ships #2
• Why the British Don’t Speak Spanish
• HMS Victory – England’s Great Oaken Wall
• Sink the Bismarck!
• The Queens of the Seas
• Shipwrecks and Time
• Funnels, Flags and Funny Paint
• Flat Tops and Fly Boys
• The Great Ships
• An Engineer’s Look at Titanic

Mike enjoys meeting passengers and listening to their feedback and suggestions for future topics.  Be sure to leave your comments on post-cruise surveys and during the cruise on the “Let us Know” area of the Navigator App.  Positive comments help the cruise line decide when to schedule lecturers on future sailings.

Mike and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters and one grandchild.  They live in Ponte Verda, Florida, where Mike runs a small business:  Command Presents, which specializes in custom and personalized military mementos.  Check out his website HERE.  You can contact Mike via Email mwest@commandpresents.com.

NOTE:  If you are interested in becoming a guest lecturer, HERE is a website that will provide some leads on how you might be able to get started.  But, like everything else, persistence, timing, and a little luck will help.

Tonight’s entertainer was Pianist Elliot Finkel.  We saw him perform on our first World Cruise in 2016 when he was part of the Finkel Brothers.  Unfortunately, his brother and father have passed, so he continues to perform solo.  This was his second show, which we enjoyed very much.

Another sea day tomorrow and our first Sunday Brunch.