Chris studied Drama and French at Bristol University, before his love for travel took him to Algeria, where he remained for two years, teaching English and encouraging an interest in theatre, music and the arts on behalf of the British Council.

He returned to England to study Theology at Cambridge, before being ordained as an Anglican priest.

After ordination he worked in parish churches and in Chelmsford and Durham Cathedrals before he left England once more to work in Eastern Europe. This was shortly after the fall of communism in those countries to work as Chaplain to the English speaking communities there, and as the Anglican envoy to the Orthodox Churches in Romania and Bulgaria.

Chris retired from full-time ministry in early 2021, though he still ministers in churches in London, and as Associate Chaplain to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, ministering to the famous "Chelsea Pensioners." He also volunteers as a guide at Tate Britain and Tate Modern galleries in London, and enjoys interpreting works from their collection of great art to the galleries' many visitors from England and further afield. He also travels across Great Britain, lecturing for The Arts Society, where he is an accredited lecturer.

He is now able to spend more time lecturing on cruise ships, and expanding his portfolio of lectures to include great artists and works inspired by many of the ports visited on cruises.

Chris still loves the opportunity to travel, to enjoy music, theatre, opera, cinema, good food (and drink) but above all – Chris loves life!

SPAIN

1. Franco: Western Europe’s Last Dictator
Follow the extraordinary rise to power of a brutal dictator and war-time ally of Nazi Germany who remained as supreme leader of Spain until his death in 1975.

2. King Philip, England’s Spanish King
Hear how King Philip of Spain gained, and then lost the English Crown, before declaring war on England and sending the Spanish Armada to invade.

3. Moorish influence in Andalucia
Learn about the centuries when Spain was dominated by the Moors from North Africa, and the life and culture in El Andalus.

4. The History of Seville through the ages
Discover the history of Seville through its buildings and features

FRANCE

5. “The African Mozart” The Chevalier de St Georges
Discover how the son of a slave with an extraordinary musical talent rose to befriend Queen Marie Antoinette before fighting for the French Revolution

6. Napoleon Bonaparte – Hero or Tyrant?
Learn how Napoleon rose from obscurity to become France’s Emperor, then decide for yourself if he deserves to be remembered as a Hero or a Tyrant.

PORTUGAL

7. The Mad, The Obese and The Unfortunate: Portugal’s Royal Family
Discover the lives of some of the men and women who ruled Portugal and its empire, and are remembered by often unflattering nicknames

8. Portugal, the playground of former kings
Learn about the former monarchs who lost their crowns and retired to the Portuguese coast for their exile.

9. Two nations united by a love of wine
Explore the way in which Port Wine and Madeira helped to cement the alliance between England and Portugal

10. The oldest alliance: The history of England’s treaties with Portugal
Delve into the 600 years of the world’s longest lasting alliance, between England and Portugal

11. Portugal’s Age of Discovery
Discover how Portugal rose from obscurity to build one of the world’s first empires spanning different continents

MOROCCO / NORTH AFRICA

12. The History and Culture of the Berbers
Enter the world of Berber culture and discover their long history and influence which extended far beyond the shores of North Africa.

TURKEY

13. The Siege of Constantinople
Discover how the City of Constantinople fell, bringing to an end the Christian Roman Empire

14. St Paul the Apostle, Martyr in Rome: The Man and his Mission (Also suitable for Rome, Athens)
Explore the life of Saul of Tarsus, who brought the Christian faith to Western Europe, and how his teaching has influenced 2,000 years of the Christian faith.

15. The Trojan War – The story Hollywood did not tell (Turkey)
Discover the darker side of the Trojan War based on the ancient legends of kings and heroes

ISRAEL

16. Jerusalem – City of Peace - from the beginning of time to Year 0
Delve into the story of one of the world’s oldest cities, with links to three of the world’s major faith traditions

GREECE

17. Icons: Windows onto God (Also suitable for Baltic & Russia)
Discover the story of how icons became a central part of the faith of Orthodox Christians, and learn the meaning of the signs and symbols which they contain

18. The Royal Family of Greece
Hear the story of the members of the Danish Royal Family who came to be kings of Greece for almost a hundred years until Greece became a Republic.

19. Maria Callas: A Greek Tragedy in 3 acts NB: 2023 is her centenary
Learn the story of “La Divina” whose life was as dramatic as the roles she portrayed on stage in this her centenary year.

20. Greek and Roman Theatre – The Origins of Drama
Discover the role and purpose of the Theatre in the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean region and how it influenced today’s theatre.

ITALY

21. Saints, Sinners, and Scandal:
Hear a personal selection of some of the best and worst men who have held the office of Popes

22. Antonio Vivaldi: The King of the Baroque (Venice)
Discover the story behind the composer of some of the world’s most recognizable music, who died in poverty in a foreign land.

23. St Nicholas – Much more than the inspiration for Santa Claus (Bari)
Discover the real story of St Nicholas, the 4th Century Bishop, who has become one of the world's most popular saints, and whose relics are in Bari.

CROATIA

24. Diocletian: “The Enemy of God” (Split)
Learn about the life of Roman Emperor Diocletian, whose persecution of Christians earned him the title "Enemy of God," and who retired to grow cabbages in Croatia.

25. Yugoslavia 1918 – 2006 The Creation and Disintegration of a Nation
Discover the story of how Yugoslavia was formed after the First World War, until it broke up following the brutal Yugoslav Wars from 1991-2001.

NORWAY

26. King Haakon VII of Norway and Anti-Nazi Resistance Leader
Hear the true story of Norway’s elected King who led his country’s resistance to the Nazi invasion.

27. 1989: The Year that Changed Europe (Russia, Germany, Poland etc)
Discover the extraordinary events which took place in 1989 and redrew the map of Europe

28. Peer Gynt – A Nordic Wanderer
See how Norway’s greatest dramatist and composer created a Norwegian masterpiece in words and music

29. Saint Olaf of Norway – The Viking Saint
Learn the extraordinary story of the man who is credited with bringing the Christian faith to Norway, and who is known as “Norway’s Perpetual King”

I have given talks on River (Danube) and Ocean cruises with Noble Caledonia, APT, and Viking over the past ten years, travelling in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Baltic regions.
I have lectured on various topics, from explaining the meaning of Icons, to the history of key figures in history (Catherine The Great etc) or key events (Crimean War), and more modern history ("The creation and disintegration of Yugoslavia", "1989 - The year that changed Europe") with facts, anecdotes, and humour!

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.