14th February 2026 ~ Black Sea, Red Sea & Red Arrows – with Bill Mayes ~
Cruising with Saga 2008-2010 …
This talk features three cruises on the Saga Ruby, including a unique cruise from Southampton to Aqaba with two Suez Canal transits, a cruise to the Black Sea, when we could, and a non-stop round Britain trip.
Bill Mayes is well known as the Chairman of the Ocean Liner Society, a director of The World Ship Society and a regular contributor to Sea Lines and Ships Monthly. He has amassed a huge “back catalogue” of voyages worldwide and a wealth of knowledge specialising in cruise ships and ferries. A good and longstanding friend of WSS Dorset.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
14th March 2026 ~ A Look Back at Shipping on the Fal ~ with Krispen Atkinson ~
Following a great talk on Falmouth in 2025, Krispen explores laid-up tonnage on the river ...
For over a century, the stretch of water between Truro and Falmouth has served as a home for laid-up ships, with vessels from renowned but now-defunct shipping companies - such as Blue Funnel, Blue Star Line, Cunard (and its subsidiaries), and Shaw Savill - occupying berths near the King Harry Ferry. During this time, notable ships have graced the river, including the first purpose-built LNG carriers, the school ships Uganda and Nevasa, and Cunard's sister ships Franconia and Carmania. Krispen has shared his talk on Falmouth … now learn what lies beyond …
Krispen Atkinson is a maritime consultant, director of The World Ship Society and regular contributor to Ship’s Monthly & Marine News with a passion for modern merchant shipping. As author of an annual “Maritime Review” series, Krispen is a WSS speaker in demand.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
11th April 2026 ~ Gateway to the World: The Great Port of New York ~ with Bill Miller ~
Ships, bridges, skyscrapers, history and a 250th birthday party ...
Called the greatest harbour anywhere, we tour the harbour & its highlights: the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, bridges & ferryboats, the grand liners & the great skyscrapers. 2026 is the 250th anniversary of America and a gala parade of ships in New York harbour is scheduled for July 4th. We welcome Bill back a few weeks before he narrates the parade from Queen Mary 2.
Bill Miller is an international authority on ocean liners & cruise ships - and great fan of New York. Great ships of the past, those “floating palaces,” as well as the current generation of cruise ships, the “floating resorts”. An international speaker, known as “Mr. Ocean Liner,” Bill has authored over 100 books on subjects from early steamers, immigrant ships and liners at war topassenger ships of today.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
9th May 2026 ~ Ferry Tales of the Eighties ~ with Steve Pink ~
From Thoresen’s Vikings to P&O’s Prides … over 20 south coast ferries …
After an early career at sea, Steve spent ten years in port operations and sales & marketing with Thoresen Car Ferries and its successors. From Thoresen's Viking I and Townsend's Free Enterprise II to P&O Ferries' Pride of Dover ... via freight ferries, the end of Southampton ferry services, requisitioning ferries for the Falklands, the P&O takeover, traumatic strikes and more ... all these stories provide a backdrop as Steve takes a look at over 20 south coast ferries.
Steve Pink is branch secretary and events organiser at WSS Dorset and a member of the Ocean Liner Society. A Nautical Studies graduate with a background in cargo-passenger shipping, ferries and cruising - Steve also acts as editor & promoter for ~Ships~Dorset~ facebook group and website content.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
12th September 2026 ~ Union Castle Line ~ with Robin Plumley ~
More details later…
Union-Castle Line operated a fleet of passenger liners and cargo ships between UK and Africa from 1900 to 1977.
Robin Plumley - Robin retired from a senior position with UK government scientific oceanographic research vessels following fifteen years in command of world-wide research vessels and experience with polar supply and research vessels. Robin is highly decorated … Polar Medal 1993 for outstanding contribution to Antarctic science … MBE 2015 for services to marine science … Freeman and Liveryman of Honourable Company of Master Mariners … Freeman of City of London … Past Captain of the Southampton Master Mariners’ Club.
