Chris Frame the Maritime Historian

Community Outreach

Today I was in to Perth, and visited the Melville Men’s Shed to present the history of Titanic to a local group of residents, who make up this vibrant community group.

At some point on the journey, every creator learns a simple truth: You can’t respond to every critical thought that someone posts on the internet.

But occasionally, a claim surfaces that isn’t just wrong, but wrong in a way that affects the public record.

And when it does, I think it’s important to set the record straight.

From Australia to Long Beach, I had the joy today to lecture ‘aboard’ RMS Queen Mary for her 90th Anniversary, virtually, thanks to modern tech.

My lecture “The Queens” told the story of the remarkable Queen Mary and her fleet mate Queen Elizabeth, and was shared on the screen aboard the ship, as well as to an online audience.

Anthony Davis from The Expert Cruise Show made the trip out to the ship, to celebrate the anniversary in person, and capture the moment for me.

A once‑in‑a‑lifetime event: On 30 May, maritime historian Chris Frame will present “The Queens”, a gripping, richly illustrated lecture delivered virtually aboard RMS Queen Mary in celebration of her 90th Anniversary.

This special presentation tells the riveting story of Queen Mary’s origins, construction, launch, maiden voyage, and wartime service, a sweeping narrative of innovation, rivalry, and resilience that shaped one of the world’s most iconic ocean liners.

Secure your place now via SoCal on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maritime-presentations-day-tickets-1988856900528?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

🤩 Thanks Chat GPT: one of our channel subscribers sent me this screen shot… they said the question was:

“Who should be the Cunard lecturer on the 4 Queens 2028?”

I love AI’s optimism of my chances of getting a gig, but I don’t think Cunard would helicopter me between three ships 🤣

Many of you have asked which ship I’ll be aboard for the big event: I’ve requested Queen Elizabeth due to my family commitments, so 🤞🤞🤞 - but at present no speakers are confirmed.

Queen Mary Cruising Facebook Page has captured / downloaded my QM2 Refit video and uploaded it without permission or credit on Facebook as a Reel.

Sharing this because my original video was cut into a Reel and posted on the Queen Mary Cruising Facebook page without permission.

I don’t have Facebook so I can’t escalate it there. I don’t mind being asked if other platforms can share my content. Queen Mary Cruising could easily have posted my original video into their page.

I and many other creators appreciate when we are credited for our work.

Hoping this encourages everyone to acknowledge the content they use.

See my original video here:

Further to my video yesterday, there are some plans showing the Deck 14 “Sun Deck” available here.

Note the Boardwalk Cafe is gone on this variant here.

Many of you have asked me which of the Cunard Queens I’d like to lecture aboard for the 2028 Liverpool 4 Queens event.

Turns out, while I’d love to be aboard the flagship QM2, my schedule means I have actually requested Queen Elizabeth.

The ship’s Southampton to Southampton voyage fits well with my plans and given I would be coming all the way from Australia the voyage suits flights and other family commitments.

However I am not yet confirmed.

This is why I can’t yet share with you all what my plans are. And I do not know as yet, when that confirmation will come through.

When Emma LeTeace from the wildly popular Emma Cruises YouTube Channel heard I am not yet booked to lecture aboard the 4 Queens Liverpool Event, she left me a message that made my day.

“You’re Cunard’s biggest asset” Emma says. Adding, “not living you would be the most stupid business decision I ever did see”.

What a huge endorsement ❤️ from one of the world’s most widely trusted cruise experts (and a dear friend).

Check out her channel at https://www.youtube.com/emmacruises

This month I participated in the City of Wanneroo’s lecture series, to share the story of Australian migration with the public.

One of the shipping lines most influential in Australian migration with a large fleet of ships, was P&O.

P&O were among the most significant in both the early steamer services and the assisted passage scheme.

My P&O presentation was hosted at Clarkson Library, to an engaged crowd.

All set up and ready to start welcoming guests to Dordaak Kepup to hear about how Orient Line helped shape the Australian Immigration Story.

In 2027 the QM2 will undergo a significant refit aimed at ensuring the ship remains relevant during the next 20 years.

While many rumours are circulating, there has been little official information from Cunard.

On 20 May 2026, partial post-refit deck plans were uploaded to the Cunard websites in the USA and Australia.

These deck plans show significant changes to be undertaken during a refit that is yet to be formally announced, and include:

• New block of cabins on Deck 13, aft of the block added in 2016,

• The removal of the Book Shop, to be replaced by a Penthouse,

• Removal of 1/2 of the Zone kids area, with new cabins added,

• The loss of Deck 13 open deck space,

• Re-sizing of the Sports Centre, and

•The removal of the Concierge Lounge.

Cunard’s Queens Are NOT Created Equal: Here’s the Real Difference with Maritime Historian Chris Frame.

Australian Story

The Rare Virus Trapping a Cruise Ship [MV Hondius Outbreak]

Last week I enjoyed presenting the history of Chandris Line at the Wanneroo Library in Australia.

At the event, was a sizeable group from the Chandris online community - many of whom sailed as passengers on board Chandris ships, or worked aboard.

Chandris was instrumental in the operation of the Assisted Passage Scheme, where many people migrated to Australia by ship.

The war in Iran has left several cruise ships trapped in the Arabian Gulf. Passengers have been repatriated by air, but the vessels and their crews remain alongside, unable to begin their northern summer repositioning.

MSC Euribia is currently idle in Dubai. MSC has cancelled its European summer season from Kiel, starting 2 May, as safe passage cannot be guaranteed.

TUI Cruises: Mein Schiff 4 (in Abu Dhabi) and Mein Schiff 5 (in oha) are both currently idle. TUI has cancelled April sailings for Mein Schiff 5, which is now unable to reach its summer home port of Crete.

Celestyal Cruises: Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery remain in Doha and Dubai respectively. April sailings are cancelled, and while the line hopes for a May restart in Greece, these plans remain under immense pressure.

Aroya: The new Saudi-based vessel has a tentative return set for 14 May, though this remains highly optimistic given the ongoing situation.

A Global Ripple Effect: The conflict has forced some redeployments for the 2026–2027 season, with some lines pivoting away from the Middle East planned itineraries.

MSC World Europa: Has redeployed to the Caribbean and French Antilles.

Costa Smeralda: Is moving to the Canary Islands.

AIDAprima: Will head to Northern Europe.

Explora II: Is remaining in the Mediterranean for the winter.