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Artwork for Deck Tales: Secrets From The Sea. Behind the Scenes Stories from Cruise Ships and Crew Members from Maritime and Sea Life

Deck Tales: Secrets From The Sea. Behind the Scenes Stories from Cruise Ships and Crew Members from Maritime and Sea Life

Sam Catling - Sea Life Story Teller
Cruise Industry
Cruise Ship Life
Cruise Ships
Covid-19
Mental Health
Magic
Entertainment
Entertainment Industry
Social Media Influencers
Carnival Cruise Line
International Cuisine
Stand-Up Comedy
Medical Emergencies
Crew Life
Ocean Liners
Cultural Stereotypes
Comedy
Crew Experience
Philanthropy
Medical Assistance

DeckTales plunges you into the unbelievable reality of crew life! Join former cruise ship entertainer Sammy Catling as he collects the wildest, most hilarious sea stories from those who work on cruise ships, naval vessels, ferries and beyond. Ever wonder about the true secrets of ship life? We go beyond the brochures to expose the raw crew life and hidden corners of a maritime career. Hear from ev... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes54Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Deck Tales: Secrets From The Sea. Behind the Scenes Stories from Cruise Ships and Crew Members from Maritime and Sea Life

Latest Episodes

Ep53:Jenn Sellitti

Jenn is a criminal defence attorney and deep-sea shipwreck explorer and leader of Atlantic Wreck Salvage. She shares how her passion for history—not the ocean—pulled her into the world of deep-sea exploration, where she helps unco... more

Ep52: Rod Scher

In this episode of Deck Tales, we are joined by author and historian Rod Scher to explore why shipwreck stories still grip us centuries later, to uncover what really causes them to go down—and why it’s almost never just “bad luck.”

more

In this anonymous interview, “Sarah,” a cruise ship activity host, reveals the unfiltered reality of life working at sea. From exhausting 7-day workweeks and ship politics to shocking behind-the-scenes incidents, she exposes what passengers never see... more

Ep50: Ted Lund

In this episode of Deck Tales, Captain Sammy Catling sits down with veteran captain, journalist, and whale-watching guide Ted Lund, broadcasting from Juneau, Alaska at the height of whale season. What begins as a conversation about hu... more

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Recent Guests

Rod Scher
Author and maritime historian, expert on shipwreck narratives
Author of shipwreck books
Episode: Why Lifeboats Failed: The Forgotten Chaos of Early Shipwrecks
Ted Lund
Captain, journalist, and self-described modern-day whaler
Juneau-based operations; media/academic engagements
Episode: Whales Are Fighting Back — And We Might Deserve It
Orel Federman
Founder of Nautical Miles Club; former Navy and cruise ship security professional
Nautical Miles Club
Episode: Stranded at Sea During COVID
Martin Barmby
Former Royal Navy Submariner, engineer and mentor
Royal Navy
Episode: Inside a Royal Navy Submarine Where Failure Isn’t an Option
Richard Jones
A naval weapons engineer and author specialized in maritime disasters and air disasters.
Episode: The Man Who Turns Forgotten Disasters Into Memorials
Zamira Chevrestt
Sustainability ambassador and volunteer wrangler for In The Same Boat
In The Same Boat
Episode: Sailing Into the Arctic to Clean Up Humanity’s Mess
Anthony Cummins
A real-life pirate who has spent over six decades at sea, known for breaking stereotypes about piracy.
Independent Maritime Consultant
Episode: The Pirate Code Was More Progressive Than Modern Society
Rich Napolitano
Part historian, part storyteller, and host of Shipwrecks & Seadogs
Shipwrecks & Seadogs
Episode: Inside the Darkest Shipwreck Stories Ever Told
Lucy Southerton
Former cruise ship crew member and current cruise vlogger
Cruising As Crew
Episode: Cruise Ship Crew Exposed: The Good, The Bad & The Absolutely Unhinged

