"Enrichment"

[Cooke, Ashby]

I suspect there's been a topic on speakers before, but a conversation I had last night promts me to ask, "Who did you find interesting and who was boring?" Apparently, according to my father-in-law, my husband's aunt has decided that she wants to be a lecturer on a ship and she's going to speak about Market Research. Personally, having taught market research, I don't see the fascination. I just wondered what others thought.

Her husband is a brilliant musician, so if any of you come across Brian Cooke on a ship, go and listen to him. Judith

[cornish girl, falmouth]

Hi Judith Market research wouldn't draw me. I listened to Sir Bob Stewart lecturing on the Bosnian war, also a retired policeman on several of the biggest bank robberies. Johnny bal,l and I love to listen to John Maxwell Graham talking about the history of Cunard and the Atlantic Crossngs, just to name a few,I do enjoy a good speaker. CG

[Yogini, Waterlooville]

I'm not sure that I'd be drawn to a talk on market research, although I do have a qualification in research methods. I did enjoy one of the talks on the solar system in the QM2 Planetarium.

[Tintop]

I remember a man who talked about the old ships, his passion for the subject was undeniable and his slides show showed the grandeur of the ships of days gone by. On Artemis I went to hear one of the weather presenters (a woman but forget her name) which was interesting too.

[Solent Richard, Lee on the Solent]

I suspect there's been a topic on speakers before, but a conversation I had last night promts me to ask, "Who did you find interesting and who was boring?" Apparently, according to my father-in-law, my husband's aunt has decided that she wants to be a lecturer on a ship and she's going to speak about Market Research. Personally, having taught market research, I don't see the fascination. I just wondered what others thought.

Her husband is a brilliant musician, so if any of you come across Brian Cooke on a ship, go and listen to him. Judith

I'm not sure that I'd be drawn to a talk on market research, although I do have a qualification in research methods. I did enjoy one of the talks on the solar system in the QM2 Planetarium.

Funny you brought this subject up Judith, I was just putting the finishing touches to my review and needed to check on something I had written on the forum.

So here is a short extract from the forthcoming 'Fire and Entertainment' review...

' Without any doubt the biggest daytime draw is Cunard's 'Insights' programme where up to four high profile lecturers with considerable experience from varying interests give talks and answer questions on their specialist subjects which range from politics, naval history, astronomy , celebrity personalities and a host of other subjects. The Insights programmes are generally held in Illuminations, a purpose built state of the art 500 seat auditorium which is also home for the Planetarium, the first at sea, and another first at sea the 3D cinema.

On this particular cruise the three most popular speakers were undoubtedly Lembit Opik, who needs no introduction, ITN Cameraman Phil Bye MBE and Roger McGuinn, the founder of the Byrds Rock Band'.

[stanandmaydupp, doncaster]

Hi Judith,interesting topic. One area where Fred Olsen score highly IMO,is the area of enrichment lectures. I have enjoyed loads of lectures,many on subjects that I would not normally have been interested in,such as The Royal Engineers(Army). When given by a person who has a love of their subject,and can bring it alive,it's surprising what you can learn and enjoy. It's quite a consideration for me when looking at a prospective cruise. I think Market Research could hold a few surprises,but will it be enough? Who knows? Regards to you and A.

[Jocap, Cumbria]

I've heard many brilliant speakers now; 2 in particular were 1) a woman with a passion for Egypt and the Egyptians.....she used to give talks round women's groups etc,and was spotted and referred to Thomson for the Red Sea cruises. She said she'd never thought about lecturing like that, but was loving every moment of her months in the area.
2) A university professor, geologist, who again was passionate about his subject, the geology of the Caribbean. By the end of the cruise, the theatre on Sea Princess would be full.
Jo.

[Issyalex, Glasgow]

two years ago hubbie went to the three lectures about crustations, I went to two of them and within 5 mins into each lecture I was asleep.

we also attended two lectures on the Eclipse given by John the entertainment manager. they were a true account of him meeting a WW2 fighter pilot a few years ago. they were so interesting, so much so I managed to stay awake.

[Jocap, Cumbria]

two years ago hubbie went to the three lectures about crustations, I went to two of them and within 5 mins into each lecture I was asleep.

we also attended two lectures on the Eclipse given by John the entertainment manager. they were a true account of him meeting a WW2 fighter pilot a few years ago. they were so interesting, so much so I managed to stay awake.

Oh, Issy, you've just reminded me....we went to hear Bill Giles, the weatherman, in the main theatre....he was good- very good, in fact- but I was being dug in the ribs every few minutes as I was dropping asleep. I've no idea why, as he was so interesting....
All I can think of was that it was soon after lunch, which was usually the same as I have at home- a small sandwich-
oh, and a few chips-
oh, and some prawns and potato salad-
oh, and..........
Jo.