Before retiring in 2014 with the U.S. Military, he spent 10 years part time in the classroom. He taught courses in U.S. History, European History, Middle/Near East History, Western Civilization, Mythology, Humanities, and Computer Science. He was a dynamic teacher, engaging his students every step of the way. He served as the Chair for History and Humanities at the University of Phoenix Utah Campus.

Tom has traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, East Africa, South America, Alaska and the Caribbean, as well as Ireland and the United Kingdom. He has lived in England and Turkey. He has led personal small group tours in Alaska, the British Isles, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Oman, East Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America. In addition, he conducted personalized tours in Maritime Canada and Revolutionary War Sites in the United States.

He received his M.A. in Humanities from California State University Dominguez Hills, with an emphasis in U.S. and Middle East History. His thesis is titled, “Loyalists in the American Revolution.”

Believing audience participation is important and learning should be enjoyable he is more of an entertainer than a conventional lecturer, and always encourages his audiences to take part in his talks. Topics would be on History, Culture, Architecture, and World Religions, mingled with local Folk Lore and Traditions.

Since 2014, he has lectured on cruises for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Princes Cruise Lines, American Cruise Lines, Oceana Cruise Lines and Silver Seas Cruise Lines, as well as serving as a Viking Resident Historian for Viking Cruise Lines. His itineraries have included cruises in the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Caribbean, the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Ocean, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, Antarctica, and Alaska. He has given Destination/Port Talks in numerous ports in Alaska, Europe, Asia, and South America. He has given talks on both Ocean and River Cruises.

Below are some example Presentation Topics:

The Roman Empire - From the Founding to the Fall
Mumbai - The Front Door to India
Bali - A Well Flavored History and Culture
The Ancient Near East and Greek Civilization
Aqaba and Luxor – A step into Ancient Times
Cao Đài - A Uniquely Vietnamese Religion
The Ottoman Empire – Rulers of the Eastern Mediterranean for 600 Years
The Spice Trade – From India to the Land of Frankincense to Europe
The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire
The Multi-Cultures of Malaysia
Coffee - An essential to our daily lives, but exactly where did coffee come from?
How the Spanish came to be the Colonial Leaders of the Caribbean
The Temples of India
Caribbean Colonial Architecture
Dakar - a city on the Westernmost point of the African Continent
St. Petersburg – Peter the Great’s Vision of a Window on the West
Kuşadası & Ephesus - Jewels of the Turkish Coast
Fujairah - Guardian of the Wadi Ham
The History of the Cultures & Spice Trade of Cochin (Kochi)
Sierra Leone – Home of Boston King
Nosy Be - The Big Island of Madagascar (aka the Perfume Island)
Luderitz & Walvis Bay – Unmatched Natural Beauty and German Heritage
Malé (Maldives) - The King's Island

São Tomé - Floating in the Gulf of Guinea, it blends natural wonders with a gripping history
Caribbean Delicacies
Delicacies of Polynesia
The Klondike Gold Rush of 1898
Joe Juneau and Soapy Smith – Denizens of the Gold Rush
Hannibal – The Boyhood Home of Mark Twain (and Tom Sawyer)
Davenport – Born During the War of 1812
St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix – America’s Caribbean
Punta Arenas and Ushuaia – Cities of the South
Chilean Fjords and Strait of Magellan – Back to Nature
The Vikings in Iceland - Sagas of Iceland
Irish Myths & Legends – from Leprechauns to Brian Boru
Dublin – A Walking Tour

I have an outgoing personality and enjoy interacting with a large variety of people, and possesses proven public speaking skills. I have a master’s degree in Humanities. I have traveled extensively throughout the World. Worked for Princes, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, American, Oceana, Silver Seas.

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