In order to enhance your cruise experience American Cruise Lines invites carefully selected experts to join us on board. Through informal lectures, open discussions and activities, they bring local history, nature and culture alive with their knowledge and passion for American heritage. These enlighteners, naturalists and historians also lead shore excursions while in port to give our guests behind the scenes tours of some of American’s best-kept secrets and favorite treasures. Not only will you find knowledge in these experts but a friend as well.
Meet some of the American Cruise Lines onboard lecturers:
- John Meffert is a distinguished historian and author on the Southern United States. He has served as the director of the National Trust’s Southern Office for Historic Preservation and as the Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Charleston.
Currently John works as a studt leader traveling both domestically and internationally as a consultant in heritage tourism. His expert knowledge and fascinating delivery of depicting history makes him a passenger favorite.
- Rachel Perkins specialty is “illustrated” talks. She speaks with a dry marker in her hand and sketches out birds, fish, maps, aquifers, figures … whatever will help make the concepts understood. This spontaneity keeps the sessions lively and amusing.
“I have a keen interest in the relationship of the environment to the human endeavor. I usually start with a basic geology of the region and how it gives rise to the landscape we see. I next bring the human element into the picture and explore how the gifts of the earth – the natural resources – have influenced the development of culture and society.”
- Dr. Harold Cones is a Distinguished Professor of Biology, Emeritus, at a Virginia University where he worked for 40 years. He was the 27-year chairman of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science and is a far ranging and much sought after educational and environmental consultant. Dr. Cones is the recipient of numerous national, state and regional teaching awards.
A broadly trained naturalist, consultant and nature writer, he arranges and conducts outdoor travel experiences for students from Maine to Florida and develops, arranges and leads tours as a study leader for the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.
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"The food was excellent! Scenery was stunning! Staff was wonderful—friendly, helpful, always pleasant."
Ms. Ruth B.
Santa Fe, NM
John Meffert
Rachel Perkins
Harold Cones |
