A cruise line presenter for various cruise lines (including Seabourn and Holland America) over a period of 15 years, Charles McClelland weaves the experiences of his many travels into his diverse and far-ranging discussions. His appreciation of and enthusiasm for different cultures are contagious and provide a special energy to his presentations.

Charles spent his formative years in the Panama Canal Zone, and is a widely recognized expert in the history and operation of the Panama Canal. In addition, he has traveled extensively throughout the entire Caribbean area, and Central and South America, and has explored many archeological sites of ancient American civilizations including the Maya and the Inca. His Spanish language fluency has enabled him to independently visit remote locations in the Americas, and he weaves into his discussions the on-the-ground adventures associated with his travels. In addition, in recent years he has extended his expertise to the South Pacific, with cruise presentation assignments to that region.

During a career as a professional instructor, Charles has presented training to thousands of individuals throughout the United States and overseas. As a Georgetown University Adjunct Professor, Charles developed and presented post-graduate courses to a student body representing many countries and cultures. In addition, for many years, he has been a pro bono guest lecturer for the Lifetime Learning Institute.

GENERAL HISTORICAL SUBJECTS

1. THEY RULED THE WORLD: Gain insight into how environmental, rather than biological differences, pre-determined European world domination in the 16 – 19th centuries. (Based on Jared Diamond’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, “Guns, Germs and Steel”).

2. THE GOLDEN AGE OF EXPLORATION: Sail with the intrepid mariners who traveled to the edge of the known world and beyond.

3. THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPEAN COLONIALISM: Learn about the three waves of European colonialism and how World War II contributed to its demise.

4. WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE: Become acquainted with the consequences of the earth shaking biological and cultural exchange that took place between the Old and New Worlds following Columbus’ voyage to the Americas in 1492.

5. ALTERNATIVE HISTORY - WHAT IF…?: Discover that history is not an inevitable march of dusty names, dates and places, but a precarious, careening ride that could have taken us to any number of destinations.

6. THE SAGA OF EARNEST SHACKLETON: Come to appreciate this inspiring tale of courage and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity.

7. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE – PRIVATEER, EXPLORER, AND NAVAL HERO: Learn about the exploits of the renowned seaman who terrorized the Spanish Empire, became the first ship captain to circumnavigate the world, and obliterated the Spanish Armada.

8. THE CLASSIC AND NEW SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD: Discover the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and learn about the New Seven Wonders Of The World.

9. THE LEGACIES OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: Understand the enduring impact of the empire that encompassed virtually the entire civilized western world.

CARIBBEAN

1. ISLANDS IN THE SUN: Take a fascinating tour of the geological origin, history and culture of the Caribbean islands.

2. GUNBOATS IN THE CARIBBEAN: Discover the long history of American involvement in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean.

3. PIRATES – MYTHS vs. REALITY: Become acquainted with the exciting, lucrative, difficult and short lives of the scoundrels who sailed in search of plunder and how their legends conflict with historical records.

4. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS - HERO OR VILLAIN? Learn about Columbus’ four voyages to the Caribbean and the controversy concerning his role in history.

5. WHITE GOLD: Discover the profound impact that sugar had on world history.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

1. MYSTERY OF THE MAYA: Learn about the rise and fall of a great culture that dominated Mesoamerica for three thousand years.

2. CORTEZ’ CONQUEST OF THE AZTECS: : Come to understand how Cortez’ army of 400 was able to conquer the mighty Aztec Empire.

3. THE INCA, CHILDREN OF THE SUN: Discover how a small tribe in the heart of the Andes Mountains created the largest pre-Columbian empire in the New World.

4. COSTA RICA IS DIFFERENT! Understand what makes one of Latin America’s most remarkable countries unique.

5. THE SOUTH AMERICAN WARS OF INDEPENDENCE: Learn how the Spanish colonies were able to rise up during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and achieve independence from Spain.

6. THE NATURAL WONDERS OF SOUTH AMERICA: Discover the remarkable natural wonders of a diverse continent ranging from rain forests to glaciers.

7. DEVIL’S ISLAND – PENAL COLONY AND TROPICAL PARADISE: Learn about one of the most notorious penal colonies in world history…and its beautiful tropical environment.

8. THE MIGHTY AMAZON: Become acquainted with the Spanish exploration of the Amazon and the fauna and flora supported by the mammoth river whose discharge is greater than the next seven largest rivers in the world combined.

9. DANGER IN THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST: Learn about the animals that pose the greatest threat of harm to the unwary.

10. UNIQUE BRAZIL: Come to understand how the language, history and culture of Brazil make it unique among all of the nations of South America.

THE PANAMA CANAL

1. THE PANAMA CANAL – THE BACK STORY: Learn of the centuries-old vision of a canal in Panama, the building of the Panama Railroad and the tragic French attempt to build a canal.

2. THE PANAMA CANAL – CONSTRUCTION: Learn about the remarkably innovative and heroic efforts that led to the successful construction of the Panama Canal.

3. THE PANAMA CANAL - OPERATIONS AND FUTURE: Gain greater understanding of how the Panama Canal operates, the transfer of the Canal to Panama, and the existential crisis it faces today.

4. PANAMA – THE CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD: Come to appreciate the unique geographical position, history, fauna and flora, and indigenous peoples of this lovely tropical country.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND POLYNESIA

1. THE EXTRAORDINARY PACIFIC VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN JAMES COOK: Become acquainted with the famed British explorer, cartographer and naval officer renowned for his three Pacific Ocean voyages ranging from the Antarctic Circle to the Arctic Circle.

2. THE PEOPLES OF POLYNESIA: Take a tour of the islands of the Pacific and become familiar with the indigenous people who populated them.

3. MUTINY ON BOUNTY – THE UNTOLD STORY: Learn about the most famous mutiny in naval history and how it has been misrepresented over the centuries.

4. THE TWO PEARL HARBORS: Discover that there was a 2nd “Pearl Harbor” that destroyed the effectiveness of the Japanese Navy.

A cruise line presenter for 15 years, Charles McClelland weaves the experiences of his many travels into his diverse and far-ranging discussions. Seabourn: 9 cruise assignments
Holland America: 16 cruise assignments
Princess: 1 cruise assignment