Host

Sammy Catling
Host and captain of the Deck Tales podcast, Sammy Catling draws from his experiences as a former cruise ship entertainer to narrate the wild and often hilarious stories shared by crew members. He aims to paint an authentic picture of maritime life, weaving both comedic and serious elements into his interviews.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • You should interview Christopher Buckley

    If you haven’t already, you ought to read “Steaming to Bamboola”, Christopher Buckley’s first book, his sea stories sailing on a tramp steams between prep school & Yale.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    another RJF
    United States3 months ago
  • Bruce Allen for host

    It’s okay… but why does the host have guests, only incorrectly summarise what they say before telling his own unrelated stories? It’s like he wants a podcast but has nothing to provide, like he said in Ep 4, he just can’t generate content on his own. Why make a podcast then??

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Upsetman
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Very interesting - what a great find

    Stumbled into this podcast because I love Bellow Deck. This feels like bellow deck on steroids! Great genuine stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jomi Cruz2
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Unexpectedly entertaining

    Not knowing anything about this industry, i had no expectations going in, but after listening to a few episodes I’m really enjoying it. Its so funny, very informative, and Sam is genuinely a good host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Russberrypie
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Excellent work by a top guy!

    Having worked at sea for 10 years, I’ve enjoyed all of episodes so far, and looking forwards to upcoming shows.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dave Pa.
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners have noted that the podcast provides a unique peek behind the curtain of the cruise industry, often revealing surprising truths about life at sea.
There are mixed reviews about the host's interview style, with some wishing for less personal anecdotes from him.
Many listeners appreciate the authentic and humorous storytelling about cruise life.
Overall, most feedback highlights the fun and engaging nature of the content, making it popular among those curious about maritime life.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Harassment, Burnout and the Hidden Economy on Cruise Ships...(Anonymous Interview)
Q: What prompted you to move from West End theatre to cruise ships?
A tight London market and fewer high‑paying West End roles pushed the guest to seek abroad opportunities, with the ship life offering travel and a different kind of career path.
Inside a Royal Navy Submarine Where Failure Isn’t an Option
Q: What is the hardest part of submarine life, and how does it shape daily work?
The hardest part is balancing the relentless demand to stay vigilant, fix things quickly, and supervise others, all while managing the stress of being in a high-stakes environment. It teaches you to rely on teamwork, communicate clearly, and act decisively, because lives depend on it.
The Pirate Code Was More Progressive Than Modern Society
Q: If you could send a message to your younger self in a bottle, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self to triple the prices.
The Pirate Code Was More Progressive Than Modern Society
Q: For listeners who've never heard of you before, is it Anthony or Tony or Captain Tonz? What do you prefer?
Captain Tonz is my public name now, and I kind of went with it.
Sailing Into the Arctic to Clean Up Humanity’s Mess
Q: What's the process like for cleaning up a beach?
We have breakfast at eight, then clean until noon, take a lunch break, and clean until the late afternoon.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content immerses listeners in the often surprising and humorous realities of life aboard cruise ships, as shared by a diverse array of crew members from various maritime backgrounds. The storytelling captures the lighter, comedic elements alongside more serious insights into the challenges faced by those working at sea, including navigating unusual customer interactions, cultural dynamics among crew, and the impact of global events like COVID-19 on the cruise industry. Each episode typically features former crew members sharing their own unique narratives, showcasing a broad range of experiences—from exhilarating to bizarre—ensuring a rich tapestry of sea tales that entertain while educating listeners about the complexities of maritime care... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Joy of Cruising Podcast
2. Essential Cruise Tips
3. Cruise Talk Weekly
4. Cruise Radio: Weekly Cruise News & Travel Tips
5. Cruise Conversations Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 54 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Rod Scher
2. Ted Lund
3. Orel Federman
4. Martin Barmby
5. Richard Jones
6. Zamira Chevrestt
7. Anthony Cummins
8. Rich Napolitano

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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